Any idea how where I start popping the side panel off with a trim tool? The side panel tucks into the dash so not sure what’s the best route to take.

 

While it isn't the most detailed, you might find the information in the How do I remove these kick panels to remove Karr Alarm? thread helpful.

 

Pull gently and you'll see where the tabs are, then pull more.

 

Which way am I pulling when you say pull gently? I was able to remove scuff, plate and other trim but still a bit wary of this side panel.

 

You pull out, and then back. It’s very straightforward.

 

I apologize for the rookie questions. I don’t know where I’m pulling from. There doesn’t seem to be somewhere I can dig my fingers underneath to pull like I did when I pulled out the scuff plate for instance.

thanks for your help

 

There isn’t a place to put your fingers in; read that link above. You use a panel tool, a credit card, etc. Go in from the 3 o’clock (when looking at it head-on), pry up/out, and then back as it comes free.

No harm in asking. One of the big talents/acuired skills of mechanical work is understanding the forces and strengths of materials. You learn how much you can pry on plastic before you realize “if it doesn’t release now, it breaks” and to back off and then look for the catch/screw/etc. you overlooked.

Likewise the same concept with steel, etc. You know how much force and torque you can put on something and to back off, go get Kroil, or even a blow torch. So take this as a less and think about “feeling” what you are doing to different materials. Likewise, in the beginning, people to tend to be too gentle and sometimes you just gotta apply a little force. It’s a learning curve.

 

Not sure if this would help you but this is the easiest way to power dashcam. There are videos lexus specific on how to do it. All plug and play.
check fitdvr power adaptor on YouTube.

 

thank you! I got it off. Couple of additional questions for you or anyone in the group. I pulled off that trim and I see what seems to be rust on some of the steel behind the trim. Should I be concerned? Brand new 2025

second question - what are you guys using to pull fuses. Tweezers slip, the fuse pulled i bought does jack ****.

 

If you look at "THE UNIT" photo included in the How do I remove these kick panels to remove Karr Alarm? post #9 you can see similar rust-colored looking areas.

From that photo and your photo, it looks like the air duct tube for the front side window defogger has had a corrosion prevention treatment of some kind. Some corrosion prevention treatments do create a reddish-brown layer so that may be what we're seeing instead of oxidation iron corrosion (i.e., rust corrosion) of an iron-containing material.
Since I've never pulled a fuse in my ES, I don't know how well it works, but all of this generation of ESs comes equipped with a fuse puller. It is located in the engine compartment's Type B fuse box (the one located on the left-hand driver's side). On page 332 of the 2025 LEXUS ES250, ES350 OWNER'S MANUAL USA AND CANADA ONLY, there's an illustration showing the location in that fuse box of the Lexus-supplied fuse puller.

 

Go to amazon and buy a dongar pro, no cutting, also check youtube for dungar pro for lexus, used th8s product to wire my front and rear dash cam, took less than an hour. It also gives your dash cam the ability to record for 4 hrs in parking mode

 

Thanks, man! Yea, I found that fuse puller after searching the web and everything worked out.

I appreciate everyone helping me through this. Ima pull the **** our this trim next time