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Lexus GS Maintenance and Repair

2456

Comments

  • peterpanpeterpan Member Posts: 120
    My GS300 has original Bridgestone Potanza RE092 with 17K miles on them. They started wearing unevenly, causing a lot of road noise.

    I looked at many different tires and am considering the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S, which is high-performance all-season tire. The price is $115 from Tirerack.. Tirerack tested it and rated it #1 in 22 tires in this category. Michelin tires usually wear better, last longer, quieter etc...

    You can order the tires from Tirerack, to be shipped to your local Lexus dealer. They can mount and road-force balance the tire for about $20 each. The end cost is still cheaper than Costco, and you have the assurance of properly installed tires on your high-performance car.
  • mike1212hbmike1212hb Member Posts: 5
    Since buying the car new there has been wind noise around the drivers and passengers doors. Lexus stated that its normal due to wind channels in the door. There must be someway to quiet it down...hell even my Honda civic is quieter.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    are you sure the wind noise isn't comming from the mirror assemblies? you might try some experimentation, perhaps use some of that blue painter's tape made by 3M available at Lowes or Home Depot that is easily removed, and see if taping over the exposed leading edge of the mirror swivel point does anything to lessen the noise. i suppose you could test areas of the door / window too or other suspect areas using this tape. you'd just want to be careful to use something that wouldn't take paint/finish off.
  • mike1212hbmike1212hb Member Posts: 5
    Many thanks for the advise. I'll give it a try this weekend. One more thing: Does anyone know a way to keep the moon roof inside slider closed. It will back off during just normal driving and it causes a noise.
  • phaedrus3phaedrus3 Member Posts: 5
    I've had the same problem for a long time on my 2000 GS300. Haven't come up with any solution other than to close it good whenever I hear the rattle. Works like a charm.
  • mike1212hbmike1212hb Member Posts: 5
    Just replaced my tires with the Turanza tires and it is a very well change. Very quiet and better tracking control. A little pricey from the tire rack at about $210 each.
  • phaedrus3phaedrus3 Member Posts: 5
    Finally replaced the OEM tires and went with Michelin Pilot Sport All Seasons. Drives like a new car - $199 each, though could have had them at tirerack for $181.
  • mike1212hbmike1212hb Member Posts: 5
    I have a 2002 GS430 with Nav and I'd like to upgrade the Nav with real time traffic from XFM. Does anyone know if this is possible?
  • mike1212hbmike1212hb Member Posts: 5
    Is it possible to modify the navigation system to allow destination to be entered while the car is in motion. Can't see why the passenger can't enter data while car is in motion.
  • bdkinnhbdkinnh Member Posts: 292
    Nope. It's not.
  • mangladamanglada Member Posts: 1
    I have a 06 GS 300 and would like to know if anyone has purchased the clear film to put on the front bumper of the car to protect it from rocks, chips, etc?

    If so, is the film obvious? If you wash the car, does it impact the film (ends folding up)? Worth it?

    Thanks
  • yipperyipper Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2006 GS300, and I use the Motorola RAZR phone. Everytime someone calls me and if I don't pick up the incoming call while I am on the phone via bluetooth, my calls will drop as soon as the incoming call hangs up. Also, it appears when I call someone, there is a 2-3 second delay before they could hear me or vice versa. Does anyone have the same problems or a solution for these 2 problems?
  • mojan9mojan9 Member Posts: 1
    I own a 2001 GS430 and recently the screen for the navigation system and other options (audio, climate, etc) has been losing it's touch screen capabilities. For example, I am unable to control the climate or audio at times. Besides replacing the whole system, does anyone have any suggestion.... Thx for your help
  • cestescestes Member Posts: 1
    This works until you turn off the engine car and is from the Lexusownersclub.com website:

    Press Menu

    press Volume

    on the volume page

    touch the top left corner of the screen

    then touch bottomn left corner of the screen

    then again the top left corner of the screen

    then again the bottomn left corner of the screen

    if you do it right, an operator screen comes up. with several buttons.

    You're gonna HOLD DOWN the button that says OVERRIDE . After about 5 seconds the override button becomes highilighted (or selected, i think it gets an outline around it) When it does this, just hit back, then OK on the volume screen and you're all set. This will work until you restart the car. Then you'll have to do it again.

    Does anyone know how to override the blue tooth phone security so that outgoing calls can be made while driving?
  • billdavbilldav Member Posts: 18
    I have 2006 GS 300 AWD. When I back up & turn to leave my parking spot there is a bump as if I rolled over something and a bit of a pull in the steering.

    I've been told by Lexus service that a number of people have reported this and Lexus is saying it is normal?? I still want to have it checked, so I'm taking the car in on Monday,

    Anyone else had a different solution or comment from Lexus?

    bill
  • asandersasanders Member Posts: 7
    I've not driven the AWD GS300, but I suspect what you are experiencing is common to many full-time four-wheel-drive vehicles; when you turn full-lock in any car, the wheels nearer to the centre of your turn move slower than the outer wheels. Because all four wheels are linked mechanically in your vehicle and therefore forced to turn at the same speed, either the inner or outer wheels will eventually be forced to slide a little depending on which has the most grip. A 2WD car will not have this problem as the rear center differential permits both wheels to move at different speeds.
  • asandersasanders Member Posts: 7
    The following link will show you everything you need to know about disabling the safety lockouts so you can use the phone and watch DVD's while driving. I have not tried this myself. Good luck!

    http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24442
  • cruzingscruzings Member Posts: 1
    I've just purchased a GS430. and am planning on having the 3M film installed this week. I have seen it on several cars with different colors. It look pretty transparent. I will probably have it only on the lower bumber and not up on the hood. I have seen it on the hoods and a line is noticable. I know the dealer locally real well. He stands behind the product.
  • bdkinnhbdkinnh Member Posts: 292
    I was bound to happen - my GS300 got two dings in the door from a wayward shopping cart. :mad:

    I have to bring it in for an oil change anyway, and I'm hoping that they can either plunge them out or remove the door panel and hammar them back into shape.

    Anyone have any experience with body work done at their dealer?
  • billyperks1billyperks1 Member Posts: 151
    Have no fear Dent Wizard will be there.

    Most dealers use a third party contractor named Dent Wizard, they removed two dings from my wifes Accord and I was more than satisfied with the results.
  • bdkinnhbdkinnh Member Posts: 292
    Yep - I called Lexus and that's who they use. They said they would make an appointment for me with them, and they would be there when I brought my car in for the 5K mile service.

    I'm pretty picky, so I have my fingers crossed. ;)
  • clarkkentclarkkent Member Posts: 154
    I'm not trying to be a flame thrower, but, I get a kick out of the Edmunds car reviews by owners of various makes and models they have just purchased new.

    A review from anyone on any car they have just bought will be 99% great. If they didn't like the car to begin with they would not have bought it. ie" "have 356 miles on this car and it's fantastic"

    The best review I have ever read so far was: "I now have 36 miles on this beauty and it's everything I had hoped for" That sure told me it was a car I could count on for 100,000!

    These new car reviews are like a sky diver (who's parachute didn't open) jumping from 10,000' "This is my first jump with this chute from 10,000 and so far the first 9000 have been fantastic!"

    I'd rather see Edmunds get reviews from owners who purchased their cars new, and have had a years experience with them.

    What would even be better would be a review section by number of years you have owned the vehicle since new.

    Just a thought.
  • lmcarlmcar Member Posts: 2
    I have 100K miles on my car and for the last 60K, my tires are acting like they are out of balance, occassionally. I can set the cruise for 65-70MPH and the ride is smooth. Then, gradually, the car acts like a tire (sometimes front, sometimes rear, sometimes both) is out of balance. This may go on for several minutes to several hours. Then the problem will go away for some indetermate period of time. Lexus says the problem is the tires, and Michelin (who replaced the MXV4 tires once) says the problem is the car. In any case, my expensive car still acts like the tires are out of balance. Has anyone experienced this? Does anyone have a solution? I'm about due for tires and would like to fix this problem.
  • acctprofacctprof Member Posts: 41
    Last weekend I bought a new RX for my wife. While we were at the dealer, I took a 2006 GS300 for a test drive. The voice recognition feature was terrible. I asked for "temp 72" and got "audio on." It never got better. Then I found out I can't change destination without stopping, putting the car in park, and then entering the new destination.

    I had driven a 2006 RL that morning and the voice recognition was flawless. Passenger Temp 72, FM 99.1, Find Nearest Dealer, everything worked.

    I like Lexus. We had a 2004 ES before we traded for the new RX. I never had any problems with the ES. I love this dealer. But the voice recognition on this GS just didn't work for me.

    Anyone else have problems? Was it just this car?

    Len
  • bdkinnhbdkinnh Member Posts: 292
    The voice commands work well, but you have to use the correct syntax. For example, "Temp 72" doesn't work, but "Temperature 72" or "Temperature 72 degrees" works fine.

    I haven't tried tuning the radio using "FM 99.1", but switching sat. radio stations works fine.
  • acctprofacctprof Member Posts: 41
    Sorry, I should not have abbreviated. I did say "Temperature 72 degrees." I am glad to know that this is not a general flaw. When I returned from my ride, the salesman got in and tried to show me how to have commands accepted. He also failed.

    It must have been this car/system.

    Len
  • billdavbilldav Member Posts: 18
    Thanks very much - now I have a bit of an understanding of the working of 4 wd.
  • pdr093078pdr093078 Member Posts: 1
    I purchased my GS300 in June-05 and was immediately impressed with the car. Having previously owned a 2000 GS that ran perfectly, I expected the same from my new GS. Around November-05 the car (12,0000 miles)developed a rumbling noise (sounds like distant thunder) when driving at low speeds on uneven surfaces emanating from under the front of the vehicle. After 3 visits to the dealer(replaced the bushings, ripped out the dashboard and insulated the firewall), the car is still making the exact same noise. Very frustrating, looking to get rid of the car!
  • houstonmerchoustonmerc Member Posts: 65
    I've got the perfect solution.

    Don't read the reviews of owners with less than 100,000 miles. That would save you from agonizing over how the owner is stupidly on a "pink cloud" and has a car that will be falling apart in no time, while the owners can enjoy their purshases that they've spent well earned money on.
  • forteatwoforteatwo Member Posts: 3
    I recently purchased an '04 GS 300 with only 13,000 miles and seem to be getting about 22mpg highway, which is a little disappointing. I am otherwise very pleased with the car overall. The throttle response seems rather touchy, which is to say very responsive. I am thinking the previous owner was a spirited driver and the ECU has adapted itself to that pattern of driving. Am wondering what mpg's other owners are getting, whether the mileage improves as the engine breaks in a bit more, and whether the ECU will adjust to my more sedate driving pattern. Any thoughts?
  • stumanchustumanchu Member Posts: 2
    You don't need to spend 400-500 for the 15K service. Just ask for the required items and the charge for me was $320. When I first went in and asked for the 15K Service they told me that it would be $500. I balked at that and told them that I only wanted the required items. Like magic it went down to $320. This was at Palm beach Lexus in West Palm Beach. I'll bet that a lot of people pay the full freight but you don't need to.
  • dwfxdwfx Member Posts: 1
    Based on your mileage, you probably need to replace your rotors, which get warped over time. I recently purchased a 2000 GS300 that had 90k miles and had the same problem. Once I replaced all 4 rotors with new drilled and slotted ones, problem was solved. Hope this helps ...
  • LanceL99LanceL99 Member Posts: 39
    I have this problem too! It's awful... I have turned off the bluetooth feature for this reason. In my case, the callers don't actually get disconnected but rather hear whatever would be playing on my stereo (even if the volume in the car is at zero) but I cannot hear them. I also have the problem with outbound calls. Yipper, have you found a solution since you wrote this message? I just bought my car two weeks ago... Thanks!
  • jodar96jodar96 Member Posts: 400
    After selling our 2001 RX300, we are looking for a used 02-03 GS300. We wanted to try the 2003 MB E320, but after looking at the E-class problems/elctronic glitches, we decided to go with much more reliable Lexus.

    How does the RWD GS300 drive on ice and snow? Does it fish tail any or the traction control keeps it in line. Any issues with the engine/transmission?

    Are there any thing that you suggest to check? Does the engine use timing belt or chain?

    Thanks,
    Joe
  • lmcarlmcar Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the feedback. I never would have guessed that, considering I felt the rumble in the car and stearing wheel rather than the brake pedal. I'll get the rotors checked.
  • jlafrancejlafrance Member Posts: 3
    I also had power steering failure on my 2006 GS300 at about 1500 miles. It was not a total failure, but it took a week to get the parts from Japan.
  • jlafrancejlafrance Member Posts: 3
    I get what I consider excessive tire noise on my GS 300. Data: 13,000 miles w/ Yokohama 225/50-R17 (94W) tires. Noise starts at 30 MPH and increases from there.

    Am told that it is "normal".

    Any comments or preferably, SOLUTIONS?
  • billyperks1billyperks1 Member Posts: 151
    Switch to the Falkens (Azentis-check spelling) they are wickedly quite but awful in snow.
  • donbldonbl Member Posts: 42
    Have the tires always been noisy or as they got above 13,000 miles.

    I have soft high performance tires on my non-lexus and they definitely get noisier above 10,000 miles.
  • jlafrancejlafrance Member Posts: 3
    They got noisier after 10,000 miles. The Lexus dealer recommended "Touring" tires with a different rubber compound to solve the noise problem.

    Like you suggested, Michelins seem to be better tires all around.

    I am hopeful that this will solve my noise problem without affecting performance much.
  • kfolkfol Member Posts: 5
    My 2003 GS430 has gone through 5 sets of tires now (35,000 miles) and I am told by my service manager that its normal. I informed him that I would almost agree with him if it was normal tire wear but in my case the tires are getting feathered and cupped on the outside edges (plenty of tread life remaining). I'm not a kid and do not drive agressively so I think there is something wrong with the car.

    Anyone have this experience or any helpful tips?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    outside edge wear only is usually excessive toe-out (alignment) and cupping is usually defective front struts or a wheel balance issue.

    Here's a site that shows you various wear patterns:

    http://www.accctiresonline.com/tires.htm

    You definitely have something wrong with your car.
  • kfolkfol Member Posts: 5
    Lexus has replaced the tires the past 4 times under warranty but are now refusing to so. I have a meeting scheduled with the Regional Tech Rep tomorrow to look at the car. The service manager at the Dealership said he spoke with the Rep and reviewed the maintenance history on the car over the phone and he gave him a verbal "no" to replacing the tires under warranty. I am not holding out much hope to winning this argument even with all the information out there on the web regarding tire feathering.

    I'm just glad I'm leasing this pig, unfortunately the next sucker that buys this car will not know about this problem.
  • kfolkfol Member Posts: 5
    Forgot to say thank you for your reply and reference you attached

    I'm just so mad at Lexus right now!
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    couldn't wheel bearing problems also cause cupping?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Gee they'd have to be so bad as to cause the wheel to wobble...seems to me they'd be screaming for help at that point.
  • kfolkfol Member Posts: 5
    Had a very dissapointing and odd meeting on Wed last week with the regional Lexus rep. He had the dealership check the aglinment on the car (which checked out good) and told me bluntly that my issue was with the tire mfg and that my warranty claim was denied. He further told me that the tire wear I was claiming to have was impossible based on the aglinment check result. I asked him to go out and look at the vehicle for himself and he refused. I showed him the information I pulled off the internet (from Michelin and others)regarding "feathering" and he dismissed it as being "a general statement" and that "feathering was normal". I further asked him directly if this abnormal tire wear was a known issue with Lexus (as I suspect) and he refused to answer me (very odd). At the conclusion of the meeting I asked that the results of the aglinment check be documented and that the rep state that "tire feathering" was normal. He agreed to document the aglinment check but flatly refused to make the statement about "feathering".
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    well I suppose you could take the "certified" alignment document and make a claim against the tire manufacturer. If the tire manufacturer says its the car's fault and the car manufacturer says its the tire's fault....well then...as least you know one of them is wrong....

    Possibly you could re-inforce your case by having the car checked at a highly specialized alignment shop, like one that specializes in setting up exotic cars (who aligns the cars for the Ferrari dealership or Porsche dealership in your area?) and see what their report says.

    It might come down to whether you want to "die on this hill" in a legal battle or ditch the car.
  • donbldonbl Member Posts: 42
    Old saying,,,,,

    Keep pushing up the food chain until you find someone who cares.

    There is always someone.

    Might be Japanese.....

    Keep pushing.

    good luck,
  • jensadjensad Member Posts: 388
    Dear Mister_Shiftright

    Since the Lexus made the choice to have that brand of tires on their respective vehicles, then it seems they are responsible for their decision.

    Is there a lemon law in your state as there is in Calif?

    Good luck to you.

    jensad
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