siva kumar

As Steve said, you should be seeing your TRAC warning light in the instrument cluster flash and hear a loud beep-beep-beep if your VSC is detecting a skid and selectively applying your brakes.

Siva, have you ever heard your VSC warning sound beeping? If you aren't certain, take your car to a large empty parking lot on an icy day and drive it in a tight circle until you lose control -- you should first see the flashing TRAC warning light and then hear the VSC beeping when you start to skid out of control.

I heard the VSC beeping sound several times times this morning during a 60 mile round trip to the airport in the ice and snow storm we are having here in the Kansas City area. I've never seen so many tow trucks pulling cars back onto the road and towing damaged ones away ... seemed like about one off-the-road vehicle per mile. Most people slowed down to less than 35 mph on the Interstate. It was strange to see a few people flying by at far faster speeds but I got to see some of them again later -- sitting in their cars stuck in the median or off the side of the highway.

Thank you all for your input. I was just concerned if I was missing something after the update.

Unless you are skidding, its not the VSC either. The VSC will beep and the traction light will flash when it activates.

Are you applying the brakes through the turn when this occurs?

The software fix may have the engine coast at a lower RPM. A lower engine speed could make it feel like it coasts more...probably the feeling you are describing is simply the engine speed and transmission gearing slowing the car down...that combined with the forces of turning may make it feel like the car is doing something special to slow you down, but its not.

Its probably just something you'll have to get used to...

From Wikipedia it probably the ESC

"Electronic stability control (ESC) is a computerized technology that improves the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, ESC automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go. Braking is automatically applied to individual wheels, such as the outer front wheel to counter oversteer, or the inner rear wheel to counter understeer. Some ESC systems also reduce engine power until control is regained.[1] Electronic stability control does not improve a vehicle's cornering performance"

This is exactly what I am talking about as I could feel the brakes apply on the outer side.

Like I said in the other thread, this is your imagination, the car does not apply the brakes on its own under any circumstances...you have to apply the brakes yourself. It may downshift and provide engine braking, but it is not applying the brakes and it doesn't do this when making a turn. The transmission doesn't know if you are turning or not.

The brake assist simply provides full braking power when it senses you apply the brake pedal at such a speed as to indicate a panic stop. The only way to test it is to slam on the brakes and see what happens...

it may not be the brakes..its the anti skid tech or whatever that this car has and i can clearly tell the difference and I have always noticed it for the past 2 years, until the update.

I had my software update recently and I feel the drive is a little more smoother, rather than the bulky feel generally ES350 has. But one thing, previously when ever I turn a little fast, my car would automatically apply the brakes a little and slows down the turn,...I think it is the Brake assist. Even when I am turning in 25 and 30 miles per hour it would kick in and slow down.

But now after the software update I don't think my car is doing that anymore. I have tried it and it doesn't anymore apply the brakes. Not sure if this is just my car or does anyone who had their software update had the same issue.

Is this something caused by the software update. Can anyone confirm and suggest a method to test the brake assist feature on the ES 350 to make sure it is actually working?

Thank you

Siva

I had my software update recently and I feel the drive is a little more smoother, rather than the bulky feel generally ES350 has. But one thing, previously when ever I turn a little fast, my car would automatically apply the brakes a little and slows down the turn,...maybe this is what is ABS.(I don't know)

But now after the software update I don't think my car is doing that anymore. I have tried it and it doesn't anymore apply the brakes. Not sure if this my car or does anyone who had their software update had the same issue.

Is this something caused by the software update.

Thank you

I haven't upgraded the software yet, but I do agree with you that the Brake Assist doesn't appear to kick in on the 2010 ES 350 compared to my previous 2006 ES 330. On the 2006 ES 330, whenever I went down the hill towards the traffic light and hit the brake slightly to slow down, the brake assist would kick in and I could feel it "helping". But on the 2010 ES 350, traveling on that same stretch of road, it does not do any brake assist anymore.

Can anyone suggest a sure-proof way to test the brake assist feature on the 2010 ES 350 to make sure it is actually working?

Thanks! Maybe I will open a new thread for more visibility.

I had my software update recently and I feel the drive is a little more smoother, rather than the bulky feel generally ES350 has. But one thing, previously when ever I turn a little fast, my car would automatically apply the brakes a little and slows down the turn,...maybe this is what is ABS.(I don't know)

But now after the software update I don't think my car is doing that anymore. I have tried it and it doesn't anymore apply the brakes. Not sure if this my car or does anyone who had their software update had the same issue.

Is this something caused by the software update.

Thank you

Even if its a drive by wire- throttle system error, why would it not appear in any of the other Lexus models including the RX, LS models. I am not hearing those had issues.

Can't lexus use the same firmware as those cars had to fix the issue if they were good.

My friend just had her '09 serviced (5k miles) and said they shortened the accelerator pedal, removed some of the padding beneath the carpet and replaced it with a thinner type, also replaced the floor mats, and did a software upgrade. The software upgrade disables the accelerator once the brakes are applied (so you can't brake and accelerate at the same time), whether your foot is on the accelerator or not. This should preven unintended acceleration.

Thanks! Thats what I heard my dealer say but I was not sure as nowhere in the news does it say Lexus/Toyota is ready with the software update for the accelerator override. Toyata website news says it will be ready in December.

AWSW03ESS (and what SW03ES said)

I have my standard carpet mats pulled out in winter and put my winter mats in. I paid ~$100 or so for the winter rubber mats. So they just replaced the front 2 as they were in the car when i took it in.

regards

>>>

they replaced the pedal and my 2 front thicker winter mats --with sleeker less ridged rubber mats --nicer ES logo in there.... so much snow and grit form the winter --saved me another job of cleaning them haha...

<<<

OK, now I am confused. I thought it was established in another thread that the OFFICIAL mats that come with the 2010 ES 350 are the charcoal colored carpet floormats, not rubber. How is it that they replaced your 2 front mats with "sleeker less ridged rubber mats"??? Carpet mat or rubber mat?? Which one is *the* official mat???

I have mine scheduled for next week and my dealer said there is also a software update. is that true. Did they do something similar at your dealership.

Because of recent flooding my Es 350 got water inside. i took it to the dealer and they removed the carpet and put it back on. Now it looks new and clean even though it looks like a washed carpet.

Now my concern is the carpet smells weird and I am not sure how to get rid of the odor. its more of a chemical smell rather than any mold or mildew.

This odor is strong when i get into the car and after 5 min or so it vanishes. I am going to try leaving the windows down for a couple of days, but not sure if it would work. Any solutions or have you had the same issue.

Thank you

Bought my first Lexus ES350 on Thursday, I'm 36 years old. I drove a sports coupe the past 10 years and thought it was time for a change. I'm still getting used to it but I'm happy. :D

32 and I own an es350...like the smooth ride but its not so sporty and sometimes feels bulky

"I too have just purchased the 2009 ES350 and am completely underwhelmed by the stereo system. My 2001 Camry has much better sound.

a1s1a1 has a good point in that I do not want to open the dash to change speakers for fear things will never be the same.

But I have to do something. It’s getting to the point where I do not want to turn on the sound system.

That being said I feel one of the major problems is the quality of the rear speakers. They just do not seem strong enough to fill the car. When I fade to the rear of the Camry the sound still fills the car, when I fade to the rear of the Lexus it becomes a very tinny sound.

So the question is about changing the rear speakers.

Difficult?

Worth it?

I bought the 08 with premium and the stereo made me have buyers remorse. I hated it.

I found a post regarding upgrading to the ML system and did it. The ML only comes on the NAV models which I don't have. You need to find a junkyard es350 with ML and get the amp (in the trunk) and 11 speakers with grills out of it. If you try to buy the parts new from Lexus it will run about $5,000+ not including the wires. The head unit (the part in the dash) is the same and all functionality remains perfect. It takes many hours and some wire splicing and added runs but the result is sooo much better. I agree that the ML is not the best system but it is very adequate and the standard radio is not.

The standard speakers are plastic Pioneer with small magnets - the ML are paper cone and heavier magnet Harman Becker speakers.

You may be able to upgrade the amp and speakers while keeping the factory headunit but I don't know.

I recently gave my ES350 for service and got an RX350 loaner and it sounded so much better with the same lexus premium sound ... does anyone know why. I confirmed with the dealer and he said its the base system and it didn't say mark levinson anywhere and it has got a code AP1811 and its got the same interface as ES 350 base system.

I got my es350 back and it really sounds worse. If they all carry the same nakamichi systems then they all should sound the same right.

I wanted to start this thread to talk about the Lexus premium sound and how people have setup to get a good audio experience.

Please post your concerns, what can be done to get the best possible sound out of it and how you feel about it

What mods/adjustments can be done to make it better.

I did not opt for the ML as the word 'premium' made me think the base itself is good enough for my listening. I ma not an audiophile.

Even though the dealer said its got 8 speakers and all, I did not get a chance to test it thoroughly and i am not so happy with the base sound.

You shouldn't be, the speakers are crap. It is the old adage that more is better rather than a quality speaker. Even the mark Levinson speakers are of poor quality. I am planning on a Dyn Audio speaker complement with Zapco reference or competition amps. The Lexus has a great stage for great sound and with the right audio engineer you may never want to leave your car.

I meant to add that a sub woofer needs to be added and by the way do not even consider Bose. I had Bose in my other car and swapped them out . . . . the difference is unbelievable.

Navsafe and JGT thanks for your suggestions and comments.

JGT you are right ..I certainly am going by the 'used to' factor. I don't know how to put it but i feel the sound from the speakers and the bass are all jumbled up in the Lexus premium sound resulting in an unenjoyable experience.

I wanted to start this thread to talk about the Lexus premium sound and how people have setup to get a good audio experience.

Please post your concerns, what can be done to get the best possible sound out of it and how you feel about it

What mods/adjustments can be done to make it better.

I did not opt for the ML as the word 'premium' made me think the base itself is good enough for my listening. I ma not an audiophile.

Even though the dealer said its got 8 speakers and all, I did not get a chance to test it thoroughly and i am not so happy with the base sound.

I agree the sound system is pretty average for a luxury car. i would expect the base system should sound decent if not 300 w or 400 w of power. Clarity in the music is totally lacking. Sometimes I feel the old Mazda 626 2000 that i have is better sounding than this Lexus ES 08.

A simple base bose system would have sounded better and cars like Mazda and Nissan offer Bose or even a Boston offered by some cars sound better.

Hi just bought a new Lexus, but did not get it tinted as I am not able to negotiate it with the deal... Lexus is asking 400$..is there a good place in Houston where they doa good tint job..

I need your recommendations on three things

I am in the 610 loop close to galleria.

1) A reliable shop where they do a good job.

2) What tint is ideal for the ES350.

3) Is using a ceramic tint a good option

4) What is the average price for the tint

your recommendation is highly appreciated.

Thank you