mbpgawest

Hi Everyone, the 15,000 mile serivce of the trany. is right in the service manual that came with the car. I would use nothing but Toyota's fluid my self. When you change the fluid, change the drain plug gasket also. It's a metal ring that compresses when tightend. I just did mine about a week ago.

90LexusLS400, I hope I'm not making a mistake by changing mine to KYB's. I want to keep the same factory feel that I have. Can you tell me if the KYB's that you took off are the GR-2's? Thanks

Lexusfreak, I just looked up the price on the TRD's WOW $19.50 per filter. From the description next to it, it sounds like its for high performance or extreamly hard driving. I would rather change my oil every 1,500 miles than pay that for a filter.

445781, I'm looking for the emblems for the wheel centers, in gold.

VBdenny, have you seen these fans before? I have not heard of them. Let me know where to get them.

bscandalous, sounds like you have clogged cats. I have not seen any posts with similar complaints. Has the "Check Engine" light been coming on?

Hi, Not sure how much for just the labor for the fronts. I called the dealer a couple months ago asking how much to replace all 4 and they said around $800. That included the parts. I'm going to buy KYB struts and OEM springs and do the job my self in the next month or so. Good luck.

Hi amboy19, I believe the screen is found by removing the sensor that is located on the drivers side of the powersteering rack. It will have 2 wires coming off of it. From what I have read you need a chisel to take it off. I was planning on checking mine out when I do my struts in a couple weeks. Good Luck! Let me know if you find it.

Mark

Hi VBdenny, my wife has one of those new Siena vans and I'm about to detail the outside. I plan on claying it first then polish, then seal and finally wax it. What products did you use?

Does anyone know if replacing the struts on a '97 is much differant? If so, could you let me know or post pics on the gallersy. Thanks for your help.

Hey Texus, not problem, we all make mistakes. Here in the Palm Springs area, every year you hear of some dumb parent or pet owner who left thier child or pet in a car and they die. :chairshot: Heat is nothing to mess with.

Several years ago, I put a thermomiter on the dash of a car in the summer heat, it got over 180 in about 10 min.

let me know how it goes with the valvoline durablend. I was thinking about switching from regular valvoline to the durablend. I'm a follower of valvoline, not sure why but they have my trust.

Steve, look about 4 or 5 comments. TexusLexus94 said he read that it increases inside temps. I respectfully disagree with that.

TexusLexus94 is right about the tinted windows, it's not going to make the car stay cool, but it will be cooler than if you don't have them tinted. Lowering a window just 1 inch will help you could even tilt the sunroof. Since heat rises it will go out the sunroof.

TOGWT has a great point about the car cover, as long as you don't mind taking the time to put it on and take it back off standing in 120 degree temps.

Hi 445187, great way to protect your car for those long distance drives. I do a 500 mile trip to San Francisco about twice a year and hate to see and hear the bugs hitting and sticking to my car. How much did it set you back?

I noticed alot of talk about vibration from poor wheel balace. Is there a reason why you would not go to your local Lexus dealer? I've bought all of my tires from them and balanced through them. No complaints at all and I've had my '97 LS 400 up to 115 and everywhere in between.

Hi skperformance, I'm going to replace all of my emblems and want to know the tricks of the trade. What to you use to heat them up? I notice that the wheel emblems looked like they are hot glued on from the inside. Does that sound right?

Thanks

Nice pics 93LSOwner, not sure that I would ever do that to mine though

Hi Steve:

Thanks for all your help and comments. I noticed that in your replies you say "Shine by Wolfgang and Meguiars #16." Is this a better combo? I'll try it next time. What products from Wolfgang do you use?

I agree with luvmy98LS400, I live in the Palm Springs area where it gets over 120 outside and in your car can get to nearly 200. I just had the windows on my LS400 tinted and it helps alot and we have not gotten to our hot season yet.

granell, here is my 2 cents worth. I would run a wire from the outlet to the backside of the fuse block to a spot that is hot all of the time, make sure you are connecting to the side that would be proctected if the fuse blows. All you need is a test light, some wire and some common sence. Let us know what you end up doing. I am going to do this to my wifes new minivan.

Hi Bob, I had the same results when I tested regular for a few tanks. I spoke with a friend who bought a '03 LS430. He told me that the sales person informed him that it would be okay to use regular fuel that it would not hurt the engine. To this day I think he still uses regular. Not me I'm back and staying with the high ocatine stuff.

Love my Maui Jims, you can get them at Costco for way less than at a sunglass store. I got mine for around $89

wwest, I like that clean look! B) Unfortunatly I bought my LS 400 3 yrs old. To late to take them off unless I wanted to paint.

Another question for the "Official LOC Detailaholic" Steve, :D

I got the clay bar and just had to try it out. The first thing I did was use the little plastic mit they give you to feel how bad your paint is. Wow was I suprised, even on my wife's new '04 Toyota Siena, it felt like someone put sand in the finish. Is this normal and will all of that come out? It is amazing that with your bare hand it feels like glass then with that mit it feels so rough.

I'll be ordering my other stuff today, including some new microfiber towells. Thanks for all of your help, I look forward to the end results.

I think I finally figured out how to use this forum and reply. Boy do I feel dumb!

Newbie here, wanting to double check with the Gurue Steve about products compatability and proper aplication. Here is the order and products I plan on using.

wash / clay (Clay Magic) / wash again / polish (Poorboys Polish) / seal (Poorboys EX Sealant w/Carnauba) / wax(P21S)

Is this over kill or will it be worth the end results? Another question, does it make any difference that I live in the desert where it can reach 120?

Sorry to be a pest. I really do appreciate all of your help!

Mark