steviej

The correct TPMS sensors can be had from TireRack.com for a fraction of the dealership cost. When speedometer reads 60mph (96.6km/h) actual speed will be 59.8mph (96.3km/h): 0.3% slower. steviej

It is always easier to swap back and forth between two sets. (I have 18" for spring to fall and 17" for winter). Both sets have TPMS sensors so I don't have to deal with idiot lights if the second set had no sensors. In regards to your tire selection and using the 225/45-17 as the reference tire. 1. Going with the 205/55-16 will make speedo 0.3% slower. Hardly noticable. Because this tire is the thinnest of the three, it will most likely give you best drivability in snow and slush. 2. Going with the 225/50-16 will also make speedo 0.3% slower. 3. Going with the 215/55-16 will make speedo 1.3% faster. Again, hardly noticable. Since all three are equal to or less in width and the overall diameters are virtually the same, all three should fit fine. steviej

if the tire rating is pretty much equal, then go with price. steviej

For the most part, yes, it will help pull you through the snow far better than FWD or RWD alone. Normally, the GS's system supplies 30% power to the front wheels and 70% power to the rear wheels. This will vary depending on the demand from each wheel given a ton of information from many sensors. Now AWD coupled with the right tire will improve the current system even more. Coupled with the wrong tire and it can accually hinder its abilities. For example. My GS AWD with the 18" 245 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S is fabulous on dry and wet pavement, however, will not be great in the snow or slush so I won't use them in the winter. Partly because the tire is not rated well in the snow and partly because the tire is too wide. The width of the tire will cause it to try to ride up on top of the snow like a sled rather than slice through the snow or slush like a narrower tire will do. Tread pattern and channel width play a major part in a tire and car's ability as well. Another example: My 2002 ES300 came with Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires in a size of 215/60-16. This was/is a dangerous tire in the snow and rain. I later had a set of Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S in the same size on the same car and they were outstanding in the snow and rain. This is a case where the tire made the difference, FWD or not. Recently I have been driving a 2009 IS250 AWD shod with the RE92s and even with AWD, that tire did not impress me on slick surfaces. It actually made me nervous. Personally, I went with dedicated high performance snow tires because I had the 17" rims, I wanted the added traction in the extreme winter conditions and I wanted to maintain performance when the extreme conditions were tame. steviej

I live outside of Boston and travel on really crappy roads sometimes. No shake whatsoever regardless of the AFS begin on or off. Something ain't right with your set up. steviej

www.sewellpartsonline.com Here is the exact link. There are 5 volumes @ $135 EACH. steviej

I have a 2006 GS AWD with dedicated performance snow tires for the New England winters...best thing I have ever driven.

absolutely. I do not lose FM signal anywhere where I lose the XM signal. The CD sound never cuts out nor does my tape player. steviej

In 57k miles I have had no mechanical problems whatsoever. Other than routine maintenance the only major services I have incurred are the service campaigns implemented by Lexus (so it cost me nothing). steviej

no, not all spare tires have TPMS sensors. For example, my GS has a compact spare with no TPMS sensor. steviej

Nor does mine. I have 57,000mi on my clock. However, depending on who you talk to, some "experts" will say that this is an acceptable consupmtion of oil. Have you looked to see if there are any oil leaks or weeps? Do you have any hint of blue smoke especially upon start up? The oil has to be going somewhere. steviej

I concur. Just the icon will illuminate, no audible alarm. black electrical tape will work. steviej

I just filled up on the way home tonight. I paid $2.95/g. for 93 octane and pumped 15.35 gallons giving me a total of $45.28. I noticed that the 87 octane was $2.79/g, so had I used that my total would have been $42.83 This gives me a difference of $2.45 which is basically the cost of a cup of coffee. My piece of mind is worth that. I fill up on average about once every 5-6 days, so over the course of a year filling up with 93 octane cost me ~$165 more than if I had filled up with 87 octane. Hardly even worth posting about. steviej

Whenever I have my tires balance, the shop always uses the Hunter Road Force system. steviej

take it to an independent but reputable tire shop and have it redone. Have them print out the alignment specs pre and post alignment. Have them do a 4 wheel alignment. Explain the whole situation to them. I sounds like the dealer is frustrated because they cannot figure it out. If the outside alignment works make the dealership reimburse you or give you a service credit for the same amount. I had a similar situation when my Michelin Pilot Sports were put on but the dealership. Brought the car to my tire shop and the pull was gone. I took the pre/post alignment spec printout to the dealership and showed them proof that there alignment is not in alignment. Case closed, $90 service credit obtained as well as a free total car detailing. I just don't like using dealerships for tire and alignment issues. Never had luck with them. I go where they know what they are doing everytime. steviej

I ordered them through TireRack.com. They cost about $140 with shipping and took just over three weeks to arrive as they are always special order and made upon request. Piece of cake to install, just a little messy, so have a big catch basin to catch the drips. steviej

Mad Dawg, I hope these pictures will help you. FRONT: REAR: steviej

There are plenty of reputable resources on the web with instructions. Bottom line, 1. Change oil and filter just before storage 2. Add stabil to the gas tank and run the engine for a few minutes to the the conditioned gas throughout the fuel lines/system. You have to use a fuel stabilizer that is compatible with the ethanol gasolines. There are two that I recommend. Stabil (blue) or Sea Foam. 3. Put a trickle charger on the battery or use a battery tender at least every 2 weeks. 4. Get the tires off the ground. Use jack stands or you can get these specialized mats that you park on that will prevent flat spots on your tires. 5. I do it on my motorcyle when she is put to bed, it may be hard to do on a car, but fogging the top of the cylinders is very helpful and prevents bare metal friction upon start up. 6. Wash and wax the car with a good wax. Then cover it with a decent cover. If stored inside, use a soft flannel car cover. If outside, get a durable cover that won't scratch the paint but will stand up to the elements. steviej

Are you sure it is one of the sensors, just because you TPMS warning light came on does not mean your sensors are bad? 1. The simple reason could be the pressure in your tires may have dropped and the sensors are doing their job. You are in the NE of the country. We have experienced some cold weather recently. The air pressure in your tires will decrease 1 psi for every 10 degree drop in ambient temperature. Take a tire pressure gauge and go see what the actual pressure is in your tires. Then add air to the tires, say to about 32 psi all round. The TPMS light should go out. 2. You could reinitialize the TPMS system and see if that resets the light. In my 2006 owners manual, it is on page 444. 3. Did you check the tire set selector switch? This switch is under the passenger side dash, down below the glove compartment on the left side. If this switch was accidentally hit (can happen when you put bags and or a box on the passenger floor) it can be set to the wrong position. The system may be looking for a second set of sensors that are not there. (This too is covered in the manual). Finally, the answer to your question is no, you do not have to buy the sensor at the Lexus stealership. The company that makes the sensor is Pacific Sensors. You can get them at TireRack.com for less price. However, you will have to have the new sensor mounted and then programmed into the car's ECU. This will run you some more money. Before you buy one, check the three items I outlined above. steviej