Lexus IS 300: Bad MAF Sensor → Symptoms & Causes

  The mass airflow sensor (commonly abbreviated to MAF) is one of the most important engine management sensors.  A bad mass airflow sensor can leave your Lexus IS 300’s engine running rough, or even inoperable. A MAF sensor measures the density of the air entering the intake manifold.  It passes this information onto your IS … Read more

Lexus IS 300 Bad Fuel Filter: Symptoms, Causes, Hot to Fix

A bad fuel filter is one of the worst problems that can happen to your Lexus IS 300.  When the filter fails, it can limit the amount of fuel that enters the engine.   Without proper fuel pressure, your car will not run at all.  With that in mind, most of the symptoms of a bad fuel … Read more

Lexus IS 300: Won’t Start When Cold → Diagnosis

Extreme weather can be very difficult on your Lexus IS 300.  If there is an issue it often make itself known when conditions are at their worst.  When it’s extremely hot. it’s the cooling system that is put to the test.  In the winter, the vehicle won’t start when it is cold.   There are … Read more

Lexus IS 300:  Bad Timing Belt or Chain Symptoms

A bad timing belt or timing chain can be a serious issue.  If it jumps a tooth or breaks entirely, it can lead to permanent engine damage.  Knowing the symptoms of a bad timing belt or chain is vital so this doesn’t happen to your Lexus IS 300. Timing belts are made out of rubber … Read more

Lexus IS 300: Key Stuck in Ignition → Diagnosis

There are a few easy to fix reasons why your Lexus IS 300’s key might get stuck in the ignition.  It’s often easy to unstick the key.  Whatever you do, don’t start trying to rip it out of the ignition.  That can cause bigger problems. This article is written with the assumption that your key … Read more

Lexus IS 300 Steering Wheel Hard to Turn: Common Causes

If your Lexus IS 300’s steering wheel is hard to turn, it’s almost always going to be caused by an issue with the power steering system.  But there can be other causes as well. Your car’s power steering system is responsible for taking energy from the engine, converting it to hydraulic pressure, and using that … Read more

Lexus IS 300:  Blue Smoke → Causes & Diagnosis

  A very common problem that affects all vehicles (including the Lexus IS 300) is blue smoke coming from the exhaust.  Reasons for blue exhaust smoke include bad valve seals, valve train wear in general, the PCV valve, burning transmission fluid and more. Blue smoke indicates that your IS 300’s engine is burning oil.  The … Read more

Lexus IS 300 Whining Sound: Identification + How to Fix

If your Lexus IS 300 is experiencing a whining noise, determining where and when the noise is happening is coming from is key to diagnosing and tracking down the cause.   With that in mind, this page is divided by when you hear the whining noise and common causes under those conditions. Is the whining … Read more