steviej

1. Tire pressure and PCV valve are excellent suggestions. When was the last time the air filter was changed? If you change them and see no difference in the mileage, you may have a lazy fuel/air sensor that is calling for more fuel but not enough to trigger a CEL. 2. I vote for rear sway bar bushings. Two $10 pieces of rubber that can quiet and army of noises. Major weak spot for Toyota. My 02 ES had theh go bad, my friend's 97 Avalon suffered from it as have many others. Just do a search on "rear bushing". I best heard it as it sounds like golf balls in the spare tire compartment. 3. Whatever happened to the trusted cheap traditional DOT 3 fluid? What fluid is in the system now? Check the compatibilities, Either DOT 4 or DOT 5 brake fluid is not compatible with the others. If you are planning on flushing the entire system then you may want to invest in a large reservoir flush kit. I hate the old "pump and bleed" type of flushing. steviej

I put the cheapest in. 87 octane is working fine. Over the long run I don't know if it will leave more build up, but for now, paying $4.00/gallon for premium will NOT leave any build up of cash in my wallet. steviej

Could the Toyota engineers make it anymore difficult to change oil? Although the location is fine, the cartridge type filter on the 06 GS300 has alot to be desired. It wasn't until I was putting the plastic shield back up that I noticed it had a trap door section specifically to get at the oil filter. That really didn't bother me as I was putting in some brighter fog lgiht bulbs so the entire panel had to come down. An hour later, the oil and fitler was changed as with the cabin filter and air filter. Live and learn. Interesting though, how the 2007 GS 350 went back to a spin on filter again. steviej

I just looked today. Complete instructions on how to do this are in your owners manual. Pages 579 - 584. Make sure the car is on a level spot when doing this. steviej

Check your owners manual. I am pretty sure I was just reading about how they still can be adjusted. I would check myself, but it is out in the car and it is raining right now. In addition, www.lexus.com is down for maintenance so I can't get to the online manual to check either. steviej

I am thinking of having the clear film protection added to my GS before. My detailer subs it out to a company that is pretty good and uses the 3M brand film. Anyone got experience with this? Does it work? Does it yellow? Does it get wax build up? Steviej

if you push the opener button and it unlocks and doesn't open, then it has to be the spring on the door is busted. just replace the spring. It's a $3.43 part. Here is a link, it is part number 7 if the picture comes through. 99 ES fuel door spring steviej

that is the ambient light sensor. When your headlights are in the "auto" selection, this sensor tells the car how light (or dark) it is. When it gets too dark the lights come on. When it gets to lights the lights go out. steviej

needs a lip spoiler in the back.. . . . . and some fuzzy dice. I like the color and the tint. What treads you putting on? steviej

Spoilerdepot.com has a good reputation. You can get it painted in your factory color. here is a link: 97-01 ES spoiler steviej

I am coming off an ES with 16 inch wheels which was very smooth. However, I am really liking the ride of my 06 GS. It has the run flats (Dunlop SP SST 5000 somethings) but are a 17 inch tire. The other thing I am getting reacquainted with is a primarily RWD system. steviej

I have a Samsung and did just that. Over 120 contacts went over in a matter of seconds. However, the phone numbers the transfer process choose for some of the contacts were not the mobile phone numbers or the phone number I would desired. There was not distinct pattern as to the phone numbers it posted. If there was only one number, it of course sent that one. But if multiple ones were listed, it didn't always take the last one, the first one or even the one I have in my phone marked as the default number. Oh well, those ones that didn't have the correct number; I will eliminate all the other numbers from each contact, and resend/overwrite the desired number to the phone book in the GS. A bit time consuming, but it will settle my OCD. steviej

both my 02ES and my 06GS grab near the bottom. I was skeptical with each so I parked on a hill, put on the e-brake and put it in Neutral.....They both held fine. On occassion, I even put it in drive when the ebrake was on, it works. steviej

totally quiet on my 02 ES for five years now (just broke 100k). The only wind noise that I have had, has been around the moonroof. The gasket was replaced under a TSB about 3 years ago. About twice a year I give that gasket a good coating of spray silicone and it quiets down any wind noise or creaking that starts to arise. steviej

Careful, put any weight in the back seat (even one adult) and hit a bump or swoop in the road; the inner lip of the fender is going to score the outer edge of the tire. It happens on my summer rims and they are only 235/40-18s. When these need replacing, I am moving down to 225s to avoid this. Virtually no damage is done but the noise is unexpected and makes me cringe. On the other hand, the rims look very sharp. Please don't put a wing on a Lex. At most a low spoiler or lip spoiler, but no wings. steviej

I am almost ashamed to say. Took it to the dealership, road tested it and it didn't make a sound. It did for me on my way there, though. Figures. Mechanic said he would give it a look over. I go up to the new lounge, have a muffin and capacino, check my emails in their computer room and ithin 30 minutes he was back with the car and said it was done/fixed. He showed me the nut on top of the strut, the huge one facing me clear as day under the hood. He put a socket on it and was able to tighten the left one 3/4 of a turn. That was enough to eliminate the slight rattle/clunk. He did say that the rest of the suspension was perfectly fine. Best part was they didn't even charge me a thing. steviej

my first major failure was a power steering pump replacement during the TB r/r. That added $700 to the bill. The car goes in next Sat morning for a front suspension noise. I have ruled out sway bar bushings. It is either the stabilizer links or the strut mounts. steviej

Michelin Pilot Sport Exaltos A/S. Awesome traction in rain, good traction in snow, great on dry pavement, very very quiet and cost less than the Michelin Energy MXV4s. Now, Michelin has discontinued the Energy MXV4s (yoru stock tire) and replaced them with the Primacy MXV4 which is supposedly an improvement on a similar design. Time will tell, but they are pricey like the Energys were.' Also look at the Bridgestone Turanza LS-V and the Goodyear Responce Edge. Note: moved to Wheel and Tire forum. steviej

seriously think about it. The timing belt is rubber and rule of thumb used to be that after 5-6 years you change it because the rubber starts to weaken. I am sure that significant improvements have been made in the quality of these belts so it is all your decision. Keep in mind, your ES has an interference engine, meaning: should the timing belt break, there will be internal damage to your engine. This will result in far more costs to you than the cost of having the timing belt changed now. I am sure that plenty people that have the same scenario, did not change it and made it to 90,000 miles. I am sure there are reports of people that didn't make it as well. It is your decision. Personally, I would just change it and the waterpump out shortly. steviej

go to www.tirerack.com to view various wheels on you car in your color. steviej

Please note: 3200K, 4000K, etc is not a measure of the heat the bulb produces. This is the number indicating where on the kelvin scale the color of the illumination is: 3200 is yellowish, ~4200 is that characteristic HID white with a hint of blue 6000-8000 and the light gets into the purple range. "lumens" are the measurement of how much illumination (brightness) of the bulb. If you want a measure of heat then check the wattage. The higher the wattage, the hotter the bulb. If you have a harness rated for 55w and you put in a 100w bulb, you will most likely suffer a meltdown of your wires. Don't go over the manufacturer's recommended wattage requirement unless you want to eventually replace some wires and couplings. Insidentally, true HID bulbs are very low wattage, ~35w. steviej

look into the new Sylvania Silverstar Ultras. They can be had in any Autozone, Pepboys, Advance, etc. and come in 9004, 9005 and 9006 configurations. Supposedly very good lighting for 2/3 the price of a set of PIAAs. I find that hard to believe with PIAA that you only got a year, I got close to three for my DRL/high beams. steviej

have the expansion valve looked at. common problem with early model ES, but not as much with the late 90's models. sj

it means one of your taillights or brake lights is out. if the orange light only comes on when you step on the brake, it is a brake light. next time, use the search key, or like Toys, stated, look in your manual as this is definately covered there. steviej

Here is one about sensor. Where is : bank 1 sensor 1 bank 1 sensor 2 bank 2 sensor 1 bank 2 sensor 2 I never understood that. Bank 1 Sensor 1: side of engine nearest windshield, between exhaust manifold and cat. Bank 1 Sensor 2: underneath car in pipe coming from the cat connected to the exhaust manifold/cylinders closest to the windshield. Bank 2 Sensor 1: side of engine nearest to radiator, between exhaust manifold and cat. Bank 2 Sensor 2: underneath car in pipe coming from the cat connected to the exhaust manifold/cylinders closest to the radiator. steviej