2014 ES License Plate Frame Bolt Size?
 

Our 2014 was delivered with temporary plates and the dealer used 2 stainless steel bolts in the rear and 2 non-stainless bolts in the front which I would like to replace. The dealer is too far away to visit so I plan to order some SS bolts via the internet. Does anyone know the size of these metric bolts? Thanks.

Just take the non-stainless bolt to Home Depot or Lowes and match it up.

6mm x 20mm long w/ 10mm head

Thanks! I also just determined that it has a 1.0 mm thread. BTW, on the front of the '14ES, the bolt length must be about 12 mm or less since if it was longer it would start to push into the bumper. The dealer used a 16 mm length bolt and it could not be tighten fully without pushing the black plastic frame behind the license plate away from the bumper - the bumper does not have a hole to accommodate the extra bolt length. On the back you can use a longer bolt since it just screws into the body panel.

South Carolina issues only 1 plate. It infuriates me to see dealerships using sheet metal screws on a fresh front bumper to install their dealer plate. The one thing I did like about Audi was they supply a grill bar for a front mount and non-front mountings. I haven't check closely enough to see the the bar across the front grill is replaceable on the new Lexus.

You can buy license plate mounting screws just about anywhere including your local auto supply store. Stainless, non-stainless, chrome plated, metric or standard. If you choose to buy them from your dealer bring a jar of Vaseline with you...

I also discovered the bolt length problem on my new 14ES license plate. Does anyone know if Lexus dealers have the shorter (12mm) chrome screws available? Otherwise I will ask when it goes in for the 5k inspection.

While, in principle, I believe that it should be the responsibility of the dealer to provide the proper fasteners for the license plates, when I discovered that I didn't get them with my ES, it didn't seem worth the trouble to go to the dealer to get them. I bought mine at the local hardware store, and the cost was probably less than $.50. Also, any of the auto parts stores like Advance Auto have license plate screw kits available at low cost, but the screws in those kits are no different than what I got at the hardware store.

I think they come standard in Calif, like it or not. I guess if you ask them not to install, and they'll throw the frame and hardware in the trunk so you'd have them in case of a fix-it tik.

Bob- now I guess I'd rather get a waxed job than a lube job :D. Then again, neither would be the best policy.

Update on bolt size for the front plate. I stopped by Menards today and picked up two 6mm x 12mm long stainless bolts ($0.59 ea) and test fit them on my front plate. They were still slightly long and touched the bumper, so I located a couple of stainless washers from my personal stock to make the exact fit. I suppose one could grind off 1 or 2mm from the 12mm bolts and eliminate the need for washers.

"Security" machine screws, which require a special bit to operate, can help to prevent your license plate from being stolen. They sell kits in auto-parts stores. Make sure you get the "import" type, which have the correct size (6mm, aka M6).

I have used the Cruiser Accessories brand, model number 81330. In Florida, we only have to have one license plate, so the kit of four screws will do two cars.

I also like to put foam weatherstrip around the edges on the back of the license plate before putting it on the car. That avoids any possibility that the metal license plate will scratch the paint. Make sure to leave a gap on the bottom edge, so any water that gets in will be able to get out.