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Lexus ES 300/ES 330
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Comments
"If Toyota plays their cards right with the 5 year plan...with the 3rd year of production of usually powertrain revisions even introduction of a new motor and or tranny, and the 4th year of production exterior fascia update, Toyota should be using that new 3.3L in the whole Camry and related line i.e. Solara, Avalon, Sienna, Highlander, ES300 and RX300. 2004 is the target year for a new powertrain...unless Toyota marketing does something unconventional "
http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=&content_code=06190829
Any place on the 'net I can find more info on the valve cover change?
"No engine is immune to damage when the oil breaks down after time. However, in response to the growing industry problem of deferred oil maintenance, Toyota has initiated a revision to the crankcase ventilation system that will help it tolerate sludge buildup somewhat longer. The design change was to the cam cover's interior baffle. The holes that allow oil vapor carried by the PCV system to condense and drip back into the cylinder head were enlarged. Still, if oil changes are deferred, this change will not eliminate the build-up of sludge. It will likely just delay the onset of engine damage."
There is a very interesting discussion going on at the "Engine Sludge/Oil Gelling- Toyota Customer Response" topic under the "Maintenance and Repair" section of Edmund's Town Hall. The above-mentioned Toyota representative is answering questions from the posts. This is very informative and you would probably need to start from the beginning of that discussion.
What is the mileage reading on your ES?
I have been experiencing the same transmission jerking many times when the speed is over 50 MPH, assuming the 5th gear was using at that speed. This happened mostly when I was driving on the free way and ease my foot on the gas pedal a little bit. But I have noticed less jerking recently (almost none) since my ES is now close to 4K miles, the transmission is much smoother than before. I would expect the transmission will further smooth up when it reaches 10K miles.
Just out of curiosity, did you hear any noise when you press the black plastic cover for the climate control system? Mine makes some noise, it looks like the plastic cover was not secured tight enough. I am not sure whether this is a common issue for every ES, or just local to mine.
I don't have what you mentioned, but I do have this ticking noise coming from what sounds like left of the steering wheel. It's annoying, but not enough for me to want the Lexus service center to take things apart and possibly create other creaks and squeaks.
I have had my ES'02 since last 2 weeks and have already put 500 Miles ...I also have some vibrations from the engine in the morning time for few seconds before it get's warmed up ...than everthing is fine ...no noise ...just when downshifting transmission is hesitating ...let's hope with time it will learn, when I go for my 1000 miles service or check up I am going to bring this point and let you know what the service person said ...good luck and safe driving
The problems may go away after you drive longer, since it's a "learning" transmission. But there's probably some baseline standards that the transmission program adheres to.
Kreative: When you say give Lexus a call are you suggesting the dealer or the national customer service number?
Sliang: I'm not sure if the transmission "learns" as mileage accumulates although that would be nice but it is more likely that we drivers "learn" what action causes the reaction and then subconsciously don't do it as often.
Thanks all
My car has the NAV system and I live in the metro Detroit area that has full coverage. The NAV systems when it acquires the GPS signal has a little box that appears below the compass in the upper left corner of the map. The system uses this to coordinate its position. During brief periods when the car is in a tunnel or among tall building that block the signal, the block will disappear and an internal "inertial navigation" (my words) algorithm will take over to estimate the cars position until a signal can be re-acquired. By the way, that is why you can and should do a re-calibration when you get new tires. The new circumference of the fresh tire needs to be compensated for by the algorithm.
My problem: When I got the car, the GPS box was hardly ever on. When it came on it wasn't always at the same spot on the earth. This tells me that the problem is not the satellite signal having a weak "footprint" in the area I happen to be driving in because the absence of signal was not geographically consistent.
Without a GPS signal the NAV system valiantly tried to show me where the car was and sometimes it succeeded for 15 to 20 minutes but then the internal navigation would be overwhelmed. The map pointer would go off in a random direction and I would be "driving" in the middle of a lake or "cross country" in the wrong direction some twenty or thirty mile from where I actually was. When a GPS signal was finally reacquired for a sufficient length of time the maps would snap back to the correct position.
After two trips to the dealer who tried to implement some diagnostic suggestions from factory technicians in California, the end result was that they put all the original parts back in (antenna and ECU) but couldn't come up with a reason for the GPS dropouts.
The last time I got the car back it did work different and it did work better. A GPS signal would be acquired anywhere between 2 minutes and 10 minutes from start up (previously sometimes not at all) and once acquired it stays on for the duration of the trip (previously it only stayed on briefly).
Yesterday however I didn't get a signal for the first 15 minutes of driving and the car got lost again. I was exiting the e-way to head over to the dealer when of course it acquired a signal again. I plan to have this addressed again when I go in for my 5000 mile checkup and I really don't want to lemon law this thing as the car is beautiful and I love it. But Lexus is reluctant to switch out the part because it is so expensive. (The service rep has told me this.)
Anybody out there experiencing the same problem? Was it resolved? Any techies got any ideas?
Sorry for the wordiness.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks Leo-K
I am considering the option of buying a 2000 Lexus ES 300 off a lease! Thanks!
Except for the transmission, I'm very happy with the car. It is very quiet and the interior has a rich, luxurious feeling.
My previous car was a 97 Camry V6 with the 4-speed automatic which was much smoother than this new 5-speed in the 2002 ES300. We should organize a petition to Lexus Corporate to investigate and fix the transmission.
-SR
I'm not far from their headquarters in Torrance, CA. So if I ever pass by, I'll go in and bug them in person.
What you do get at a Lexus dealer is a nice loaner car for the more expensive services, a much nicer waiting area for the shorter services, and maybe friendlier service for those who don't mind paying to be treated more nicely. I took my LS in recently for an oil change because they were willing to give me an '02 ES loaner car while they were doing the change. I baby my '02 ES for the most part, so this let me test out the ES more aggressively.
You can have other places do the same oil change/tire rotation service for about $30. If you don't have any idea about oil quality, oil filter quality, or tire rotations, I wouldn't take it to just any independent service place though. Try a place that works only on Toyotas, or your local Toyota dealer. As long as the service advisor there isn't a complete moron (like the one at my local Toyota dealer), he'll know that something as easy as an oil change and tire rotation can be done on an ES just like if it were a Camry V6.
If you plan to take it elsewhere, here's some things to keep in mind:
1. Check what brand and type oil they are using. It should be 5W-30 or 10W-30, new (not recycled) oil, and from a name brand you recognize.
2. Make sure the oil filter is of acceptable quality. This is what helps keep your oil clean. Most independent places use cheap $1 oil filters (Fram, Champ, etc.) that just plain stink. Some good brands of oil filters are: Purolator PureOne ($5), Mobil1 ($10), and the Toyota OEM filter that is made in Japan by Denso (90915-20003 or 90915-20004, the latter filtering better. I've seen it for $7 at Toyota, $14 at Lexus for the exact same filter) The domestic-made Toyota oil filter isn't as good, but it's much cheaper at $3-5 and is certainly better than the ones used at most independent shops.
3. For tire rotation, make sure that your wheel bolts are hand-torqued to 76ft-lb, in the appropriate criss-cross pattern. Overtightening will cause problems.
In considering the ES300 I've been watching this space with great interest over the past few months, but there are still three questions for which I have not yet found answers.
Perhaps someone out there can elighten me??
1. What Internet sites (such as Autobytel.com) would you recommend buying through (if any)? Or, would you recommend sticking with simply emailing dealers directly for best results?
2. Speaking of dealers, can anybody recommend (or warn me about) any dealers in the PA/NJ/DE/MD area?
3. Finally, how would you say the Air Conditioning does when the weather gets hot? My current car's A/C is HORRIBLE, so I'm hoping to upgrade with this car...
Thanks a LOT for any insights you can provide!
I really could use your help!!!
under 28
28-35
36-45
46-54
55-64
65 +
me, I am in the 36-45
My friend just had his 130,000 service on a '93 ES 300, and although it needed $1200 worth of replacement suspension parts (not bad after almost ten years), the tech told him it should last another 130,000 easy.
However, if you're buying this car on a very tight budget, I'd say don't do it. If a sudden $1000 repair bill could break the bank, you're probably better off going for something else - like a much cheaper, newer car (say a recent Corolla or Civic, etc).
Just as an example, I left my '96 ES 300 in for a service, and it had a slight fuel leak - needed a fuel rail (if I remember correctly). Also needed a couple of other minor things, but a $70 service bill turned into a $700 repair bill.
Basically, you have to make the right decision for you.
Dave
Basically, an old fogey's car. haha.
Of course, you'll probably find more of the younger owners talking online about their ES. I don't quite see my grandpa chatting about cars online.
Fuel type? I used 89 octane in MY00 and in my 01 RX 300. Premium not required or needed. Right? What do others use?
Thanks!
In my area, the ES 300 is extremely popular with people (mostly men it seems) in their late 20s/early 30s.
To provide some examples, the following people I know drive ES 300s:
1. Friend from growing up (33, on his second ES)
2. Roommate from college (33)
3. Brother's friend (36)
4. Friend from graduate school (32)
5. Another friend (30)
If I could do it all over again, I would pick the bimmer and pick the es300 5 years from now. I feel old driving the ES.
I drove a 00 es loaner and it had a much smoother tranny than the 02. I hope the 02 can be fixed.
Some people here say the tranny "learns" your driving so it should get better. I have 600 miles on mine and it still hasn't "learned" how I drive. Sounds like BS to me.
~alpha
Does not mention tranny.
1.) Wash car with standard laundry detergent (did you use something else? I think kreativ said not to use Dawn.)
2.) Use Z-1 (Polish Lok)
3.) Use Z-2 (Show car polish for clear coated finishes).
Do you recommend ZFX? And then did you also use Z-6 Ultra Clean?
I've had my ES washed and hand waxed already. I would greatly appreciate it if someone would take a minute and let me know what steps you took when you used Zaino. Thanks in advance.
1. Washed with Dawn to remove any existing layers of wax (only do this for this first wash; after the first application of Zaino use a wash recommended for cars).
2. Applied Z-2 (to which I added ZFX drops). Note: You do not need Z-1 with the ZFX, which is good because that eliminates a whole extra step.
3. Waited about 30 minutes and wiped off the Z-2.
4. Sprayed and wiped Z-6 on the car.
The whole process took abot 1-1/2 hours.
Good luck.
The true fanatics will clay or polish the car before applying Zaino to remove any other environmental contaminates and smooth the surface for the best shine possible. ....remember this product came from the show car people... and many of the Zaino afficianados (sp?) are absolutely nuts about their car's appearance.
I've used Zaino now for about a year and a half and love it. I use the older formulation which sometimes requires more dry time. The biggest mistake most people make in getting started with Zaino is that they use too much. It then takes a long time to dry and buff off. I like to wet the applicator with the Z-6 and then use only a few small drops of Z-2 at a time. I can barely see the haze when it drys.
Check out the Zaino chat group over in Maintanence. Your sure to get good advice there.
Re: Transmission - I notice sometimes when driving on the freeway and slowing down, there is a slight "pause?" that almost seems like I have touched the brake and gas at same time. Never had a problem (24K+ miles), but still just barely noticeable.
I like the '02 ES-300 but my wife doesn't particularly care for it. She said her next vehicle will be a RX-300. Wants a SUV and doesn't have any rational reason for wanting it. Do they ever have a rational reason? We all know wives usually get what they want. After all, they got us!
Also, just curious how many people on this board have chosen the chrome wheel option with their ES300. I am trying to figure out if it is a popular option or not. In some ways I think it makes the car look more sporty, and in other ways I think it is too glitzy for the more corporate nature of the car. I know it comes down to personal preference, but I'm curious what others have to say about it.