steviej

Your title is confusing and your post is leaving out some information. Did you or did you not install a set TPMS sensors in the new wheels? If you did install a set: 1. Did you have the codes programmed into the ECU as set B and once programmed, did you put the set selector switch to set B. (this is covered in the owners manaul). 2. If you used the set from your original wheels, did you do a reinitiation of the TPMS system? 3. If you did install them, did the temperature take a dive in you area. The number one reason we get the TPMS sensor lights on a system that is installed properly is because the outside temperature drops. Tires loose 1 lb of air for every 10°F drop in temperature. If you system was initiallized at 29 psi when the outside temperature was 60°F, then the temps drops to 20° degrees, your TPMS lights will come on eventually. The TPMS system is rotational, meaning it can take some miles before the sensors set off the codes. If you did not install a set: 1. that's why your warning lights went off. steviej

yeah, it is basically normal. It is partially the tranny trying to get to temp and it is also control of the ECU to maintain proper emissions in the colder weather (at least so I have read). I noticed on my 2002 ES, the older the car got -- the more it seemed like the tranny was slipping the colder the outside temp was. Days that is was below 10° were really bad, I would have to let is warm up in neutral (as opposed to park) for a few minutes to get the tranny to not rev so high. steviej

I have a Garmin Nuvi and use the bean bag thingie up on top of the dash board. Works great. Window suction cups leave rings which promote amateur theives to break in and see what they can find. steviej

That ambient light is also known as the selector lever spot light. Read the section of your manual that covers interior equipment as their are instructions on how to make it go out. "The intensity of the selector lever spot light can be changed with the instrument panel light control switch. This light will be turned off when the light control switch is turned to minimum." steviej

Well now I wouldn't say that at all. That car with those options plugged into www.kbb.com with my zip code fetches a retail price of $31,785 assuming excellent condition. I would think that because I am in the northeast (little harsher on cars) that a zip code near the south coast will bring a slightly higher retail. If gsnoles paid $27.5 then I would say he got a good deal. steviej

you can get a set of wheels, tires and TPMS sensors from TireRack.com for much less than getting these individually. TireRack carries the TPMS sensors that Lexus uses. A 16" rim will be better than a 17" rim which is better than an 18" rim in the snow. Remember, the smaller the diameter, the skinnier the tire required. Skinny tires slice through the snow where as a wide tire will tend to plow through the snow. steviej

go to www.Tirerack.com, click on wheels, click on Chrome under the "Finish" pull down menu. You will be able to view all their chrome wheels on a picture of an ES350 in your color choice. steviej

go to www.lexus.com, register under the "owners" section and then the manual is viewable/downloadable in PDF form or you can request a new manual be sent to you. There is a split view on the WP. I had mine done at 90k with the TB simply because it saves having to do it if it breaks after the TB replacement. The cost later will be greater than the cost doing it now because they are in the area of the WP when they are doing the TB so the labor rate is minimal if combined now. (did that make sense?). Other people will say don't do it until it breaks, WPs have been know to make it to 200k miles if the coolant system is flushed properly and timely. I just don't want to have the water pump go on me at 3am on a desolate highway. steviej

valve cover gaskets and rear main seals are know culprits of oil leaks on the ES. If it is the rear main seal...that means $$$$. Before you do that you could try a thicker oil. If you are using a 5W or 10W-30 you could go to a 10W-40 which may stop or slow the leak for a while. If it is the valve cover gaskets, these are an easy fix. Since these are above the exhaust manifold, this leak is usually accompanied by a buring oil smell. steviej

The Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3s were put on today. So far, very smooth and quiet. Just in time too, cause two news stations said we might see snow next week. steviej

with a 6" extension, a couple of knuckle joints and a box to stand on it can be done. It helps if you take off the strut brace. That has only three nuts on each end. steviej

Air fuel sensors are usually between the exhaust manifold and the catalytic converter. O2 sensors are usually after the cat. They may be the same part number but the signal given off to the ECU may be different.

I'm with Duckman. Overall, I am a Michelin kind of guy. I put on a set of nice 18" rims for the summer and went with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. Ironically, they just came out with the Pilot Sport A/S Plus which is supposed to be even more smooth and quiet. Tomorrow, I am having a dedicated set of snow tires put on. I went with the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3, supposed to be an awesome winter tire. On my 02 ES, I had a set of Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S and can't rave enough about the all season performance of these tires. I had a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s on my ES in the summer as well, and these too where and awesome tire. Can't speak to the Conti because I have never invested in a set. steviej

The bulb is a D2R. You can get them on online for alot less than that. (www.sewellpartsonline.com, www.xenondepot.com). The passenger side one is the easy one to replace as you don't have to move the battery. You could probably do it yourself with some instruction here. Make sure the bulb you get is a Phillips as this is the stock bulb. Keep in mind that since one side has blown, then the other side does not have much life to them either. You can get a pair of PIAA D2R Super Cobalt HID bulbs for $325 from TireRack.com. I put a pair of these in my 02 ES and they looked real sweet with no loss in brighness. steviej

Lexus traditionally updates/rejuvinates each body style every 5 years winth minor cosmetic changes in the interum years. If Lexus holds course, then the GS will be do for a major body style update with the 2011 model year. steviej

I took your advice and went to my tire guy with several quotes in hand and print outs from TireRack.com. Personally, I want to keep my business at my local tire chain becasue they have always done right by me. He was able to cut some dollars from each part (tire cost, balance, TPMS gromet kits, disposal fee) to bring down my cost. He couldn't give me a 3 for 4 deal and he wasn't able to beat TireRack's great price, but he was able to throw in a free alignment. That sealed the deal. I am dumping the runflat for a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3. They will be mounted 11/12/2008. I will post up some info then. steviej

The serive guy is referring to the accessory belts. There are two of them and neither one is the timing belt. These two thin rubber belts that run the power steering pump, the alternator and the AC pump. These belts run about $40 each. The major part of your quoted price is the labor charge (~$120/hr) and they will charge you for at least an hours work. Dry/cracked belts cause squeals and can break very easily. There are sprays and liquids that can be applied to the belts to stop the noise but they are merely covering up the sourse of the problem. The best solution is replacement. These belts should be replaced every 60k miles or 5 years as the life expectancy of rubber belts drops significantly at that point. This same service can be done at a Toyota dealership for less. Find out which of the two belts (or both) the dealer wants to replace. Call around. You may find an independent mechanic that will do it cheaper than Toyota. You can even get the Toyota belts online for less than what you would pay at the stealership. (ie: www.sewellpartsonline.com, www.irontoad.com) steviej

Anthony, it is not so much the change in wheel size that messes mileage up as it is the tire mounted on the different size rim. There are many different size tires that fit on the same 17" rim. you need to list what size Blizzak tire you mounted. But let's assume the tires for the 17" rims are 225/45-17 in the front and 245/45-17 in the rear and your tires for the 18" rims are 225/40-18 in the front and 255/40-18 in the rear. This swap from the 18" tires to the 17" tires would result in a 0.5% difference on the front and 1.3% difference on the rear. Anything less than 2% is acceptable. Call around to Toyota dealerships, they will program the sensors in for less provided you have the codes. If you are buying them from TireRack, they provide you the codes. Usually they are on the side of the sensor, but once mounted in the tire, you can't see them. steviej If your stock 18" size of

wheel size: depends on the tire used on the 18" and 17". post up your tire sizes and I will tell you how much difference the speedo is. If done correctly, there should be little to no difference. tire sensors. If your tire sensors are already programmed for your car, you do not need them to be reprogrammed if you move them to the 17" tire. Once each sensor is programmed, it is in there. However, if you are buying a second set of sensors for the 17" winter tires, try a Toyota dealership....they are usually way cheaper and can do it. steviej

Granted it is a poor design to have a filter door so easily broken and then not take responsibility for it. Welcome to the world of design, plan, build, resdesign. You were not the first to break it, you won't be the last. Bring it to small claims. If not, what are you waiting for, go trade it in and don't tell the BMW or MB dealership that the cabin filter door is broken. Lexus has models designed and marketed for all ages, as does BMW, Inifinty, Acura, and MB. I hope you find the style of car that make you look sexy, cause your anger doesn't. :whistles: :P steviej

I thought the shark fin was the standard radio/xm antenna on the 2007 and up models. On a side note, I find my reception to be poor in some spots (especially under bridges). steviej

I have merged your two threads. First check the belt quality. if the 1994 belt is original then it is in way need of replacement. See the belt is cracked, dry or loose, these most definately cause sqeal on start up. steviej

I hate those places. I would call around to local Toyota dealers and see if they offer an "express oil change". Several around here do. In and out in less than 30 minutes. I believe the Avalon has the same engine so they should stock your filter cartridge. Should be cheaper than the Lexus dealership, too. steviej

byacs, what is your stock wheel and tire sizes: 16x6 rims and 205/60-16 tires? steviej

It is called Crystal View and I swear by it. Takes about an hour to do both headlights but good stuff and lasts for a long time. steviej