What is the process for flushing the brake fluid for a 2007 or any other year from the Lexus Service Manual for our cars? I have read what I believe is the correct process on various threads but would prefer to read the service manual directly.
View 1 Replies2002 Merc Mountaineer, 135K miles: I've been taking my car to the local town tire shop for years for my regularly scheduled maintenace. Just the usual oil changes, tire rotations, etc. If they saw some minor adjustments needed, they would just take care of it. About 2 years ago, when the economy tanked, they started hitting you with "The Form" - a checklist of all the recommendations needed for your car. For the past 3 oil changes, they said your brake fluid is black and needs to be flushed. Never heard of this so I always declined. Last week I dropped the car off for an oil change and planned to pick it up later that afternoon. I got the call about 2 hours later, and you know when you get a call before you expect, they always have found something wrong. This time it was "the brake fluid is really, really black" and needs to be flushed. I caved in and said OK do it and it was one of those XX.99 prices. Is this a needed maintenance or did I get flushed?
View 19 RepliesCar has 125,000 miles. Not sure if the brake fluid has ever been flushed, despite brake jobs in the past 5 years. I do not have the manual so not sure if it even addresses frequency of flushing the brake lines. None of the invoices mention it. Last checkup in Aprl recommends flushing brakes.
Lots of posts on Cartalk about flushing in general, but not anything for my Mazda 1996 Protege.
I have been negligent regarding the timeliness of replacing my transmission fluid on my 2007 Honda CRV. Have 70K miles without changing and was told by the dealership that it should be drained and refilled because it was no longer pinkish in color and was brown. I asked about flushing and they said something about the pressure may damage the "celenoids?" and cause the transmission to not shift smoothly. I asked 2 different mechanics at local gas stations and they each said to flush it (although one said that if the fluid was black he wouldn't advise flushing and just replace, and the other said that if over 100K, that flushing could cause the transmission not to shift smoothly).
The dealership wanted 120 to drain and replace, the gas station mechanics want approx 240 to flush.
Is there a write up on how to change the brake fluid or is it the typical pump, hold, then open and close the valve on the caliper from farthest to closest? Also, is it ok to use dot4 super blue fluid and do we have a vendor that sells SS Brake lines?
View 11 RepliesThe leak appears to originate somewhere around the master cylinder but I cannot locate the exact spot.
I noticed the problem when I started the car and it began to generate white smoke in the drivers side. I also knew it was not oil or ATF because brake fluid smells different. I pulled the cover by the master cylinder (MC) and could see an area that was wet under the MC.
I may have a reservoir leak but I cannot pinpoint at this time. Photos will be provided later if I can take some that show the issue.. I do know they are expensive and I do know that Toyota and Lexus recalled several models for a leaky reservoir.
I have to keep topping my brake fluid up every 4 weeks, why I have to do this?
View 13 RepliesJust fired up my 2002 SC430 (115k miles) for the first time this year, so it's stood for over six months. Connected fresh battery, checked all fluid levels etc. Runs fine and purrs like a kitty BUT I'm getting a loud intermittent squeal (like you might get with a sticky pump or a slipping belt). Almost like a loud "meow" in duration & tone. So loud it can be heard from 20' away. Sometimes once per minute or two, sometime several times in a row then silence for a few minutes.
This is from the area where the Brake Fluid Reservoir is (on Right Hand Drive SC430 this is right by the Windscreen on the left hand side of the engine bay as you look at it from the front of the car (may be reversed on Left Hand drive models). Directly in front of the Steering Wheel.
(ABS) check light is on. Also "VSC" & "VSC off" check lights on (probably related to ABS being in check and VSC button does nothing to clear those lights). Also getting the buzzer alarm from the dash. Pumping the brake pedal and driving the car forward/back 10' several times on the driveway doesn't clear this.
Now, this may be that the Brake Pads have bound to the Discs (Rotors to you left-pondians). I may need to pop the wheels off and free up the Pads in that case.
Raised car on jack stands. Totally level. Opened up the check cap, the one with the allen key.
5.5 cups of black fluid came out (car only has 25K miles on it).
After it finished draining from the check plug, I opened the drain plug. 4.5 cups came out.
Total of 10 cups. So it appears the trans had a little more than .5 qts too much. The shocker though is that the check plug let more than half of that drain out, so it appears tube inside the pan is defective and I'm going to have to make sure to put just the specified amount of fluid back in and hope for the best.
I'm wondering if I should just put back exactly the amount that came out which would be 2.5 qts rather than the specified 1.9 qts.
I am wanting to change my rear brake pads and . Looking for step by step instructions or photos.
View 1 RepliesWhile searching here for information on changing the brake fluid, I came across a thread that stated: You need a Lexus scan tool to bleed the brakes properly. I've bled brakes and other cars without having a scan tool. I've never bled the brakes on my 09 ES350.
View 4 RepliesI have noticed a few drops of red liquid on the driveway lately, presumably transmission fluid leaking. Where the leak typically starts, if there is a "typical" leak. Is it generally an expensive fix?
View 2 RepliesHave noticed some pink fluid seeping around top of radiator, which has created a bit of a mess in the engine bay. Is this indicative of a radiator leak? I don't see any visible cracks, however not much of the radiator is viewable. If replacement is necessary, what OEM alternates are recommended? car is running fine and not overheating. It's an '02 sc430 with 171K miles.
View 14 RepliesThe low wiper fluid warning light on my 2004 SC 430 will not go out. The fluid ran out after I was adjusting the spray to properly hit the windshield. After I refilled the fluid reservoir the warning light would not go out. Any way, besides "remove the bulb?"
View 7 RepliesJust got my second sc, after I crashed my first one and the little button that releases the wiper fluid to clean the windshield is gone, how I can find such a small part? Does the sc300/400 use the same wiper lever/arm as ours?
View 5 RepliesOne of many issues I need to fix - headlight washer fluid cover seems to be stuck open. i applied moderate force to push it back in, but it did not move, and i do not want to risk breaking it.
I'm thinking some wiring isn't right, maybe connectors never got reconnected.. the auto adjusting headlights don't work either, and the washer fluid line from the firewall that runs to the washer fluid tank was hastily crimped on due to the plastic hose fitting being most likely broken off or lost. Does the bumper need to come off to mess with it? guessing yes.
My car is in the shop and has a leak at the Power Steering Pump. The rubber O-ring on the Power Steering Pump Solenoid Valve (p/n 4417030120) is leaking fluid. The Solenoid Valve is ok, just the Rubber O-ring is bad, but it looks like you have to buy a complete new Solenoid Valve to get the O-ring (a lotta bucks).
I did find a Lexus Power Steering Pump rebuild kit online at, but I can't see if it includes the solenoid valve o-ring or not. Have to replace their solenoid valve o-ring?
My brake light and ABS lights appeared today on my '02 SC430. What this might mean and the solution?
View 4 Replies2002 SC430, 150,950 miles.
Had new front brake pads, re-surfaced rotors, new windshield fluid level sensor installed, 4 x wheels balanced and rotated on 8/11 at Lexus Dealer. Picked it up 8/13, drove 30 miles and it sat 8/14-8/16. Drove to work on 8/17, and on the 18 mile freeway trip home yesterday, the Brake and ABS dash lights came on as I was making a gradual left turn with damp roads.
Thought nothing of it initially, thought my knee had hit the e-brake as mine is very touchy and as long as you pull the release, the light goes away. Not this time. The Brake and ABS lights were on for 4 minutes, then eventually the VSC and VSC OFF dash lights also came on. Steering became difficult, checked brake fluid (ok), checked power steering fluid (ok). No leaks underneath, all fluid levels were just checked on 8/11 and were fine/topped off.
Parked it, set up an appointment and just dropped it off this AM. I've read brake booster, speed sensor, alternator, skid control unit .
I am hoping it's just the alternator, which makes sense with the difficult steering and the lights going on one by one. If the alternator isn't outputting enough volts, those lights will trip. I've had all O2 sensors recently replaced, other standard preventative maintenance done (timing belt, thermo, etc). I'm just hoping it's something manageable and not something that makes me wonder if the repair is worth it (vs the value of the car)...
There are no CEL lights, just the above (no codes to my knowledge).
My issue is that when I tap on the brake light it doesn't come on. I need to press on it hard for the light to come on. How exactly do you adjust the brake light switch sensitivity?
View 1 RepliesWhen I press on the brakes the brake lights up in the cluster?
View 3 Replies