I just picked up a '07 IS350 as a daily driver. I did the normal checks once I got it home but, don't see any power steering reservoir. Is it a closed system or am I just not finding it under all the plastic cladding?

Thanks - Todd

 

It's electric power steering, no fluid.

 

Thanks Zmon. I'm hearing a high pitch "whine" when the car is running. It gets louder and higher pitch as the rpm's increase. On cars with fluid fed power steering, this is normally indicative of a pump issue. On these cars, is that just a normal noise or something I need to investigate? The car is brand new to me so I'm not yet use to the normal sounds of this motor.

Thanks - Todd

 

Unfortunately you might have the "normal" water pump whine. Less likely, but possible, it could be the alternator as well.

Yes, it is very common for our 2IS WPs to go out; mine went out at 27k miles! LOL!

 

I noticed on the carfax report that it had a new water pump installed by the dealer 2 years ago. Based on that, do some of the IS350's have a "normal" whine? It drives and rides great but, just wondering about the whine.

Thanks - Todd

 

To narrow down if the noise is coming from an "accessory", remove the accessory belt for only a max 30 seconds of running time to see if it goes away. If it does, you've only got the tensioner pulley, idler pulley, water pump, A/C, and the alternator.

Also consider putting on a new OEM belt to remove any possible noise from the existing belt.

 

I would like to say they all sort of whine like that. Mine does, my neighbors does. Various other 350's I've heard whine too. Tends to go away as the car warms up. I haven't narrowed it down, but I'm assuming it's coming from the water pump, as mentioned above, or the alternator... Doesn't indicate anything is wrong if that's what you're concerned with though.