0w30 is the weight and viscosity of motor oil. 0w30 isn't a brand. Lexus recommends 5w30 for year round use. 10w30 is thicker then 5w30 which in turn is thicker than 0w30. Your gas mileage isn't bad. I recommend you just stick with the 5w30. I mean if you think 28mpg isn't good enough for a v6, then maybe consider a Honda Civic or something.
I don't think switching the weight of motor oil will improve your gas mileage, at least definitely not noticable. You could bring your car in and have the fuel injectors cleaned out too. That will help a bit if your car is an older one.
Maybe I should consider myself lucky but after a year and a half and 22k miles on our ES300, I notice hardly any wind noise coming thru the windows. At least the wind noise coming in I accept it as acceptable. Just annoying that whenever I wash my car, if I spray the windows hard, water will drip in. I much prefer a car with framed windows.
Good advice. I had the fuel injectors cleaned about 15K miles ago and it does seem to run smoother.
Regarding wind noise----I have a 96 ES and have never had that problem, or water spray from car wash. Wonder if it has anything to do with the change of body style in 97?
I have about 30400 miles on my 1998 Lexus, and I checked my owner's manual to see what the 30000 mile maintenance included. I called the dealer, and they quoted me a price of $455!! I thought it was excessive for what was listed. Thoughts, anyone?
Lexus dealers will try to get every dime they can when it comes to service. I had the same problem with my '99 GS. This is how I got around it-- tell the service department you only want service done according to what Lexus specifies. If you're making a service appointment over the phone, read directly from your maintenance booklet. If you're in person, bring the booklet with you. You'll find the service will be a lot less if you tell them you only want what Lexus specifies in order to keep your warranty valid. My dealer, Ira Lexus in Danvers Mass, quoted a 15K mile service at around $350. I did exactly what I outlined above and the total cost was under $100. They count on the fact that most people will just pay whatever they quote, and not question it. Good luck and tell me what happens!
0W30 made by mobil and amsoil. Amsoil claims their brand has superior fuel consumption characteristics. At $8 per quart I doubt it. I use mobil one brand for $4. INKY
I have the windnoise on both sides too (first I thought only passenger side). Please let me know if yours is fixed. I hope the problem will be solved. This is so heartening, especially when the car cost more than 30K (my 2001 is 33,2 walkout).
Anyways, excuse me for a my stupid question, guys, do I have to wax my car to protect the paint. Can I live by just washing my car without waxing it. I know it would not look as great if you don't polish it, but wonder if the car paint would be damaged if you don't wax it.
A good cleaning and coat of wax or polymer will help protect the paint against dust and dirt abrasion, oxidation, pollutants, tar, and make subsequent cleaning much easier. There are many, many products out there. If you want a high quality product that can be bought at most part's stores, try Meguier's. (http://www.meguiars.com/ for more info). If you really want to knock the socks off of people by the blinding shine of your auto check out: http://www.zainobros.com/
Update---My local service dept, technician and service manager informed me that there is no fix for wind noise. The noise in my car is no different/unusual than what they hear in other ES 300. Some cars may have loader noise and some softer. Their bottom line--there is no fix. They are requesting their Field Representative to come and test drive my car. The Field Representative and the headquarters in Torrance are now involved. I just have to wait until they offer a remedy. Please let me know if you find anything that works.
I think I made the wrong decision to sell my 99 Corolla to get the something I thought would be a lot better. In fact, my Corolla is a lot quieter than the ES300. When I drove my Corolla, I could not hear noise from other cars around me, except from those really old, lousy cars. But now I hear noise all over around me. First, I thought it was only the wind that I heard on those windy days. But today the weather is nice and quiet, I figured that the noise came from the surrounding not from the wind. How can a car manufacturer possibly make the luxury car worse than their cheapest car? What a disappointment!!! Isn't Lexus supposed to be famous for its peaceful quietness?
Sorry to hear about your car. My 99 ES300 is pretty quiet however. Either I am lucky and do not have the problem so many others have or I think that the wind noise level in my car is acceptable. So much for the frameless windows.
Fortunitly...I'm evidently one of the lucky ones who does NOT experience wind noise in my new 2000 ES300.
But having said that, I did have a wind noise problem with my last car (1990 Audi 90) and it had window frames. Here's how the fixed it.....they loosened the door hinge bolts, re aligned the door, and tighten them down again. No more noise!....Perhaps a Lexus dealer could do the same?
Has anyone else felt that their HID headlights are aimed too low?.....I know that they self adjust ....but even so I still feel that mine are still too low.
Keep trying. If most ES cars car roll off the assembly line without wind noise, then there is a solution. How many places are there that could be the source of the noise?
I guess I'm the eternal optomist and cynic. If the dealer doesn't get this fixed, I'd go to a body shop that did ground-up show car kinds of resorations and spend some time chatting with the guys there, maybe even talk one of them to go out for a drive with you. They may be able offer you some new perspectives and ideas.
I have a 98 ES300 and I (acutally my wife's car) do not have any of the wind noise several people have described. We bought the car as a CPO with 11K miles. It is very quiet at 75-80 mph. I have noticed the "wet door sills" after washing, but no water IN the car. I drive a 91 Geo Prizm with 162K miles--talk about wind noise!! I have to admit though that the car gets 40 mpg city. Paid $800.00 3 years ago.
I picked my car up on Friday. The dealer replaced the entire passenger side rubber seal. The car seems to be better I will wait and see if the noise returns. The dealer also said that when they replace the rubber seal they also adjust the widow height to coincide with the new rubber piece. I hope that this will hold and that I will have no more noise. Thanks for all the posts.
unfortunately, a lot of time I want to turn my CD off to concentration my thoughts on things, and sometime I just want to be very quiet. also, is the level of the noise going stay right where it, or is its going to get worse as the car gets older? if this is the case, I will have to turn my CD louder and louder everyday.
donald15, I hope that it'll work. I think Lexus is so disappointing. What do you means that it "seems" to be "better"? does that mean there is still some but less noise than before? According to Lexus, there is no cure for this problem. I'm praying that some miracle will happen!!!
I have seen lots of postings regarding wind noise in ES300. I owned 1999 ES300 for 13 months and later trade-in for 2000 ES300 platinum. In both cars, I didn't experience any sort of wind noise.
Does it mean that certain production/assembly line cars are experiencing wind noise problem?. I am not sure.
I too have experienced no wind problems in the ES I own or in any of the ones I test drove while I was making up my mind which car to buy. The Lexus brand has always been known as a well insulated, quiet car, and I've never run into any car magazine or editorial remarks about the negative aspect of wind noise.
However, if I brought home a car that did have this problem, I'd be really bummed too. Maybe there was a momentary laps in the normal QC in the Lexus plant recently? Maybe it's an anti-Lexus campaign by the competition. You do see that kind of stuff in some of the other forums around Edmunds. But I'd like to believe that we are chatting with real Lexus owners who have a legitimate gripe.
I've only had my Lexus for a few months, but overall I've found my dealer/service people to go out of their way to make me happy, and have fixed the slightest issues I have had with the car.
I don't know about others, but I am a real LEXUS owner. I guess I am one of the 4 people out of the 4 million Lexus owners who has the windnoise problem.
I'm sure this problem is frustrating, especially after spending $30K+ for a new car. I was just pondering this problem. It would seem to me the wind noise is coming from a bad seal, most likely from the door or window.
My wife has an old 380SL that leaked water, and for the life of us, we could not locate where the water was coming from. What I ended up doing was using black electricians tape to create an extra "seal" in various places along the windshield, and then used a hose to "chalange" the area until I found where the leak was located. A little silicone solved this problem.
Could you seal one part of one side of the car with tape and take it for a ride, change the tape around and try again, until you could locate the area that the seal is not being made? You could tape the window/door seal, and aound the door and pillars, door and body panels, etc.
I know this is a sort of wacky idea, but if you can loacte the problem area, a solution might be easier to think out.
I took my car to Lexus of Rockville today to fix the windnoise problem. My salesman, Seth Hamm, and a technician took two test drives in my car and agree that they hear the wind coming through the sealing but both say it is very normal and refuse to do anything about it.
I requested to test drvie a 2001 ES300. This one is so perfect, engine is quiet, I could hear the wind outside (because it is kind a windy today) but there was no wind seeping through the seal. The technician sitting in the passenger seat keep saying there is plenty of noise on this side when there is absolutely none. That really made me furious. Then they both told the service advisor that there is nothing wrong with my car (it is actually louder than the Protege I rented one time). so the service advisor refused to have my car fixed. I finally could not hold my tears (don't laugh, I think you all know I'm a woman by now). I feel being mistreated. It was a terrible lie. I was so disappointed at my salesman, how dare he says that this is very normal for a lexus. Who would by a lexus like that?
With the engine louder than other lexus, and the tires rumble on the road like that I probably can live with. but constant windnoise even when it is not windy at all? well, I don't think so.
Finally, the service advisor finally asked two other techniican to test drive my car. they came back and said they agreed there was actually problem with windnoise. all they did was just to adjust the glass to lean more toward the car. To fix the problem of the tire rumbling too much on the road, they lower the tire pressure to 30 psi. (I guess there is not much they can do to the 16".) The weather is kind of windy so that I hear wind outside but the wind coming into the vehicle is less severe. maybe it'll be better on quiet day. but it is definitely better now after the glass has been adjusted. However, it seems like more work needed to put it in perfect condition.
so much for Seth Hamm, the salesman, and the first technician telling me such big lie. If the vehicle is perfect already, how can the other two technician say that it is a problem and how can it be adjusted to improve like it was today?
so if anyone happens to want to buy a car from Lexus of Rockville, avoid Seth Hamm. Also, I don't know if you would get good service there based on my experience with the first technician.
Thanks jwfslk! I scheduled my 30,000 mile maintenance, but all I requested was the oil/oil filter change and coolant change. Tire rotation was $88, which I thought was insane. I can go to a tire specialty store and have them rotated for less than that. Should I have had the air filter replaced as well? My car is a CPO 1998 ES300, and I bought it with 20,000 miles. Thanks!!
A couple of years ago I spent $480 to do all four brakes on our Chrysler minivan. I had new rotors, pads, drums, shoes, everything. The car started squeaking like crazy when slowing down. I brought back to dealer and they said the pads need a few weeks to wear in evenly with the rotors. Fine. A whole month came and went and still same problem. I brought it back again and they said that is because the original Chrysler pads are soft and will squeak and thats normal. I said how come when I bought the car and drove it for 45k miles, I never heard a squeak, what did they put on the car in the first place, pads made by Honda? they said nothing they can do and it is probably due to the hot weather making the brakes hot. I went home and was going to jack the car up wheel by wheel and see if anything is loose or whatever. Never had a chance to. Then the following Friday the squeak was so bad that I was so pissed off I drove to the dealer at 5:30. Their service dept closes at 6:00. I told the guy that it is 65 degrees out there. How can the brakes squeak. i demand they test drive the car. They did and of course no noise came from the brakes. It was perfect. I said just take the car and take off the 4 wheels and look and if you can't find anything I will go home. He refused. I asked to speak to owner. He said fine. He went and came back with a technician. he asked the technician to put the van on the lift and take off the wheels and look. I was there when the technician did this. Then I noticed the technician took a flat-head screwdriver and pried something. I asked him what it was and he said "That's a flywheel". I asked why he had to pried it loose and he never answered. I drove the car home and the brakes are quiet since. I wrote a letter to the owner of the dealer telling the whole story. On the bottom of the letter, I had it like I was also forwarding the same letter to the Better Business Bureau, Chrysler Corporation, Consumer Protection Agency of the State of Massachusetts. I actually never sent to these places other than to the owner himself. I faxed it to the dealer and the owner called back within 30 minutes and apologized. He asked me to come in and he shook my hands and gave me $100 credit towards future service. He showed me his offie and told me to stop by should I have any issues whatsoever. From then on, the service advisor treated me very well. Something to think about.
I feel much better now that I somebody had experienced the same frustration that I had and understand how I felt. Without your story, turbotc, I guess others would think the the dealer was right and I am just too picky about the windnoise.
I talked to somebody that I know working for a dealer service shop. He says that the dealer would deny if there is anything wrong with the new car they've just sold becauxe
1) they don't want to lose their face that they sold you a bad one,
2) they don't know exactly how it can be fixed and afraid they if after they try to fix it, the problem still remains, you would even be more angry, it would also prove that they are incompetent not knowing how to fix your car right the first time or not knowing where exactly the problem come from in order to fix it.
I was thinking about the writing complaints to ower like turbotc did, but I don't know if they would lose their jobs. Further, next time I bring my car their, they probably treat me nice on the surface, but I don't know what they're going to do to my car inside the garage, or, more dangerously, they could damage my car somewhere making me keep spending money to fix the car. You never know.
A long time ago I had a Tercel. The brakes didn't seem to work that well. I brought it to Sears (thought it would be cheaper than dealer.) They told me I had to replace something that cost about 300-400 dollars. I then brought it to Toyota City in Brooklyn center (used to live in Minnesota)to compare the cost for replacing my brakes. They said there was nothing wrong at all with the brakes and adjusted it something for me free. It worked as good as when it was new.
However, I think I will still send Lexus and the dealership some complaints without mentioning the salesman's and the service tech's names.
At least, I feel much better, not that my car is better now, but because someone understand my situation. At least I know I'm not being laughed at (evidently you two don't, right?) :-) !
Yes, I know the feeling. I am glad I was able to share my story. If you can't get your problem fix, try writing or calling Lexus Customer Service. I think they will try their best to resolve any complaints. Although the dealers I service at (Lexus of Watertown and Lexus of Norwood, both in MA) have treated me very well. I email their service department with questions and they always reply back. Good Luck.
I posted a question some time back as to whether anyone was experiencing clicking noises coming from the center console wood panel insert or the wood panel on the door window switches. Starting from a stop, applying the brakes and going over bumps induces the noise. It seems to depend on temperature and humidity. If you lightly press on these panels, you can hear the noise. I think the mounting system and retaining clips are a bad design. Anyone experiencing this? Any known fixes? The interior is so otherwise quiet, this really spoils it and cheapens the car.
I have the same problem too, but my noise seems to be coming from the right "A" pillar. I can't stand that rattle! Too bad the dealer is so far away. I might remove the trim and see if I can fix it myself, if not then a trip to the dealer will be in the works. Let me know how you make out.
Does anyone know if there is anyway to adjust the HID auto leveling device? My HID lights are very bright but they always adjust to low so that I can only see 40 feet in front of me. The dealer says that he has them adjusted to their highest adjustment. Is there anyway that I can turn the auto leveling device off. I have very poor visibility otherwise. Thanks in advance.
In 1993 I bought a new 93 ES300. Over the succeeding five years, the car was book maintenanced by the selling dealer. At 70K the comprehensive warranty ran out. That is where my tale really begins. First, at about 71K, the entire dash display and the air conditioning shut down without warning. A local Toyota dealer replaced a fuse, but the moment I pulled into my office thirty minutes later the fuse blew. To make a long story short, no one found the problem until an independent electrical outfit replaced a circuit board (for $750 plus labor), which cured the initial problem. Trouble was, the odometer reading was wiped out. Now I was told I either could not trade the car or would have to take a severely diminished deal on it b/c of the crashed out mileage. After replacing the brakes, the belts, and maddressing numerous other problems over the past year, I recently paid $4300.00 to replace the transmission (auto) and torque converter--at approx. 77K!! An oil leak shortly thereafter cosr $350.00 to address, but I still get oil leaks three days later. The luminescent indicators on the dash display are blacking out, and I've heard that's about a $500 job And of yes, for good measure, my center air bag sensor blew while the electrical work was being done, so the airbag is non-functional. The response of Toyota was to throw me back to the dealer; the response of the dealer, to send me back to Toyota. I offer the foregoing partly as a cautionary tale and partly to find if there is anyone out there who has had similar bad luck with a Lexus of some age. Thanks.
Ive felt the same since I purchased the car three months ago.....the HID are aimed too low!....I'm waiting for the 5,000 service to tell the dealer to adjust them higher. But, I'm dismayed that you were told that your's couldn't go any higher....I hope that I don't get the same answer!......can anyone else shed some light on this??
The HIDs are aimed lower than regular halogen lights because of their brightness. I believe the dealer can't do anything because they are self-adjusting.
I called my dealer today and he asked me to bring the car in tonight....I'll post the results Thursday. But in reading the manual, there is a reference to a "sight gauge" behind the lights where the self adjusters are that has a centering mark on it.......so my assumption is that it can be "fine tuned", (sort of).
Well, the dealer checked the lights and said they were aimed "properly". Perhaps its just the extreme "fall-off" of the lights on the road about 40 ft in front that makes it appear as though the lights are too low. Oh well....I suppose I'll just become accustomed to them in time......
I'm new to this discussion so forgive if I'm out of line. I'm about to return my Acura CL at the end of the lease period in February, and am interested in the Lexus ES. I'm wondering whether to wait until the new model comes out (the salesman tells me February or March) or to jump in now with the tried and tested ES. Any suggestions?
I understand that the new model Lexus ES300 won't be out until next fall (Sept. or Oct. 2001), and will be substantially changed from the current generation. Have never heard of a Feb. or March introduction date.
As for the Volvo S70, that has been replaced by the new S60, so it's a discontinuted model. Do some research on-line and in car magazines and you'll find that the Lexus reputation for quality and all other important attributes far exceeds that of the Volvo. Volvo makes a big deal about their safety, but you'll find the safety ratings are pretty close.
I have a 98 ES with AVS. The difference is noticeable, but subtle. After having used it for this long, I would not choose the option again. A well-designed standard suspension is a better solution.
In general, I hope Lexus/Toyota really focuses on upgrading their suspensions. I just purchased an 01 RX on which Lexus made the shocks/springs much stiffer, and it rides like a bucking bronco compared to the 99/00 RX. I am very unhappy with it. There has also been an undercurrent of comments about Lexus suspensions being initially soft, but on rough roads the ride can be quite jolting, in addition to leaning through curves and bounding several times after going over a big bump. The only suspension that now seems to approach the European sophistication are the GS300/430 and the LS430 designs.
I love Lexus build quality and superb service, but now would like their suspensions to match the Germans...
One huge diff between MBZ and Lexus is the weight of the cars. The whole MBZ approach, at least in the past has been very different than that of Lexus. I'm not sure anyone will be able to match the MBZ suspension with one on lighter cars. Driving down the freeway at 80 MPH in my old 92 E300 was such a pleasure. So stable and solid. But the down side of the MBZ is wear out and maintanence. Shocks, struts, pads, discs, .... it does get expensive maintaning those German cars.
the audio lcd problem is fixed. it cost about $500,400 for radio,72 for labor, tax... I wanted to replace just the defected screen but no such luck. it's better for their business to replace the whole radio unit I guess. service is beyond expectation. didn't ask for a wash and gas fillup but got both. guess cost is already included. ...to address wind noise problem, I do notice some on freeway and windy days but it's not leaking in. noise disapears when the radio is turned on. quietness is on par with that of LS400 usually. feel bad to hear about Liev's es300 wind noise problem. I hope you will find a way to fix it. just keep chatting with these guys. they'll help you find a way.
I've been noticing crackling noise on my 96 ES when I turn for the last several weeks.
Two different mechanics at different garages tell me that I need to replace my bushings (rack and pinion).
Lexus says the right bushing costs $15 plus labor but the left one is much more as you have to purchase the whole rack and pinion unit for that one.
Do they know what they're talking about? Can you give me some advice on what I should do? How much should I pay? They tell me that these bushings are Lexus parts and I have to purchase them there.
Update on my new 2001 ES300. I met for 3 hours today with the Field Representative after contacting the Lexus headquarters in Torrance. The Field Representative achknowledged the wind noise coming from driver and passenger front windows. The Field Representative explained there is no fix for this situation. There is no air coming into the car, therefore there is nothing to fix. The Field Representative and the headquarters contacted the General Manager of the Dealership in Concord, CA where I bought the car to request a trade out or refund. My car is 29 days old and the problem was identifed one day after purchase. The Dealer said NO. The next step available to me is Binding Arbitration. The Field Representative was very honest with me. Most of these cases are decided on behalf of the manufacturer. In many instances, experts are brought in to testify and sometimes other similar cars are brought in. If they all have the same wind noise, it is difficult to settle with the customer. The Field Representative is trying to find a solution that will make me a happy customer. She does not feel a trade out is a good option, since the wind noise is evident in all cars---some people are just more sensitive to the noise than others. I must give her a chance to help me find a solution. However, I was/am so disappointed . I never imagined that there is NO fix for the problem especially when one spends $34,000+ for a car. Please let me know if you have any ideas or if the individuals that had the seals replaced solved the wind noise. My service dept. is reluctant to do this since there are no guarentees that it will fix the problem.
I posted this same message to the Lincoln LS forum.
__________________________
Well, my post last week regarding the choice my wife and I had to make between the LS and the ES300 certainly sparked some voices. And I have appreciated all of the energy people have put into explaining their preference for the LS and their perceptions of the ES300.
That said, my wife and I have chosen the ES300. The one thing we learned was that these cars are not as alike as we had originally perceived. The Acura 3.2TL is more similar to the ES300 than the LS.
We test drove each model four times, each time under considerably different conditions. Once on a twisty road, another time on a flat, straight freeway. Each time noticing different aspects of each car. My wife sat in the back seat as I drove, then we swapped. We listened for wind noise, tire noise, road noise. We played with the handling. I cared more about 0-60 times and handling than did my wife. We both valued luxury and refinement.
Overall, the ES300 is a more refined car. But this is only logical considering it is 12 model years old. The LS is a more sporty car. No surprises there. Fit and finish we found to be better on the ES300. And the front cabin felt bigger.
If you lean toward luxury, the ES300 will win you over. If you lean toward performance, especially handling, the LS (sport package) is the clear winner. My wife and I will share this car and I honestly told her the decision was hers. Not being a performance buff, she obviously chose the ES300.
The choice is in the details, really. The only way to go on the LS, IMO, is the V-8 sport package. That is what the car is all about. And that peaks the car at about $40K. The ES300 is less expensive at about $35K. Difference number one. How much do you want to spend?
But what exactly do we mean by more refinement? Let's take the center console. Sounds trivial, and to many folks it may be. But we are often traveling with our daughter to the grandparents house or out-of-state. Well, the center console in the LS is a joke. No space. It was a clear afterthought by the Ford engineers. The center console in the ES300, however, is a roomy two-tier space with a hidden 12 volt plug in the lower tier for your cell phone; it is very nice.
Now let's look at luxury: the ES300 has auto close with safety mechanism (kid's arm in the window, etc.) driver and passenger windows and moonroof. Not so in the LS.
To its credit on the luxury side, the LS tilt/telescope wheel works very well, although it should have a slightly longer range. When I read that it was motorized, I thought it would be a joke. But it was wonderful. And the seat memory even stores the steering wheel position. Very nice touch for the luxury of the LS.
Thus, you can see how it came down to splitting hairs for us. Overall, we are more luxury-oriented than performance oriented. Also, the incredible reliability ratings of the ES300 for so many years made us happy. The LS doesn't have bad reliability ratings, but it is a relatively unproven car, only in its second model year.
We couldn't have gone wrong with either car, but the ES300 was a few thousand cheaper, more refined, and SMOOTHER. If you care about smooth, that is. I know many LS drivers prioritize performance and handling over smooth. And it doesn't mean the LS is choppy or rough. It's not. But when conservative Consumer Reports calls the ES300 "silky smooth," you know you have a refined automobile.
But driving is believing. Anyone with strong opinions either way on this issue who has not driven each vehicle is talking in theory and can't stand with the people who have. But that's true for any car comparison. It all comes down to subjective driving pleasure. The things that get you excited.
Latest update---Field Representative called back this morning. There is nothing they can do. There is no fix. Lexus will not spend any more time, effort, and dollars to try to deal with a problem that has no fix. Binding Arbitration through the Better Business Bureau is the next step. The Field Representative reiterated that most of these cases are decided in favor of the company.
HELP---Are there any 2000 or 2001 Lexus owners that have NO WIND NOISE. The sound is similar to the window being slightly open. The Field Representative said that all cars have the noise.
I just want to know if all cars have the problem or the few unlucky ones that have reported on this website.
All cars are going to make some noise. There is no completely silent cars, not even the famed LS400. But Lexus should be pretty close to it.
Reguarding just how quiet an ES300 should be, well, MotorWeek tested a ES300 when it was redesigned back in 1997. If I remember correctly, they measured the interior noise level at idle to be about 34-35 decibles, and at about 70 mph, the noise is 64 decibels (Camry V6 gets 68 db at 70 mph). Those are extremely impressive numbers in automotive terms.
If you really want to make sure that it's not your ears playing tricks on you, you could get a decibel meter and test it out for yourself.
Comments
Yeah, that's good mileage, but I'm always looking to improve...no way will I switch to a Honda. Love the Lexus.
Have a good one.
Maybe I should consider myself lucky but after a year and a half and 22k miles on our ES300, I notice hardly any wind noise coming thru the windows. At least the wind noise coming in I accept it as acceptable. Just annoying that whenever I wash my car, if I spray the windows hard, water will drip in. I much prefer a car with framed windows.
Regarding wind noise----I have a 96 ES and have never had that problem, or water spray from car wash. Wonder if it has anything to do with the change of body style in 97?
Good weekend to you!
INKY
I guess I'll stick with 10w30 Mobil One. It's worked good for me.
Thanks.
Anyways, excuse me for a my stupid question, guys, do I have to wax my car to protect the paint. Can I live by just washing my car without waxing it. I know it would not look as great if you don't polish it, but wonder if the car paint would be damaged if you don't wax it.
But having said that, I did have a wind noise problem with my last car (1990 Audi 90) and it had window frames. Here's how the fixed it.....they loosened the door hinge bolts, re aligned the door, and tighten them down again. No more noise!....Perhaps a Lexus dealer could do the same?
Has anyone else felt that their HID headlights are aimed too low?.....I know that they self adjust ....but even so I still feel that mine are still too low.
I guess I'm the eternal optomist and cynic. If the dealer doesn't get this fixed, I'd go to a body shop that did ground-up show car kinds of resorations and spend some time chatting with the guys there, maybe even talk one of them to go out for a drive with you. They may be able offer you some new perspectives and ideas.
unfortunately, a lot of time I want to turn my CD off to concentration my thoughts on things, and sometime I just want to be very quiet. also, is the level of the noise going stay right where it, or is its going to get worse as the car gets older? if this is the case, I will have to turn my CD louder and louder everyday.
donald15,
I hope that it'll work. I think Lexus is so disappointing. What do you means that it "seems" to be "better"? does that mean there is still some but less noise than before? According to Lexus, there is no cure for this problem. I'm praying that some miracle will happen!!!
Does it mean that certain production/assembly line cars are experiencing wind noise problem?. I am not sure.
However, if I brought home a car that did have this problem, I'd be really bummed too. Maybe there was a momentary laps in the normal QC in the Lexus plant recently? Maybe it's an anti-Lexus campaign by the competition. You do see that kind of stuff in some of the other forums around Edmunds. But I'd like to believe that we are chatting with real Lexus owners who have a legitimate gripe.
I've only had my Lexus for a few months, but overall I've found my dealer/service people to go out of their way to make me happy, and have fixed the slightest issues I have had with the car.
My wife has an old 380SL that leaked water, and for the life of us, we could not locate where the water was coming from. What I ended up doing was using black electricians tape to create an extra "seal" in various places along the windshield, and then used a hose to "chalange" the area until I found where the leak was located. A little silicone solved this problem.
Could you seal one part of one side of the car with tape and take it for a ride, change the tape around and try again, until you could locate the area that the seal is not being made? You could tape the window/door seal, and aound the door and pillars, door and body panels, etc.
I know this is a sort of wacky idea, but if you can loacte the problem area, a solution might be easier to think out.
Keep us posted.
I requested to test drvie a 2001 ES300. This one is so perfect, engine is quiet, I could hear the wind outside (because it is kind a windy today) but there was no wind seeping through the seal. The technician sitting in the passenger seat keep saying there is plenty of noise on this side when there is absolutely none. That really made me furious. Then they both told the service advisor that there is nothing wrong with my car (it is actually louder than the Protege I rented one time). so the service advisor refused to have my car fixed. I finally could not hold my tears (don't laugh, I think you all know I'm a woman by now). I feel being mistreated. It was a terrible lie. I was so disappointed at my salesman, how dare he says that this is very normal for a lexus. Who would by a lexus like that?
With the engine louder than other lexus, and the tires rumble on the road like that I probably can live with. but constant windnoise even when it is not windy at all? well, I don't think so.
Finally, the service advisor finally asked two other techniican to test drive my car. they came back and said they agreed there was actually problem with windnoise. all they did was just to adjust the glass to lean more toward the car. To fix the problem of the tire rumbling too much on the road, they lower the tire pressure to 30 psi. (I guess there is not much they can do to the 16".) The weather is kind of windy so that I hear wind outside but the wind coming into the vehicle is less severe. maybe it'll be better on quiet day. but it is definitely better now after the glass has been adjusted. However, it seems like more work needed to put it in perfect condition.
so much for Seth Hamm, the salesman, and the first technician telling me such big lie. If the vehicle is perfect already, how can the other two technician say that it is a problem and how can it be adjusted to improve like it was today?
so if anyone happens to want to buy a car from Lexus of Rockville, avoid Seth Hamm. Also, I don't know if you would get good service there based on my experience with the first technician.
Bob
I talked to somebody that I know working for a dealer service shop. He says that the dealer would deny if there is anything wrong with the new car they've just sold becauxe
1) they don't want to lose their face that they sold you a bad one,
2) they don't know exactly how it can be fixed and afraid they if after they try to fix it, the problem still remains, you would even be more angry, it would also prove that they are incompetent not knowing how to fix your car right the first time or not knowing where exactly the problem come from in order to fix it.
I was thinking about the writing complaints to ower like turbotc did, but I don't know if they would lose their jobs. Further, next time I bring my car their, they probably treat me nice on the surface, but I don't know what they're going to do to my car inside the garage, or, more dangerously, they could damage my car somewhere making me keep spending money to fix the car. You never know.
A long time ago I had a Tercel. The brakes didn't seem to work that well. I brought it to Sears (thought it would be cheaper than dealer.) They told me I had to replace something that cost about 300-400 dollars. I then brought it to Toyota City in Brooklyn center (used to live in Minnesota)to compare the cost for replacing my brakes. They said there was nothing wrong at all with the brakes and adjusted it something for me free. It worked as good as when it was new.
However, I think I will still send Lexus and the dealership some complaints without mentioning the salesman's and the service tech's names.
At least, I feel much better, not that my car is better now, but because someone understand my situation. At least I know I'm not being laughed at (evidently you two don't, right?) :-) !
I might remove the trim and see if I can fix it myself, if not then a trip to the dealer will be in the works.
Let me know how you make out.
First, at about 71K, the entire dash display and the air conditioning shut down without warning. A local Toyota dealer replaced a fuse, but the moment I pulled into my office thirty minutes later the fuse blew. To make a long story short, no one found the problem until an independent electrical outfit replaced a circuit board (for $750 plus labor), which cured the initial problem. Trouble was, the odometer reading was wiped out. Now I was told I either could not trade the car or would have to take a severely diminished deal on it b/c of the crashed out mileage. After replacing the brakes, the belts, and maddressing numerous other problems over the past year, I recently paid $4300.00 to replace the transmission (auto) and torque converter--at approx. 77K!! An oil leak shortly thereafter cosr $350.00 to address, but I still get oil leaks three days later. The luminescent indicators on the dash display are blacking out, and I've heard that's about a $500 job And of yes, for good measure, my center air bag sensor blew while the electrical work was being done, so the airbag is non-functional. The response of Toyota was to throw me back to the dealer; the response of the dealer, to send me back to Toyota.
I offer the foregoing partly as a cautionary tale and partly to find if there is anyone out there who has had similar bad luck with a Lexus of some age. Thanks.
In any case, I'll report back.
As for the Volvo S70, that has been replaced by the new S60, so it's a discontinuted model. Do some research on-line and in car magazines and you'll find that the Lexus reputation for quality and all other important attributes far exceeds that of the Volvo. Volvo makes a big deal about their safety, but you'll find the safety ratings are pretty close.
In general, I hope Lexus/Toyota really focuses on upgrading their suspensions. I just purchased an 01 RX on which Lexus made the shocks/springs much stiffer, and it rides like a bucking bronco compared to the 99/00 RX. I am very unhappy with it. There has also been an undercurrent of comments about Lexus suspensions being initially soft, but on rough roads the ride can be quite jolting, in addition to leaning through curves and bounding several times after going over a big bump. The only suspension that now seems to approach the European sophistication are the GS300/430 and the LS430 designs.
I love Lexus build quality and superb service, but now would like their suspensions to match the Germans...
the totally redesigned ES300 won't be here until the 2002 model year, which will mean Lexus will introduce it around September-October of 2001.
Best bet if you're looking for excellent reliability is to go with the 2001 model.
$500,400 for radio,72 for labor, tax...
I wanted to replace just the defected screen
but no such luck. it's better for their business
to replace the whole radio unit I guess. service
is beyond expectation. didn't ask for a wash and
gas fillup but got both. guess cost is already
included. ...to address wind noise problem,
I do notice some on freeway and windy days but it's not leaking in. noise disapears when the radio is turned on. quietness is on par with
that of LS400 usually. feel bad to hear about
Liev's es300 wind noise problem. I hope you will
find a way to fix it. just keep chatting with
these guys. they'll help you find a way.
Two different mechanics at different garages tell me that I need to replace my bushings (rack and pinion).
Lexus says the right bushing costs $15 plus labor but the left one is much more as you have to purchase the whole rack and pinion unit for that one.
Do they know what they're talking about? Can you give me some advice on what I should do? How much should I pay? They tell me that these bushings are Lexus parts and I have to purchase them there.
As always, thanks for your expertise!
Rolloman
__________________________
Well, my post last week regarding the choice my wife and I had to make between the LS and the ES300 certainly sparked some voices. And I have appreciated all of the energy people have put into explaining their preference for the LS and their perceptions of the ES300.
That said, my wife and I have chosen the ES300. The one thing we learned was that these cars are not as alike as we had originally perceived. The Acura 3.2TL is more similar to the ES300 than the LS.
We test drove each model four times, each time under considerably different conditions. Once on a twisty road, another time on a flat, straight freeway. Each time noticing different aspects of each car. My wife sat in the back seat as I drove, then we swapped. We listened for wind noise, tire noise, road noise. We played with the handling. I cared more about 0-60 times and handling than did my wife. We both valued luxury and refinement.
Overall, the ES300 is a more refined car. But this is only logical considering it is 12 model years old. The LS is a more sporty car. No surprises there. Fit and finish we found to be better on the ES300. And the front cabin felt bigger.
If you lean toward luxury, the ES300 will win you over. If you lean toward performance, especially handling, the LS (sport package) is the clear winner. My wife and I will share this car and I honestly told her the decision was hers. Not being a performance buff, she obviously chose the ES300.
The choice is in the details, really. The only way to go on the LS, IMO, is the V-8 sport package. That is what the car is all about. And that peaks the car at about $40K. The ES300 is less expensive at about $35K. Difference number one. How much do you want to spend?
But what exactly do we mean by more refinement? Let's take the center console. Sounds trivial, and to many folks it may be. But we are often traveling with our daughter to the grandparents house or out-of-state. Well, the center console in the LS is a joke. No space. It was a clear afterthought by the Ford engineers. The center console in the ES300, however, is a roomy two-tier space with a hidden 12 volt plug in the lower tier for your cell phone; it is very nice.
Now let's look at luxury: the ES300 has auto close with safety mechanism (kid's arm in the window, etc.) driver and passenger windows and moonroof. Not so in the LS.
To its credit on the luxury side, the LS tilt/telescope wheel works very well, although it should have a slightly longer range. When I read that it was motorized, I thought it would be a joke. But it was wonderful. And the seat memory even stores the steering wheel position. Very nice touch for the luxury of the LS.
Thus, you can see how it came down to splitting hairs for us. Overall, we are more luxury-oriented than performance oriented. Also, the incredible reliability ratings of the ES300 for so many years made us happy. The LS doesn't have bad reliability ratings, but it is a relatively unproven car, only in its second model year.
We couldn't have gone wrong with either car, but the ES300 was a few thousand cheaper, more refined, and SMOOTHER. If you care about smooth, that is. I know many LS drivers prioritize performance and handling over smooth. And it doesn't mean the LS is choppy or rough. It's not. But when conservative Consumer Reports calls the ES300 "silky smooth," you know you have a refined automobile.
But driving is believing. Anyone with strong opinions either way on this issue who has not driven each vehicle is talking in theory and can't stand with the people who have. But that's true for any car comparison. It all comes down to subjective driving pleasure. The things that get you excited.
Or we would all be driving Yugos to work....
Curt & Susan in Akron, Ohio
HELP---Are there any 2000 or 2001 Lexus owners that have NO WIND NOISE. The sound is similar to the window being slightly open. The Field Representative said that all cars have the noise.
I just want to know if all cars have the problem or the few unlucky ones that have reported on this website.
Reguarding just how quiet an ES300 should be, well, MotorWeek tested a ES300 when it was redesigned back in 1997. If I remember correctly, they measured the interior noise level at idle to be about 34-35 decibles, and at about 70 mph, the noise is 64 decibels (Camry V6 gets 68 db at 70 mph). Those are extremely impressive numbers in automotive terms.
If you really want to make sure that it's not your ears playing tricks on you, you could get a decibel meter and test it out for yourself.