Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
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
I would appreciate information from 430 owners on their experience re a whine (or absence of) at high speeds.
Tom
Is that why the trunk lid is so darned difficult to raise? My Avalon was so much easier to open.
I'm wondering if I have a service issue with my new '05 LS430.
MY WIFE IS REFUSING TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR OF GETTING STRANDED.
The best procedure is to force the stearing wheel so the tire moves slightly farther into the blocking force, curb(?) and thereby release the pressure on the locking mechanism.
Then the key should move freely into the on position.
Mike
Is your '05 equipped with Smartkey? If so there is a long paragraph in the owners manual dictating what to do in that situation. Regardless of the key type, insert your key into the ignition and simultaneously turn both the key and the steering wheel. It's a anti theft measure.
Seeing that your car is new, I'd have the dealer pick it up and have a look if the problem isn't as simple as I've made it out to be.
Hope this helps,
SV
Thanks, Pete
Thanks,
The 90-94 was a non-interference engine, but I do not believe the 98 is. (Wwest might know more) I had mine done as a preventative measure at 84K last year on my '92. The belt showed some wear, so it was not exactly a necessity. At the same time they replaced the water pump as well..The car was noticeably quieter when I got it back. This is part of the 90K service at most dealerships, and I paid around $1,000 for all of it. I will say this much though, the car ran like brand new when I got it back..
I take a preventative maintenance approach with these cars..In my view it's better to be safe than sorry..They had to take apart half of the engine to get at it, so most of the charges are due to labor.
Hope this helps,
SV
Does anyone know the expected life of shocks (or strut inserts) on the LS? I had my rear ones on the '92 replaced at 64K b/c the ride was getting a little bouncy..The front bushings on the front have been replaced too...
But the dealer found that the front strut bushings were cracked, (Likely from the accident, b/c it never make that annoying "thunking/clunking" sound before..They missed a few things) and since they'll taking it all apart I thought I might as well have the strut inserts replaced too.
Also, what are the life of the rotors on the car? My rears will need new pads soon and this got me thinking about the rest of the braking system..I don't let them machine it normally, but I think it's been done once before. The car has 93K on it now.
I don't mind spending the money, this car is certainly worth every penny. I'm realistic in my approach, as a 93K car is bound to have some components wearing out..
Thanks,
SV
I'm considering purchasing /97 LS 400 wit 102000 miles. Does anyone have any history with this year and model lexus? Any feedback you could give would be appreciated.
Thanks!!
Anyone know why Lexus would go to the trouble of having a non-function tuning light?
The dealer claims that all the keys worked at the outset (I never tested them). The service dept was closed.
Question is - does anyone know of a method to reaquaint the keys to the car without going to the dealer? The manual doesn't really cover this.
I had my emmissions done to get a new tag and later that night when I drove it, the check engine light stayed on and the traction light on the dash was blinking. I also experienced a little rough idling. neither have gone off yet.
I called Lexus and they said the emissions guy probably took the gas cap off while the car was still running.
Said it would take about 30 starts to reset. Is there air in my system causing the rough idling. Not really rough, but somewhat--little.
I ahve started it several times but I am afraid to drive. What do you think?
I had the exact same thing happen to me yesterday. I have a 96 LS with 94K miles. Getting ready to sell. Had it detailed on Friday drove it home from work (25 miles) - no problems. Drove it for a short trip Sat - no problems. Drove it to the dealer last night to drop off for another item and it started running rough and the check engine and traction light blinking came on like yours. Toyota put it on the computer today and said it's showing a misfire on cylinder 7 and asked if it had been tuned lately (yes at 60K).
The only other factor is I put in a can of fuel injector cleaner last week and have run about half a tank through so far. I read on the Lexus forum that some have experienced similar problems with running rough and resolved it by replacing the fuel filter. Not an inexpensive service, but well worth it if that is what's required.
Please email me back with your findings.
Joe,
Sorry for the delay getting back to you. Problem is solved.
I decided to go to my independent MB/Porche shop and he found a little corrosion on one of the spark plug connections, but no water in the tubes. After a cleaning all the connections, he couldn't solve the idle problem and trac/check engine flashes. He suggested changing the wires, dist. cap, and rotors for a $415 bill.
I checked the service work done at the Lexus dealer since I bought the car at 70k mi. and they'd never changed those items, only the spark plugs (100k type). After the shock of the $800 estimate from Lexus, I decided to try the independent shop (Greff Auto.) for a while. I agreed to Greff's charges and it did solve the problem.
Certainly, it was ONE of the 3 things replaced that fixed it. I felt that because of the component's age and my mechanic's hourly rate, I was tired of playing troubleshooter and wanted it done. Now I know those items are solid. The engine compartment was dirty b/c I work at a yard with a lot of dust and regular rain which must splash around the engine compartment eventually. We hadn't cleaned it since buying it 3 years ago. We won't be cleaning it again anytime soon (and this time with a cloth, no hose!)
Thanks for your help.
Second Post-
Hello JimK,
I'm glad that I found your post which I have an exact problem with my LS400 '95 Model. I also have missfired on parkplug #7. I had engine code and traction light on I immediately took the car to Autozone to scan the engine code they said that p0302 and p0307 are missfiring.
Since this car 've never been replaced rotors, distributor caps, sparkplug wires and pcv-valve. I go ahead replaced them and also replace those 2 sparkplug head which got missfired. Now the car runs like new at start up. Before it used to hit 1800 rpm at startup but now it hits at 900-1100rpm at startup. I am not used to this sudden change yet still suspect and thought there are something wrong. My question to you is that do you experience the similar idling rpm as I do after you had rotors, distributor caps and sparkplug wires replaced?
Another question to you is that did they reset your ECU after replaced this new parts? Or the Engine light and Tract light just went away by itself?
Thanks for helping!
Good luck!
They changed the spark plugs and wires. Cost about $500.
Car runs fine now.
Thanks again
Is this normal?
It mutes the radio and auto answers the phone. OK...great so far.
I have heard that you can load the phone numbers one at a time.
Is this possible and how?
If it is not possible, how do you put phone numbers in the phone system on the Lexus?
I just can't figure it out. I am willing to manually put in one number and name at a time, but cannot figure out how????
Thanks.
H
You mentioned comparing it to a Toyota. Our '98 Avalon had a really touchy gas pedal that scared the bejeebers out of me when I took it over after my DH bought a new car 18 months ago. I did adjust after burning a little rubber a few times.
I really can't say if our Lexus is as touchy as the Avalon was, or if I'm just used to the feel by now.
This has been attributed to a problem in the programming of the transmission/engine interface. There is reportedly a TSB (00604) describing a re-programming fix for the issue. But interestingly, after driving my car for a couple of weeks, the issue went away in my case and has not come back, so I never took it in for the re-programming. Apparently, the transmission "learns" the driver's style and can adapt in some cases; in other cases, it takes a re-programming. It's possible that the demo you drove was either brand new or had "adapted" to a driver's style that was incompatible with your style.
I have seen posts in other places by people who had the re-programming done and found the problem resolved.
- premium gas, 15-17 MPG , max is 21-22 MPG all freeway
- Insurance (of course)
- tires every 40K miles (I use Michelin, about $400K+ per set)
- LEXUS service is about $300+ for minor, $1K for major allowing for extra stuff that always needs to be done...LEXUS service if good costs maybe 25%more than independent (my guess, I've used both) but will give you a free LEXUS for loaner, make friends with the service manager!
- Things that needed replacing: 1) new starter motor $1600+; 2) power steering pump $600+; 3) Tires (see above); $300K front headights, rear tailight
- Things that WILL need replacing next 100K miles: ir Conditioning compressor $700+K; Water Pump $300-400K
When I bought the car, service manager said expect about $5K budget for above replacement parts tot take it through 150K + miles. My first big car, biig cars are heavy and logically tougher on MPG, wearing out parts.
If you DO want to buy, check out Edmunds and Intelligoice sites for value comparison. And other than checking repair records & shop that worked on the car (including the LEXUS database that all dealers subscribe to), if you DO buy, have dealer do 1) minor servicing; and 2) balance and align tires (major safety consideration, particularly during winter).
LS 400 is a battleship, with all its sturdiness and substance, NOT a drag boat, and delivers wonderfully.
I cannot recommend the car enough, like the '97 as a used car because you'll get the same quality as '98-'00 before the new model came out, but best pricing of all those years because of the bigger engine, fancier headlights, possible global navigation system that priced '98 models about $5K higher (I looked at one and bought the '97 instead).
Curious what you do, let me know. If you buy it, over time you will appreciate it, best most relaxing easy to operate & secure car around, music equivalent is symphony, jazz, easy listening. But if you want your senses assaulted when you drive (zipply, hugs turns & road, etc.) then get another car & flip on the Rolling Stones.
Hope this helps, you caught me on first visit to Edmunds in 5 yrs on a relaxing day discussing one of my favorites.
I have read some of the past posts on this site and it appears that this may be designed into the LS???
You may want to check and see if this is avail. to you as well.