steviej

yes it is real wood. The dash, the doors, around the shifter, the steering wheel and on the shift handle. I don't know what kind. steviej PS, I merged your double posts, that is why this one reads funny and you can't find the other one. SW answered one post and I answered in the other.

nsarin, with regards to your oil, stay within factory recommended specifications. That means 5w-30 or 10w-30 if the temp doesn't go below 0°. Don't start messing with those thin grades to get a few ponys or mpg out of it. You may set yourself up for more damage than your gain. The headlight off with the double click thing is a C-BEST setting. It is normal and a nice feature. Again, covered in the manual. Many of these C-best settings can be user definable as to what happens and length of time it takes to happen. talk to your dealer, they have a checklist that you can go though. If not under warranty, they may get your with at least an $80 service fee to change them to your liking. I find it easiest to leave my headlights in the AUTO position. One less thing I have to think about. steviej

both my aunt and a coworker have done just what you are doing and they do it on a part time basis. They make good money for what work they do do. I wish you the best. steviej

or take it to a professional detailer that does engine bays. It will be fine. I have mine done twice a year. Get Pepboys to pay for it. steviej

It doesn't matter......I want one. steviej

You did not waste anyone's time. This is what the site is here for, this is how we learn, and this is how you will be the one to help the next newcomer with the same question. Welcome aboard. steviej

nsarin, an owner of a 2001 ES is telling you that the wiper arms are repositioned manually. I know on mine it does take a little more force than you would like to think, but it will move. I don't think you will find an electrical contact. I would seriously think about getting an owners manual......Look back at my initial post as to where to get them for free. steviej

depending on the dealership, the 30k service may also included a tire rotation, a tranny fluid drain and fill, a ps fluid exchange and a coolant flush and refill. steviej

If you have an OBDII scan tool, then you can check them. Or you can go to Autozone or Pepboys and they will read the codes for free. steviej

Alan, I stand corrected, thank you. I was thinking of a different car. My post has been edited. steviej

if it is not the belts and you are absolutely sure about that, then there is another possibility. I remember a few threads talking about some bracket that is near the starter and flywheel I think. I would tell you to search but I don't what to tell you to search on. It was on early model ES, I think, and it was a dealer fix. I want to say it was a flange or bracket that gets caught or something. I am being very vague but maybe it will jog someone else's memory. steviej

first things that come to mind are the three things needed to start and run the engine. SPARK, FUEL and AIR. Fuel, make sure you have good fuel pressure. It may be a lazy fuel pump, partially clogged fuel filter or dirty or lazy fuel injectors. Spark, When was the last time you changed your plugs or even checked them. A tune up of wires and plugs may be in order if they haven't been changed for at least 60k miles. How old is your battery? It may be getting tired, too. Air, you could have a dirty or sluggish IACV (idle air control valve). The throttle body may also be laiden with carbon. What about your air filter, when was the last time it was replaced, cleaned or even checked. A commonly overlooked item is the accordian like hose that goes from the air box to the throttle body. Check this to see if it has any cracks or holes. This can lead to rough start ups and idle too. All in all, given that it is a 92, a tune up including a motorvac may help out tremendously. try searching on rough idle, rough start up or even motorvac. steviej

first off, nsarin, I have merged your two identical threads. There is no need to post the same thing twice. second, if the 2001 ES is anything like my 2002 ES, you have to move the wiper arms into the retracted postion youself. you only do this once and they will shut off in the retracted (under the trailing edge of the hood) each time. You phyically move them in to the exposed or winter position again when you want. Then they will not retract under the hood when shut off. I would tell you to grasp the wiper arm, not the blade, firmly and push to the retracted postion. the other arm will move simultaneaously. But I am not sure if the 2001 is done this way. This is all covered in the manual. If you do not have a manual you can go to www.lexus.com and register under the OWNERS section. It may take 4-8 weeks from the time of purchase to when lexus corporate knows of you purchase. Usually you can't register online until lexus knows about it. Give it a try. Or you could call the customer service line at 1-800-25-LEXUS and reguest the owners manual and supplemental owners manual free of charge. Last place to look is ebay. Sometimes you can get both manuals and the leather binder for short money. Lastly, become familiar with the search button as it will help answer alot of you questions before you even have to post them. This site is very informative and most likely you question has already been asked and answered. Welcome to the best Lexus owners site on the web. steviej

easy way to find out: 1. pressure test the coolant system with this plug out. If there is a head gasket leak into this cylinder as you suspect, the pressure test on the coolant system should fail if the plug is not installed. 2. reverse pressure test. Remove the radiator cap. Now, with a rubber nozzle on a compressed air pump hose, blow air into the cylinder. If the air bubbles out the radiator cap opening.......you got yourself a leak in the head gasket. 3. do a compression test on the cylinder itself, see if it matched the other cylinders. steviej

belt squeal............search on it. common problem. either replace or tighten the serpentine belts. steviej

I saw one in the showroom the other day that was very similar to the Parchment Pearl the GS comes in. Very very sharp for a white car. It shimmered in the sun almost like Mother of Pearl. steviej

The mileage estimates are just that....estimates based on perfect conditions. I also find the on board computer to be about 1 mpg less than actual calculation. Fill, drive, fill again. divide miles driven by the # gallons need to fill on second fill. My 02 ES gets between 23 and 24 for around town driving. steviej

For many people it is very hard to remember to pump your brakes and maneuver the car at the same time in a panic situation. ABS eliminated the burden of remembering to pump you brakes accordingly while you try to steer around or by an obstacle. steviej

ES300 Beverly Hills very common problem. Its mold/mildw in the AC/heating system. On newer cars the cabin filter can be changed and that will help. Don't be surprised if you find that your car has no filter installed. Also a common finding. You will find the location to mount it and the brackets to hold the two filters, but no filter in there. You may be lucky and have a filter in there, but most likely you will gag at the condition. Have a vacuum handy as you may find lots of leaves and debris in the orafice that the filters occupy. Do a search on cabin filters and you will un inundated with threads discussing this problem. Open the search up to a year so it goes last week and older. This is not specific to Lexus. Many web sites discuss this. You could even google search it as many allergy and asthma websites discuss it. There are may remedies. The most effective I have seen is spraying unscented Lysol in the cowl opening to the vent system. 30 seconds with the temp on COLD and 30 secs with the temp on HOT. Put the blower on full speed for both. Do this each day for 7 days and then 1 day each week for the rest of the month. steviej

camlex will have to call you direct or email you as the pm function will not work until his post count is over 20. sorry Josh. steviej

I ordered the 05 tailights today from www.Lextasy.com. The chrome trunk bar made the cutoff too. Both will be installed on the first warm day after they arrive. Of course pictures will be posted. I think these two mods in addition to the redesigned roof spoiler will make my car look really sharp and very distinct. steviej

you will get more realistic price quotes if you pick up the phone and call a few glass shops near you for an estimate. Contact the Lexus dealers near you and see who they subcontract their glass work out to. Then call that place and see what they can do for you. steviej

nahh, they are on ebay for $330 for the full set of four lamps. you can even get them from lextasy.com (I think it is a full set). This maybe what my tax refund goes to this year. steviej

I'm sorry, but when I hear carpeted dash cover I can only think Austin Powers. "shagadelic....yeeeaahhhh baaaaby!!" Seek professional help in repairing the crack....it can be done. steviej

that is the direction I am headed. The 05 tail lights will lessen the impact of the added chrome of the trunk bar. The 05 tails don't have the big bird's eye signal bulb with chrome background. The 05's have a rectangular signal lens that will enhance the trunk bar. (I should have been a designer). steviej