steviej

Very bright lights with motion sensors. No thief or punk likes to be lit up for the public to see. Cameras are an awesome idea, as there will be a record of them, either by face or by clothes. Whatever you do, just make sure you vehicles, garage, shed and house are locked. They break in, you stand a better chance of getting the thief and the insurance. steviej

We got a bit of a nor'eastah today. Dumped about 6 inches of soft fluffy snow that turned to wet heavy pack by late night. I have been hoping for some of this crap to see what my Michelin Pilot Sport Exalto A/S would do. At first I was displeased when the snow was just a dusting, because it seemed that the VSC and traction control was constantly engaging. However, every one one the road was spinning their tires, all except the AWD vehicles. My displeasure soon changed to satisfaction once the snow got a little deeper. The Exaltos bit right in and held their own quite nicely. So overall, I am very pleased with this choice of tire. steviej

possible, however, I would also suspect the coolant temperature sensor. best way to find out is to have a technician hook a scan tool to monitor all sensor signals upon a cold startup and then when the problem occurs. steviej

BINGO!!! The symptoms you describe, reykay, are classic for a dirty IACV. Clean it or replace it. steviej

Timing belt, water pump, accessory belts and etc have been changed. Power steering pump had a leak in the front seal that would have cost more to reseal than just to replace. That is all fixed. The brake rotors took the technician for a loop because I had painted them. That was the first reason to suspect aftermarket. However, when they matched up a current rotor from their stock with the same part number as the one sent by Sewell, the rotors didn't match up visually. The rotor that was sent by Sewell may in fact be Toyota/Lexus, but there seems to be a problem with the casting on both front rotors. Hence the pulsation. They suspect that the rotors sent by Sewell may be the old style that was replaced in the 2002-2003 TSB. Why they would still be in stock is beyond me. Sewell Lexus has agreed to send me out two new front rotors. At the end of the day, the headache and problems were much less than they were made out to be yesterday. steviej

The censored part of your post was the removal of your phone number. Don't try to sell any items in this forum. There is a specific forum for that with specific guidelines that must be followed. As for an answer to your question, go to www.kbb.com and plug in your zipcode, options, mileage and find out for yourself. steviej LOC Management

You Know You Own An Es300 When... ...all your friends ask YOU to drive. steviej

In general: they are very purple upon ignition, but then they immediately whiten out. From the driver's seat: the brightness/illumination is exactly the same as the stock HID bulb. From standing outside the car looking at the headlights: the hue given off is definately a little more blue purple. It does give my ES that individuality when compared to others side by each. I would say it was an expensive investment for a slight change in appearence and no change in performance. steviej

Personally, I cannot say they are incorrect. They looked just like what came off, they mounted up perfectly and they did run fine for 15,000 miles. I can say that they did develop the same pulsation that the original (pre-TSB) rotors did at about the same mileage. I have put Sewell in contact with Lexus of Norwood and they will figure it out. I should get the car back early tomorrow afternoon. steviej PS, I would love a new RX400h but then I would have to live in it.

I have been lucky in that my repair cost have been minimal up to this point. Most of the easy maintenance I can do and have done by myself. Timing belts are not my cup of tea, so off to the dealership today. Here the story begins. 1. Timing belt, water pump and associated belts and fixtures is going to run me close to a grand. I was expecting that. 2. They called me back to tell me my powersteering pump is leaking and it can't be repaired with a new seal kit. So add on another $750. 3. I asked them to "turn" the front rotors as a slight vibration has developed. They call me back because the tech says the vibration will most likely come back as the rotors on there are not Toyota/Lexus. I immediately pull out the receipt from Sewell Lexus (www.lexus-parts.com) and give them the parts numbers of what was supposedly shipped. I called Sewell Lexus to find out their side of the story. I explain to a voice mail that my local Lexus dealership (Lexus of Norwood) claims that the rotors Sewell sent are not Toyota/Lexus or they are the old style rotor that were replaced by the 2002 TSB covering rotor/pad material mismatch (BR002-02). In anycase, the rotors Sewell sent me supposedly are also visibly different than the ones that Lexus currently stocks. Sewell has yet to call me back. Oh well. I will keep you posted as to the outcome from all parties. steviej

My 2002 ES started to do the same thing right along the edge where the headlight meets the hood. It was easily buffed out by my detailer. However, 5 months later, it is starting to come back. I will just have him buff it out again in May. It is actually on the outside of the clear plastic. steviej

I swapped out my stock D2R bulbs for PIAA super cobalt bulbs. The were less than $400 for the pair from www.tirerack.com. Now, there was nothing wrong with the stock bulbs I just wanted to try the PIAA bulbs for a more BMW/Audi color. I still have the two stock D2R HID bulbs that I took out. PM me and we can work something out. steviej

Absolutely the best "summer" tire I have ever ridden on. I just wish they had a 225 size when I bought mine so until these wear out, I riding on the 235 version. steviej

I am having the timing belt replace on the 15th of this month. The waterpump will be done, too. Not that it is needed, I just don't want to have to go back in should the waterpump fail within the next 90k miles. While they are in their, replacing both will/should be cheaper in the long run. steviej

Exactly. Even though the level may be above the minimum line, addition of some fluid to bring it up close to the max line should eliminate the BRAKE light. Toyota and Lexus have very sensitive float switches that may indicate low fluid when it is not below the minimum mark. Add the proper fluid and see if the light goes away. If not, then start looking into a mechanical problem. steviej

I have never seen a bug relfector similar to the ones on pickup or SUV that mount on the front edge of the hood. I do see alot of people opting for the 3M type film to help prevent paint chips. This film will also help prevent paint discoloration due to bug guts. steviej

ok, I can see that now.

what does that mean. steviej

Can't help you there. Find a 93 Camry in a used car lot and have a look under the hood. I may or it may not be the same shape. It all depends on what else is under the hood in that area. If the ES has ABS and the Camry does not, then the whole traction control module is right by the washer jug and the jug sits low in the fender with a long neck coming up past the ABS/TC pump. steviej

not just any plastic bottle. It is made from the finest polypropylene and designed by some very hard working computers. The bottle is custom fit for perfect placement under the hood. On the other hand. I hear ya Alan, it's a wicked ripoff. steviej

I am quite pleased with the Michelin Pilot Sport Exalto A/S. They are less expensive than the MXV4s and have better rain and snow traction. They are super quiet right now (I only have ~10,000 miles on them). steviej

I too have just eliminated the golf ball clunk in the trunk noise by replacing my sway bar bushings. $16 for two bushing, a 12mm socket and flexhead ratchet, some white lithium grease and 30 minutes of my time. The irritating noise is gone. The 2002+ bushing don't look quite like the ones pictured in this thread, however the wear on my worn bushings was the same as in the picture. steviej

$110 new from Park Place Lexus in Texas. click here. steviej

check the trunk lock out switch in the glove compartment. It may have been inadvertantly put into the engaged position. There is a good explantion in the manual for the use of this button. steviej

rear sway bar bushings. I recently had that famous golf ball clunk in the trunk sound. $16 for two bushing + 30 minutes fo my time = the noise is gone. steviej