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Comments
At these speeds there seems to be very little muting of the engine noise, the wind noise is profound and invasive, and the road noise (tires) pervades the cockpit interior. I don't recall this level of noise on the RX300.
Is Lexus working on a fix or is this just the state of affairs for the new RX's?
Anybody have some suggestions, or know of any corrective action that Lexus has done to address these concerns?
Thanks in advance.
As for engine noise, although my RX is not as silent as one might expect, I think that its supposed to be that way. My RX is a 2004 model from Japan and I got it November 2003.
Thanks in advance,
FWIW, I did hear from a cell phone dealer that Motorola 710 has different versions now (.1 or .2) that will/will not work with Lexus. I think that the version .2 works with the Lexus but I am not sure of that. The phone book is supposed to work on the newer version phone.
Although Verizon is a great cell phone provider, they have been laggards in providing Bluetooth compatible phones. If more people complained, maybe they would be offering several phone options, instead of one, plus an Audiovox (Blackberry type) that costs almost $550.00.
I was so paranoid about rattles from the articles here that when I got one I raced into the dealership to get if fixed and discovered on the way there that it was just the sunvisor unsnapped rattling against the plastic. I turned around versus embarass myself and laughed.
Thanks,
David
Before Cadilac abandoned FWD altogether that were attempting to reduce the accident and injury incidents due to loss of directional control caused by engine compression braking and just plain too much engine torque being applied on an icy or slippery roadbed.
Years ago they started using an over-running clutch in the transaxle to totally eliminate engine compression braking by that high HP/torque Northstar engine.
Of more recent times they actually dethrottled the engines when starting up from a full stop so as to prevent ALL wheelslip due to initial high torque applications. While its fine to "dig out" in a RWD vehicle where you still have the directional control benefit from the front tires' contact patch its a completely different story with FWD.
Since most new vehicles now have DBW I think you will see more and more FWD vehicles that the takeoff torque is artifically limited in order to prevent accidents due to loss of directional control.
Over the last few years Toyota and Lexus had a well documented problem that sounds remarkably similar to what I am experiencing. Needless to say this is disconcerting, and dangerous!
Anybody else having/had similar problems and if so what's been done about it? Has it been fixed? Any TSB's (Technical Service Bulletins) addressing this in 2005 cars?
Thanks in advance for your input
The engine/wind/road noise level in my RX is totally unacceptable. But I spoke with a couple of RX owners, they all praised how quiet the car is???
I will be seeing other dealers, and will report my results.
If your car still under warranty, the dealer should pay for it.
Corporate customer service tried to tell me that the transmission is designed to change, learn your driving habits and adjust for the better. I told him that the transmission degrades itself into hesitation problems and that is deceptive and misleading.
The TSB number I was given was: TC 004-03 for "ECM Calibration". I understand that it was issued for April, 2005.
I believe that the transmission in the RX330s are similar or the same as that of the ES330; whether the TSB may apply to you depends on when your car was manufactured.
I hope that this is helpful to those of you who are experiencing hesitation problems with these cars.
The directions on the spary can said to first (before doing the above) run the AC on recirculation and spray a small portion under recirculation intake vent under the dash. I couldn't find it. Anyone know where it is?
Why doesn't Lexus cover this under warranty. It took almost a year for us to notice the smell. The dealer said they have a process ( guess similar to the above) for $135.00 which will help but no guaranties. I think this is a defect and should be covered in the warranty. My other car (4 yr. old E320) doesn't have this problem.
http://www.airsept.com/eed.html
and search google:
denso & demist & odor
I believe that the product is called OZIUM. They sell it in the lobbies of car washes, and at auto parts stores, etc. It comes in a slender, cigar shaped aerosol can. White label with powder blue letters -- last time I saw it in a store.
You might also try running the HEAT on HIGH and "cooking" out those germs and bacteria, which thrive on moisture in cool, dark spaces like in your vent system. Let it run for as long as you can tolerate it. This works well for my car, and I do it periodically.
Also, get in the habit of running your AC without the "recirc" on from time to time. That will allow fresh, dryer air to get in to the vent system and flush it out naturally.
I'm getting the 30k service next week and will diffinitely inquire about the transmission hesitation as I've always experienced that while accelerating on some freeway onramps. Let's say you are on a short onramp and give it all the gas, then someone in the left lane changes into the merge lane and you have to back off the accelerator...and then you give it all the gas again...well that's when it hesitates drastically when you need all the power.
Also, I'm going to inquire again about the brakes grinding, but I think they all do that. At the 15k service they gave me a loaner and it did it too. What happens is if you are driving slowly (say 10mph and especially downhill) and stop suddenly there is a loud grinding noise coming from the front brakes.
I'll report back on what happens.
Pete
ALL system airflow passes through the A/C cooling evaporator (the actual breeding ground of those mold and mildew spores) FIRST and then a portion is routed through the heater core. In fresh mode all the A/C evaporator will "see" is the nice cool outside incoming airflow.
I read your message in the forum and was wondering whether you were able to proceed with your idea of filing a lawsuit against Lexus. Also please share the precaucions that you took after the theft. Thank you.
I was told to leave AC on permantly as this helps clean out the sytem, i've tried everything but it just comes back, mostly worse in cold damp weather.
I have resigned myself to the fact Lexus don't really care about these types of problems, and they will do everything to deny faults with their vehicles, infact they never reply to any complaint in writing, just have" personal representatives" call .
I was disgusted with the fact that they couldnt respond in a formal and timely fashion, even after a complaint to the BBB I found out Lexus dont abide by rules., except that is "DENY EVERYTHING .
Good luck"
Due to the EXTREME density of the A/C evaporator a thin film of moisture will remain on its vanes for many hours.
I have heard that the new LS430 has a UV light source within the A/C plenum to kill off the microbes that would otherwise breed in the dark, damp and dank A/C plenum area.
12 volt powered UV light sources are available if you wish to try that route.
In the meantime I would advise you to read the material at:
http://www.airsept.com/eed.html
for a more thorough and complete understanding of the causative factors.
There are also two c-best options the dealer can set to help you prevent the A/C from operating needlessly. The A/C can be disabled indefinitely from operating automatically, it will need to enable it for any periods you deem it useful. It can also be unlinked from the defog/demist/defrost mode.
There is a third c-best option that can be set so as to prevent the system from automatically switching to cooling mode once the passenger cabin has warmed to the setpoint. That dry and cool airflow can be pretty discomforting on a day or night when the radiant cooling effects on the human body are the dominant factors.
But the primary advantage of the use of this third option is that with the system remaining in the heating, footwell outlet, mode on days when the radiant heating effects are quite low the windshield is kept warmed and is therefore much less subject to sudden fog-over.
Please refrain from stating authoritatively what will and will not work on all cars. It's worked on several of my cars and others that friends own.
"In the meantime I would advise you to read the material at ..."
Every message board seems to have a resident guru who presumes to know ALL and wants to 'hold court'. Please consider the possibility that it is not necessary to weigh in on each and every matter. Leave a little breathing room for others to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy this public forum.
For any of you considering a purchase of the 2005 RX330, be assured that the problems of excessive engine, road and cabin noise have NOT been resolved. Nor has the slipping and hesitiating transmission. Lexus "quality" seems to have taken a back seat to Lexus "profitability".
There is simply no comparison between the older RX300 and the RX330. Like the commericials said: ".. the all new Lexus RX330 ...". Yeah, it's all new, and not necessarily better!
I'll take the older model any day over this bucket of bolts they call the RX330. Even with its smaller engine and poor turning radius, the RX 300 was a much more quiet and refined driving experience, IMO.
One more thing: plan on budgeting nearly $1,000 to replace all four of the 18" tires that come on this car. The Goodyears are VERY noisy, and after they wear out in 20-30,000 miles you can look forward to a very expensive new tire purchase. The Michelins are quieter.
If you can buy this car with 17" tires, do it! Your car will be quieter, and you'll save gas money and money when its time to re-tire. Better yet, think twice and don't buy this car!
Everyone is welcome to participate here within our Rules of the Road structure. If you don't care for another member's posts, please use your down arrow. If you have non-Lexus problems with the forum, please take it email.
Steve, Host
But yes, there are likely systems out there that always recirculate at least a portion of the cabin airflow, which would explain, other than the possibility of simple coincidence, why you and your friends have been successful in not using recirc.
The fact that I come on board and state a solution, or correct someone's else's solution, does not prevent anyone else from weighing in with their own ideas or obections, just as your own posts indicates.
I have always taken crossbars off when not in use. I think that their removal does improve wind noise.
If anyone has taken off the rails, let me know if there is a plastic part for the mounting points and if there is any added improvement with their removal. Cosmetically. I would like the look of an uncluttered roof.
It seems that it is your opinion that only the A/C evaporator is capable of breeding bacteria, as opposed to to the vent system and parts in between. Is that your premise?
I would suggest FULL recirc if there is moderation method in the system.
I am glad that you agree that there is a way that this will work. I had also suggested, in a separate sentence, that people run their AC without recirc from time to time in order to get fresh air in and stale air out.
The root cause of mold and mildew odors with regards residential and commercial A/C systems has been well know for many years. While adequate drainage is ALWAYS provided for in these systems, once the cooling cycle is shut down, say during the night, a thin film of moisture will ALWAYS remain on the surfaces of these evaporators for extended periods. It is this moisture, the 65F to 75F temperature, and the airborne food source that results in the microbes breeding and surviving in these dark, damp, and dank environments.
Olivia
ps...right now, the car is in my aunt's garage!!
I was loaned an "05 RX (without NAV) so I was able to do some experimenting on my way home (about 45 miles). And sure enough I was able to avoid any hesitation problems. You just have to remember to get the car back in "D" after messing around in "3" and "4" or your mpg will suffer.
And just for comparison between the '04 and '05, the '05 is a much softer ride, but seems to lack the power of the '04. Maybe the difference is the mileage...the '05 only has around 5k and the '04 has 30k and is broken in. My '04 tires (Michelin) will be replaced at 35k, and that may return the softer ride.
As far as interior noise they are identical. Nothing to complain about. In fact both handle just as good as my old '00 Acura TL.
Hope this helps and let us know if using the transmission manually helps you too.
An unpleasent experience in deed. They treated me like someone who doesn't know how to drive. They are arogant. The car was washed but still very dirty. I didn't ask for another wash as I was in a rush. I will probably take the car to other dealers for service and will write a letter to Lexus to complain.
On another note, RX330 has been rated well but my overall experience is so so. Maybe I expect too much. e.g. the noise is no better than my 2000 Toyota Sienna. The guy even suggest that Sienna should be quieter because of the ground clearance. (?).
On another note, RX330 has been rated well but my overall experience is so so. Maybe I expect too much. e.g. the noise is no better than my 2000 Toyota Sienna. The guy even suggest that Sienna should be quieter because of the ground clearance. (?)."
That's a classic refrain you were told. Like most of us, you've probably been driving a car since you were 16 or 17. There is nothing wrong with your driving. Maybe you can ask the mechanic or team leader to go out with you next time so you can try to reproduce the problem with them in the car.
As to the tranny, please do yourself and the rest of us a favor and tell them about the problem. At the very least you will be given written documentation that you have experienced and reported a problem. In many states, lemon laws provide that after 3 or more attempts to correct a problem with a car, you may be entitled to a new car or equivalent compensation. The tranny problem is well known to Lexus, though it is still their dirty little secret. So is the noise.
I recently test drove another Lexus model and the salesperson shared that he is aware that Toyota/Lexus are focused heavily now on profit (earlier years focused on quality and getting marlet share), thus a formerly quiet car like the RX300 was transformed into the lesser RX330. He also mentioned the myriad of people who come who indicate a solid preference for the older RX300.
May I suggest that you take yours to a different dealer. I have found two other dealers who were very nice, appreciative of my business, and one in particular, was really focused on addressing my concerns.
My wife heard that and immediately changed her mind to buy a RX330 unless some recalls or anti-theft features is being added by Lexus/Toyota. Will the metal tabs or clips stop the thieves from stealing them with force? I read something has been added on the Maxima by Nissan to stop HID thieves. Any good?
I found several listings on eBay for used RX 330 HID headlights with very attractive price, some with broken tabs. What kind of car accident that cause the broken tabs but not the headlights lens???
Folks. If class action is being considered, let me know and my co-worker is in.
Unfortunately, I live in the NE and my husband is commuting to NJ for work. I was hoping to let him drive the RX but now we may have to keep the RX closer to home because of the chances of this car being targeted in public parking lots that are not heavily trafficked. But even home (Long Island) has had reported incidents.
Question: Are there replacement headlights without the xenons and ballasts, which are the objectives of the thieves? How bad is the incidence of stolen headlights for owners of these cars in the NE? I see quite a few of the RX being driven around my area, so owners out there must know about this problem, if it is prevalent?
I did not realize this was such a bad problem with the headlights until after purchase of the car. Not sure I would have purchased it, knowing this beforehand. I hate to feel captive in this manner (what good is a car if you are afraid of driving it because of expensive repairs resulting from thievery, which will result in much higher premiums if reported for insurance reimbursement?).
Thanks for any info.
tidester, host
I am interested to know if anyone has contact Lexus or even file a complaint to NHTSA which may lead to a recall.
I am in So.California.I ask my sales manager, Can I find a RX330 made in Japan.
He talk me the story.
Several years ago all come from Japan.
After Toyota build the Canada's Plant
Asia & West coast USA get from Japan. & East Coast USA get from Cadana.
Now Japan's Plant supply to Asia, & build RX400h & ThouderCloud Edition.(T/C edition original supply to Japan market then send some to USA)
All reguler RX330 supply to USA now from Canada's plant.