klooney

I picked up a 2013 ES300h last weekend, love the car so far but have a few questions. If its cold in the morning (~50F) the car shakes for a few miles then goes away, I'm thinking its the tranny. I have the same thing happen with my 2014 Highlander (different transmission though).

I'm used to the VW and BMW forums where there are a lot of DIYs to add options that didn't originally come with the car. Is it possible to add the rear automatic sunshade, swap in a radio from a 14/15/16 ES, add ML sound system?

Thanks in advance

jollick

No shaking going on with my 2013 ES300h. Since you are experiencing this with both vehicles, are you sure it is not something to do with the road surface traveled for the first few miles from your home? There are not a lot of mods here but do a search and you will find the few that other members have discussed. Welcome to Club Lexus and Congratulations on your new ES!

mspearl95

i've experienced some slight shaking when driving cold(es350), but it feels more like cold tires on uneven road surface, and not anything mechanical.

jollick

I thought of another thing that can cause the shaking, cold flat spots on the tires. Check the tire pressure and make sure they are at the manufacturers suggested pressure. I had experienced this on cars that sat for a few days in cooler weather.

bc6152

Flat spots will do it. Used to be worse years ago with the bias-ply tires if your car sat any longer than a day. As Jollick states, worse on a cold day...

klooney

Makes me wonder if its a common occurrence with Bridgestone tires. Both vehicles have them

zes

Can you better describe what you mean by 'shaking'. Is the engine vibrating? Is it high frequency (engine) or low frequency (proportional to road speed)? Are you familiar with how hybrids drive? Hybrids feel quite different from conventional drive trains. Also the 300h does not really have a transmission as referred to conventionally. The engine kicks in and out frequently in stop and go traffic. Is that what you are feeling?

mspearl95

I have to say that I did notice it more/more often when I had the bridgestones.

klooney

Its feels more like a shudder coming from the transmission and/or underneath me. I don't believe its engine related. Its more of a low frequency, somewhat analogous to poor alignment. Its definitely not new hybrid driver related. Just weird it happens on both highlander and Lexus. Its still way under warranty plan on taking it to Lexus and have them check it out.

Speaking of radios, are 2015 radios plug and play with 2013? I know starting in 14 they have a hard drive

zes

Your car is too new for the suspension components to have worn. I agree that it is likely the Bridgestones. You may try playing with tire pressure. Or rotate the tires.

TechNut

I have not experienced this at all with our 300h and bridgestones - at about 11k miles. I have experienced what I would describe as lumpy cold driving with a set of Toyos before on a former RX. it quickly leveled out though as it only occurred for maybe the first two miles.