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I knew it would be stirring the next a bit by starting this topic, but seems like a good synthesis of the debate. I do kind of agree that full draining may now not be the best way. Came across the following on a Soarer (this link is interesting to read) But he does suggest a method of testing the 'goodness' of the ATF - which is A quick way to test for worn transmission fluid is to do a "blotter" test. Place one or two drops of ATF from the transmission on a paper towel and wait 30 seconds. If the spot is widely dispersed and red or light brown in color, the fluid is in satisfactory condition. But if the spot does not spread out and is dark in color, the ATF is oxidized and should be changed.

Sublime to ridiculous, replaced my now departed ls400 with a wee beetle softop....seems to be getting around 50 mpg so my wallet is opened much less....but surprising thing....I jumped in, put seat right back....and couldn't reach pedals properly...its VAST behind wheel if not in back....daughter has a mk4 golf tdi, essentially same car but it feels tiny behind wheel...obviously no where near refinement of LS, but what is....I doubt I will buy another big car as nothing will compare....until o can afford a low miles sc430 or ls600 that is.....any how, don't excommunicate me coz I drive a beetle....

The alloys are directional but the tyres aren't. I've had it twice now where the wheel refurb comapany have put them on the wrong side and have had to swap them over. It's just the front and rears that are different sizes. Thanks Andy, I will double check. I have Bridgestone Potenzas. So these are neither directional nor asymmetric, so I can simply swap the wheels round? That's right..running the same tyres on mine and no issues swapping them. As long as you can see the OUTSIDE writing on the sidewall all is good.

For pre-2014 model owners - I have received today TapTurn flasher relay. Posted from Canada, it took 8 days to arrive. Not sure how to upload photos, so excuse lack of them. Fitting was easy and took not more than 5 minutes. Turned off the car, turned on hazard lights and listening to the clicking sound I have found the position of genuine flasher relay. You need to put your head under dash on driver side, look up, it will be on the right side, closer to engine bay, fitted to some white plastic cover (or whatever that is). All you will see from the bottom is the plug and wiring, but the whole relay is vibrating while hazard lights are on. Small flashlight was helpful. Turned off hazards and at first I have removed the plug, then the relay - just pushed it up, and fitted TapTurn in its place so it looks OEM. All is working perfectly as on the above video linked by 200h. What you get with TapTurn is lane flash / comfort indicators (3 up to 6 flashes on tap), additional modes of hazard lights (wig-wag, slow motion or wig-wag in slow motion ), directional park lights and arrival / departure lightning. All those features use indicators and are adjustable. I did not went for strobe pack, do not think using it would be legal. Total cost was abt 57 quid, quite a lot, but for me it was definitely worth it. Hope it is not against rules to post a link to the seller's webpage - http://www.autowindow.com/ and choose TapTurn or directly http://www3.telus.net/s_mcphee/orderTAP.html. All I need now to be 95% happy with the car is dimming rear view mirror - another 40 quid. 5% are electric folding mirrors but due to price - not gonna fit them.

Them Duke boys are in a whole heap a trouble....

Should be doing about 25mpg in real world terms. Lexus petrol engines are pretty much bang on for their fuel economy ratings. There needs to be a change of driving style in the hybrids if economy is the main priority but in the petrol engines, its pretty much get in and go. Some owners have seen up to 35mpg on the motorway however.

Paint job is listed under good points :)

I think it's BRILLIANT .......... what a way to go for what might have otherwise been a scrapper. Malc

Think we should all chip in and buy this........ Then quickly bury it very deep.....

Hello and welcome to the LOC. Surprised at the diagnosis, I would sta.rt with the basic ignition component checks, spark plugs and coil packs

When I took the rad off my MK3 a few years ago the oil cooler located in the bottom of the rad spilled out horrible sludge. Maybe this is why LS 430's are having g/box problems now. Regular partial changes, as has been suggested, letting the old and new dilute with each other may well be the way to go, certainly the easiest.

This subject of ATF oil changes crops up on the forum fairly regularly over the years, and always seems to divide into two camps - the 'dos' and the 'do nots'. On the Mk 4 the service schedule is for a fluid change every second 'B' service, ie at 36.000, 72,000, 108,000 etc. In Lexus speak "Fluid change" means drain what ATF is in the oil pan and replenish - normally about two litres can be drained off this way. This does not constitute a flush of the transmission, of which approximately a further ten litres of ATF will be held in the torque converter, transmission cooler, pumps and associated pipework. My last service at a main Lexus agent was at 108,000 miles back in 2008, and despite being previously assured that all items on the schedule would be carried out, all they actually did was a standard B service without reference to overall mileage or time. When I queried the lack of fluid change, the Service Manager stated that the transmission fluid on the dipstick was a nice colour, and didn't need changing. Quite true, the dipstick oil did present a fairly healthy pink complexion, but as others have noted, this is not necessarily indicative of the true state of affairs. I therefore decided to do a fluid drain and refill myself. The fluid that came out was not pink and healthy when viewed in bulk, and had a distinctly purple/brown colour, with non of the clarity of new Type IV fluid. Proof positive that appearances can be deceptive when viewing the oil condition via the dipstick. Quite by accident, I discovered that after having left my car with its nose up in the air overnight on a set of ramps, a further three litres of ATF could be drained out of the pan, having drained back down from the torgue converter etc. So, five litres of fresh Type IV later, I had a dipstick that really did look "in the pink", and still does. I'm not an advocate of flushing auto boxes unless absolutely necessary - it can sometimes disturb sediment and cause more problems than it cures. I am however an advocate of draining two litres out every 36,000 and replenishing, as per the Lexus schedule. Aisin gearboxes are generally very reliable indeed, but I can't help but feel that the drain and refill has been put in the schedule for a good reason. For those who have horrible brown sludge or the smell of burnt ATF fluid, I see little alternative but to try and replace as much of the fluid as is practical. Regular drains and refills may just have the edge over a full blown flush. The one thing that I would emphasise is the importance of using Toyota's Type IV fluid in the Aisin gearbox - they tend not to like Dexron or other alternatives, no matter what the manufacturer's claims as to meeting the correct specification. Regards, Alan

I have had this saver in 2 previous Lexus LS430's of mine (1 old shape & 1 new) I did notice a difference. Even though there are only 2 fuel lines (1 in & 1 out) and they run parallel with each other, i am struggling on which pipe to install it too. Lexus are not allowed to install these on manufacture due to the possibility of them working themselves loose and falling into moving components whilst engine in motion. I already own this item, so i may as well install it. It can't do any harm, even if it doesn't do any good!