steviej

the type of fluid needed should be printed on the reservoir cap. Check your manual if you got it. steviej

who is kidding who?? That is way more than $4k to fix. I wouldn't be surprised if the frame is bent. I am surprised the side airbags didn't go off. Looks like it has been sitting a while with all the rust. It kinda hits close to home, that looks like my car. steviej

I have an '02 ES (1MZ-FE). The stock Denso filter and the K&N match on performance (ie acceleration, etc). Simply stated you won't get any performance enchancements from switching to the K&N filter in the oem stock air box. I cannot speak to changing to a different air delivery system such as a short pipe, cold pipe, ram, etc. MPG The big difference I found with switching to the K&N, I picked up 3 mpg on city/round town driving and close to 5 mpg on all out highway driving. $$$ savings on filter replacement I never have to buy another filter again. At approximately $12-30 depending on where you buy and how often you change....it will add up. try it, if you don't like it, switch back. The cost of a K&N by mail order was less than $40. The recharger kit is less than $10 and will last the life of the car. steviej

get an owners manaul.....only about $20 US. try ebay, too, usually you can get the leather pouch and sup. owners manual too. if the fuse is blown, I doubt the button trick will work as there is no power to the display unit. fuses involved on an '02, are HTR #43 (10 amp), A/C #29 (10 amp), HTR #22 (50 amp). all of these are in the fuse panel behind the flip down coin tray to the left of the steering column. Your model year may be similar. good luck. steviej

where else do we spend most of our time on here....... .......at work. :chairshot: just kidding. The pop mechanics was in the waiting room of my dealership. I usually hit the forums for an hour before retiring at night. I don't carry work stuff in my briefcase either....life is too short for that....its usually has car mags and stuff. I make my life my career, I don't make my career my life. peace. steviej

sounds like a vacuum hose may be pinched, disconnected, or has a small hole. Could have happened during the head gasket replacement, as the fuel rail would have had to been moved out of the way. Take it back to the garage that performed the $1700 service and have them look at it, since this became apparent after they had it. They shouldn't charge you for it. steviej

check out the June 2003 issue of Popular Mechanics. There is a DIY article on this very subject. steviej

get real Prozac, if you got a supercharger (or a turbo) you tend not to drive conservatively. My feeling was, if you got it, PUNCH IT. It was stock on a 93 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi. 3.8L V6. Real sweet, real fast for its weight. On average I was getting like 18-20 mpg. I was always flooring it. on a straight highway run, I could get close to 25 mpg. But in the long run, it is more stress on the motor, it is more stuff to potentially break down (especially aftermarket). However, I do love the thrust of an sc. steviej

when i have encountered the same problems in the past, just replacing the motor solved the situation. just the motor. start with one variable at a time. steviej

when i have encountered the same problems in the past, just replacing the motor solved the situation. just the motor. start with one variable at a time. steviej

I'm in total agreement. steviej

TRD makes one for the Camry V6, but I know not if anyone ventured to place it on the ES. I miss my supercharger, it passed everything but the gas station. steviej

if it is coming from the back (before you shell out money for pads that may not be the source of you squeal) have the e-brake checked and cleaned. Lex uses a drum in disc system on the e-brake. It is inside the bulbous hub on the rear wheels. If the e-brake was not used routinely by the previous owner and by you, it will build up rust, oxidation and dirt. This can be the noise you hear. Any brake shop (Midas, Speedy, etc can do the cleaning and should only be around $50-75 US. If that is not it, then start looking at pads. The squeal may also just be pad vibration if the anti-squeal grease (blue stuff) has worn or washed off. Easily reapplied. It may also be that the rotors have glazed over or are starting to glaze. You can do a simple cleaning with brake cleaner and paper towels with each wheel off. That may only be a temporary solution. Best solution is replacement or turning the current ones. Lastly, it is not uncommon for metallic pads to give a slight squeal when the pedal is lightly or first applied, but this should go away if heavier pressure is applied. good luck. steviej

ProZac, cross-drilled rotors have many little holes all the way through from one side to the other. slotted have grooves on the surface of the rotors, sometimes in a curve from inside opening to outside edge. both are for rapid heat dissapation to prevent brake fade. steviej sorry skp, I was in the neighborhood.

back to the tranny problem. I took Alan's suggestion and called the 1800-25-LEXUS customer service line to verbally register a complaint on the 02/03 tranny. They were able to look up my emailed complaint of a few months back. The rep was also well aware of the problem. When I got home from work, there was a phone call on my machine from 5:45pm EST. The same rep I spoke with said a letter is being sent to all 02/03 ES owners in regards to the problem, what has been done to resolve it and Lexus' intentions for future actions. I have not received a copy to date, so the first one to get it, please transcribe the contents or scan it in to a post. Thanks, steviej.

when I registered back in 9/02, you were able to sign in if the dealership had filed all paperwork on new car purchases for the VIN. It was more waiting for the dealer to catch up. I was actually trying to register within a few days of purchasing the car. Since then lexus.com has undergone some web changes. If you signed up before the changes, there is a good chance you may not be able to log in. However, as I found out by calling Lexus' customer service line, that all my log in information is correct and is what I thought and is what is in their system. But alas neither they nor I could access the owners forum. I was told it would take 1-2 weeks for a lexus.com website technologist to get back to me with a resolve. Alan, check out your 03 transmission thread. The same representative that I spoke with called me back with an update on the tranny problem. steviej

if you own a lexus and register it with Lexus.com (need VIN) to enter this section of the website, you get access to FAQs. One of the frequently asked questions is what do the letters stand for. ES = executive sedan. check it out. if you haven't registered, it may take a few days to set up the account. steviej

Z-Max, Prolong, etc are snake oils and nothing more to make the money "slip" from your wallet. These products can actually cause more harm in the long run than they do good in the short term. keeping the care clean, regular oil change w/filter, routine fuel injector cleaining will serve you much better in the long run. Switching to synthetic fluids will produce the same improvements. Save the $40 for a dinner and a movie. steveij

these batteries can be found at any atuopart store, CVS, Wallgreens, radio shack, etc. you might find the screw at any clock repair/watch repair shop, hobby store, model store, hardware store, or the dealer of course. steviej

check ALL your fuses. There is a fuse for the clock and cig lighter separately, then there are fuses that cover multiple elements (dashlights, clock, cig, power outlet) etc. steveij

when the window moves up and down, is the gear on the motor moving slightly too. If they are, the motor is not holding position. Just replace it and all you problems will go away. just my $2 bet. steveij

Town Fair Tire sells the Dunlop 9000s also. He said they are actually harder than the FZ4s. The ride quality of the Toyo's is supposed to be quieter and softer. My !Removed! will be the final judge by end of week next. I will post. I will have 30 days to decide/return at no money lost. steviej.

Enkei LM 1/5S yes, I live outside of Boston. no, the tires/wheels are not intended for fall/winter use. The stock 16" will be used for that. However, I will have to be extra careful of potholes, those we have year round. The T1-S were a little bit more expensive, too much for me to even consider doing this mod. I have heard that the T1-S don't last that long either. On CL, I have 3 responces very much in favor of the FZ4. I may just go with it and see. I will have 30 days to change my mind and either trade up to T1-S (pay the money or course) or try another brand. The shop I'm going to does sell Dunlops, too, so I will keep your recommendation in mind. thanks. I will post pics on the Sat. coming. steviej

You can't go wrong with a DieHard, especially the warranty. I run the marine type in my boat (2 of them) and had a DieHard Gold in my old car before this. I have no experience with the OEM Panasonic other than what I have now, but we will see how long it lasts. Optima seems to be the way to go, especially for the deep cycling and individual casings for each cell. That seems good, especially if you get wacked at the battery, you may not lose all six cells, etc. Interstate are dependable. STAY AWAY FROM EXCEL Batteries. I have heard nothing but horror stories and everyone I have had to jump had Excels. steviej

the ES stands for Executive Sedan. (as stated on Lexus.com) steviej