steviej

the 92 ES has a hydrolic fan not electric. It is powered by the powersteering fluid/pump I believe. There are alot of posts describing problems with this particular system. steviej

multiple items to include: poor coolant circulation, insufficient air flow across the veins of the radiator, increased load on the engine, slow/poor fan rotation, faulty water pump, faulty coolant temp sensor, thermostat stuck in a open position steviej

your are most likely right. I did a simple search on "P1135" for 7 days ago and older in all forums and it came up with 30 threads discussing this trouble code. The best thing that any newbie can do is is to become proficient at using the search function. steviej

Rick, these are my findings and not necessarily be common to all reflash customers. Reflash removes: 1. the high rev of the engine an what seemed like an endless hesitation when you are traveling at speeds in excess of 30mph and you mash the pedal to the floor. With the reflash, the high rev and long hesitation are gone. You mash the gas and the car shifts and accelerates appropriately. The hesitation is not gone, but is much less prominant that the original programing. 2. the shudder or joggle that you would feel when driving steady at 40 mph. The tranny seems to not be able to decide whether to be in 4th or 5th. Reflash creates: 1 a buck or studder when slowing down to speeds less than 20 mph and then reaccelerating quickly. Its kind of like the tranny hasn't shifted to the lowest gear it wanted to and the ECU just told it so shift up again. Simple work around is to just anticipate your accelerations. The tricky place that this buck becomes apparent is when you execute a "rolling stop" or when coming up to a red light and it changes to green before you stop so you then press the gas heavily. 2. I find that when accelerating from a stop, it sounds like the tranny is slipping when shifting from 1st to second. It isn't but it sounds like it. 3. The duration that it stays in second gear is very short no matter the rate of acceleration. Talk to your service manager. Since this reflash was for 02-05 ES, maybe they have a loaner or CPO car on the lot that has the reflash. Maybe you could take it for an hour to compare. steviej

the manufacturer gives you a list of "suggested" service intervals, not REQUIRED. You will not void your warranty if you perform simple DIY items on your own. However, you must use the specificed grade of fluid or equivalent. This is all covered in the owner's manual. As stated above, save all your reciepts and keep a tidy log of what was done, the date and the mileage.

Rick, I very rarely get the bucking anymore, because I have taylored my style to drive effectively/efficiently and swiftly without achieving the buck. The variance is the individual driving the reflashed vehicles. Lexus nor any other car manufacturer cannot control that variable. There were/are only two reflash versions. The original reflash came out August 3, 2003 (TC004-03) and then the second attempt that came out in April 2005 (TC004-03R). The R is for REVISED. Lexus has most likely abandoned any more attempts due to the partial success of the 4/05 reflash and the release of the new 6 speed tranny with the 07ES. steviej

Click here. steviej

I found the reflash gave me a car with lesser of several evils. I adapted to the cars quirks and was able to accelerate and shift smoothly in all anticipated conditions. The original programming has several things I absolutely hated, the high revs and no motion upon flooring it and the gear hunting at 40 mph. The reflash eliminated those but left me with a tranny that stays in second for a very very short time, an an occasional buck when slowing from 40 to 5mph and then speeding up again (never coming to a stop). I'd take the reflash over the orginal programming anyday. I would like to do what amf1932 did and get a new car, but budgetarily, it ain't in the picture for me at this point, so the reflash won out. Overall, I am satisfied with it. I did have to adapt again a little, but like I said, it left me with a tranny that I like better than the original. steviej PS, here is a last thought. Do you know anyone around you with a 2002-2003 ES that had the reflash? Maybe you could drive their reflashed ES for an hour or so and see which you like better. Granted, the other car will have learned the other driver's habits, but it is better than not driving a reflashed car at all. Where do you live? you can come drive mine. Addendum: hmmm, LA, huh? I guess driving mine is a little out of the question.

I thought the 5000 mile service was the free one. If it is free then just do it. steviej

go to www.tirerack.com and see what they have for winter packages specifically for your car. That website even has a module that will allow you to see the rims on your car in your color. check it out. steviej

contact Derrik at D2Autosports.com and see what he can do for you. tell him I referred you. steviej

OMG, I remember them. Lots of GM models suffered this.

try www.lexus-parts.com. I just replaced my grey all weather mats with black Lexus all weather mats. I brought in the printout from the www.lexus-parts.com website to my dealershipas and was able to get them for the same price and I didn't have to pay any shipping. They have the lexus logo on them and have the holes for the clips to keep them in place. steviej

The valve cover gasket goes between the valve cover and the top of the cylinder head. The head gasket goes between the cylinder head and the crankcase or main engine body. Most probable suspect for front oil leak is the valve cover gasket. I would direct your gasket brand question to Toysrme, as he is probably the most knowledgable of non-OEM gaskets. steviej

factory rotors can be turned provided that they remain within specs after they have been turned. I would go with OEM and then name brand ceramics if OEM are unavailable. steviej

for what vehicle? you fail to specify and under your name states 300zx which is not a Lexus model.

top off your brake fluid reservoir. As the pads get low, more fluid is needed to fill the calipers as they extend more to get the pads to contact the rotor. Toyota/Lexus also has very sensitive level indicators in the fluid reservoir. Even though the level may be above the min line, the level switch can still be triggered thinking the level is low. yes you can get pads at autozone, pepboys, etc. I prefer Toyota/Lexus OEM. No dust and very quiet. look online for them also, usually the pricing is anywhere from $40-80 per set. try www.lexus-parts.com, www.newlexusparts.com and www.irontoad.com steviej

another reason why I don't like dealing with Firestone/Bridgestone dealers. Not reliable. steviej

as for me too. just keep ratcheting down little by little, one side to the other evenly. steviej careful with too much heat, don't cook your hubs and wheel bearings. sj

go to www.tirerack.com they have a great tutorial that explains all the aspects of wheels and tires, plus sizing, etc. you can even view different style wheels on your make/model/color ES. steviej

add fluid. Toyota/Lexus have very sensitive fluid level sensors. Even though the fluid level may be above the low level mark, the BRAKE light can be illuminated. Just bring the level up close to the MAX line. If it doesn't go away, then have the e-brake system looked at. steviej

I am quite familiar with Coach leather as I have about 17 different items from wallet to keychain to belts made by them. Pertaining to Lexus, the leather used in the RX and ES versions was made by Coach Leather. Hence the "Coach Edition" tag. In 2001 Lexus actually had a promotion that if you bought the RX Coach Edition you would get an addition three piece set of Coach luggage. steviej

The RX and ES both had Coach Edition models in previous years. steviej

when you are choosing ANY extended warranty, read all the fine print. Some are better than others. Also consider how much a month you will pay vs. how much you will pay out for what little maint. may be required in the long run if you keep your vehicle constantly maintained. I have a 2002 with 84K miles. The car has yet to see the shop for anything mechanical since the warrantly ended. Had I bought it, I would have lost money. All oil changes, fluid flushed, filter changes are done regularly. Extended warranties can actually cost you more than they will save. Think hard and investigate all that is covered, not covered and how much is covered. steviej

then tell her to use the ones that are the gel inside a plastic form. These last longer and the gel can't contact any surface. They are smaller, too. Contact the Yankee Candle customer service and see if they have any other reports. Report it and see if they will replace it. Doesn't hurt to ask. steviej