Best products from r/Lexus

There are a few videos of this, but I'll summarize the steps:

1. Park on flat ground with the parking brake on
   
   
2. Put shifter in Neutral
   
   
3. Remove the piece that goes around the shifter. The joint for it is visible near where your leg would be. Grab both sides and pull up. Disconnect the wires attached to it and set it aside.
   
   
4. Remove climate control module. There are 5 double sided metal clips - 2 on the bottom and 3 on top. Push the unit toward you, the clips will pop out. This took a surprising amount of force, so don't be too alarmed.
   
   
5. Remove radio. There are 4 10 mm bolts - 2 on the bottom facing you and 2 more at a 45 degree angle. The easiest way to reach these is with a 10 mm socket (preferably the deep type) and a driver handle like this If you use a standard ratchet, then you'll need a 6" extender. I found the handle and the socket alone to be an easier way to go because of the space.
   
   
6. Plug AUX jack into the empty slot on the radio. Test it now to make sure it all works. The one I linked will use an input called "CD 1". If you press the "CD" button, this will be the default input if you have a device plugged into the jack.
   
   
7. Reverse process for radio and climate control module removal. The converter "brick" can be placed inside the area below the shifter and taped in place. There's a flat area to put it. I used foil tape (actual duct tape) because it's strong. Adhesive Velcro would also work.
   
   
8. Route the cable as needed. I passed it through the gap between the pop-out 12V (lighter) plug and the climate control module. If you do that, you will not be able to close that. However, I charge my phone from there, so it's a non-issue.
   
   
9. Replace the panel around the shifter and put the vehicle in park or another preferred gear.
   
   
   This is a pretty easy thing to do. I'm not a car guy (I'm learning) and I was able to do it. The tools required are pretty minimal. I would suggest a headlamp so you can see easily in there.
   
   Here's what mine looked like before I took the radio out to plug the cable in. The phone holder I have fits in the CD slot. I also use a USB plug with a 6" cable to charge my phone and that woks well. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask. The time it takes to install this is so worth it.
   
   This is a video of what you need to do. I didn't use this exact kit (the one I linked previously was cheaper).

Always start with the wheels/tires first. I like to use Mother's Wheel and Tire Cleaner. Let it soak for 30 seconds then use a dedicated wheel and tire brush and scrub the wheel and then the sidewall of the tire in that order. Once I do all 4 wheels I move onto the paint and rest of the car. I thoroughly spray down the car with water to remove any loose surface dirt. I use an eyeballed and definitely generous mix of Meguiar's Gold Class Wash in a large bucket along with a microfiber wash mitt. I like to do the car a quarter section at a time (top to bottom) and then rinse. Periodically re wetting the entire car throughout the process if one side starts to get dry to prevent water spots. Once the car is bathed I dry using a freshly laundered large 100% cotton bath towel and get it to about 90 percent dry. After that I go over the entire paintwork with Griot's Speed Shine and a clean microfiber to get it looking perfect. Then I proceed to clean the glass with another fresh microfiber towel and window cleaner. Finally ending my process by touching up any water spots on the wheels and then by applying tire dressing with a dedicated dressing sponge (put tire dressing of your choice on sponge first and then apply to each tire to avoid sling and getting dressing on wheels). Crack open a cold one and call it a day. You'll notice that I didn't mention a 2 bucket method and that's because I bought my car used and the paint is nowhere near perfect. I try to wash at least once a week so that the paint never gets dirty enough to warrant a 2 bucket method. In this case in particular I washed the car to the above mentioned state and then proceeded to clay the paint with this clay mitt that I recently bought from amazon. It's super easy and definitely cuts the time in half, possibly even more efficient. I used Griots speed shine as a lubricant and it worked great. Finally sealing it with the new Meguiar's Ultimate Fast Finish. This stuff easily the quickest way I've ever applied a paint protectant to any vehicle. It flash dries and buffs off without a hitch. I have yet to see its water beading/sheeting properties for myself but theres plenty of good reviews on youtube that you can check out. The paint feels smooth and slick.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XNLWMJR/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For me some small but life changing accessories that I can live without would have to be my air vent mount (I had to look for one with a longer clamp since my ES 350 vent was sorta recessed), a car charger, and a dashcam as a piece of mine if my car ever gets hit and run and also just in case someone tries to blame an accident on me. And I also recommend getting a window tint for heat reduction, privacy, and protection of the cars interior and the best one in my opinion is the LLumar Nano IR Tint. And also for the exterior you should check out a ceramic coating (best consumer one is CQuartz UK 3.0, check out pan the organizer youtube channel for more details) or maybe even a clear bra. And also check out the auto detailer sub for car cleaning tips and product recommendations.

And are some links of my personal favorites.

Dashcam: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X528FNE/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_ysQ7CbJF5293P

Car Charger: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PGT7LSR/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_GwQ7CbPBSM8F9

Air vent mount: kinda just got luckily with some random one at the store, but check out the different options and styles of phone holders and see which one you like best.

Oh I know. I own one of them. I just don't like how it disconnects frequently and takes forever to regain sync to my device. The AUKEY I'm talking about would allow you to have your cake and eat it to.

Device I'm talking about.

Basically you would leave everything in the center console, it would give you the exact same controls as the one you have now, make it to where it's only one bluetooth device connected at once, AND you'd be able to use your hands free phone from it as it has a mic on the control puck. Yeah, it's got one wire going to the puck, but trust me. It's one of the best solutions out there. I've been through a bunch and this one has worked and looked fantastic for over 6 months now.

RR racing has a chip that came out last summer that adds like 15 horsepower (so they claim) that costs $350. Also, I love my K&N cold air intake on my 350, it's a throaty growl when you step on it and it supposedly added 12 horses. The intake system also improved mpg +2 on the highway. I also replaced all interior lights with LED's myself with a kit I found on eBay, very nice bright white light, it replaces side door lights and trunk lights too. Ummm I replaced my gear shift knob with a Lexus certified F Sport shifter and I also carbon fiber vinyl wrapped the door trim on my F-Sport. Also went with 15% tint. The only two things I want to do on mine is to powder coat my brake calipers F Sport blue and add a full catback exhaust.


Links:

Lexus F-Sport PTR51-53080 Shift Knob https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CBR5D16/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ECDfzbMZH3GD4

3M 1080 CF12 BLACK CARBON FIBER 60"x12" Vinyl Flex Wrap https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058DIDTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_bDDfzbP2R0MC3

LEDpartsNow Lexus IS250 IS350 ISF 2006-2013 Xenon White Premium LED Interior Lights Package Kit (10 Pieces) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HRMSXWQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xDDfzb3B2AYG1

K&N 69-8701TP Typhoon; Short Ram; Polished https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NKCM3A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.DDfzb9NA8CTV




https://www.rr-racing.com/v/mobile/product.asp?productid=is350tne01




http://www.modinjapan.com/pts-joe-z/pts-isx-full.html

Not sure about best placement options, but I use this mount in all my cars, and it’s fabulous. It even works with my case on. Route the cable behind trim, and it looks really nice.

The 3M adhesive pad is strong yet still removes after years without leaving a mark.

Here it is in my GS.

Unusual, but not unique. Googling around some more turns up a small but opinionated audience with the same question in various forums.

My complaint with the clock is just that it takes more effort to read than digital, and when I'm driving I want to focus on driving. It's kind of amazing to me that neither of the display screens has the option of putting a digital clock in the corner. I get that people think the analog clock is classy, but I'd rather have function than form.

Best I've found is this clock on Amazon (which has other like-minded Lexus owners in the reviews), but it's not ideal.

👟😂👌🏼 Thanks

my friends have this guy and apparently it works well enough - https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GB40-UltraSafe-Lithium-Starter/dp/B015TKUPIC/

I also have this one for tires and it works remarkably well for being so cheap - way easier to deal with than going to gas stations - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L9WSTEG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a small tote bag w/ a change of clothes + contact lenses and spare meds just in case as well, my lexus came w/ a first aid kid so im trusting that'd cover anything else

So I used the Lexol cleaner on my seats recently and it worked great. Didn’t leave behind a smell really at all and made the seats feel softer to the touch (and cleaned them). I bought a little leather safe cleaning brush on amazon. Mind you this is on my 2008 is350. As far as I know, the seats are actually leather on the 2is, however they are coated with a plastic sort of layer. I read into it a lot and what I found was that the cleaner does what you want it to do - cleans the seats, but the conditioner is not necessary. Because the seats are coated, the conditioner is not able to penetrate the leather, and so what you would be left with is a greasy layer on top of the seat that ends up rubbing off on your clothes.

What I did was wet the seats a bit, apply cleaner with microfiber cloth (I bought some little microfiber applicator pads from Walmart who also now carry lexol) and then use your brush to scrub the seats (I did it in kind of a circular motion). Do one section at a time and then wipe off with clean microfiber and that’s it! Worked really well and it didn’t have a bad odor and very little residue left over when it was all done.

Here’s the brush I got (did a ton of research on this, careful which one you go with because many of them shed badly, did not notice this shedding one bit).

Maxshine Leather Nylon Bristle Brush for Car Detailing Carpet Upholstery https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079N6785T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XKiSDbX6HV73C

Hope this is helpful!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa-_RjcF-VU

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No drilling, no holes required. This guy does all kind of mods for his 3IS with step by step tutorials if youre interested

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https://www.amazon.com/GTP-Bumper-License-Mounting-Bracket/dp/B07C22NJBR/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2OC4G7Z0JNYZJ&keywords=tow+hook+license+plate+mount&qid=1558984961&s=gateway&sprefix=tow+hook+%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

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This is what i have on mine, very easy install. Some people dont like how it looks off centered but i think it looks great

Yea, I saw that and hoped it would fit my car. Ended up getting this which actually sounds good.

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L3MV14V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Uwt2Ab1G3S8SB

I've personally used this kit on a dozen headlights and love the results.

Yep, there's no distortion, it sounds better than radio stations. Although, there might be some static noise when you're in a busy area, but very rarely.

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Edit: This is the one I actually use, the item in my original comment has some sketchy reviews

Absolutely! I can't stop recommending a dash cam in everyone's car. Having one has saved me twice in previous cars, where it's my word against theirs in a accident. I show the police officer the video and it's case closed.

I have used a few in different vehicles and my new favorite is the [Rexing V1] (https://www.amazon.com/V1-Dashboard-Recorder-G-Sensor-Recording/dp/B00X528FNE/ref=lp_10517197011_1_1?srs=10517197011&ie=UTF8&qid=1484396363&sr=8-1), I love that it uses a mounting plate instead of a suction cup. The [BlackBox G1W] (https://www.amazon.com/Black-Box-Original-Dashboard-Dash/dp/B00FONBG1A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484396572&sr=8-1&keywords=blackbox+g1w+dash+cam) is half the price and uses a suction cup, smaller screen, slightly cumbersome interface, but is still a reliable cam that I still use in two other vehicles. Be sure to buy the [Hardwire Kit] (https://www.amazon.com/Rexing-Hard-Wire-Mini-USB-Port/dp/B01LXC2329/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484396782&sr=8-1&keywords=rexing+hardwire) so you can hide the wire and not use a 12V outlet.

I tapped into 12V ignition power from the sunroof controls, others have used mirror power to feed cams. Also, be sure to only use a "Class 10" SD card to avoid file errors. You can use T-taps (see album link above for example) for a simple connection, I would only recommend using T-taps for very low power consuming devices, otherwise use butt splices (source: 10 year industrial power & controls technician)

[Here are a few photos of where I mounted the Rexing cam in my 2017 IS] (http://imgur.com/a/bKgOg)

There are aftermarket adapters that plug into the CD changer port on your head unit. They sound far better than the FM transmitter type and. IIRC, the steering wheel buttons work also, and 09 is the last year that you can use those on.

First one I googled up: https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Lexus-Bluetooth-Adapter-Charging-x/dp/B01M6Y2C4I

Edit to add: The bandwidth is compressed when sent through FM, the hardwire CD changer port is full signal.

This seems like a decent product.