amcdonal86

Could you explain what the table means? I'm having trouble understanding it, having read the whole document twice. :)

Is it not coming out because it's corroded? If you're having that much trouble, I'm sure an independent mechanic in the area or someone at an auto parts store would do it for little or no charge, especially if you bought a replacement bulb from them.

I don't think WD-40 or PBlaster would be enough to get into the bearings and really remove any corrosion.

Don't act like you're in love with the car. In this kind of economy, it is DEFINITELY a buyers market. According to CARFAX, one of the cars I looked at was sitting on the lot since July. (Look on the CARFAX report and see when it says "Vehicle offered for sale".) If you know how long it's been sitting there, you will have the upper hand. Also, be wary of "processing" fees. These are just pure markup and profit for the dealership. Always negotiate based on the "out the door" price, not the purchase price. Good luck! The LS is a great car. I've only owned one for about 2 weeks. It's not much fun to drive, but for pampering yourself and your passengers with world-class luxury, it can't be beat!

Hi, I recently noticed a minor issue with my '97 LS400 with about 92k miles on it. When I go over dips where the chassis of the car is bobbing up and down, I hear a slight creaking/rattle coming from the front. Last night I had 5 adults in the car and it also seemed to come from the rear as well. The strange thing is that this does NOT happen when I am just going over fast bumps or big potholes (presumably because the weight of the car isn't shifting too much?). What could this be? I'm starting to kind of become annoyed by it. Feels like something in the suspension if you ask me! UPDATE 2/10/09**** The problem has been solved and it turns out that the defective parts were the upper strut/shock mounts (tower). Even when they were off, cracks were not visible with close inspection, but they were, in fact, worn out.

I agree. I can see how some of the other models (IS, ES) can be described as upscale versions of Toyotas. The LS really cannot. It's fantastic!

Thanks. I will do that. I am out of town now, but I will go do that when I get back!

So where can I get 100% gasoline (not gasohol)?

The belt itself. Replace the belt!

I finally got to take the car on a long-ish highway trip. I drove about 280 miles on this tank and averaged about 23 mpg with 10% ethanol. This included about 30 miles of city driving and the remainder was all highway driving, with about a 15 minute time period of heavy stop-and-go delays. Cruise speed at around 80mph on some parts, but on average my cruise speed was closer to 70. This sounds kind of normal. I'm not worried anymore. P.S. Where on Earth do you guys find fuel that doesn't have ethanol blended into it??!

I test drove 2 '97 LS400s when I picked the one I have now. Both did the exact same thing when they were cold, and mine continues to do it when cold. I find it to be a non-issue. I think it's caused by the high idle in cold weather startups. When you kick it into gear, the car has a bit of torque at 1400rpm or so, and it lunges a little bit. Once the idle is down to the normal 500-700 it doesn't do it anymore. Strangely, the 2000 LS400 I test drove did not do this when cold.

BLAST! I assumed that this had meant that it had already been done. :( The interesting thing is that it was reported at a mileage of around 83k miles in November 2006, about 2 years before the previous owner sold the car. Anyone else know what this means?

Yup-- "Brake Pad Wear Limit Warning Light This light warns that the brake pads are worn to the extent that replacement is required. If it comes on while you are driving, have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible."

Let me just run out to the car to double check real quick.

According to my owner's manual, I believe it means that your brake pads are low and will need replacing soon. I'm new to Lexus, but I did register on www.lexus.com in the owner's site as an owner. There, if you navigate around, you will find a link to order a FREE replacement owner's manual. Mine came in just 5 or so days just this week!!!!

For the poster, the tutorial you are referring to is found here: http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/transmission/removal.html

The sticker indicates that the timing belt and water pump were changed at 60k miles in February 2003, so it's probably due soon because of the time that has lapsed. I will probably wait at least until the summer, though. I bought my wife's LS400 in early 2008(I think? Time flies.) with a broken timing belt; it was the original from 1991 and it and the water pump had 240k miles on it. The call is obviously yours, but I wouldn't worry about changing that belt after just 5 years and 30k-40k miles! I don't think I'll worry about it. I think I will wait until 120k miles before I change it. I don't know if what I was looking at was a Lexus publication, but it indicated that the timing belt was to be changed every 60k miles and did not give maximum life (time) for the belt. According to the Lexus Owner's website, my car has had the 90k service completed by a dealership already, so I think I am set for a few years of trouble free and relatively maintenance free driving for now! I'm stoked!

I might be crazy here, but I'm perfectly okay spending $20 on regular blades 3 or so times a year!

Many folks get Michelins for their LS.....it all depends on what your looking for, price range, where you live (IE: winter conditions or rain) etc. Are you referring to Michelin Energy tires?

They should be just fine in the quiet department. More info here... http://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/avid_touring_s.aspx Don't overlook the Yokohama Avid TRZ either.....a little more money, but a longer treadlife & T speed rated... http://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/avid_trz.aspx And here... http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...yes&place=1 Hmmm.... those TRZs look good. I'll let you guys know what I decide. I just thought there was some sort of tried-and-tested standard tire that everyone gets on the LS400 that didn't cost too much. I know a lot of people get those Falkens on Mazda Miatas.

Thanks! I have had both Ziex ZE 512s and Ziex ZE 912s on the Miata I had, and I've also had ZE 512s on a Honda Accord. They were a bit too noisy for my taste, and tread life was not that good, although my driving style was a little more intense with that sports car. About the Yokohama Avid Touring, are those tires nice and quiet? I have no problem with soft tires (this is a soft car, after all!). I may end up getting those.

Sorry for posting yet another thread, but I registered my new-to-me '97 LS400 on Lexus's owner's website, and one of the records says "90000 MILE SERVICE NON". What exactly does this mean? I assume it means the 90k mile service was done without a timing belt?

So this occurs even after the car has warmed up?

Okay, let's try it this way! All of these tires are within my price range--which one is best? Tires: Falken Ziex ZE-512 Pirelli Cinturato P5 Falken Ziex ZE-912 Hankook Optimo H418 Yokohama Avid Touring I appreciate all of your help!

I guess the most important thing is to get a quiet tire with good tread life that is cheap. I just don't want it to get me killed in the rain!