Lexus RX 330 Maintenance and Repair

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  • dardson1dardson1 Member Posts: 696
    My wife had her first oil change at something over 5k miles. (Maybe they changed it at the 1000 mile service . . .do they do that?) Anyway, I suggested she might wanna go to 3500 mile changes. She asked the service rep who said every 5k was plenty often. Any thoughts? Needless to say, she doesn't tow or haul more than a potted plant from Home Depot. If anything she probably drives it too easy.
  • dardson1dardson1 Member Posts: 696
    Does the RX330 have an oil life indicator? My Tahoe does and it showed 40% when I changed it at 4k miles.

     Also, do you find the MPG estimator accurate? I never drive her car and don't even know if you have to reset it after a fill-up like the one in my truck. Hers is showing at the moment 20.1 mpg (very decent in my book). The one in my Tahoe is on the money +/- a quarter of a gallon (checking it against fuel purchase / miles driven).
  • chicagocarchicagocar Member Posts: 11
    Two problems I noticed with my Lexus

     

    1. Wind Noise - It’s just too bad - It's 2005 RX with 700 miles

    2. Driving above 80 mph, I can feel vibrations. Today I ride with my wife (thought it might be me), but she felt the same.

     

    Any further input and suggestions???

     

    Regards
  • springspring Member Posts: 7
    I am puzzled by all the reports and comments on the board praising how quiet RX is. My 2005 RX is certainly not acceptable even after replacing the door sealing. I suspect something can be fixed and propose to gather owners with road/noise problems to send a joint letter to Lexus.

     

    My wife is an attorney and can do the drafting. I think we need about 4+ owners. What do you think?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I think you should go talk to your service writer and perhaps do a joint test drive of other RX 330's on the lot to make sure you aren't more sensitive to road noise than other posters. Perhaps Lexus is using different OEM tires in your area and that's making a difference too.

     

    Steve, Host
  • dandgdandg Member Posts: 91
    Greetings all,

     My wifes 04 RX330 has been great and she loves it (was able to work a great price with help of this board as well).Just tonight she metioned that the blower fan made a loud squealing noise when she got in it to come home from work.It so loud she had to turn it off on her ride home.Of course when I tried it it was fine.What I'm wondering is if anyone else has experienced this or if they are aware of a TSB on it. It now has 15k on it thats the first glitch.

    Many thanks in advance for input.

    Dave K
  • lola1234lola1234 Member Posts: 7
    Hello,

     

    Yes, I also experienced this fan noise once when one day it was raining. It only happened once. I tried to explain it to the dealer when I brought my 2004 RX to replace the brake light switch( a recall ). The dealer checked the car and found nothing. I have not heard the noise and the car seems to be fine. I'm glad someone experienced this because when I mentioned it to my hubby he thought I was hearing things. Best of luck!!!

    Thanks!!
  • dandgdandg Member Posts: 91
    Hmmm, Maybe we have "wife only hear thing". Its seems to have gone away for now.I will check for TSB's tomorrow at a friends auto shop that has access to them and post if there is one.

    Thanks for imput Lola,may wife feels better that you heard it in yours once also ( I was beginning to doubt her hearing as well).

    Best,

    Dave K
  • jody2jody2 Member Posts: 1
    My RX330 should be delivered any day. I experienced road noise during my slower speed test drive. I thought later that the driver's door must not have been fully shut and left it at that. Your report concerns me. Do you know whether your Rx was maufactured in Canada or Japan? Any feedback from your dealer?

     

    Thanks
  • caryncaryn Member Posts: 5
    I get my oil changed every 5K miles on a regular basis. Always have done this w/all of my cars and never had a problem.
  • igotrippedigotripped Member Posts: 10
    has anybody had problems driving their rx in the snow with awd? this is my 2nd winter with it and am having difficultys steering in only 4 inches of snow. the traction control does not seem to respond correctly to turning into corners. i did not have any problems last yr and that was with up to a 10inches of snowfall.
  • igotrippedigotripped Member Posts: 10
    has anybody had their brake rotor's replaced?

    i just had mine replaced because service said they were warped. the car is only a year and half old with 20,000 miles on it. i thought that was odd also tire tread is unusually worn off on the outside edges. has anyone had these issues?
  • bozo4344bozo4344 Member Posts: 4
    what size and brand of tires are on your car sir?

    how often do you have them rotated and is your lexus

    dealer doing the work for you ?
  • gardencargardencar Member Posts: 293
    Do you have the Michelins or the Goodrich? I heard the Goodrich last only to 20k miles while the Michelins go for over 40k miles.

     

    Do a topic search on this board. I remember others complaining about premature warping. I know it is a common ailment with other luxo SUV's, specially the Cayenne, Touareg, and the XC90. So, I'm not sure you got ripped, it could be purely relative....
  • dorothykdorothyk Member Posts: 31
    FYI....

     

    "Federal regulators have opened a safety investigation into 2004 models of the best-selling vehicle from Toyota Motor's Lexus division, the RX330 sport utility vehicle, after receiving complaints about failures in its power brakes.... "

     

    Full article at New York Times website (see link below)

     http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/16/business/16lexus.html
  • igotrippedigotripped Member Posts: 10
    i have the goodyear w/ 18inch rims thats what the local lexus dealer said. i thought they only came with 17s and the tires were rotated during maintenance around late summer early fall.

    and the local lexus dealer is doing it.
  • igotrippedigotripped Member Posts: 10
    this lexus rx330 came with goodyears and that is pure crap that a tire can only get that low of miles and start to wear out like that. i had goodyears on my z71 4x4 w/ 65,000 miles and the tread was in great shape.
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    Our '04 RX330 also had the front brake rotors start to warp with less than 20K miles on the car. In fact, it might have happened before 15K miles, such as early last summer? (I'm at the office -- if I was home, I could verify against the paperwork.) Lexus replaced the rotors and pads at no cost. I thought someone in this forum mentioned that Lexus eventually issued a TSB for this problem?

     

    At 25K miles, the tread on our Goodyear tires was nearly gone. I think somebody else reported they replaced their Goodyear tires after only 15K miles or so. I completely agree with gardencar that the Michelins should last 40K miles, based on their higher treadwear rating.

     

    Please don't expect any of these 18" RX330 tires to last anywhere near 65K miles. These are lower profile performance tires, not your typical truck or utility tires. They have a "V" speed rating (149mph). Until models such as the RX330, FX35/45, Cayenne, etc. were introduced, this type of performance rating was completely unheard of for original equipment SUV tires.
  • bozo4344bozo4344 Member Posts: 4
    Why did they put the "v " rated tires on this car
    the computer will not let it go over 110 mph. lexus
    just put tires on a car to "make it look good" they
    dont' give a rip if they work or not that's not their problem. I think makering is the ones putting the tires on the cars now days and not the engineers.
  • cheatedcheated Member Posts: 1
    I have my RX 330 2 months headlights have been stolen twice and damage in excess of 11,000. I have paid over 2,000 in out of pocket expenses and no end in sight. Lexus has had this problem for 3 years and is only manufacturer who is still working on a solution!! This is FRAUD and I'm looking for other people who have been vandalized and looking to start a class action.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I thought that was a Nissan problem. You may get some solace in the Stolen Headlights!! discussion, but please, no soliciting for law suits on the forum.

    Steve, Host
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    scribe your name or VIN onto the plastic lens?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    NHTSA Investigates Lexus Brake Problems (Inside Line)

    Steve, Host
  • noncom23noncom23 Member Posts: 3
    I am a newbie. I read all these problems and it is concerning, as I am thinking of getting an RX. Do you all believe these problems are prohibitive?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I think all cars have problems - 2004 was a record year for recalls across the board. Ultimately it comes down to the dealer, and a good service department can keep you happy with a lemon. Cars are so much more reliable these days, chances are good that you'll have few or no problems with anything you buy.

    After your test drive, take a walk through the service waiting area and ask folks how they (and their cars) are being treated.

    Steve, Host
  • lexrx330lexrx330 Member Posts: 3
    hi, did anyone experience a brake problem where it has about 2 inches of snow on the floor and the brakes wouldn't work. i was driving in 2 inch snow with my awd 18" michelin tires with more than 75% tread and i kept pressing on the brake and the car just wouldn't stop. i almost gotten into 2 accidents and could anyone tell me what they think the problem is. does anyone know how to reset the computer so when the key is taken out of the ignition, the doors will automatically open?
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    In the situation you descibe it has been well proven that the car will often stop much quicker if you could somehow disable the ABS.

    I keep hoping that the next generation of electonics evolution will result in ABS firmware revisions that will prevent ABS activation unless VSC senses impending loss of directional control.

    Meanwhile you might want to install a switch so you can open the ABS pumpmotor circuit "at will".
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Volvo is advertising an anti-rollover feature in their latest cars & SUVs.

    Does anyone know how this is being done?

    Meanwhile I'm seeing these many complaints about engine acceleration lag, delay, or hesitation and a few of them seem to have to do with trying to accelerate while turning right or left.

    The only instance wherein I have been able to replicate any sort of engine acceleration lag or delay in my 2001 AWD RX300 was in a tight turn with the gas pedal to the floor, literally. At about what I would consider the apex of my turn the engine died, or certainly appeared too. My educated foot was so quick to release the gas pedal and then reapply that I don't know what would have happened had I just stayed on the gas.

    In any case if I were writing firmware/software specifications to prevent rollover one of the things I would look seriously at is limiting the engine HP in a tight turn.

    Anybody have any factual input as too how the Volvo system works to prevent rollovers??
  • charlottecharlotte Member Posts: 1
    Is there any information regarding brake failure for the 1999 RX300. My relative who did have a 1999 RX300 had a very serious accident due to total brake failure 5 days ago - 4 cars were totaled, 1 building condemned and no one was badly injured. Also, is there any information on the acceleration mechanism locking up?
    Any information would be helpful. Thank you.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Try a Search This Discussion in Lexus RX 300 and copy/paste your question there too.

    Anyone?

    Steve, Host
  • igotrippedigotripped Member Posts: 10
    yes i have and it almost resulted in several accidents. i complained to the service dept. and got a half [non-permissible content removed] answer about tread or ice but there was no ice in either situation. i am too the point that i guess i will try to sell the vehicle cause it is worthless in the snow. everyone who asks about my lexus i beg them not to buy this car. if i can stop one person from making the same mistake i did it will make me feel better.
  • summer6summer6 Member Posts: 1
    I just had my rotors replaced at 24K miles (started around 20K) But Lexus easily replaced them with no cost to me. My tires are fine
  • tomjavatomjava Member Posts: 136
    That's a traction problem, use snow tires. AWD or 4WD doesn't mean you can ignore the Newton's law.

    Ask your dealer about C-Best option if you want that option.
  • tomjavatomjava Member Posts: 136
    Modern car brake always has a back up system. Even if the booster fails, the driver is still able to stop the vehicle.

    IMHO, your relative is making up the story.
  • peachtreepeachtree Member Posts: 2
    I bought my 2005 RX330 AWD in January. Within the first 300 miles, I notice that when I drive it backward from garage with slight left turn while brake is applied, it gives very loud squeaky noise. It happens only once every other days in the morning. I took it to the dealer. They checked the brake and found nothing wrong.

    Recently I drove it to Lake Tahoe for a ski trip. Since then it gives the noise almost everytime I drive it backward when applying brake. Has anyone else heard of this problem? Any solution?

    Thanks
  • rem49rem49 Member Posts: 2
    Has anyone had a problem with noisy fuel injector valves in the 2004 RX330? Lexus is saying the clicking noise I hear while sitting in the car is normal operation. They say that it will not hurt the performance of the car. Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.
  • rem49rem49 Member Posts: 2
    I have the same problem that you have and the dealer and Lexus corp customer service say that is normal operation. Have you had any luck in getting the dealer or Lexus to fix this problem???

    rem49
  • tsheertsheer Member Posts: 23
    You want to sue Lexus because your headlights have been stolen? I think that's absurdly misguided.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Perhaps not so misguided:

    Nissan sued over stolen headlights (The Japan Times)

    I didn't dig any deeper to see the results; someone over in Stolen Headlights!! probably posted about it.

    Steve, Host
  • jhowardjhoward Member Posts: 2
    I heard the same clunk when I pulled out of my driveway with my RX330... Sounded like a large tree had fallen out of my car! The service people drove it around and finally figured it out... but bear with me as I don't know all the terminology:

    I had taken off the removable hatch cover(don't know what it's called, but the nylon/plastic thing you use to cover stuff in the trunk/hatch area) -- and put it into the space that is provided for it in the flooring of the back of the car. It's made to fit in there, and then can be closed off so it doesn't show . Well, it had apparently become dislodged, and though it was still locked in it's rectangular lodging... it was bumping around and making a horrible sound when I backed out of my driveway.

    As soon as we removed it, the sound dissapeared and never returned. If you can figure out what the heck I'm refering to... let me know if this does the trick for you as well!
  • 00boxsters00boxsters Member Posts: 202
    Similar squeel. Dealer checked brakes and found within spec. Only happens in the very cold, notably.
  • jhowardjhoward Member Posts: 2
    Are you aware that the National Highway Safety is conducting an investigation into just this problems iwth the RX330's? There's some question about a brake booster defect in the 2004 model, especially in cold weather. There's lot's of info on the internet about it which will be more informative than I can be. Definitely tell your dealert, they were sent a bulletin about this issue.
  • joec1210joec1210 Member Posts: 10
    Hi, I just got a 2005 RX330 with navigation and bluetooth technology. I can not figure out anything that has to do with using the bluetooth technology with a cell phone. Can any recommend a good cell phone to use? I have Verizon Wireless, do I need a different carrier? Do I need some sort of secondary speaker, or can I hear people clearly with the built in Lexus speakers? Am I really able to shout out some command and make a call, or do I still need to take the phone and physically dial out? Please let me know. I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks - Joe = pictures1210@aol.com
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    It is unwise to include your email address in a public posting - the email harvesters love it and you subject yourself to spamming.

    BTW - you might be interested in this discussion: Bluetooth Technology

    tidester, host
  • gottlsgottls Member Posts: 21
    If you're a Verizon customer then you have only one phone to choose from as of (Dec '04), and that is the Motorola V710. Check with Verizon they may have newer Bluetooth phones coming out. Check out page 109 in your 2005 Lexus Navigation System Owner's Manual it will explain it's operation
  • joec1210joec1210 Member Posts: 10
    Thank you for the suggestions for my problem and my carelessness in posting my e-mail address. I keep reading that the Verizon Motorola V710 really isn't compatible with the 2005 RX330. Something about the phone book does not download. I don't know exactly what that means, but it sounds like a problem. Maybe I do need to refer to my user guide and harrass Lexus for some help here. I am not even sure what integrating a cell phone to my car does for me. Thank you for the help. Thanks - Joe
  • dardson1dardson1 Member Posts: 696
    We went to dinner the other night and my wife could not get her 04 RX out of "P". It wouldn't budge for about 5 minutes. Three or four of the dash lights were lite and would not go off. She turned everything off 15+ times Eventually, everything worked. There used to be an override button on most cars on the gear shift but I couldn't find one. She had it in a few weeks ago and the service guy said she probably wasn't depressing the brake. Not so as I watched her attempt to move it out of Park. The darn thing was stuck.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    If its like my 01 RX300 there is a small cover, 1/2" x 1/2", over the release solenoid that you must remove to manually actuate the release.

    Sounds like you have a power relay that is not quite seated in its socket. Have the dealer unplug and reinsert the ones that might do this.
  • oldgrumpyoldgrumpy Member Posts: 11
    Has anyone installed a satellite radio in the Rx 330? and if so, how?
  • fhillerfhiller Member Posts: 1
    Lexus just came out with a service bulletin to fix the injector noise on RX330s(EG005-05) and late RX300s(EG004-05). Check with your dealer...
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