1. When you first push the CD button, a small overlay screen comes up that identifies the CD number, and disappears after a short while. If you push the Audio button, the Audio screen comes up and shows buttons for all 6 CD's, so that you can select the one you want. It also has buttons for selecting the track you want.
2. Normally, the screen is off, until you press either the Audio or Climate or Map button (or one of the other 3 auxiliary display buttons).
3. If you have a destination programmed and stop the car, then when you restart it the nav will pick up where it left off and resume your guidance. If you got off the freeway to go to the potty, it will guide you back on, choosing the shortest or fastest way to do that (according to your preselected preference).
On a day prior to departure I input my destination, and all way points. This eliminates this task on the very busy departure date.
Then, just call up and 'set' the destination (it would be a "previous destination" if you've used another destination since you programmed your trip), & you're set to go. Another advantage of this is it will compute time & mileage for you ... good to know the day before leaving.
ljflx - welcome back! Glad you had a great time. We're considering going to that general area for about a week this winter. You missed a little excitement here (& S Class board, you know, the "Lexus copycat" theme negates all Lexus positives), but I'm sure you're caught up by now. I did my best to defend our honor !!
lenscap, for a little futher nav info: on a trip of any type you (or, better, your passenger) can scan ahead for interesting unknown restaurants or other sites near your ultimate destination. My wife does this a lot. You then enter it as a marked point or as a waypoint destination. It will be added to your trip - in other words, you will be guided to the waypoint, where you can stop for lunch/tour/etc. Get back in the car and it picks up with a continued route to your original destination. There are many other great features as well. The voice integration works pretty well in my experience, though it could be expanded and improved. I also think, ultimately, Lexus will make it possible for the car to recognize the presence of a passenger and allow more input while underway. In my opinion, contrary to wwest's apparent view, the nav can be safely used while underway with a little common sense and caution. Safer (again IMO) than attempting to dial a cell phone over several miles, or carrying on a conversation while driving under many conditions. Highly recommended by me, for what that's worth.
My company has an office in the UK so I often have cause to travel there. In the UK there are laws against using a cell phone while driving, maybe even a hands-free one, but I'm not so sure about the latter. I would have no problem, and would actually support, an equivalent law in the US.
Does anyone know if GPS moving map displays are available, manufacturer installed, in the UK, accessable and viewable by the driver?
And how, pray tell, would the system know it was the passenger pressing Nav buttons and not the driver?
I am torn...
I could tell you which Lexus Nav system wire to "open" momentarily in order to "input" while underway, but then you might kill an innocent bystander along with yourself and for that I would feel horribly guilty.
"IMO using "virtual" (gui icons) pushbuttons to select any type of Nav "setup" cannot possibly be less "hazardous" than dialing a cellphone."
It's not the hands, it's the brain. It's called 'Task Loading'. It's not the dialing or holding, it's the preoccupation with the conversation with someone who, unlike a passenger, is unaware of the immediate situation, and continues to demand your attention.
You did a great job holding the fort. I saw your little exchange with Merc1. He thinks MB is God's gift to the autoworld so unless you put a gun to his head don't ever expect any credits to Lexus from him. They have made MB re-think everything they do but he'll never believe it so give it up. Weren't you giving me that advice at one time? Amazing how vacations have such a calming effect on me.
If and when you go to Longboat Key stay at the resort at Longboat Key. It is right next to the Charthouse restaurant and also goes by the name the Inn at the Beach. There are $10-15mln homes in that area and I believe on its grounds. It's more formal and elegant than the Colony with spectacular Gulf and Bay views. I have the website saved somewhere but it's pretty easy to find if you look up Sarasota on the net. They are also about to open a Ritz Carlton down there so you may want to look into that. It's in Sarasota proper on 41 just off Fruitville road about 1-2 miles before St Armand's Circle. I think I prefer Sarasota/Long Boat Key over every other part of Florida that I've ever been to. Great golfing too but probably in Oct. - not now when it's so hot. It is incredible how great the weather is right on the Gulf and how rainy/thunderstormy it is just inland. We never had any rain believe it or not in the 10 days we were there. Lots of thunder - with the sun shining brightly - from the storms about 3-5 miles east of us but never any rain and hardly even a cloud to block the sun. I never went on a vacation in my life and came back with such a desire to buy property. Don't want a house or condo - just land to build on in 5-10 years.
I have turned off radios in flight because some life-threatening issue demanded more immediate attention, I have also tossed cellphones into the passenger/rear seat for the very same reason.
We all "multi-task" on many occasions, I guess some of us just don't have a priority loop in our task scheduler.
Have you ever noticed, almost all of us "blank out" when performing monotonous tasks. I once had a young student who, on realizing that he could not actually remember driving from point A to point B, for the 100th time, expressed concern about what might have happened if a life threatening situation had occurred when he was "blanked out".
I assured him that his brain would have brought his thought process to the forefront of the situation if need be.
The way we survive the everyday "clutter" of our lives is to constantly prioritize tasks, it's not easy to ignore your young son in the back seat crying because his older (younger?) sister just slam-dunked him, but in fact that's exactly what all of us learn to do, or we don't survive very long in today's complex world.
will applying full throttle on frequent occasions damage the ls430 engine or engine life in any way? i know, the car is not meant to be driven like that, but i have a sports suspension LS430, and i drive it like, you would drive a bmw.(handles very well, very quick response). but i take the engine to just below the red zone, very frequently(great response)...i know that this decreases fuel economy, but does it have any other effect on teh engine? this is a lexus v8, but just curios. thanks
when i have the climate control system on AUTO, with the A/C on...there is a large amount of of exhaust(wator vapor) being released through the two exhaust pipes in the back. clearly visible also, even in hot weather. when i turn the climate control off, it disappears. is this normal? thanks for the input.
I recently was asked to attend a market research study that pertained to automobiles. They wouldn’t give me any more info than that, except to say I would be paid $200 for my participation. I showed up, met my interviewer, was given a wireless microphone and we began the study. Guess what two cars were there ..an LS430 and a MB S500. They had me first sit in the LS430 and asked me to program a destination into the NAV system. I told the interviewer that since I owned this exact car, that the task was a bit easy. She then asked me many questions about how I felt the system worked.
We next went onto the S500 and did the same thing. This was the first time I had actually ever used the MB NAV system. How could anyone devise a more awkward and non-intuitive system? They then asked me how I felt about the system. I gave many not so nice opinions about this system.
They then had me sit in a simulator of the next generation S class cockpit with a “new” NAV system. I had to say this new version was worse that the current shipping version. They moved the screen higher on the dashboard (a plus), but then used this large joystick on the center armrest console to control the whole thing. No touch screen. This was the worst design I had ever seen. All of the options were selected by turning the top of the joystick to the appropriate menu and “clicking” the button by pushing down on the joystick top. Although the menus and screen were clear and aesthetically pleasing, there was no way a reasonable driver (or a good one like myself) could ever use this system without killing themselves (or anyone else on the road). They asked me lots of questions about how I liked this system. All I could say was .who in the hell came up with this. The best part was when the simulator crashed. A nice German woman came out from behind the curtain and rebooted the system. It was running on the German version of Windows NT. I jokingly asked if the car would be running on Windows NT, she smiled and said NO. I really hope they trash this idea and go back to the drawing board. I don’t know what Mercedes’ aversion to touch screens is. The joystick idea is just ludicrous.
This just goes to show that MB knows where their competition is. If this “concept cockpit” is anything near to what they will actually release, Lexus has nothing to worry about. All I can say about this long discussion that everyone seems to be having about the merits of the current Lexus NAV system is .the grass is NOT always greener on the other side. This is just my 2 cents.
I would presume that you are aware that this type of ludicrous system you refer to is coming out on the new BMW 7 Series? They call it I drive.
I think it is crazy, too, because it will require a a complete re-training of where controls are. The shift lever is back up on the steering wheel as a column stalk for forward and reverse, with the forward gears being controlled by a button on the steering wheel. I don't think it is going to go over well.
I think we agree on this. I've been forced out of my lane (avoiding a head-on) by a cell phone user who was clearly oblivious to the driving situation. I assume that you put this in a category different from "blanked out"
Interesting quote from today's Detroit Free Press: "A University of Utah study the National Safety Council published last week suggested hands-free devices do not render a cell phone any less distracting than a hand-held model."
From the little BMW has published on this system it's pretty obvious they are worried about its acceptance and there is probably a lot of infighting in BMW about it. But it's also probably too late to turn back. MB has to upgrade its horrendous command system and is probably testing the Lexus version vs. BMW with the American public. Smart. This may also mean they don't have a new concept themselves here and are going to go with a variant of the one Americans prefer in this testing. If they had one wouldn't it have been included in the test? The I drive - Iceberg dead ahead.
The more I look at the new 7 the more it looks like a blown up 5 series with enhanced back edges or whatever those things are on both sides of the trunk. Shouldn't the premium lux model lead rather than follow its' siblings? They seem to have a reverse MB strategy which led with the S and has copied its style to the C and is further duplicating it with the E.
Different subject - the new ES300 looks better and better to me. I didn't like it at all from the initial pix I saw. But Lexus sent me a brief brochure in the mail and in their photos the car looks a lot better than in the pix in the auto pubs. The interior looks very much like the LS430. Looks like another homerun for Lexus.
greasykid1 - when I purchased my LS430 in March I asked about the extended warranty and was told it "ran about $2200.00". The sales manager did not seem to know much about it.
Since my '96 LS400 extended warranty was only $800.00, I thought the LS430 price was way out of line and did not pursue it further. I'm sure the price he gave me could probably come down through some negotiation.
When the extended warranty was in the $800 range it was quite a good deal, but on the flip side many of us have now driven these vehicles over 100K miles and have become aware of the extreme reliability.
I would hazard a guess therefore that fewer of us experienced Lexus owners/purchasers are buying the extended warranty thus the price is up becuase there are not enough people at the bottom of the pyramid to share the costs.
I have little doubt that the GPS Nav feature is a very desirable option and therefore potentially quite profitable option for the automobile industry to offer.
But what I am also relatively sure about is that they are all struggling mightily to figure out how to provide input and control of this option without unduly distracting the driver. I think that if they don't find an answer soon the you will begin to see laws being passed to protect us from our own stupidity.
Look at all of the posts we have seen about people wanting to provide DVD capability on the Nav screen. Then think about how very small, relatively, "our" audience must be, and then multiply these posts by that ratio.
SCARY, isn't it?
I have seen a "joystick" control for one of the upscale automotive audio systems, and I must admit that the human engineering aspects of this approach left me cold.
But then it is a "tactile" control that doesn't really require hand/eye coordination, unlike the Lexus system which requires hand/eye coordination, you must "see" and guide your fingertip to the proper icon, for each and every input function.
It's interesting that on the new IS300 SportCross (see Edmunds review) the NAV system "pops" up from the top of the dash but the controls are apparently between the front seats. How easy is it to use the touch screen while driving? Is this alternate position supposed to be easier?
As I have said before, it is impossibe to use the nav touchscreen display without having your eyes leave the road and guide your finger to the proper icon on the touchscreen. According to some cognitive research done at the U of W back in the early seventies, for some of us this can take a significant amount of time, several seconds, for instance.
What you are seeing in the IS300 is something we will all be seeing for some period, we are entering a time of experimentation, with the automobile industry using all of us as tests subjects. Like any experiment of this type, some of us will not survive.
Actually it was my mother in law, and she purchased a Parchment crystal/ecru without NAV. Itried to get her to take the NAV, but she's definitely technologically challenged. If the LS was available with AWD, I might be convinced to check out one for myself. I just sold my MB S500 and it's interesting to note the difference in quality of the interior components between the two cars (even in comparison to my A6 4.2). The interior components around the doors, seats, and center console on the MB were of such poor quality that I had numerous pieces damaged by the dealers service department while having an oil change done! I think it might be interesting, however, to note how many of the MB owners that think that the quality is ok have charcoal interiors. The dark interior (I had a light one) really masks these quality deficiencies. The quality of materials in my Audi and my MILs Lexus are far superior.
It is never a good idea to go WOT with a "cold" engine, it is a very good idea to allow the engine to warm up, all components at normal operating temperature, before attempting "flat out" acceleration. On older cars with 4 barrel carbs there was a thermosatic lockout of the second set of carb barrels to be sure things were fully warmed up before allowing full HP to be used.
I imagine, but don't know for sure, that today's e-throttle LS430s have the engine computer programmed to provide reduced, derated, performance until the engine warms up completely.
Without knowing that for sure, I would be careful about appling full thrust until the engine is completely warmed up.
Helpful hint: In wintertime when the climate control is in heating mode the system blower will not run until the engine water jacket temperature reaches 130F. In normal operation you have about another 10 minutes until all components are at normal operating temperature.
Or better yet, determine where the engine water jacket temperature indicator needle "rests" after the engine is fully and completely warmed, mine (92 LS) is just a tad above the second mark, and then try not to apply WOT until it has been in that position for at least 5 minutes.
Having owned several Porches and a Ferrari which were equiped with OIL TEMP GAUGES there is a big differance between water temp and oil temp. My experience has been that water heats up to operating temp in about 5 minutes. but oil does not get to op temp until about 20 minutes.
If you want to avoid abusing your engine I would strongly recommend waiting at least 20 minutes before using wide open throttle. The engine is not up to maximum operation until the oil temp is up to engine temp. !
Agent0986 asked a reasonable question and s/he deserves a level-headed, reasonable, well thought out answer. Advising someone to ignore good advice seems somewhat inappropriate on this board.
If you want to fire up and race a cold engine then you are the one that will pay the bills, advising someone else to do the same willy-nilly, while attempting to discredit good advice does nothing but belittle your own creditibility.
Greasykid1...
Up until 99 real Porsches only had oil temperature gauges.
The only indication of engine component temperatures in an LS4xx is the water temperature gauge. Add however many minutes you deem appropriate AFTER it reaches its normal "resting" point, but I still stand by my original advice, don't go WOT until the water jacket temperature is within the normal operating range.
although i think bitkahuna is correct, this lexus v8 should have no problem, i am still concerned. its been 1800 miles so far, and no problems at all to report though. The engine actually seems to have gotten a bit more powerful since i took delivery. My one month service appointment is tomorrow and i will see what the main service technician has to say about it. thanks for advice though, i did not know about the engine having to warm up...isnt the engine ready to go as soon as you turn the key? most of my trips are under 20 miuntes so i dont have time for it to warm up. the throttle is controlled by the computer, so doesnt the computer automatically not apply full pressure if it feels teh engine might get damaged? like for example, when i do "floor it" the engine waits for a like a split second before it realizes i want full throttle, which is when the car takes off, and the the computer shifts when it feels necessery going by peddle pressure and such, sounds pretty sophisticated. anyhow, if any damage were to occur to my engine(hope not) by doing this consistently(sorry, its just really fun)what would happen to it? wouldnt it just decrease the engine life? which is already like a 400,000 miles anyway. it wouldnt blow out any cylinders or anything like that would it? thanks again
Ordinarily, I don't much agree with WWest. OK, I'll admit it; ordinarily, I don't even understand him. But on this one, I think he is dead right. I specifically looked for a non-NAV 430 because (1) I do not think it is physiologically possible to use such a system safely in a moving vehicle, especially when the controls are on a flat touch screen with no tactile cues; (2) I did not want to have to scroll through a number of screens (with eyes off the road) to find the bass or fader control for the stereo or to change the vent settings for the AC; and (3) even if those issues could be overcome, I personally have little use for the device. I know how tempting it is to take a phone call in the car -- a temptation I ordinarily am able to resist -- and know that when I do, it is obvious to me that I am paying less than full attention to the road. The thought of thousands of drivers -- many of whom drove like morons BEFORE being distracted with this new computerized toy -- now looking for the best Thai place in town while going 70 mph scares me to death. I really think that this will end up with people dying, more lawsuits, and too-late legislation.
And regarding the I-Drive, the joy-stick alternative to the touch screen does not seem to be the answer. Edmunds' very recently posted road test for the Q-45 says "the Q's climate and radio controls are an ergonomic disaster. With no fewer than 3 dials, 20 buttons, 1 joystick and a computer screen, just dialing up a little cool air or some talk radio requires quality time with the owner's manual. In all fairness, the system is hardly any more arcane than some of its European rivals', such as Mercedes' COMAND system, but that doesn't make it any less of a blemish." The I Drive is supposed to be even more complicated, combining even more of the secondary controls of the car into the arcade game on the dash.
I am an early adopter on most electronics stuff -- don't go anywhere w/o my Blackberry, cell, and laptop -- but this whole adventure strikes me as proof positive of the adage "just because you can doesn't mean you should." IMHO.
As for as I know all you would do is decrease the overall engine life, increase the wear rate on the crank bearings, create extra blowby around the piston rings, etc, etc.
And yes, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Lexus engine computer operates the engine in a derated manner until it's warmed up.
But I would take bets that it does RECORD every instance of "cold engine, WOT" for future reference by Lexus in case of a prematurely failed engine.
Just curious if anyone else seems to think or has noticed that the LS430 feels to have a lot more growl or torque in low gear than the previous years models. Is this to be expected.
Obviously there are differences of opinion on here, so I'd suggest you ask your Lexus dealer. While you're there, ask them what kind of problems they've seen with any Lexus V8.
wwest - my opinion is based on experience, it's not frivolous. Some people are just more cautious than others, perhaps based on their own experiences.
agent - I wouldn't floor right after starting the engine of course. When I start my car I let it run for about 10-15 seconds so the oil has had a chance to circulate at least, then I shift into reverse, and back out the garage. I go up my street slowly to the end (2 tenths) and turn - I usually don't accelerate hard in the first mile or two, but after that, I drive as conditions allow and how I want to.
I'm sure some here of the cautious type SWEAR by synthetic oil also, which is a WASTE OF MONEY. Lexus corporate and two dealers have both told me there's no point in using it. I also have another reason (a relative who was a pioneer in synthetic lubricant research who says it's not worth it either). Of course, if it makes the owner feel better, there's value in that, so each to their own.
Just what do you think the Lexus LS430 is, over say a basic ford taurus?
I put over 250K miles on two consecutive Ford Country Squire stations wagons and I attribute the engine's, V8's, both, 4bbl, longivity to regular oil and filter changes, always with premium oil.
Buying Mobil 1 for my Lexus and my Porsche is no more a "waste of money" than is buying either of these cars to begin with.
We agree on regular oil changes. But I don't (and nor does Lexus) think synthetic oil is needed or beneficial.
Do you drink Evian water too? It's STILL WATER. And more expensive than Mobil-1 by volume, probably. Certainly is more expensive than premium gas.
As to your question - difference between an LS430 and a Ford Taurus - about $35K? Not sure what your point is. Taurus is a V6, LS430 is a more sophisticated V8.
After having just driven a Taurus for 10 days in Florida I'd say the difference is about as wide as the Pacific ocean times its depth. It's not that the Taurus is bad - it's just that it is not measurable in any way, shape or form to the LS430. I think his point was just a car care point that being you need the engine no matter what you drive so be good to it.
My 95 LS400 was bought at my lease end by a friend of mine who's a sales guy. He wanted a long-term reliable car so he took it. He's got a lead foot, no patience whatsoever and puts 40k+ miles per year on a car. No engine problems(or any problems for that matter)to date and he had pushed past 150k miles when I last talked to him about 6 weeks ago. No way does he check any temp gauges or wait any time frame before he's cruising at 70-80+ mph. I'm 10 mins from the Garden State Parkway and am in the left lane within seconds of coming off the ramp. The cars acceleration lets you do whatever you want to. Been that way since 95 but better than ever on the 01 LS430. Never have had a problem with any Lexus or Acura before that and I change the oil at 7500 miles.
greasykid1 - I too looked around and ended up with the Lexus Platinum Warranty. The Lexus Web Page suggests a retail price of $2300 for a 7/100K/0 warranty. I checked WarantyGold, which on paper seemed a better coverage, but the labor rate and the discussions on the Warranty Forum kept me away. I ended up paying $1650. e-mail me if you want the details.
Lexus also believes in 7500 mile oil changes except they also believe EVERYONE is driving it like a Taxi and that reduces the oil change inteval to 5000 miles.
Has it occurred to you that the dealers get a higher margin of profit from using cheap (recycled) bulk purchased oil?
I change my own oil so I figure using the more costly Mobil 1 is more than compensated for by the labor savings. Oh, I always buy the maximum amount of "insurance" I feel that I can afford.
Don't I have some sort of vague memory that Mobil 1 is recommended over all other brands by aircraft engine (recip) manufacturers for some basic but strong fundamental reason?
Bottom line, cars, generically, are really about BASIC transportation. That $35K difference is ALL a waste of money. 6 qts Mobil 1 = $30, vs $5, $25 x 25 (100K miles/4000 miles/interval) $600. $600 "wasted" over the life of any Lexus.
Oh, and Lexus will never change out my transmission fluid nor diff. fluid. If I ever thought they really needed changing I would first "sample" them to a lab to find out what is failing inside these units to contaminate the fluids.
The anti-freeze in my 92, with almost 75K miles, is still colorful (not brown with contaminates)running with the original anti-freeze because the gauge says it's still good to 10 below.
How do you rate the LS430's handling? Given that you have a Porsche you're certainly one of the more qualified opinions on this board as you have a hell of a car to compare it with. The attacks on the car are always its lack of driver feedback and its handling. But I find the handling is excellent given the great ride and that the road feel has been tightened from the old model but without any compromise to ride quality. On the contrary the ride has been made even better however they did it. I would'nt want to trade off any of that great ride, silky smooth engine or ultra-quiet interior for more handling. Let the enthusiasts continue their attacks while we enjoy a phenomenal car.
The LS4X0 is a luxury SEDAN, the very BEST in it's class in the world IMO, and that's why I have bought them and will continue to do. NO, I can't compare the LS with the 2001 911 AWD simply because one is an apple and one is an orange.
But, in hundreds of thousands of miles of driving "sedans", of all classes, I have never had need for the speed and class of handling the 911 has. I will tell you that the 92 LS took myself and three chatty ladies down into the missouri breaks, north of Denton MT, dirt road, no road, etc, behind a 4WD pickup that expected to be towing us at any time. Didn't happen.
The LS air suspension was in "lift" mode, and the Trac system did kick in several times on sideways uphill climbs.
There is one simularity, the 911 seems to drop its nose and hug the road closer above 90MPH and the Lexus air suspension acts much the same way. Both give one a sense of comfort that they will "go" where and when there are directed"
I have little doubt that other cars, maybe more expensive, in this class will perform more like the 911. But I still stand by my position, even if all costs were equal, I would still buy the LS.
I have three primary vehicles in my "stable" at home at the moment, the 911, an 2001 RX300, and a 2000 GS300 (the GS was bought as an interim solution until Lexus can/will supply me with a Black Cherry/Ivory/Maple/air suspension LS430).
The Rx accrues most of the miles when my wife and I are traveling together, the 911 is for fun weekend journeys, and the GS is primarily reserved for company business, picking up and delivering customers and vendors to/from teh airport, etc.
The Lexus LS430 only has six airbags while the Mercedes S Class and Audi A8 both have 8 airbags (an additional 2 rear side airbags). The new BMW 7 is going to have up to 14. Why do you think Lexus chose to only have this many airbags?
PS This is the most terrible message board system I have ever seen.
Probably because Lexus knows that most people buying their cars are quite bright, clever, and also conservative (but not as in republican or religious) drivers, ALWAYS fasten their seatbelts and hardly EVER wreck their precious and beautiful Lexus vehicles.
I suggest that it too be chemically analyzed. A secondary and essential function of engine coolant is corrosion protection. In addition to protection against EROSION of aluminum components in the engine.
After 9 years and 75K miles, the corrosion & erosion inhibitors are almost certainly depleted.
I was involved first hand in a major problem by an auto manufacturer. The aluminum water pump housing, which has engine coolant on one side & engine oil on the other, eroded/corroded within two years. Result was glycol in the engine oil ... huge $$ to repair. Cause was insufficient protection by the coolant. Color & temperature protection were just fine.
When I bought my very first 911, in 84, a 78 SC Targa, I pretty much immediately decided that this was not a car made for "relaxed" cruising. I think I told people at the time that driving it to Portland and back was almost as tiring as flying the 210. It demanded, required, constant attention. Later a non-factory spec front end allignment alleviated some of the steering "dartiness".
We have made the round trip, 1600 miles, to central Montana many times since I bought the first LS in late 91, and the 911 has only made the trip once. The GS has made the trip three times in the last year. I prefer making this type of long drive in more of a relaxed manner than the 911 allows, I like getting to the destination ready to enjoy myself.
This isn't to the detriment of either vehicle, the 911 is an absolute JOY while driving, but the attention it requires soon becomes tiring.
I feel like I still haven't fully answered your question re the 911 handling vs the LS, so just let me say that I have never asked more of the LS than it was willing to give.
I would say that if you are looking for something of a middle-ground, luxury plus handling, I think the GS300, with 17x8 BBS wheels, would fit the bill better than would the LS.
One of the advantages to changing my own oil, I'm experienced enough, unlike the oil change gofers at Lexus, that I would immediatelyu notice water contamination in the oil.
My only experience with replacing failed water pumps is prior to 1990, but I have never seen one where any part was exposed to engine oil.
But you are right about the Lexus all aluminum engine, it would probably be best if I changed out the anti-freeze every two years as a precaution.
What do you recommend I do about our GSHP (gound source heat pump)? We pump (sub-merged pump, iron, aluminum?) water out of the ground, run it through an all-aluminum heat exchanger (more complex than your average radiator and A/C condensor combined) to extract or add heat, and then return the water to the ground at an intermediate level.
Does ground water have fewer corrosive effects than anti-freeze or do you think maybe my GSHP heat exchanger has some corrosion preventing coating on the interior?
Comments
2. Normally, the screen is off, until you press either the Audio or Climate or Map button (or one of the other 3 auxiliary display buttons).
3. If you have a destination programmed and stop the car, then when you restart it the nav will pick up where it left off and resume your guidance. If you got off the freeway to go to the potty, it will guide you back on, choosing the shortest or fastest way to do that (according to your preselected preference).
It's awesome!!
Then, just call up and 'set' the destination (it would be a "previous destination" if you've used another destination since you programmed your trip), & you're set to go. Another advantage of this is it will compute time & mileage for you ... good to know the day before leaving.
I echo rennybosch: "It's awesome!!"
1. When the CD is playing, can you make it so the audio screen stays on?
The 2002 ES has all climate control buttons/functions completely separate from the nav.
Thanks again for your help!
I don't use my nav. very often, maybe once every week or two. But boy, when I do need it, it surely comes through for me every time.
lenscap, for a little futher nav info: on a trip of any type you (or, better, your passenger) can scan ahead for interesting unknown restaurants or other sites near your ultimate destination. My wife does this a lot. You then enter it as a marked point or as a waypoint destination. It will be added to your trip - in other words, you will be guided to the waypoint, where you can stop for lunch/tour/etc. Get back in the car and it picks up with a continued route to your original destination. There are many other great features as well. The voice integration works pretty well in my experience, though it could be expanded and improved. I also think, ultimately, Lexus will make it possible for the car to recognize the presence of a passenger and allow more input while underway. In my opinion, contrary to wwest's apparent view, the nav can be safely used while underway with a little common sense and caution. Safer (again IMO) than attempting to dial a cell phone over several miles, or carrying on a conversation while driving under many conditions. Highly recommended by me, for what that's worth.
Does anyone know if GPS moving map displays are available, manufacturer installed, in the UK, accessable and viewable by the driver?
I am torn...
I could tell you which Lexus Nav system wire to "open" momentarily in order to "input" while underway, but then you might kill an innocent bystander along with yourself and for that I would feel horribly guilty.
As far as the no cell phone while driving - why not ban passengers as well since we (usually) have to talk to them and might get distracted?
Look at your cellphone, there will be a tactile marker, or markers, on the keypad so one can dial without visual reference.
It's not the hands, it's the brain. It's called 'Task Loading'. It's not the dialing or holding, it's the preoccupation with the conversation with someone who, unlike a passenger, is unaware of the immediate situation, and continues to demand your attention.
If and when you go to Longboat Key stay at the resort at Longboat Key. It is right next to the Charthouse restaurant and also goes by the name the Inn at the Beach. There are $10-15mln homes in that area and I believe on its grounds. It's more formal and elegant than the Colony with spectacular Gulf and Bay views. I have the website saved somewhere but it's pretty easy to find if you look up Sarasota on the net. They are also about to open a Ritz Carlton down there so you may want to look into that. It's in Sarasota proper on 41 just off Fruitville road about 1-2 miles before St Armand's Circle. I think I prefer Sarasota/Long Boat Key over every other part of Florida that I've ever been to. Great golfing too but probably in Oct. - not now when it's so hot. It is incredible how great the weather is right on the Gulf and how rainy/thunderstormy it is just inland. We never had any rain believe it or not in the 10 days we were there. Lots of thunder - with the sun shining brightly - from the storms about 3-5 miles east of us but never any rain and hardly even a cloud to block the sun. I never went on a vacation in my life and came back with such a desire to buy property. Don't want a house or condo - just land to build on in 5-10 years.
Beyond common sense...
I have turned off radios in flight because some life-threatening issue demanded more immediate attention, I have also tossed cellphones into the passenger/rear seat for the very same reason.
We all "multi-task" on many occasions, I guess some of us just don't have a priority loop in our task scheduler.
Have you ever noticed, almost all of us "blank out" when performing monotonous tasks. I once had a young student who, on realizing that he could not actually remember driving from point A to point B, for the 100th time, expressed concern about what might have happened if a life threatening situation had occurred when he was "blanked out".
I assured him that his brain would have brought his thought process to the forefront of the situation if need be.
The way we survive the everyday "clutter" of our lives is to constantly prioritize tasks, it's not easy to ignore your young son in the back seat crying because his older (younger?) sister just slam-dunked him, but in fact that's exactly what all of us learn to do, or we don't survive very long in today's complex world.
thanks
We next went onto the S500 and did the same thing. This was the first time I had actually ever used the MB NAV system. How could anyone devise a more awkward and non-intuitive system? They then asked me how I felt about the system. I gave many not so nice opinions about this system.
They then had me sit in a simulator of the next generation S class cockpit with a “new” NAV system. I had to say this new version was worse that the current shipping version. They moved the screen higher on the dashboard (a plus), but then used this large joystick on the center armrest console to control the whole thing. No touch screen. This was the worst design I had ever seen. All of the options were selected by turning the top of the joystick to the appropriate menu and “clicking” the button by pushing down on the joystick top. Although the menus and screen were clear and aesthetically pleasing, there was no way a reasonable driver (or a good one like myself) could ever use this system without killing themselves (or anyone else on the road). They asked me lots of questions about how I liked this system. All I could say was .who in the hell came up with this. The best part was when the simulator crashed. A nice German woman came out from behind the curtain and rebooted the system. It was running on the German version of Windows NT. I jokingly asked if the car would be running on Windows NT, she smiled and said NO. I really hope they trash this idea and go back to the drawing board. I don’t know what Mercedes’ aversion to touch screens is. The joystick idea is just ludicrous.
This just goes to show that MB knows where their competition is. If this “concept cockpit” is anything near to what they will actually release, Lexus has nothing to worry about. All I can say about this long discussion that everyone seems to be having about the merits of the current Lexus NAV system is .the grass is NOT always greener on the other side. This is just my 2 cents.
I think it is crazy, too, because it will require a a complete re-training of where controls are. The shift lever is back up on the steering wheel as a column stalk for forward and reverse, with the forward gears being controlled by a button on the steering wheel. I don't think it is going to go over well.
Interesting quote from today's Detroit Free Press: "A University of Utah study the National Safety Council published last week suggested hands-free devices do not render a cell phone any less distracting than a hand-held model."
The more I look at the new 7 the more it looks like a blown up 5 series with enhanced back edges or whatever those things are on both sides of the trunk. Shouldn't the premium lux model lead rather than follow its' siblings? They seem to have a reverse MB strategy which led with the S and has copied its style to the C and is further duplicating it with the E.
Different subject - the new ES300 looks better and better to me. I didn't like it at all from the initial pix I saw. But Lexus sent me a brief brochure in the mail and in their photos the car looks a lot better than in the pix in the auto pubs. The interior looks very much like the LS430. Looks like another homerun for Lexus.
Since my '96 LS400 extended warranty was only $800.00, I thought the LS430 price was way out of line and did not pursue it further. I'm sure the price he gave me could probably come down through some negotiation.
I would hazard a guess therefore that fewer of us experienced Lexus owners/purchasers are buying the extended warranty thus the price is up becuase there are not enough people at the bottom of the pyramid to share the costs.
But what I am also relatively sure about is that they are all struggling mightily to figure out how to provide input and control of this option without unduly distracting the driver. I think that if they don't find an answer soon the you will begin to see laws being passed to protect us from our own stupidity.
Look at all of the posts we have seen about people wanting to provide DVD capability on the Nav screen. Then think about how very small, relatively, "our" audience must be, and then multiply these posts by that ratio.
SCARY, isn't it?
I have seen a "joystick" control for one of the upscale automotive audio systems, and I must admit that the human engineering aspects of this approach left me cold.
But then it is a "tactile" control that doesn't really require hand/eye coordination, unlike the Lexus system which requires hand/eye coordination, you must "see" and guide your fingertip to the proper icon, for each and every input function.
How easy is it to use the touch screen while driving?
Is this alternate position supposed to be easier?
What you are seeing in the IS300 is something we will all be seeing for some period, we are entering a time of experimentation, with the automobile industry using all of us as tests subjects. Like any experiment of this type, some of us will not survive.
I just sold my MB S500 and it's interesting to note the difference in quality of the interior components between the two cars (even in comparison to my A6 4.2). The interior components around the doors, seats, and center console on the MB were of such poor quality that I had numerous pieces damaged by the dealers service department while having an oil change done!
I think it might be interesting, however, to note how many of the MB owners that think that the quality is ok have charcoal interiors. The dark interior (I had a light one) really masks these quality deficiencies.
The quality of materials in my Audi and my MILs Lexus are far superior.
I imagine, but don't know for sure, that today's e-throttle LS430s have the engine computer programmed to provide reduced, derated, performance until the engine warms up completely.
Without knowing that for sure, I would be careful about appling full thrust until the engine is completely warmed up.
Helpful hint: In wintertime when the climate control is in heating mode the system blower will not run until the engine water jacket temperature reaches 130F. In normal operation you have about another 10 minutes until all components are at normal operating temperature.
Or better yet, determine where the engine water jacket temperature indicator needle "rests" after the engine is fully and completely warmed, mine (92 LS) is just a tad above the second mark, and then try not to apply WOT until it has been in that position for at least 5 minutes.
If you want to avoid abusing your engine I would strongly recommend waiting at least 20 minutes before using wide open throttle. The engine is not up to maximum operation until the oil temp is up to engine temp. !
Waiting 20 minutes before hitting the gas to the floor is a joke. Most of my trips aren't that long!
If you want to fire up and race a cold engine then you are the one that will pay the bills, advising someone else to do the same willy-nilly, while attempting to discredit good advice does nothing but belittle your own creditibility.
Greasykid1...
Up until 99 real Porsches only had oil temperature gauges.
The only indication of engine component temperatures in an LS4xx is the water temperature gauge. Add however many minutes you deem appropriate AFTER it reaches its normal "resting" point, but I still stand by my original advice, don't go WOT until the water jacket temperature is within the normal operating range.
its been 1800 miles so far, and no problems at all to report though. The engine actually seems to have gotten a bit more powerful since i took delivery. My one month service appointment is tomorrow and i will see what the main service technician has to say about it. thanks for advice though, i did not know about the engine having to warm up...isnt the engine ready to go as soon as
you turn the key? most of my trips are under 20 miuntes so i dont have time for it to warm up. the throttle is controlled by the computer, so doesnt the computer automatically not apply full pressure if it feels teh engine might get damaged? like for example, when i do "floor it"
the engine waits for a like a split second before it realizes i want full throttle, which is when the car takes off, and the the computer shifts when it feels necessery going by peddle pressure and such, sounds pretty sophisticated.
anyhow, if any damage were to occur to my engine(hope not) by doing this consistently(sorry, its just really fun)what would happen to it? wouldnt it just decrease the engine life? which is already like a 400,000 miles anyway. it wouldnt blow out any cylinders or anything like that would it?
thanks again
And regarding the I-Drive, the joy-stick alternative to the touch screen does not seem to be the answer. Edmunds' very recently posted road test for the Q-45 says "the Q's climate and radio controls are an ergonomic disaster. With no fewer than 3 dials, 20 buttons, 1 joystick and a computer screen, just dialing up a little cool air or some talk radio requires quality time with the owner's manual. In all fairness, the system is hardly any more arcane than some of its European rivals', such as Mercedes' COMAND system, but that doesn't make it any less of a blemish." The I Drive is supposed to be even more complicated, combining even more of the secondary controls of the car into the arcade game on the dash.
I am an early adopter on most electronics stuff -- don't go anywhere w/o my Blackberry, cell, and laptop -- but this whole adventure strikes me as proof positive of the adage "just because you can doesn't mean you should." IMHO.
And yes, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Lexus engine computer operates the engine in a derated manner until it's warmed up.
But I would take bets that it does RECORD every instance of "cold engine, WOT" for future reference by Lexus in case of a prematurely failed engine.
wwest - my opinion is based on experience, it's not frivolous. Some people are just more cautious than others, perhaps based on their own experiences.
agent - I wouldn't floor right after starting the engine of course. When I start my car I let it run for about 10-15 seconds so the oil has had a chance to circulate at least, then I shift into reverse, and back out the garage. I go up my street slowly to the end (2 tenths) and turn - I usually don't accelerate hard in the first mile or two, but after that, I drive as conditions allow and how I want to.
I'm sure some here of the cautious type SWEAR by synthetic oil also, which is a WASTE OF MONEY. Lexus corporate and two dealers have both told me there's no point in using it. I also have another reason (a relative who was a pioneer in synthetic lubricant research who says it's not worth it either). Of course, if it makes the owner feel better, there's value in that, so each to their own.
I put over 250K miles on two consecutive Ford Country Squire stations wagons and I attribute the engine's, V8's, both, 4bbl, longivity to regular oil and filter changes, always with premium oil.
Buying Mobil 1 for my Lexus and my Porsche is no more a "waste of money" than is buying either of these cars to begin with.
Somehow I knew you'd be using Mobil-1.
LOL
We agree on regular oil changes. But I don't (and nor does Lexus) think synthetic oil is needed or beneficial.
Do you drink Evian water too? It's STILL WATER. And more expensive than Mobil-1 by volume, probably. Certainly is more expensive than premium gas.
As to your question - difference between an LS430 and a Ford Taurus - about $35K? Not sure what your point is. Taurus is a V6, LS430 is a more sophisticated V8.
My 95 LS400 was bought at my lease end by a friend of mine who's a sales guy. He wanted a long-term reliable car so he took it. He's got a lead foot, no patience whatsoever and puts 40k+ miles per year on a car. No engine problems(or any problems for that matter)to date and he had pushed past 150k miles when I last talked to him about 6 weeks ago. No way does he check any temp gauges or wait any time frame before he's cruising at 70-80+ mph. I'm 10 mins from the Garden State Parkway and am in the left lane within seconds of coming off the ramp. The cars acceleration lets you do whatever you want to. Been that way since 95 but better than ever on the 01 LS430. Never have had a problem with any Lexus or Acura before that and I change the oil at 7500 miles.
Has it occurred to you that the dealers get a higher margin of profit from using cheap (recycled) bulk purchased oil?
I change my own oil so I figure using the more costly Mobil 1 is more than compensated for by the labor savings. Oh, I always buy the maximum amount of "insurance" I feel that I can afford.
Don't I have some sort of vague memory that Mobil 1 is recommended over all other brands by aircraft engine (recip) manufacturers for some basic but strong fundamental reason?
Bottom line, cars, generically, are really about BASIC transportation. That $35K difference is ALL a waste of money. 6 qts Mobil 1 = $30, vs $5, $25 x 25 (100K miles/4000 miles/interval) $600. $600 "wasted" over the life of any Lexus.
Oh, and Lexus will never change out my transmission fluid nor diff. fluid. If I ever thought they really needed changing I would first "sample" them to a lab to find out what is failing inside these units to contaminate the fluids.
The anti-freeze in my 92, with almost 75K miles, is still colorful (not brown with contaminates)running with the original anti-freeze because the gauge says it's still good to 10 below.
Evian, generically yes, but only on the road.
But, in hundreds of thousands of miles of driving "sedans", of all classes, I have never had need for the speed and class of handling the 911 has. I will tell you that the 92 LS took myself and three chatty ladies down into the missouri breaks, north of Denton MT, dirt road, no road, etc, behind a 4WD pickup that expected to be towing us at any time. Didn't happen.
The LS air suspension was in "lift" mode, and the Trac system did kick in several times on sideways uphill climbs.
There is one simularity, the 911 seems to drop its nose and hug the road closer above 90MPH and the Lexus air suspension acts much the same way. Both give one a sense of comfort that they will "go" where and when there are directed"
I have little doubt that other cars, maybe more expensive, in this class will perform more like the 911. But I still stand by my position, even if all costs were equal, I would still buy the LS.
I have three primary vehicles in my "stable" at home at the moment, the 911, an 2001 RX300, and a 2000 GS300 (the GS was bought as an interim solution until Lexus can/will supply me with a Black Cherry/Ivory/Maple/air suspension LS430).
The Rx accrues most of the miles when my wife and I are traveling together, the 911 is for fun weekend journeys, and the GS is primarily reserved for company business, picking up and delivering customers and vendors to/from teh airport, etc.
PS This is the most terrible message board system I have ever seen.
I suggest that it too be chemically analyzed. A secondary and essential function of engine coolant is corrosion protection. In addition to protection against EROSION of aluminum components in the engine.
After 9 years and 75K miles, the corrosion & erosion inhibitors are almost certainly depleted.
I was involved first hand in a major problem by an auto manufacturer. The aluminum water pump housing, which has engine coolant on one side & engine oil on the other, eroded/corroded within two years. Result was glycol in the engine oil ... huge $$ to repair. Cause was insufficient protection by the coolant. Color & temperature protection were just fine.
We have made the round trip, 1600 miles, to central Montana many times since I bought the first LS in late 91, and the 911 has only made the trip once. The GS has made the trip three times in the last year. I prefer making this type of long drive in more of a relaxed manner than the 911 allows, I like getting to the destination ready to enjoy myself.
This isn't to the detriment of either vehicle, the 911 is an absolute JOY while driving, but the attention it requires soon becomes tiring.
I feel like I still haven't fully answered your question re the 911 handling vs the LS, so just let me say that I have never asked more of the LS than it was willing to give.
I would say that if you are looking for something of a middle-ground, luxury plus handling, I think the GS300, with 17x8 BBS wheels, would fit the bill better than would the LS.
My only experience with replacing failed water pumps is prior to 1990, but I have never seen one where any part was exposed to engine oil.
But you are right about the Lexus all aluminum engine, it would probably be best if I changed out the anti-freeze every two years as a precaution.
What do you recommend I do about our GSHP (gound source heat pump)? We pump (sub-merged pump, iron, aluminum?) water out of the ground, run it through an all-aluminum heat exchanger (more complex than your average radiator and A/C condensor combined) to extract or add heat, and then return the water to the ground at an intermediate level.
Does ground water have fewer corrosive effects than anti-freeze or do you think maybe my GSHP heat exchanger has some corrosion preventing coating on the interior?