Lexus LS 400/LS 430

8465 messages,  Last post on Jun 13, 2013 at 12:06 PM

You are in the Lexus LS 400/LS 430 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus LS 400, Lexus LS 430, Sedan

#6645 of 8465 Re: 2004 LS 430 Help [drpartagas] by garyh1

Dec 05, 2004 (11:31 pm)

Replying to: drpartagas (Dec 05, 2004 10:31 pm)
FYI, check the Lexus LS: Prices Paid forum. You'll see several people providing info on 10% or more off deals. About a month ago, I did a cash purchase on a '05 for 10.76% off MSRP from Lexus of Rockville (Maryland); not too far from you. If you would like the contact info for my salesman (who was very easy to work with), you can email me (my address is in my profile).

#6646 of 8465 Re: Congrats!!! [rgsw] by mfpr

Dec 06, 2004 (8:13 am)

Replying to: rgsw (Dec 05, 2004 10:55 pm)
When I first took delivery of my '04 LS, I had the same problem with the steering wheel lock and brought it to the attention of my service advisor. His recommendation was to remove my hands from the steering wheel before turning the ignition off or on. That seems to have solved the problem. The steering interlock must be pretty sensitive and just a little motion or turning of the wheel with the ignition off, can set the lock. See if this procedure works for you.
 
Mike

#6647 of 8465 Re: It has finally happened. [gteach26] by rennybosch

Dec 06, 2004 (4:32 pm)

Replying to: gteach26 (Dec 01, 2004 10:47 am)
gteach26, here's another fun feature waiting for you. When you have a destination set in the Nav system, push Map View, and then Preview Route. It's awesome!

#6648 of 8465 Navigation, etc..... by gteach26

Dec 06, 2004 (6:27 pm)

I'll be sure to give that a try. I have a zillion questions on the nav, but I'm pretty good at taming techno gadgets so I should be okay in a few weeks.
 
I'm sure I'll stumble across this answer in the nav manual but, is there a QUICK and EASY way to register my current location into nav address book? For example, let's say I stumble upon a great out-of-the-way restaurant and I'm not sure of the address but I want to "save it" to the system so that I can find the restaurant in the future. Is there a "save current location" button somewhere in the system?
 
Also, I just finished reading that Lexus does NOT recommend installing tints on the windows if you have a navigation system. It states that the metallic content of some tints may cause interference. HUH?! I thought the antenna for the nav was on the roof. Any one out there with dark tints having GPS reception issues?
 
Meanwhile.. I'm still being a silly little kid with this car. Thanks to the "anonymity" of the internet I have no problem admitting here that today I found myself just sitting in the car just looking at the interior. The fit, the finish, the birds eye maple trim, the chrome "L" on the steering wheel, the way that darn cup holder just silently swooshes out of the center console. The feel of that center armrest leather on my elbow, the SMELL of the leather....Man oh man, what a vehicle!
 
Yes, I am a grown-up with a family folks. Now I know why my wife calls me a "big baby" more often thatn not!!! )))

#6649 of 8465 Flatlander by sv7887

Dec 06, 2004 (6:35 pm)

Flatlander,
  Honestly nothing really substantial breaks on these cars. I've told the story of my near bulletproof 1992 LS400 many times on this forum so I'll spare the rest of the forum from hearing it yet again..I had a 1998 LS so here is what I do know:
 
The 95-97 from a powertrain perspective was more or less the same as the 90-94. It was only in 1998 that they went with the new engine and five speed automatic. I've never heard of a powertrain issue on these cars...The A/C does tend to go out around 150-200K..
 
A few issues though:
Radio display frequently fade. Your LS 430 likely has the touch screen so this isn't a problem.
 
Gauge backlighting tends to wear out.(Say around 11-12 yrs old) Costly to replace at over $1,000...But you can get them repaired for $200-300
 
Power Steering pumps leaked on the old models simultaneously taking out the alternator if neglected..Costly repair but can be avoided by frequent changes of the P/S fluid...The Lexus people (at least my S/C) liked to claim it was a lifetime fluid...Lifetime of the warranty perhaps!!!

#6650 of 8465 LS maintainance - flatlander by oac

Dec 06, 2004 (7:01 pm)

Here is a guide based on my ownership experience on my 1999 LS400 with 95K miles:
 
Service history/cost:
30K service ~$200
60K service ~$600
90K service ~$1,300
Regular oil changes 5K intervals ~$60
 
Repairs:
New Tires 60K miles = ~$600 (Michelin MXV4)
New front brakes 75K miles ~$300
 
Current needs:
New Tires ($650 estimated - Bridgestone Turanzas)
New rear brakes ($315 dealer quote)
 
Miscellaneous expense:
Nav upgrade from 1998 release to Sep 2003 release ~$280 dealer-installed (HD-based)
 
Everything works perfectly. The car remains rock solid, no rattles, no shakes, just purrrfect.... By far the most reliable car I have ever owned. I am solidly a Lexus-ophile , hence I am looking forward to the 2006/2007 release to retire this for the new one. Decided I won't trade out the '99, simply pass it on to my teenage daughter in a couple of years from now.

#6651 of 8465 Re: Navigation, etc..... [gteach26] by garyh1

Dec 06, 2004 (9:54 pm)

Replying to: gteach26 (Dec 06, 2004 6:27 pm)
Javier, I've had mine for 5 weeks now and I know exactly how you feel. It is just a lovely piece of technology. I'm still doing things for the first time virtually every day; today, I used the B trip meter to measure the length of my commute to my office (for insurance co. purposes), while keeping the A trip meter recording my mileage since the last fill-up. (And yes, I know that the multi-display also has a setting that keeps track of mileage since the last fill-up, but so far I like to keep that display generally set to show the miles remaining until empty.)
 
Just remember to concentrate on driving and don't get too distracted by all the fun goodies!
 
Regarding your specific question, there is a button on the NAV map that is called "Mark"-- that puts a memory point wherever your cursor is. But in all likelihood you'll find even the out-of-the-way restaurant already in the system as a Point of Interest (POI). A few things you might want to do right away: 1) Be sure to save your Home (and Office) as destinations; 2) set the NAV to show the 5 types of POI that are of most interest to you; 3) If you would like to see the Audio or A/C screen for a while without it automatically going back to the NAV map after a few seconds (this drove me crazy while I was setting up the radio), you can change the default setting by pressing Option/Information/Screen Setting/Auto Transition to Off.
 
One thing I noticed: if you live on a residential street with house numbers that don't go linearly from 1 to 99 (assuming the next block starts at 100), if you try to set Home by inputting the actual address, it will be off the mark. The best way to set this is to stop in front of your driveway and "Mark" the location as "Home"-- the address number it assigns will be wrong, but at least the system will know that you are home when you actually are!
 
Regarding window tints, see messages #6512 and #6513, etc. Apparently, you need to make sure the rear window doesn't get a metallic-based tint.
 
Have fun!

#6652 of 8465 by hpowders

Dec 07, 2004 (9:57 am)

Just came off I75 near Tampa in my BMW. Was passed by a new white LS430 doing at least 95mph. Looked like fun. Decided not to compete.

#6653 of 8465 Re: [jbianco12] by ckennedy

Dec 07, 2004 (11:30 am)

Replying to: jbianco12 (Nov 17, 2004 11:46 am)
Do the bottles come with directions? I am leary of touching the seats. In the manual it says to use a 5% dilluted detergent. Did the cleaner take out any stains are is it used mainly for prevention?

#6654 of 8465 Re: Navigation, etc..... [gteach26] by rennybosch

Dec 07, 2004 (11:36 am)

Replying to: gteach26 (Dec 06, 2004 6:27 pm)
Re. location of the Nav antenna: Apparently it is not the one on the roof. Nobody seems to know what that one is for. It has been speculated that it used to be for the Lexus Link system, and has been retained for some possible future feature.
 
Somewhere in the manual I think I saw a statement that the Nav antenna is under the front dash board. That did seem strange since the roof would block reception from any satellites behind you. Or is the roof non-metallic??? So keep reading the manual and if you find something let the rest of us know too.
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