Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Lexus ES 300/ES 330
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
My 2000 ES came with 205/60-16 MXV4's. A perfomance tire shop I frequent has said that I could go up to 225's with a corresponding reduction in tire profile and still keep the original rims.
In general, with other cars in the past, I have found going to wider tires has improved my perception of the car's handling and ride characteristics. Better traction, slightly stiffer steering and suspension. Anyone have any experiences with their ES?
It was a salesman. Both of them should be well aware of the problem. It just shows how money can cause people to see differently.
I believe it IS a feature of the car, but I think all we can do is try and have our voices heard that this is an unacceptable feature.
I have my fingers crossed - still..
Your opinions?
Thanks.
Matt
I thought for that little extra, those features were worth it. And I take my sons to some far-off athletic fields and gyms, so the nav might help.
Happy motoring.
Matt
http://tess.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=cm4401.7.1
Typed Drawing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Word Mark ES330
Goods and Services IC 012. US 019 021 023 031 035 044. G & S: Motor cars and structural parts thereof
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 76398773
Filing Date April 22, 2002
Filed ITU FILED AS ITU
Owner (APPLICANT) Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha TA Toyota Motor Corporation CORPORATION JAPAN 1, Toyota-cho Toyota-shi, Acihi-ken JAPAN
Attorney of Record David J. Kera
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
I have a new 03 which I love. 1200 miles and no tranny problems so far !!!
I read on the car's plate that my Michelin Energy MXV4 should be inflated to 29# which I had.
Went to the dealer for the 1000 miles inspection. ans the mechanic raised the pressure to 32# telling me this is what Lexus is telling them to do.
The car is not as smooth as it was, unbelievable.
Should I go back to 29# or leave them at 32# ?
Regards
Paul
For anyone who regularly checks tire pressure themselves, I have found it's pointless to have any service center check tire pressure. You're supposed to check tire pressures when the tires are cold, but unless you live close to the service center or they're checking the pressure a few hours after you get there, the tires aren't going to be cold. Usually what happens is that they put too much air in and I have to let out quite a few PSIs to get to where it's supposed to be.
As for the 32psi rating and "this is what Lexus is telling them to do", there is a couple possible reasons for that. Better to have the customer leave with tires that are a little overinflated than underinflated, as tires lose pressure over time. Add that to the fact that most cars coming into the service center aren't going to have cold tires when the pressure is checked. Setting hot tires to the recommended cold tire pressure would be a big mistake.
If you have a digital tire gauge and air compressor at home and are willing to check weekly, you can keep your cold tire pressure at the recommended setting of 29psi for the ride quality that you want. Otherwise, you're safer having the tires at a slightly higher psi. Better a little overinflated than underinflated.
The dealer probably set it too high at 32. But there are advantages to keeping it higher, one as someone stated above, you will loose pressure so in a couple of weeks it should be back down to 29, this is good especially if you don't check pressure often. Otherwise, the higher pressure will increase gas mileage slightly. But you get a rougher ride.
Whatever you do, just make sure you check pressure when the tires are cold. The Lexus recommended tire pressure of 29lbs. is for when the tires are cold.
The MSNCarpoint site indicated that DIO (Dealer Installed Option) Front & Rear Mud guards (MFG Code #MG) were selectable when configuring an ES300. No price was provided.
Have any of those with a 2002-3 ES300 inquired about or obtained the above noted mud/splash guards for their vehicles?
Since my 2002 ES300 is now a 'fair weather' driver and I'm not too concerned about road spray and such, but the splash guards would reduce the need to clean the lower quarter panels behind the front & rear wheels.
Regarding the transmission issue: I have noticed that 'kickdown' is fairly quick, but when I've reached the desired speed, the tranny is reluctant to upshift into 5th gear and will 'hang' for about 5 seconds at 3K rpm, then finally settle back at 2K rpm. This is usually when going up an incline.
Hope all is well with everyone's ES!
M. J. McCloskey
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Gui
Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Lexus owner slams wood-leather wheel
Published 10/14/2002 in Automotive News
In order to view the letter, one must subscribe to Automotive News magazine. Does anyone here have access to the subscriber section of the website? I am interested in knowing what issues the author had with his steering wheel.
http://worldjustice.com/lexus/
My 02 ES300 may very well be a lemon (and maybe the 03 has improved) so test drive it yourself and see if you can justify plunking down more moola for the es.
Can anyone help?
Thanks in advance, Dan
LEXUS MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE
Every 3,750 Miles:
Oil and Oil Filter Change
Every 30,000 Miles:
Radiator Coolant Flush/Change
Air Filter Change
BG MOA Oil Additive
BG 44K Fuel Induction Additive
Every 60,000 Miles:
Transmission Fluid Flush/Change
Spark Plugs Change/Tune-Up
Brake Fluid Flush/Change
Power Steering Fluid Flush/Change
Battery Check/Change
Every 90,000 Miles:
Timing Belt Change
Every 1 Year:
Exterior Wax/Detail
Interior Leather/Wood Cleaning and Conditioning/Detail and Carpet Shampoo
Wiper Blade Inserts Change
Do you know what cleaner is recommended?
2. I had my Toyota dealer flush/refill my Power Steering lines. It was about $50.
I don't do any actual hands-on service myself - but as you can tell - I'm on top of it.
Good luck!
p.s. check out http://www.clublexus.com
BG Quick Clean for Automatic Transmissions
BG Quick Clean for Automatic Transmissions is a safe, effective solvent/dispersant cleaner that will quickly remove accumulated deposits from the valve body, filter screen and other automatic transmission components prior to exchanging the dirty fluid for new ATF. Use BG PF5 to remove old fluid and cleaner from the system. This product is a part of the BG TDC® program.
Part No. 106
BG ATC Plus
BG ATC Plus enhances properties of both new and used automatic transmission fluid. It improves fluid oxidation stability, thereby prolonging fluid life and the life of the transmission. It prevents leaks by conditioning hardened seals and keeping them soft and pliable. Eliminates and controls transmission "shudder." It retards formation of sludge and varnish deposits and prevents foaming. This product is a part of the BG TDC® program.
Part No. 310
http://www.bgprod.com/autodrive.html
I'm not sure how the oils would penetrate into the wood since there is a coating of protective gloss, but I'll take your word for it.
I used to apply Zymol car wax to the wood in my old ES 300. It helped prevent little surface scratches. But I have yet to do that in the new car.
http://www.touchofscent.com/scottsliquidgold2/
check the FAQ.
A law firm will meet with Toyota's attorneys on October 29. They will propose to Toyota settlement terms which include repairing the transmission problem by installing a new computer chip and extending the duration of the powertrain warranty on all 2002 ES 300s.
Good luck"
(Original author: Dreamer)
Anyone know how this could affect the resale value? I imagine it would be hard to sell now that people are becoming more aware of the problem. Gives them more reason to opt for the camry.
Also found some more people with several complaints at http://www.carreview.com/PRD_217_1529crx.aspx.
Come on Lexus! Let's see a fix for the 02's!
I am beginning to think that when a person has a habit of backing off the accelerator prior to applying more gas, he or she is more likely to experience the problem more frequently than are others.
When i accelerate without first backing off and lightening up on the gas, the hesitation does not occur. This may explain the varying degrees to which owners feel the problem.
Sounds like they were more of a high performance tire rather than an all season or touring tire...?
I'm thinking of replacing the Michlin MXV4-H 205/60-16s that came on my 2000 ES with Bridgestone Turanza LS-H 225/55-16s. I've heard good things about these tires, but they are realatively new on the market and don't have much information about how well they perform with some miles on them.
I'd be interested to know if anyone has any experience with Turanza LS.