LVL61

If you grab one of the wiper arms by its base you can change the position of the wipers from their normal "low" position to the "high" position, which is officially "winter" mode. By resting higher the wipers are less likely to get frozen in the kind of slush that can accummulate at the base of the windshield when the car sits through a snow fall. Unfortunately, the wipers only swing freely on their arm in the "high" position; in the "low" position you'll scrape the back lip of the hood against the top of the wiper arm. I did that soon after I got my 08. Luc

The owner's manual for my 08 ES doesn't mention any switch to turn off traction control. My car was manufactured to CDN specs. In response to some of the comments above, I would never think of wanting stability / traction control turned off once under way. Having these things off in deep snow is usually preferable. Other cars I've had automatically turn the controls back on once you exceed a certain speed, which is great. Luc

And yes, the inability to turn off traction control is a major shortcoming. In deep snow, from a stop, you definitely don't want traction control. Luc

I have the X-i2, which I got based on my favourable experience with the first generation X-Ice on my previous car. To be honest with you I don't remember to what extent I researched other brands. Also, at some point I read a review of the X-i2 which concluded that the second generation wasn't as good as the first. I only drive about 8000 miles a year so I won't be getting any replacement winters any time soon. But when I do I have to assume that the tire landscape will be very different. Luc

Hi, If you live in a region that gets any bit of snow or more importantly where the temperature often dips below freezing you should definitely get winter tires. Everything I read about winter tires says that you should go down at least one wheel size and go at least 25mm narrower (to cut through the snow and slush). I have a base 08 ES and the standard wheels are 17". Lexus doesn't offer anything smaller (i.e. 16") and Toyota's 16" steel wheels don't accommodate the tire pressure monitoring sensors (according to the dealer). So the official recommendation from Toyota is to get another set of 17" alloys. (I bought a set of four on eBay for about $800, shipped from the US to my home in Canada.) Problem is, I wanted Micheling X-Ice tires and the only size I could get in 17" is the same size as the OEM all-seasons. In hindsight, that was a mistake because the tires are too wide. I've had X-Ice tires on my previous car and the Lexus doesn't feel well planted at all in the snow. I've plowed through many turns (at relatively slow speed) and that's not a good feeling. My recommendation (just because I've seen them on the road): go with Camry 16" steel/alloy wheels and a set of top-notch winter tires: Blizzak, X-Ice, etc. Go to Tire Rack for reviews and customer comments. Cheers, Luc

Make sure the switch for the power mirrors is not in the middle position.

I thought did was issue with '07s that was addressed in cars manufactured later. I say that because I've noticed that shift flare a few times on my 08 with about 13000 km's. I guess I'll bring up the issue at the next maintenance appointment...

Hi, First, thanks for the folks who recommended the Lexol cleaner/conditioner; I'll look for that product. Second, let me clarify that the leather of driver's seat wasn't in fact stained. A few folds where dirt had accumulated retained ever so faint lines where the dirt had been. I managed to get those out with _very_ careful use of a liquid oxy-type cleaner (I figured that kind of cleaner would work best on what was probably an organic stain). The armrest and door panel were another matter. The door panel for sure is not leather so I went at it with ever stronger and stronger cleaning products. I finally got what was a _really_ tough stain out with a household cleaner with a bleach additive. Ditto for the armrest over the centre console. I did this a few days ago and everything is back to looking like new. In the end, I'm left wondering how much of that kind of grime ever got in my car. The cabin air filter is amazing and I rarely drive with the windows down. I had the car in for service three weeks ago and I have to assume that the tech that worked on my car had a filthy uniform... And yes, from now on it's clean/condition the interior at least twice a year (I figure spring and fall). Cheers, Luc

Yes, which is why I would appreciate advice on good leather cleaners. LVL61

Hi, Does anyone have concerns about the quality of the leather in the base ES350. I've had mine for a year and the appearance of the driver's seat did not hold up very well during that time. I cleaned it with a leather cleaner/conditioner but some stains persist. Also, the console armrest and the door panel above the door armrest are stained in a way I would never have expected. I never wear dirty clothes in the car; I work in an office and usually wear long-sleeved shirts and/or jackets (so human sweat is not a factor). For reference, I owned a Volvo C70 for four years. That car had light-grey leather interior and when the 4-year lease was up the interior looked like new. Another reference: a few weeks back the Lexus dealer lend me a loaner that was a 2-year old ES and one of the things I noticed was that the interior looked like crap. Is that what I can look forward to? Are things different if you get the premium leather interior? In the end, advice on what works best to clean leather would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, LVL61

About an alignment. This week I hit a curb after sliding through a turn on a snow-covered side street. Brought the car in to have the front/right wheel/suspension examined and get a 4-wheel alighment done. Turns out 3 corners were out of alignment! I've only had my 08 ES for 8 months, it has less than 9000km, and that curb is the only thing I ever hit (I never rub curbs when parking), which tells me that the car was out of alignment at delivery. In the end, you should get an alignment done at least once a year. jmho.

I don't want an aftermarket unit because it would take up trunk space. I figure the OEM subwoofer fits under the rear seat but it's not available as a stand-alone unit, I'm guessing because it hooks into an amplifier (also located under the rear seat?).

Huh, there are no stand-alone audio options for the ES. In Canada you have to fork out $11,500 for the UL package to get the ML system. I figure a good self-amplified subwoofer should cost much less than $500. Doh! I have the base ES and yes, the bass is crap and that's my only complaint about the car. I looked for Lexus OEM subwoofers on eBay and haven't seen any. If someone knows where I can get one please chime in.

There's no "Winter" mode but by getting the transmission out of D)rive and into S)hift you can start in 3rd gear. Having said that, the previous post is dead on in stating that there is no substitute for winter tires. I have Michelin X-Ice on my ES and they're great.

Does anybody know if the dealer has access to some options/settings for the automatic climate control? I have an 08 ES and live in Canada. I have the rubber floor mats and with snow on the ground these days the mats are always wet. After the auto climate warms up the car at some point it goes to a setting where it blows air on my feet and from the upper dash vents. The bottom air flow makes the water on the mats evaporate and after a while the windshield starts fogging up. I then have to override the Auto and direct air to the windshield. I've never had a car with auto climate do that. Comments? Thanks in advance

I drove about 50km before mine came on.

ah interesting... I figured it was for efficiency in heating and cooling. Thanks for the explanation. Thanks for the explanation but I remain doubtful. There's a cabin air filter to take care of "dirty" air. I keep overriding the car's concern for my lungs and I have yet to ever detect any kind of smell. I suspect that there's an outside temperature range where the system is confused. I live in Canada and now that the weather is much cooler the system always stays on "Fresh".

The system's insistence to switch to Recycle even when not in Auto mode is the only flaw with the Lexus automatic climate control system. If it's humid outside and not warm enough for the AC to kick in the windows eventually start fogging up.

Check the spare tire.

I'm 47. My buddies also teased me about not getting the IS. In Canada a reasonably well equipped IS is actually more expensive then the ES, and I think the ES is a better looking car. End of story.

If you are speaking of the two dimples near the center of the bumper, all ES350's have them. They are used as locating points for the front license plate bracket (that is where the two screws go). John I live in a province of Canada where front license plates are required, so those dimples are behind the plate. The marks are on the lower portion of the outer edge of the left bumper. But already, I dont' seem to notice them as much. Life goes on. Still love my ES!

Yesterday a transit bus backed up in my front bumper while my car was parked. I was able to buff out the scuff marks with Nu-Finish Scratch Remover. The paint is perfect but there's a slight impression mark in the plastic. It's barely visible and most people wouldn't notice it but... as you can imagine it's a magnet for my eyes. (the car only has 3000 miles and it's my baby's first scratch.) Anyway do you think the dealer can make the surface perfectly flat again? I'm thinking that the plastic can be pushed out from behind after heating with a heat gun. Thoughts? Cheers

Are the base model seats heated but not ventilated? I had read that heated only (no ventilation) seats would be available in 2009. John Looks like the base car has heated seats. Having ventilated seats may seem frivolous but I quite appreciated them last summer.

In Canada the base model no longer has heated/ventilated front seats. The US base model is not available in Canada.

Hi, I'm thinking of getting the Lexus OEM 17" 7-spoke wheels chromed in black. Has anyone ever seen that on an ES? Mine is smoky granite mica and I think it would look good with black wheels. Opinions and pictures are welcome. Cheers