My ES is at 92K right now, and I was reading in the manual about the 90K service...it does not say that the timing belt needs to be replaced. In fact, my maintenance manual says "replace timing belt (except ES300)." There's a footnote that in the ES300, unless it's been driven in very stop-and-go type traffic, it does not need to be replaced. This seems strange to me. Can anyone fill me in?

 

The timing belt should most definitely be replaced at 90K, no question about it. I have no idea why your maintenance manual says that.

 

The original owner of my car had the timing belt done at 60k, the belt only. I just did the belt again myself at 145k. This belt had 85k miles on it and was in near perfect condition, I kid you not. This belt could have went at least another 50k undoubtedly, (as well as the w.pump and idlers) but I decided to replace everything for the piece of mind.
Now granted my car was a road warrior all of its life, it has seen nothing but highway miles for ten years, so that played a huge role in these parts being in such good condition. But keep in mind most of the parts under your hood are high mileage parts, designed to give you years of service. As for you I would suggest doing at least the belt, just for the piece of mind.

 

I take the 2004 to mean you've got a 2004.

In the case of any 1997+ MZ block v6, your timing belt, spark plugs, engine & cabin air filters, and drive belts all get replaced.
Oil should be changed & transmission fluid should be flushed.


Every other 90,000m the water pump should be replaced.

http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com...itbtn22=Search

 

Yeah I was definitely surprised when I read in the maintenance manual that no timing belt change was needed. I seriously pored over that book, and it NEVER says to replace the timing belt on an ES300! So, per your advice, I'll go ahead and get that done soon.

 

That's Toyota's advice.
Look if you want to know for certian there's only one way.
techinfo.toyota.com
For $10 you get 24 hours to download any avalible factory repair manuals in .pdf format for any Toyota/Scion/Lexus.


Hell of a lot better than other makers where you get to pay $100 a book.