tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

I did a search and nothin really came up.... I inherited this car and all i do is oil changes and balance/rotate tires every 3,000 miles.... I'm thinking of doing spark plugs my self and maybe O2 sensors? The car seems to be running fine its just i want to keep the maintance up.... I've been debating on selling the car so i want everything to be in tip top shape this is really a great car.... I've been thinking of selling it to get a older SC? Anything i could do myself would be great... Thanks

Tony

koolaidman

65 k is basily oil change rotate.

heres what u should of done by now.

coolant flush
trans drain and fill

are the majors at 60k and 30 k

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

Thanks for the reply..I was thinking that about the tranny fluid because i checked it a few weeks ago and it looked dark instead of that strawberry color..... Well thank i think thats going to be next

lexusk8

For your '97 ES, I'm pretty sure you fill it with ATF Type T-IV Toyota transmission fluid only. Refer to your owner's manual if you have one. The fluid capacity is about 4 quarts. You can get the tranny fluid job done at a Toyota dealership, instead of Lexus

lexsterES

Thinking of selling a 97 with low miles to get an older sc? I don't get it. Why sell a car that you said is in good condition and get an older car?? Is it burgundy? If it is then I would understand LOL J/k.

Anyways, I wouldn't change the spark plugs myself, it's too much of a hassle with the v6 and all. (Cramped spacing)

1993ES300x

dud.. changing the spark plug isn't hard.. if you done it before.. but be really really careful when doing the rear plugs.. don't pull on the wires . once that wire breaks. and you can't get the boot out with a plier.. then you're have to take off the whole Head MAF.. and that would be a pain in the ***..

hint.. turn and pull...

bumfighter

i paid 950 for my 60,000 maintaince.....included timing belt and water pump

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

The total capacity is only 4 qts? ..... That doesn't seem like alot.... If its only four qts. can i do this myself? Or should i have toyota do it...It sounds almost like an oil change lol... Anyway this is first on my list to get done whearther i do or toyota does it

Tony

lexusk8

You're absolutely right; changing your ATF is like doing your oil change. Obviously the drain plug is different than the one for the oil pan, but still same main concept. If you're willing to do it yourself, here's a DIY write-up for the ATF change (http://lexusmodz.netfirms.com/GS_DIY...il/index1.html). I know that's for the GS, but it should be the same for all Lexus models

The owner's manual for my '01 ES states that the capacity of the ATF is 3.7 qts, so that's just around 4 qts as I mentioned. I imagine if you do the drain & refill at Toyota, the price should be less than $100 for parts & labor.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

thanks for the reply i think I'll be able to do this myself.... I'll go to toyota this week and pick up the fluid DO we have a filter in the pan? My car has 65,800 miles on it.. In your opinion what should i do? Just do it myself and Save a bunch of $$$$$$$$$$

Tony

lexusk8

IMO I would leave the filter alone. It's not like the oil filter where you'd have to change it at every oil change. But then again, you don't want to leave the tranny filter (as well as the gasket) in there for the lifetime of the car. I'd say at the mileage you're currently at, wait until the 90K to consider replacing the tranny filter and gasket. Just go ahead and do a drain and fill of the tranny fluid, and should see an improvement in the shifting of the transmission. Good luck

1993ES300x

65K service = new car..

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

new car = lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Pheonix

There are several things you need to do.

First off, on the transmission fluid.
Don't drain and re-fill it. That only changes 30% (give or take a little) of the fluid in the system. Flush the transmission fluid, it's defiantly time. You also want to change the transmission filter.

I would ask for the filter to be changed, simply because most places won't touch the transmission filter. Even worse, if you're not WATCHING them work, most mehcanics (Lexus, Toyota, or indy) will NOT actually flush the transmission fluid when asked.



Here is pretty much how you flush transmission fluid.


It's time to change at least some of the power steering fluid. It calls for any Dexron III compatible ATF fluid.
Great directions can be found, provided by Ken, Here
You can also just take a turkey baster and start sucking the fluid out of the reservoir, but like changing the transmission fluid, most of the fluid is not contained in the reservoir.


You also will want to drain and refill the differential. It's nothing imperative, most cars never get the differential fluid changed, but it is time to do so. It holds 1.7quarts, but normally only drains out a quart. Have two, just in case.



At 60K it's time for new sparkplugs.

As always, I suggest taking the entire upper intake air chamber off and cleaning it. That includes the always a problem idle valve, egr valve and throttlebody. No better time to take it off, than when you're changing plugs!


Time to change the fuel filter, but fuel filters on most modern Japanese cars have fallen into the "not normally a problem anymore" area. Do it if you feel like it.



To me, anyone here that is planning on keeping the car, you need to go anywhere and buy three-four feet of transmission/oil hose, and find a stacked plate transmission cooler (Be it ebay, or a junkyard for $10-20). Install that as an auxiliary transmission cooler.

You might as well buy a few more feet, and install an auxiliary transmission oil filter as well! A good write=up is done by SK here