gatoman39

Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta

2013 Lexus ES shows up undisguised in China

Front

Rear

Interior

Engine

Side

For me, I am under the impression that an oil like 0W-20 Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy, may help in 2 key areas. Start-up wear and short trip city driving. However, this oil is 2-3x more expensive than conventional. I have doubled the life of the oil in previous cars by swapping out the oil filter after 5k miles, only replacing 1/2-3/4 a quart and driving 10k miles instead of the 5k recommended oil change interval. I was planning on doing this to the ES350 as well.

According to Car and driver the new Camry V6 :

The only powertrain changes, aimed at improving fuel economy, are subtle: lower-viscosity engine oil (0W-20 versus 5W-30), a transmission-oil warmer to achieve operating temps a little faster, and a higher (numerically lower) final-drive ratio of 3.46:1 versus 3.69:1. The net, according to the EPA, is a gain of 1 mpg in city and highway modes, for a rating of 21/30. We averaged 25 mpg.

Would using this 0W-20 oil in a 2009 ES350 be worth any fuel economy or efficiency gains?

The other Lexus forum:

Rear.pdf

Anyone know what the Wheel lug nuts torque specs are for 09 ES350? I set it to 80 ft/lbs.

I just changed the rear brakes on 2009 ES350. 43k miles, they weren't making any squeaking noise which was odd because the pads were almost down to bare metal. Any way I think the dealer wanted like 400 bucks. I bought the pads online for 38 bucks and swapped out the pads. Took about an hour.

just make sure they are tight, lol

no, don't know, but I think the quickest way to get the answer would be to call a Lexus service shop and see what setting they use

I found the answer. It's 76 ft/lbs.

Anyone know what the Wheel lug nuts torque specs are for 09 ES350? I set it to 80 ft/lbs.

I just changed the rear brakes on 2009 ES350. 43k miles, they weren't making any squeaking noise which was odd because the pads were almost down to bare metal. Any way I think the dealer wanted like 400 bucks. I bought the pads online for 38 bucks and swapped out the pads. Took about an hour.

Actually I did shop around before I got my ES. To be honest the ES350 was the best in that price range. I checked out the Audi A4, but the interior felt more like a sports car than a luxury car. They should hire Martha Stewart to dress it up. I also checked out the Infiniti GS35. It drove great. Very solid handling. Felt like it hugged the road when doing sharp turns. But again, it didn't ooze luxury. So the ES350 still came out ahead in terms of the luxury feel, but like I said, it still falls short in my opinion. Perhaps only something like the LS460 or Audi A7 will satisfy me, but alas, it is beyond my reach financially at this time, unless maybe I get a preowned one. So yeah, I admit I am merely *settling* for the ES350.

What you are describing is a product of RWD or AWD architecture. It has everything to do with the balance, weight, control and general feel of the car. Not so much in a straight line, but in instances like highway on/off ramps, or traffic circles, mountain roads or aggressive driving. Segmenting the drive wheels from the steering gives the car a feeling of stability and balance which translates to a more luxurious driving experience. While the interior and refinement of the ES350 is top notch, it will always be considered as a pseudo luxury vehicle, because of the FWD platform it sits on.

wow, someone who has more complaints than me

my complaints though have been with the feel..handling, braking, etc, whereas yours are primary the aesthetics, which I like

Those things are largely due to the FWD architecture of the car. A car this big, with this much power is going to fall down if you try and drive it like a BMW. If you drive it like a commuter vehicle, it's totally fine, which is what 99% of people who buy this vehicle do. I like this car, but it's egregiously expensive for what it is.

The quantity is 6.4 qts. But only put in 6, then check. You can always add more, but it's a !Removed! to remove if you overfill.

You will also need a oil drain plug washer, and you really should use a torque wrench to set the torque specs correctly. Also, I really wouldn't use that oil filter wrench. The filter housing is aluminum and soft. You can use the OEM part, I think it's on amazon for 18 bucks, or get a filter cap Use a 65mM/67mM cap-style oil filter and the 3/8” socket wrench.

correct tool:

will also work:

This video is much better. It's for a Camry, but same thing...

decades is a loooong, time...loyalties can fall way quicker than that imo

look, the luxury car market is in trouble from all over..showrooms are empty and sales are horrible

the luxury market is losing share to it's so called "non-luxury" competitors and that trend should continue

Do you have some kind of source for this? All the data I've seen has shown that luxury car sales are hanging in there...

It's sort of bifurcated. Some are doing better than they ever have like BMW, while others are floundering like Lincoln. Lexus has been losing mkt share as has Acura. For Lexus a lot of it has to do with a confluence of many things. Lexus product cycle right now is a bit long in the tooth with many models due for overhaul in the next few years. Not to mention bad PR from the unintended acceleration BS and a brand image problem for building precise, reliable, boring, appliance-like vehicles. The financial crisis has made the yen very strong and harder for Japanese exports, and the tsunami has made a bad situation worse.

Laugh if you like but I'm thinking there's a Hyundai in my future.

The Genesis isn't as refined in terms of the pillow like ride quality as the LS. It's definitely more stiff-legged and entertaining. Some people will like that, just like some people who love Mercs, hate the way BMW's drive and vice versa.

I'm more of a BMW type so I really like the Genesis. With that said, I still drive the 95 LS, and use it as the beater. It's never stranded me and I'll keep driving it till it dies, but I don't think I'd get another one over the value proposition that Hyundai is delivering, especially in this fiscal environment.

I am both a '95 LS owner and a 09 Genesis V8 owner. While I agree perception wise, Hyundai has a bit of a ways to be used in the same sentence as Lexus; in terms of execution, Toyota should be concerned.

I don't think its very likely Toyota or Lexus issue a recall for a 15 year old model. This recall is for 2005-2008 Corolla's. I think its a bit of stretch to suggest these are closely linked.

That's what I thought too, but The NHSTA is investigating a fault on 1993–2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/25/older-jeep-grand-cherokees-being-investigated-for-fuel-tank-defe/

Toyota Recalls 1.1 Million Cars for Engine Problem

DETROIT — Toyota Motor, the Japanese automaker, said Thursday that it would recall 1.13 million compact cars, days after federal safety regulators upgraded an investigation into numerous complaints about the cars stalling.

This sounds like the same problem that we're discussing here.

DO you have to remove the air intake into the throttle body on the 98 to access the spark plug chamber?

Not unless you are a contortionist ;) I would say 'yes'. The air assembly covers most of the RH bank. It is fairly easy to remove.

In concept yes, it's easy to remove, in practice it's not that easy. It may be what you and I consider easy, because like me, you probably have a gang of tools in your garage and are mechanically inclined. For the original poster who seems like a novice, there are vacuum lines and rubber hoses that are on there so tight you better have the serious kung-fu grip to get them off. There are small things that people don't tell you when doing something like this.

Well, you have a good point there, gatoman. I am hoping that anyone wanting to DIY is willing to buy the tools necessary and take on the learning curve to become more proficient in maintaining their vehicle. I have found that most people who say they are not "mechanically inclined" are so simply because they choose not to try and so remain ignorant. Its more of a matter of having no interest. And being afraid of breaking something. But mostly because it involves a four letter word...work. Interestingly, some of my childhood friends who were not "mechanically inclined" grew up to become surgeons. Talk about irony.

On to the lesson for today. I have found that a hook & pick tool is perfect for slipping underneath the hoses and working them loose. Work the hook underneath one edge of the hose, run it around the lip and presto, the hose basically falls off. Then you do not need the "kung fu" grip. Man-handling is rarely the answer to stubborn parts that are stuck-fast. Learning proper technique is. And that only comes by trying and by asking those who do know.

Tools and technique are important, and since we have experience it's pretty much a no brainer for us. But one of the respondents indicated that you simply remove plugs, install new ones and that it's not rocket science, and that is way too simplistic. There are little things that the novice doesn't think of, like say you drove to autozone to get new plugs and came home. Well, now the engine is hot as hell and you can burn yourself trying to do anything to it. Also you have to lay down a mat against the front quater panels, so you don't scratch up the car when you are leaning against it. Also you need proper lighting or you can't see what you're doing, it goes on an on. Things we take for granted are not second nature to the average joe. SO when someone responds to a novice, with a novice answer, I think it's important for the original gentleman, to understand what he's getting into before he starts going to a gun fight, armed with a spoon.

The passenger side, where the air intake into the throttle body is the hardest part to remove. Other than that, it's a pretty easy job.

DO you have to remove the air intake into the throttle body on the 98 to access the spark plug chamber?

Not unless you are a contortionist ;) I would say 'yes'. The air assembly covers most of the RH bank. It is fairly easy to remove.

In concept yes, it's easy to remove, in practice it's not that easy. It may be what you and I consider easy, because like me, you probably have a gang of tools in your garage and are mechanically inclined. For the original poster who seems like a novice, there are vacuum lines and rubber hoses that are on there so tight you better have the serious kung-fu grip to get them off. There are small things that people don't tell you when doing something like this.

1) Remove old plugs.

2) Install new plugs.

It's not rocket science.

Well it's not quite that easy. You have a 98 so I'm not entirely sure, but I just did this on the 95 yesterday, and it was a pain in the !Removed!! The hard part is getting to the plugs. Once the prep work is over, pulling the plugs is easy breezy. The hardest part is getting the air intake into the throttle body off. There are several vacuum hoses and you need to have the proper tools to access the 10mm bolts to remove the engine covers as well as be strong as an ox to remove the vacuum hoses on a car that is 12 years old.

The picture is after the hoses have been removed. The easiest part is actually changing the plugs. The plugs are like 3 bucks, but the labor is like 300-500 because of all the prep work. Not sure of the 98 are distributorless or not, but if they're anything like the 95, you better be mechanically inclined and have some wheaties for breakfast.

The 98's are COP (Coil On Plug) so no distributor, no high voltage wires. It's not rocket science. It's spark plug science! :P Get the right deep-well socket and extensions ready.

DO you have to remove the air intake into the throttle body on the 98 to access the spark plug chamber?

1) Remove old plugs.

2) Install new plugs.

It's not rocket science.

Well it's not quite that easy. You have a 98 so I'm not entirely sure, but I just did this on the 95 yesterday, and it was a pain in the !Removed!! The hard part is getting to the plugs. Once the prep work is over, pulling the plugs is easy breezy. The hardest part is getting the air intake into the throttle body off. There are several vacuum hoses and you need to have the proper tools to access the 10mm bolts to remove the engine covers as well as be strong as an ox to remove the vacuum hoses on a car that is 12 years old.

The picture is after the hoses have been removed. The easiest part is actually changing the plugs. The plugs are like 3 bucks, but the labor is like 300-500 because of all the prep work. Not sure of the 98 are distributorless or not, but if they're anything like the 95, you better be mechanically inclined and have some wheaties for breakfast.

Bridgestone Potenza RE960 AS Pole Position

225/60R-16 98W B

Best Tires I have owned on this car, and I have had a few as this car is 15 years old. I had Pirelli P6 on these before which were fine, but the Bridgestones have transformed the steering without affecting the plush ride. SO happy.

Coin slot? How many coins can you chuck in there 5? Variable suspension is what I was looking for. I don't have the owners manual because I am shopping for one, not a owner of the GS350. From what ive been reading so far the car seems to have some fit and finish issues.

I am so paranoid now to buy a new car... I have a 95 LS400, it's 15 years old 125k, and no major mechanical defects. I bought it new, back in the day. Little annoying stuff, but the car is 15 years old and rock solid. I keep telling myself I will buy a new car when this one explodes, but I really don't see this happening, as the car may out live me. with that being said, it would be nice to have a GS350, but the LS has spoiled me into thinking that I don't have to do anything except change the oil.

I had a LS430 years ago, and I agree with you, its build like a tank. I would keep the LS if I were you, Lexus just doesnt build cars like they use to anymore :(

I just changed the spark plugs and wires last night on the LS400, what a pain in the !Removed!, it took all day, and the wires were never changed so they were on therre with what felt like cement. I want to get a new car but this one has been so good, I can't imagine dealing with any maintenance issues.

The first slot is a coin slot/holder by design.

The second spot is where the switch for the Adaptive variable Suspension (GS430+ only).....as mentions previously.

look in your owners manual and you should see a picture.

steviej

Coin slot? How many coins can you chuck in there 5? Variable suspension is what I was looking for. I don't have the owners manual because I am shopping for one, not a owner of the GS350. From what ive been reading so far the car seems to have some fit and finish issues.

I am so paranoid now to buy a new car... I have a 95 LS400, it's 15 years old 125k, and no major mechanical defects. I bought it new, back in the day. Little annoying stuff, but the car is 15 years old and rock solid. I keep telling myself I will buy a new car when this one explodes, but I really don't see this happening, as the car may out live me. with that being said, it would be nice to have a GS350, but the LS has spoiled me into thinking that I don't have to do anything except change the oil.

What buttons go in the first 2 slots?

Any help?

Rear window defrost light on HVAC instrument control panel comes on (little green light). However, no defrosting of the rear window is occurring. Is there some fuse I have to change. Please help.

1995 LS 400

120k.