steviej

I would do the whole new set with TPM thing except it's so expensive haha.

When you say 0.3% slower, do you mean like...If I'm going at 100km/h my speedo is reading 0.3% less OR if I'm going at 100km/h my speedo is reading 0.3% more?

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

My last comparison is between the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 and the General Altimax Arctic.

Tire Rack's customer ratings says that the Altimax are equal or better than the Blizzaks in every aspect except just slightly worse on ice.

What do you guys think?

Which one should I get?

P.S. I'm driving a 09 IS250 AWD (Canadian model) and I'm not changing the rims because of the TPM's so I'm gettin tires of size 225/45R17

Thanks y'all!

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

steviej

You think I'd still need snow tires with AWD?

My 1998 ES300 was FWD and pulled me through Southern Ontario snow without a slip for 4 years. Wouldn't the front drive part of AWD do the same thing?

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 have a 07 GS350 AWD with the Adaptive Lighting System. The headlights shake when I drive over expansion joints, pot holes and almost any rough pavement. Living in New England these conditions are found on every road. I have the original Dunlop RF tire which I believe is part of my problem. Dealer says every thing is fine. Turing off the system makes no difference. I haven't experience headlight shake since driving a rusted out Volvo in college! Has anyone else experienced this? Will different tires help? Any other suggestions? <_<

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

does anyone know where I can get a

2006 Lexus GS 430 300 Factory Service Repair Manual from?

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.

When you lose your XM can switch to FM or Cd and still get sound?

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

Friend of mine had tpms light come on and all 4 tires were fine. He took it in to the dealership and they figured out it was the 5th tpms sensor... on the spare tire. I think he has an LX. Do all spares have tpms on them?

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

steviej

My 2006 GS300 RWD has 88000 miles on it, and doesn't burn a drop between oil changes.

Stan

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 have 3 luxury cars (2 Lexus and Benz), all of them recommend (not required) premium gas and I have only used regular unleaded gasoline. It has worked just fine. Save your money (it does matter in today's gas price).

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

You guys need the Hunter alignment system with the straight-trak option. Google "hunter alignment". You're looing for a website that is something like gsp9700.com. I can't recall exactly, but you'll know it when you see it. You can search within your area for a shop that has the system "most dealers do, but not all have the straight-trak option. When I replaced the oem 17 tires on my old Mazda 3 gt with more aggresive tires, it would pull as well. Straight-trak fixed it. Sorry for typos, on my blackberry in Arizona at the moment

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

Steviej

Much thanks!!!!!

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

go to www.kbb.com

click on the section that helps you find the retail and private sale prices for a given vehicle.

you will be asked to plug in your zip code as this effects price, your milage, options and condition of the car.

After this information is entered, you can get a print out of the fair market value of the car.

steviej

Curious as to why this TSB was issued. Anybody know why?? Other TSB's give a brief explanation for the bulletin.

Judging by the note on the first page:

NOTE:

Improper installation of the air conditioning filter may cause damage to the HVAC

blower unit.

I can only guess that there must have been technicians and dealerships installing the filter incorrectly.

TSB's are not just directed at the owner, they are introduced when there is any change in a procedure in the service bay.

If the dealership runs their service areas like I have to run my laboratory, any procedure change is documented. In addition to the change, everyone that is qualified to perform said procedure is required to sign off that they have read and understood the procedural change.

steviej

Pics of the install??

you would ask. I actually had the camera in the garage with me when I installed them.

Got side tracked and forgot to take pictures. sorry.

If you want a pic I can turn the wheel and snap a few this weekend.

steviej

Are the foglights easy to change on the GS? What about the daytime running lights...can PIAA's be put in there too?

Changing the fog light bulbs is a piece of cake, swapping out the halogen bulbs for an HID set up is more involved.

You DRLs are actually the high beam bulbs at 50% power. No matter what bulb you use for the high beam will be yellow on the DRL setting.

There is a set up available that will convert your DRL to LED, unfortunately, you will lose the use of your high beams if you opt for this.

steviej

Has anyone put in HID foglights? I'm looking for a whiter look for my fogs. They look too yellow compared to the HID's when both are turned on.

HID will cost you some ducets to put in.

A cheaper solution is to find some decent 9006 bulbs that have a Kelvin rating (K) above 4000.

I have tried PIAA Xtreme White and Sylvania Super Stars which both are rated around 4100K and they were OK for whiteness.

The PIAA GTX-Plasma were also ok, but I did not like the color they produced in the H3 version of the bulb on my 02 ES so I haven't tried them in the 9006 bulb on my GS. Currently I am running a pair of PIAA Spark Blue at 7500K and these have a definate bright white light with a blue hue, bluer than my stock HID bulbs and a little too blue for me. The next bulb I will try in the PIAA Intense White at 4800K which should put me in the middle.

steviej

I bought a '06 GS300 AWD about a month ago. This is my first Lexus so please excuse my ignorance but what does TSB stand for? So far I haven't noticed any vibrating on my rearview mirror. I'm definitely going to pay close attention though while it's still under warranty. Are there any other issues that I should be looking out for?

TSB stands for Technical Service Bulletin. These are service campaigns (notifications of new procedures, improved parts, fixes for common complaints or problems, etc) that should be covered under the full warranty.

steviej