a1s1a1

Thanks Steve and mhawkin1 for your thoughtful replies. I will again insist on the change or adjusting the tension as suggested. The surprising thing is that I had to leave the car overnight so they, the dealership, can have an early morning start and listen to the belt squeal. The service consultant did acknowledge the squeal but advised me that it is normal and all es 350 do this when it is so cold. I specifically discussed my concern about the belt which I thought was slipping but they said that they had checked it and that was fine. On the other note, this dealership is very helpful otherwise in providing an A class service. I must say that I am somewhat perplexed why they would not correct an obvious problem, unless, the problem is not so obvious and there is something else going on which they did not know how to fix. At the end, I would say that these warranties is a good thing and if the problem persists or nags, I would pay them a visit again. a1s1a1

Dear All, I am an owner of ES 350, UL Package which was purchased new last year. It has now 9000 miles on the odometer. I wonder if any of you be so kind to throw some light on the following two issues that are somewhat odd that I have noted. I have looked into any available tsib on these two issues, which I couldn't find and have taken the car to the dealership which is a 200 mile round trip for me but the problem persists. 1. Since last year and after a cold start, i.e. temperature less than 20 F, for about 10-15 minutes as I am coming to stop the car at a stop sign the car wants to jump forward just before it stops. From jump I mean that as I am applying brakes and as the speed of the car is coming to 4,3,2,1, mph......it seems that it wants to accelerate without my foot on the gas pedal but the brakes holds it and prevents it from taking off. Of note is that I don't have a 4-5 gear flare. I mentioned it to the dealership last month and they did "ECU flash" and filled up the transmission fluid which was below its desirable level, as I was informed but that didn't help. 2. On a cold start i.e. temperature less than 10 F, as I press the start button there is a squeal ( something like a belt squeal )when the car is starting. This happens for a second or two and the car always start. The dealership told me that it is normal for cold temperature starts? Prior to this lexus I had infiniti and acura which never had this squeling noise. Over the past 20 plus years I have had toyotas and hondas and have always lived in Wisconsin but never had this type of issue. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

Travelguy, I am glad that this information had helped and thank you for sharing your story. I have found this site and forum to be very helpful with many other issues as it relates to ES 350. Regards, a1s1a1

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Dear All, I had purchased an UL ES 350 earlier this year. I had dealership install the XM antena on the rear brakelight inside the car. Now, I see the 2010 ES are coming with a factory installed shark fin antena which looks really sharp + I am quite sure that its reception would be much better. So, for all the tech guys here on the forum the question is "Can the factory shark fin be mounted on the 2009?" The dealer's answer is "no" since they have no conversion kit for it? I guess that the mount can be done if one (not me) is ready to bear the consequences of taking off the headliner and running the wires to the roof. With the UL it will perhaps be more difficult if not impossible since one has to drill holes in the panoramic glass roof. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

My 2 cents; The base audio system is really a practical joke by giving it a name of "lexus premium system" I will grade it as C-. I have UL/ML package, I gave my car for service this month and got a loaner with base system. Honestly, our Honda Odyssey touring Mini Van system sounds better a C+. As for ML system, I guess that it is better than the base system but overall I will give it a B+ grade. I would not classify myself as an audiophille but I do have Denon, Onkyo, Bose, JVC and a Technics system at home so one can say that I have developed an ear for clarity/bass/treble, etc. I know that ML system has 7.1 architecture and a very low THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) but a class system is based not only on some low number of THD or 10.1, 7.1 or 5.1 architecture. It is the combination of matching speakers and subwoofer to compliment the sound output along with the sound charecteristics of the cabin. I can go on in getting into some technical details but suffice is to say that the ipod sounds quite terrible on ML system. Remember that ML system is made by Harmon Kardon which is an upgraded system in many German Cars including VW. I would say that ML should be the standard "lexus premium system" and an upgraded lexus system should be better than the ML system. One may say, well, that would come with a hefty price? actually not! My Acura TLS has a factory upgraded ES (Elliot Shinner) system. Just listen to it and/or read reviews of this system. It is an A- system.........Not only in my dictionary but be a judge yourself. I had a factory bose in my infiniti I 35 which was a B- system. Infiniti G35/G37 has come up with another bose system with burr brown speakers called "studio on wheels" again another B- system. In conclusion: ACURA (ES) A- Grade LEXUS (ML) B+ " INFINITI BOSE (B-) Honda Odyssey Touring C+ Toyota Sienna XLE / Toyota Camry XLE (JBL Premium Sound) C+ (We have owned both of these vehicles in the past) LEXUS PREMIUM SOUND C- Now coming to your question about upgrade. I would suggest to look into Crutchfield to get a good system or just live with it as any upgraded non factory system will require dash openening and in my book that is too much of a hassle, not to mention the seamless fit and finish which almost always gets compromised with an aftermarket or non factory system. Unless, you are the kind who likes to put 22 inches chrome wheels, chrome billet grille from e bay, pin stripes on your lexus, etc! Sorry for being soooooooooo long winded. Regards, a1s1a1

I live in Wisconsin which means 4-5 months of chilly weather, obviously it will be great if you can step into a heated car at the end of the day which is only possible if the car has a remote starter or if you park your car in a heated garage at work. Having said that, I was wondering if anyone can suggest a remote starter that would work seamlessly with the car. I understand that the car has a lot of gizmos (technicalities) which can come in the way of having a remote starter but is it possible? Any thoughts without making any major modification to the car will be much appreciated. Regards, A1S1A1

Dear All, I am attaching a link of a site which has all the TSBs of ES 350 2007-present http://www.lexustsb.com/categories/Lexus+ES/ES350/?page=1 I hope that you all will find it a useful resource. Thanks with Regards, a1s1a1

1000 $ is too much for it. I have purchased an ES 350 last month with UL package/ML etc. and the dealer was charging 900 $ for XM installation. The price of the unit is around 486 $. I had to negotiate the XM for 500 $ installed with inside XM antenna in the purchase price. Since you have already purchased the car there isn't much left to negotiate with the dealer. I can see two options for you; 1. Try another dealer to have it installed for a resonable price 2. Try Vaistech unit which has other goodies too like able to control your ipod through steering wheel, etc. The only downside is that if you get it installed through a dealer, the ultimate cost would perhaps be in 5-700 $ range + your dash needs to be opened up to get the wires routed to your glovebox, etc. Depending on the dealer's experience this can be done flawlessly and doesn't void your factory warranty. I was at my Lexus dealer this week for a one month check up and they told me that they can install the Vaistech unit for 500 $ Since I already had XM installed so there would be no charge for that, otherwise they told me that there would be a 100-200 $ charge to get the XM installed with the Vaistech unit . I'll see if I can get over my fear/concern of getting the dashboard opened up. Just go to Vaistech.com site and see the detailed diagram of this unit's installation and decide what you think. Hope it helps, Regards, a1s1a1

My 3 weeks old ES 350 with less than 500 miles has creeks from the dashboard. I had an XM radio installed at the dealership before delivery which means that the radio was pulled out to have an access to the head unit. Having said that, my observations are: . The plastic cover which is just above the Nav screen (the whole cover which has the openings for the front vents and small security light) is very creaky on pressing around it. I am not sure if that is the case with all es 350s or mine is the unique one due to the reasons as noted above? May be I am totally off in presuming that the dealership had to pull out that plastic cover to gain access to the head unit and didn't secure the cover tightly in place. . Left and Right speakers by the A pillars has a rattle . Cold weather will increase these creeks and as the car warms up these creeks will diminish ( I live in Wisconsin and the temperature is still below freezing!) . Although I have not seen a TSB for 2008 or 2009 ES 350s but there is a TSB out for 2007 ES 350 related dashboard rattle, which I have seen. I don't think that my problem is as extensive as described in that TSB. I live 100 miles one way from the nearest Lexus Dealer where I will be visiting mid next week to have the One Month follow up with them and will bring up these issues but i would appreciate if someone in the interim can let me know their experience regarding similar issues. Thanks in advance, Regards, a1s1a1

I have a tungsten pearl and it looks ditto, I had asked the sales person before taking delievery 2 weeks ago. I have been told that it is just a normal part how the lexus has done it. These two pieces ( one front and one rear rocker pannel on each side of the car) in my car are of tungsten pearl i.e. the car color. I guess its normal. 'hope it helps. a1s1a1

Dear rjt65 and dcfish, Thanks a lot for your replies and I appreciate the list of commands that you have provided. It really helps. Best Regards, a1s1a1

I guess that you are right in saying "Is this something that should have been removed by the dealer prior to delivery?" At the same time it is hard for me to believe that the dealer just goofed up and missed removing such an obvious thing. The dealer will prep the car before delivery and during that process all protective gear which has been put on and within the car in preperation for its transport to the dealer are removed. May be an oversight by the dealer? I would just call the dealer and ask the above question. Regards, a1

About two weeks ago, I purchased an ES 350 which is a UL, panoramic roof, ML, etc. (I like it) I am trying to figure out the list of voice commands that the car will understand. e.g. I am hungry and the car will show the available resturants in the vicinity (this was demonstrated by the sales man before I bought the car) I have quickly browsed through the booklets (owners manual) which came with the car and the lexus owners resource site on the internet without any avail. I then contacted the service department where I purchased the vehicle and they didn't have any such list. They asked me to contact the sales person who sold me the car but he is off until the end of March. I then called Lexus 1-800 number and was connected to an operator who politely said "we don't have any such list and lexus doesn't make any voice command list at all and asked me to contact the service department of the dealership when I gave him the example of "I am hungry" as noted above. This is indeed a case in point of going in circles. Anyways, I am quite sure that there has to be a list of voice commands which are recognized by this vehicle. I also do own a '04 Acura TL with navigation which came with more than a 100 voice commands and the list of those commands were provided as a separate booklet. I guess that Lexus may have such a list or may be not. Can someone help me with this. Thanks in advance