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It sounds like the malfunction was a bad experience for you, and especially doesn't sound like something anyone wants to deal with out of warrantee... :mad: Do you think there is a possibility the sensor might have sustained damage from a car wash, snow cable, bump, mud/ice/salt, or an accident?
I wonder if they have a TSB or an improved design now, or if the first time there was a dealer issue which resulted in another premature failure on your car. :confuse:
I've had more than one bad experience with a dealer not following through and doing what they were supposed to and what they were "paid" to do by Lexus under warrantee. I wonder if they were supposed to replace the sensor the first time, and only got the vehicle working and sent it on it's way-But I really shouldn't speculate based on my bad and good experiences.
I hope your future experiences are better, and you otherwise enjoy the car and the differences in the PP.
Just because someone has had an isolated problem with it, doesn't mean they're all like that!
However, is towing still not an option on the 350 with PP?
I believe the reason that towing is not an option for the PP is because it would add too much weight on to the Air Suspension system when towing ~ at least that's what the dealer told me!
I noticed most of the other new "performance" oriented compact crossovers have a low tow rating, but I think with the exception of the X3. The FX45 is a larger vehicle, but has the same 3500# tow rating as an RX with the tow package (apparently not PP).
Otherwise, do you like the way the RX air suspension works? Do you usually leave it in the normal automatic mode or "low" for better handling/aerodynamics? Do you think it gives it a worthwhile advantage?
The only problems I have had with my 2000 RX 300 have been oxygen sensors, incredibly thin leather which tore on the side of the seat, and the key breaking in half. On these boards I see many posts about the 330's transmission so I will be aware of that when test driving. What else would you guys recommend that look for especially close?
Does the 330 require premium gas? I see people are using all three grades on this board.
Thanks for any suggestions.
I am still angry that Lexus would not replace a cheap [non-permissible content removed] key that breaks in half from normal use - makes me want to look at other cars still.
To my surprise, Lexus replaced a door panel on my RX under warranty when the leather had a small rip it in.
Im am very happy with my 2004 RX and don;t have any other suggestions on what to look for.
I'm looking to replace with either Michelin Energy MXV4 or Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenzas. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Seems to be more research on the Michelins - looking for a quieter ride and slower wearing tire (Bridgestone's are warranted for 65k)
http://www.factoryinteractive.com/
Has anyone pursued this option?
Scott
Also, is the towing hitch that Lexus installs sufficient for the job or are there better alternatives. I just don't want to damage the vehicle in any way, and I know most people don't buy these things to tow trailers. One guy at the dealership told me that "you don't really want to tow anything with your RX" then why advertise in the manual that you can? He didn't have an answer...
Thanks,
JBL
The factory trans cooler is not fan-forced; it is in the fender well so the heat does not flow back to the radiator and engine (cooled only by the airflow from the brake cooling duct-fine when the airflow is moving).
I have one of the first RX's out. Although I originally did not tow anything with it, it developed well-known valve body issues that were resolved by Lexus by replacing the whole transmission under warrantee with a brand-new upgraded unit. Now it works as it should, but I also take extra care since I want to keep this car in good shape for a long time. Even though I have another vehicle for heavy towing, I also want to be able to tow with the RX, on occasion.
I service it very often. New fluid at 6 months, full service with filter at 18 months, just to be safe. You might not go so often, but I would service it before towing.
I asked the Lexus dealer's Service Manager who was in charge of the transmission replacement if it would void the warrantee if I added another transmission cooler, or it would hurt anything. He said no, it would be a good idea. I didn't say it was specifically for towing, but I said someday I would like to... So I added an additional redundant trans cooler in back of the factory cooler in the fender, and cut the vent holes larger in the black plastic inside fender skirt (you can't see it from outside the car) to let the heat vent out easier. It wasn't really hard to install if you are a do-it-yourselfer, but if not, a transmission shop could do it, too. Just be sure to specify you want them to use only Toyota fluid!
Make sure when you are towing you take the transmission out of overdrive, so the transmission does not have to make that shift automatically. It will also be easier on your brakes, too.
Does your 3400 lb trailer have brakes? Usually they do.
I think it will be fine. Don't overload the car or trailer with weight. Distribute the weight evenly, and not too much near the tounge or back of the car, and certainly not on the roof.
The factory hitch is rated at 3500, I believe. If you don't have the factory hitch, you can find heavier-duty hitches which will be stronger, rated for more weight even though you won't tow with more, and distribute the weight to the frame better (try the internet), but don't go over the weight rating for the car anyway, but they are stronger. Uhaul's are barely adequate, only very light duty, but usually in stock.
The reason I didn't before was it really should be on much more often than the engine radiator fan comes on; thermostatically the tranny could use it much more often. However, by this logic, it makes much more sense to add it and have one, than not!
Also, I could get another fan thermostat and get more complicated, but I don't think so, plus it may not run a fan that tiny.
My few complaints with this car are the lack of inherent durability built into the the original tranny and the benign handling. If the tranny can stay cool and last for years and many thousands of miles which I'm now seeing with the second gen trans, I'm left with an otherwise really good quality car with great features and utility, but blah boring handling. Someday maybe some Tokito shocks, but I really wish big sway bars!?
P.S. The tranny cooler was not difficult. I didn't drill any holes to mount it, and it could even be removed an put on a different car (but why?). I used the bolts supplied with the cooler and lined a couple holes up with the existing cooler, and used the nylon clips supplied to secure the others. It's on there firmly, and it was easy. I plumbed it in line so the fluid goes through the radiator and stock cooler first, then the new cooler, which has a "temperature bypass". While doing this, a few quarts of fluid are draining out of the cooler hose, which I refilled when I was done with Type IV (mine is a '99) from my local Toyota dealer. The hardest part is dealing with the slippery fluid and pushing the hoses on the tubing with slippery hands, and cleaning it all up so it doesn't get gunked with dirt. I posted a couple photos on my CarSpace page (they didn't come out that great, but I can email if anyone cares).
As for the "Buyback Offers"... I thought everyone got them. I still get them. I haven't had "payments" for 8 years. Nice of them to offer. I don't think it would be much of an advantage for me, unless I was in the market to buy or lease a new car. :surprise:
Otherwise, on a cold day in some places, MT and AK come to mind, the ATF might even freeze before it exits the external "cooler".
I can't speak about the tranny design itself, but I specifically asked the Lexus service manager if it was possible to be over-cooled by the addition of another cooler, even in a cold climate start (I live in So Cal, but drive to mountains, sometimes it's been 20 below zero in Mammoth). He said it was impossible, not a concern when they replaced my trans with the warrantee/2nd gen unit.
However getting back to the low-speed traffic - heat - occasional towing topic, I think it will be easy and cheap enough for me to shoehorn a small computer fan (those are really cheap and I already have some) on the leading edge side of the coolers (near the washer bottle) and possibly connect it to a Hayden electric fan thermostat, which are available at auto parts stores. I didn't realize it, but Hayden kits have temp probes that could be installed right into the tranny cooler fins, so as to come on separate and much more often than the radiator fan, which is what is really needed to help extend the life of the transmission.
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Does anyone else have any ideas?
Please let us know what you find...
Lexus RX 300/330/350
tidester, host
The plastic endcaps of the rails snap off in a direction toward the rear. I grab the plastic piece with one hand and hit the leading side of my wrist with the other hand. If that is too hard, I assume that you could carefully pry the cap rearward.
There is a screw in the rail on each side that prevents the crossbars from coming in contact with the endcaps. Remove both screws and the crossbars can slide off the end of the rails. Replace the retaining screws and snap on the end-caps.
After one successful removal, you can remove and replace the crossbars in a matter of a few minutes.
Removing the rail and finding a drip rail rubber gasket is a challenge that I have yet to find a solution.
Can anyone help me here?
I have purchased a 04 RX330/nav/18"wheels/RSES w/40k miles. Recently I made a trip to canada from chicago with 3 other passengers and their cargo. There was plenty of load on the vehicle and it had no prob reaching upto 98mph(not even ganna mention the mileage I was getting at that point) but after that i had to push the vehicle to get to above 102mph. I know this is no race vehicle but im just curious if anyone has been over 115 mph in there vehicle. Maybe if there wasn't so much extra weight on the vehicle I would have been able to break the barrier i.e. if possible.
Drive Safe.
Thanks
Thanks for your help.
Mike Bearden
I am considering getting a RX330. I luv the bamboo color. I seem to see a lot of bamboo tan. Does anyone know the difference between the two colors?
Thnks :confuse:
Deneen