Asif

I was hoping for a step by step guide. But at £300 for both sides I think that's a bargain 

How much would it cost for fitting 

Hi Guys and Girls, 2nd post, and need some help.

Got a 2002 SC 430, had it since July, and im over the moon with it.

I 'aquired' an ipod kit to fit in the car, genuine Lexus, but its for the later model, and it seems that the plug that I need to plug this ipod kit into, is bigger that the one on the ipod kit, this is apparently because the plugs on earlier cars are bigger.

My question, does anyone know if a converter lead is available?, and where would I be able to get one?

Many thanks

Alittle late but for all those out there, thechameleongroup, on eBay.

Update-

I learned from another site what to do next.

6- This step was the most difficult so far, and i was very worried that i was breaking the car. You have to remove the AC control that is above the radio. This piece includes the leather strip inbetween the AC control and the Nav. That whole piece is held in by pressure clips. There are no screws, or bolts. Essentially i just wiggled and pulled it out. After a lot of fighting it popped out.

When i did this the wood panel that covers the radio was in its "up/retracted" postion. I did not realize that the AC unit is directly on top of that piece. Luckily in all my wiggling and pulling and fighting with the AC unit i never applied enough pressure for it to scratch the wood panel. You may want to try removing the AC unit while that panel is in its "Down/Deployed" position to avoid the possibility of scratching such a prominent piece of wood. I didn't do it that way, so i can't vouch for it.

7- Now i see 2 more bolts that clearly hold the radio in place. I haven't removed them yet, as i need a socket wrench with a longer extension to reach them. I will update when i get at them!

Wish me luck.

Hi, could you let me know which website had the instructions. I have been attempting the removal but have only managed to release the lower two bolts. The

ac unit has two small screws facing down towards the chassis you did not mention there removal. Is this unneccessary. Asif

Hi

Got my SC in may this year and see beween 23 and 26 miles per gallonwith the standard set up.

Regards

Chaz

Hi Chaz,

I have changed one of the oxygen sensors, highlighted by the engine light, yet still only manage between 16-19 mpg. As I mentioned before the mileage is in the rush hour, 3 miles to work and back. This gives 230-240 miles per tank. However in the first week of June I drove to Manchester and Hull giving me a range of 390 before the low fuel indicator came on. Even then I just managed to squeeze 63 litres in compared to the usual 68-70 litres. Proof again that this is a motorway cruiser.

Asif.

Gave the car a good clean about 10 hours worth

That has to be the best SC430 I have seen. Some US models just go over the top. Maybe cream leather may add to it, and possibly black calipers to reach absolute perfection. No way could I pull up next to yours. Top car mate.

Jealous as ought, Asif :

So took a load of pictures :)

With the amount of money it cost to do that conversion. After watching the end result I think everyone would agree it was a waste :(

Hi All, I think the chassis and suspension are not designed for that kind of power. The model to go for would surely be the ISF. Suppose you might stick on a couple of nitrous.

Terry we have beat that by turning the blood* thing off.

Better holiday hehe.

But have you fitted them as they need to be correct format each wheel has a seperate part number.

Ian

Oh yes ,i've had them fitted,and are working fine.the sensors all send out a reading ,and the car finds that reading.In your hand book states were your reset,and program are,the rest is a walk in the park.One of my m8', used the old sensor ,took them off and fitted them to his new wheel,and had no problems.his sensor were on his car for 3 years, and came off easy.hope u win with yours B) I've check the sensor and they all have the same part numbers.by turning your sensors off,u might lose your pre-crash,EBD systems , which all work on the same system,before turning your system off, find out more from dealer. :o

Hi Terry,

Any chance of showing a step by step on resetting the sensors. Oh and where to buy them.

Thanks, Asif

Hi Asif,I bought my sensor at a Lexus main dealer in the states,the sensor are the same as used by all the toyota and lexus models that have the system fitted which are the SE-L.The step by step reset is ,hold reset button until CHECH SYSTEM comes on,wait for system check then select 1 or 2 .and thats job done.make sure the car is NOTdriven before doing this.Hope this helps B)

Thanks Terry, I hope its as easy as that. Is the reset button in the glove box or the one on the dash?

Terry we have beat that by turning the blood* thing off.

Better holiday hehe.

But have you fitted them as they need to be correct format each wheel has a seperate part number.

Ian

Oh yes ,i've had them fitted,and are working fine.the sensors all send out a reading ,and the car finds that reading.In your hand book states were your reset,and program are,the rest is a walk in the park.One of my m8', used the old sensor ,took them off and fitted them to his new wheel,and had no problems.his sensor were on his car for 3 years, and came off easy.hope u win with yours B) I've check the sensor and they all have the same part numbers.by turning your sensors off,u might lose your pre-crash,EBD systems , which all work on the same system,before turning your system off, find out more from dealer. :o

Hi Terry,

Any chance of showing a step by step on resetting the sensors. Oh and where to buy them.

Thanks, Asif

Ian - Hope you have more luck than me, I have got to replace all 4 of my sensors on my SC430 and I have had to go thru Lexus at a cost of £738. I have tried all over to get cheap sensors and nobody seems to stock them. If you manage to get some let me know, it's worth keeping note. I was hoping there was a way of turning the warning sensor off, that would have been the better option, but I have been told it can't be done. Good luck - Julie

Julie i have helped many people turn off the sensors on their SC430, but Lexus wont help as they are classed as safety feature.

Drop me your email and i can give you information with direction on how to do this.

IAN

Hi Ian,

Could you pass on how to deactivate the tyre pressure sensors, as no other tyre/wheel choice can be made.

Many thanks, ASif

email: sfmotors@hotmail.co.uk

kev, i'm from teeside too. is kev 230k your plate? i'll look out for you, where abouts? i live in billingham.

asif, how did you get better mpg out of your LS400's?

Hi Mat,

Two of the ls400s were petrol only and I found 3000 mile oil changes effected the ease of starting and helped on consumption. The third ls400 had a gas conversion costing £1280. Unfortunately I ignored the rule of running the engine on petrol every third tank. Resulting in shattered valves, ouch! 25-27 mpg was the average around town even when they reached 200000.

I'll have to wait and see how I can improve on the SC.

Hi guys i use mine on a road and get 23 per gallon.

This increase when i use motorways or on long runs.

Asif have you bought your car yet?

Ian

Hi Ian,

I bought my car at the end February, from a car dealer in Stockport, " Dace motor co." Quite a few niggles. Electric aerial, interior lights, tyre pressure warning light, damaged rear tail pipe, swimming pool in the boot, cam-belt due, parking sensors. All of which have been successfully corrected, apart from the reverse parking sensors. Oh the Battery failed twice, maybe due to being parked up at the garage for a long period. "Battery aid" tablets may have hopefully remedied this. At the moment most of the mileage is in the rush hour in Leeds, hence 16-17 mpg. Although the initial drive from Manchester to Leeds showed 37 mpg. The mileage showing was 111622, the previous service showing 91000. Unfortunately showing the neglect of the vehicle. Having owned two LS 400s I may be able to revive the V8 to better mpg.

Thanks, Asif

I have recently purchased a 03 (UK car) SC430. The previous owner added a set of custom exhausts, and although they look really good and sound excellent my fuel consumption is down to 15-16mpg max. It seems I am putting £70-£80 a week in petrol in the car. I am tempted to go back to the Lexus exhaust but dont want to rely on brochure figures of fuel economy. I would be very pleased to here what the fuel consumption is like for SC430 owner with the standard exhausts. So please dont hesitate to add your comment

Intown fuel consumption is around that figure. For a very slight improvement use higher octane fuel and regular use of injector cleaners. To achieve around 20 mpg.

I've spent too many Saturdays driving around looking at Mercs, Lexus's, Mazdas and Maseratti's and have made the emotional commitment to get the SC for me and my wife. Black w Black interior seems a good combo,, but have only found 1. I put a deposit down to get it to my area and eagerly await to check it out

It's got 60,000 on the clock a 52 reg and going for around £25K... which although maybe a grand or two more than I could spend; a bargain for a luxury auto and big step up for us.

Should I be worried about the mileage... other than the fact that in 40,000 miles the car will be looking pretty grim on the typically "low mileage" second-hand luxury car market??

My other option:

One over-informative sales guy let on that quite a few come on the market in January, Feb... Is this typically true? should I wait or just dive in and be happy with the awesome car that I get???

Anything I should look-out for with an SC430 at 60Kmiles?? I'm getting it through a dealership.

Insist on the cambelt being changed. This is the most expensive service, sometimes upto £1500. If this item fails you lose the engine. This is the only problem you can have with a lexus.

Many Thanks for the help and advice.

I looked at an SC today.. forced habit: pulled the dipstick out to check the oil. The oil was brand new and up to the mark. My impression at the time was that the area within the measurable area was a little darkened.

Is this normal on these cars?

From previous experience of all the cars I've had in my life, this means that Oil got old, burned and eventually stained the metal.

any thoughts?

The best way to keep the car in peak condition is change the oil and filter every 3000 miles. After your third change the oil will be virtually clear and the most marked difference will be effortless starting.

Hi

Need a new battery, whats the best ????

and is there a specific part number ???

Cheers

The best replacement Battery is from bosch. Shop around for the price about £80 is the average.

Servicing is only expensive from the dealers. If you can find a reliable local garage you could save a fortune, even when using genuine parts, stongly reccomended. I now have 112000 miles on a 2001 model. The only problem being the after market reversing sensors. Also anyone know which motorola phone fits this model.

You will find higher octane burns cleaner being more refined therefore assisting in prolonged oxygen sensor life.

Ive been using 99 octane fuel instead of the standard 95 octane fuel and am convinced that acceleration is improved.

I know on my 350Z that 99 over 95 (or even 98) is better as the ignition timing is advanced as long as no knock is detected. Does this happen also with the SC?

Interestingly the manual states you can temporarily go as low as 91 octane.

Anyone done any 0-60 or 0-100 with both fuels?

Cheers

Paul

Ive been using 99 octane fuel instead of the standard 95 octane fuel and am convinced that acceleration is improved.

I know on my 350Z that 99 over 95 (or even 98) is better as the ignition timing is advanced as long as no knock is detected. Does this happen also with the SC?

Interestingly the manual states you can temporarily go as low as 91 octane.

Anyone done any 0-60 or 0-100 with both fuels?

Cheers

Paul