Hi rivergirl, I paid a local auto sound shop in San Francisco $125 to hook it into the RX head unit, and then feed the iPod and aux jack wires into the glove compartment. It would have cost more to set up the wires in the center console (between the seats). You can get the Vaistech SoundLink SLI for $299 + tax, S&H. Yes, it was a little spendy but at the time I wanted to hang onto the RX300 for a bit longer. BTW, if you have a newer RX with the latest navigation software that has MP3 capability, Vaistech's SLI will use the additional functions to control the iPod (see the pics on the web at http://www.vaistech.com/sli.html).
Hi Lexusfan. So you are powering the ipod and feeding sound into the stereo? I would love the Vaistech unit, but I spent so much putting in the XM radio, not willing to go to that expense. Would it be cheaper just to get them to wire to the stereo to play directly through without powering? Does ut wiybd better than using a cassette adapter? thx
I had previously been assuming we would not get an air suspension on the RX350 we plan to buy, but my wife (who is not very tall) is enamored of entry mode. I recall reading in a review somewhere that air suspension affects safety (but I don't remember if positively or negatively). I think the affect was beyond mere change in handling ability, but perhaps I'm remembering incorrectly. Can anyone let me know if there is some safety consequence of air suspension?
I have a concern, perhaps misplaced, that the air suspension could fail while driving more easily than a traditional suspension, and result in a very unsafe condition. Anyone who understands this better -- am I off base here?
Any other thoughts on air suspension beyond what I have read already (that it improves handling markedly) would be hugely appreciated.
I bought a 2007 RX 350(Breakwater Blue) couple of days back at Concord Lexus, CA. It costed me $40,400+taxes. It was fully loaded with Mark Levinson Package and DVD entertainment system. I was wondering if is was a good deal.
Hi dgrahamr - Congratulations on your new RX350. I just bought one about 4000 miles ago and it really runs smoooooooooooooooooooth. I would not worry about your air suspension at all. First of all we are only talking about a difference of barely one inch when it is active. If it should fail I really dont think you would realize it. Also, I really do not see how it would effect the handling of the car. The only real way to tell if it is working, if you were loading groceries in the back and you flipped the suspension switch, it would then lower the car very slightly, very slightly. To me it is really worthless.Because of the increased maintenance way down the line I would not even consider having it on my car. Just my 2 cents worth! Happy Driving!
Hi devineni - Well, let's say you got a pretty good deal. However, for that price you should have a navigation unit also??? But either way you have a wonderful car that will last you for many good years to come. Happy driving.
I recently took an 08 rx350 for a test drive, and noticed that the seat cushion was not very deep (front to back), thus providing little thigh support. I'm a bit on the tall side so I found this more than a little irritating. Adding to it was the cushion's front height adjustment wouldn't adjust very high. I pondered just how easy it would be to add a separate cushion adjustment, when I read that the es350 actually has this feature!
Has anyone dealt with this problem? I'm thinking there may be an aftermarket solution which can modify the seat so I don't feel like I'm about to slide off of it.
Hi jims16. I read with interest your comments on the Lexus seats. I just had to let you know my experiences. I'm an older guy - 6'4" tall and I have owned a LOT of cars. A long time ago I injured my back skiing and ever since that time my right leg and foot would start to go numb after driving for an hour or so. I spent a lot of money trying out different cars, believe me. So I got used to having to stop the car and get out and walk a little to restore feeling in my right leg. I bought an 07 Lexus RX350 some time ago and I kinda figured I would have the same problem. Was I surprised when I discovered that I could drive for hours and hours and hours on the L.A. freeways with no trouble with my leg. I dont know what they did with that front seat but for me I will never change cars now. Sorry you are having the trouble, but work with all the adjustments and I am sure you will find a happy medium just as I did. Happy driving!
This is my 2nd one (had an '04 330). The seats in 330(and 350) are way better than the 300. The 350 provides most comfort for long driving and my arthritis in my knee. I would not consider another vehicle for this reason alone.
Hi all. I've gained so much valuable information in these forums! Am getting closer to making a final decision for an RX350. I'm torn between a Premium Plus and a Performance Package. The biggest differences I see are "Four Wheel Air Suspension" and "Five-speed sequential-shift automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission (ECT)". I also realize the tire/wheel sizes are different. I've read in the forum that I probably won't notice much with the Air Suspension. But, can someone help me understand what difference I would notice with the Sequential Shift ECT? Not sure I understand the difference with that or "Five-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission (ECT)" as is listed as the Base Model. Any help would be appreciated. It looks to be about a $2,000 difference. Will I get better gas mileage or something with the different ECTs. What gives? :confuse:
I'm not sure I would buy another RX without the air suspension, we have it in our '92 LS and the comfort level is outstanding vs normally "sprung" LSes I have ridden in. It is also nice to be able to raise the vehicle heigth as needed rather that constantly driving around as if boulder climbing.
Assuming the RX series still has the 1-2 second downshift delay/hesitation symptom facilitated by the DBW system to "protect the drive train" (I haven't yet heard otherwise) the sequential shift can be an aid in avoiding instances wherein that puts you in, potentially, an unsafe driving circumstance.
A sequential "manual" downshift shift upon entering a lift-throttle coastdown period would abort the otherwise programmed upshifting of the transaxle in that circumstance.
The only logical explanation I have found for this "programmed" upshift in these circumstances is to lower the potential for loss of directional control due to engine braking on the front wheels should the roadbed happen to be slippery. Additionally, even a slight level of engine braking can and will interfere with ABS in that same slippery roadbed circumstance.
That's an interesting bit of info about the shift pattern on the sequential shift offered on the performance package. Makes me wish I had been able to test drive one when I was shopping for a car last year, although I doubt the dealer where I bought my car even had one with the performance package.
This is really the only somewhat negative thing I have found in driving my '07 RX350; that, and I wish Lexus would tighten up the response on the steering. It feels overboosted. It still feels a little weird the way the tranny shifts in my car, particularly that 1-2 shift pattern, although I've grown accustomed to anticipating it and I'm learning not to press down on the accelerator too much so I can get better fuel economy.
Apologies if this is a daft question I looked all over the lexus site but couldn't confirm this fact.
I test drove the RX350 last week and really enjoyed it. Only thing was on the 10 minute test drive I found the wooden steering wheel really uncomfortable. Shame really because I love the way it looks!
Does the performance package replace the wooden steering wheel with a leather one? If not anyone have any experience of a good steering wheel cover?
Has anyone had any experience with the spare tire? I'm seriously considering buying this car but the dealer said I couldn't change the tire because it is wired under the vehicle and I would have to get roadside assistance. This seems wierd. What happens if I can't get cell phone coverage in a place where I have a flat? (This has happened to me before when I was locked out of my car). There are several "dead" areas near us.
Your dealer is sadly lacking in product knowledge. There is a plastic plug in the bottom of right side auxiliary storage box in the luggage compartment which you remove. Then insert the adapter socket and connect the jack handle. Turning the handle lowers the spare to the ground.
Thanks so much, Pete. That makes more sense. You are right about our local dealer - my husband knows more about the car than the salespeople at the dealership!
When I go to lexus.com and enter my zipcode and try to "Build My Own" RX350, I am not presented with a number of options for the RX350 that I understand are available for the RX350 when I look more broadly at the lexus website or at edmunds.com. For example, no indication that I can get the performance package or the ML sound system. The Lexus dealers in the area say these features aren't available in the Boston area, even if I want to order a car. Can that be true?
Yes, tolax, the Performance Package does not have the wood-trimmed steering wheel and you also don't get the wood shift knob. I think there may be wood around the shift area but not on the shift knob for the performance package. I can understand what you mean about the wood steering wheel. I had to have it also 'cause I thought it looked so rich and gorgeous, but being as I am a female, one thing I have done in the past and have learned not to do is to put hand cream on my hands before jumping into my Lexus to go to work. My hands were slipping all over the place when I tried to place them on the wood part.(LOL) I had to keep my hands on the leather part.
I've learned my lesson now, but I still love that wood steering wheel. Again, I think the key is you've gotta hold onto the leather part (on the sides) to get a good grip!!
While I'm not sure if you would not be allowed to special order your car from your area, I am aware of this regional thing that the different Lexus dealerships have going on all over the country. For instance, in Central Florida, you could get the premium package(luxury value edition) which gives you the basic stuff such as the leather seats, 18in. wheels, power liftgate, wood steering wheel and shift knob, but it has no heated seats. I guess they figure you don't need 'em in Florida. But in my region, if you move up to the premium plus package, you get the heated seats and the HID swivel lights, and I can't remember what else. Yet if you go to the West Coast, the packaging becomes a little different. Maybe you might want to consider purchasing your car in another state and either drive it back or ship it back. Good Luck!
I was pretty much set on a 400h, but now am rethinking whether the 350 is a better choice. Key advantage of the 400h is obviously the hybrid technology (and resulting efficiency). 400h also has VDIM. 350 is one model-year newer, but as far as I can tell that involves no non-cosmetic changes.
Anyone who is familiar with both the 350 and 400h have any thoughts on what otherwise distinguishes the two (in terms of drive, appearance, etc.)? If there are substantive improvements in the 2007 to 2008 models that the 350 would have but the 400h wouldn't yet, I would be interested to know about those.
Assuming (Boston??) it's the AWD version you're considering the RXh has a much more adequate rear drive system than the RX. On the other hand if it really is the AWD you want then the BMW X3 or X5 would be a stellar 1st choice as would the Acura RDX as a second choice.
Absent the mods I did to my AWD 2001 RX300 I wouldn't dare drive 128 in the wintertime. 1.5" wheel spacers all around so I could use tire chains on the rear first/initially, and add a second set to the front if the need arose.
Yes, both would be AWD. My wife doesn't like the BMW or the Acura, she's pretty wedded to the Lexus. I gather you are saying the hybrid has better AWD than the 350. Is that because the rear wheels are powered by a separate motor rather than (I assume) a clutch-based connection to the motor in the 350?
The RX350 has a viscous clutch mounted across the two output shafts, front and rear, of the center different. Supposedly if there is a disparate rotation rate between the two outputs then the viscous fluid will heat up and increase the coupling co-efficient between the two.
It doesn't work all that well (if at all in the "instant" case) in my 2001 AWD RX300 (personal experience and 4WD dyno testing, 75/25 F/R at best) and was dropped entirely for the RX330 product run and now is back for the RX350.
I have no experience with either the RXh nor the RX350 but both are very heavily torque biased to the front which IMMHO can quickly become extremely hazardous on the wintertime roadbed conditions you often encounter in the Boston, entire NE, area.
Yes, I would trust the electronics for activating the rear electrics a lot moreso than the ability of a viscous clutch's fluid's "secret" formulation. And the low end torque capability of the rear motor is substantial, indeed.
I just completed a post over on the HL thread you might want to read also.
When we went to look at the RX350 and the RX400h, the 400h's backseat have less headroom because of the battery packs. I sat in the 400h and my head hit the top of the roof when it did not in the 350.
WWest-You used to mention that your Aerostar had a better 4 wheel drive system than the RX. Do you know how the new Edge system compares? I have an AWD RX300 and like everything about the car except its snow handling. So I am looking at all the new CUVs.
I've been following the Edge posts here at Edmunds but don't know much about the AWD system except it's FWD based and therefore likely not adequate from a safety standpoint for true wintertime roadbed conditions.
I would NEVER suggest going from an RX3xx to a Ford, ANY Ford, nor even the Lincohn versions. Look at the BMW X3 or even the Acura RDX.
I haven't driven an RXh at all but it certainly has the potential, at least on paper, to be a reasonably adequate AWD platform. Probably depends on how quickly the VSC/Trac system dethrottles the engine upon wheelspin/slip at the front initially. Does it bring on the rear electrics and wait for them to slip too or does it dethrottle simultaneously with activating rear drive?
There are MANY Highlander Hybrid/400H owners who are dissatisfied with the "over eager" traction control systems on their AWD vehicles.
If you can keep momentum up and moving in slippery conditions, you're OK. But, if you STOP on snow or ice and the wheels start slipping, you will most likely be stranded.
Apparently there is no way to switch off the TC as there is on some FWD Toyota vehicles. There is a procedure to turn TC/VSC off by putting the drivetrain in "diagnostic mode," but you won't find it in the manual.
Do a search for "turning traction control off highlander" and see what you find. Very disconcerting.
At least one of the new '08 models has a TC off and a sequential VSC off function. I think I rea dit in the RX350 owners manual.
Yes, TC is very quick acting on ANY FWD or front biased AWD vehicle, just as it should be in consideration of passenger safety.
In the interim if you wish to disable TC/VSC simply unplug the MAF/IAT sensor while the engine is idling. After the engine dies plug it back in and restart the engine. For the next few drive cycles you will have a meaningless CEL and a meanful TC/VSC failure indication.
Dealer offered a discount (about 6%) from MSRP for 2008 AWD RX350 but then dealer added to the MSRP an acquisition fee of $600 (because he said it would be financed through a lease); an add'l $400 dealer prep (which was in addition to the $715 dealer charge in the MSRP) and an additional $289 for vehicle theft registration. Are these normal dealer mark-ups?
These charges normal in that dealers try to get all they can out of us. An acquisition fee is normal and you should probably ask Lease questions in the "Lease" discussion for better answers. The $400 could be legit if it's for advertising rather than prep. I'd refuse to pay it as well as the $289 vehicle theft registration. I have the window etching without registration as I refused that charge. However, it's really up to you. If the 6% discount plus $400 and/or $289 is the best for your market, then you have a good deal. Go to Prices Paid to see what's being done.
The new highlander comes out in a few weeks and its a 2008. Look around at edmunds and you'll see a drawing of the 2009 RX . I would expect Lexus to bring it out a little earlier than anticipated like spring 2008 as a MY2009.
I have a 2007, and no, there's no direct hookup... it's RIDICULOUS. At least my old RX300 had a cassette player so I could use the cassette adapter, but my RX350 has none. The FM adapters suck, so my dealer is going to put in an aftermarket interface for about $500... hate doing it, esp. on a leased car, but I can't live without it. It's ridiculous when the cheapest camry has an Aux input.
edmundoh, do you mean they're going to put an aftermarket cassette player in your RX? If so, where do they plan on installing it? I have the RX with just the premium package and I don't have a cassette player either, which caused me to pay the money to have my XM integrated into the radio, since using the wireless FM adapter for my Roady did not produce very good sound quality.
Hi All - I just had to get into this conversation because it puzzles me to some degree what Lexus is doing. I own a 07 RX350,equipped with Navi, CD, Cassette,AM/FM Radio, XM, the whole enchilada. For 07 they put in a plug behind the radio stack in which` to plug in the XM. The sound quality is excellent. Now I took a careful look at the 08 350 and I see they put in a plug for the IPOD. It sits in the lower left hand corner of the casette deck. Now I guess you good people are from the East Coast or thereabouts, because I am told that Lexus builds the cars differently for that part of the country. Dont exactly know why, but I do have a suspicion for whatever it is worth. My feeling is simply this. Here in L.A. I swear to you, almost all I see on the road are Lexus RX350's. So I am guessing that Lexus is doing everything possible to make the car appealing to everybody out here. Just my 2 cents worth. Happy driving to all. By the way I drove a test car with the Mark Levinson sound system in it for three whole days. One word - horrible -. Don't waste your money. The standard sound system and stereo effect is much, much better.
I have an LS430 with the Mark Levinson system and an RX350 with the standard sound system, and have compared the two. Conclusion: the ML sounds slightly better, but neither is very good.
Hi, rpac. Yes, it's interesting to see how different regions of the country are selling RX's with slightly different package offerings. For example, supposedly leather seating is an option, and yet I've never been able to build an RX online with cloth seating, or for that matter, I've never seen an RX with cloth seating. As to seeing many RX's on the road, yes, I've been seeing a lot of them on the road here in Tampa also. I initially thought it was just because I was driving one, you know, the mental thinking; but I'm beginning to think they really are selling very well here.
Though there are many out there who like to give us grief for driving any form of a Lexus, I must say, there must be something special to this Lexus RX if so many people are buying them!
I've had my Rx 350 for about 3 weeks and love everything about it except...no ipod jack. I asked one of the salesmen how this could be and was told it would take a total redesign of the center dash area to do. Hard to believe. My son has a jack on his aftermarket cd player from 2 years ago (in my old Dodge Intrepid) and I have my daughter searching for the componants of her FM ipod/receiver to see if it will work. Lexus missed the boat on this one.
Does anyone know where the mark levinson subwoofer and the amplifier is physically located in the RX350? If selecting this option would reduce my cargo space, I'd probably not do it. In the process of buying an RX.
I know that in the ES the subwoofer is located in the rear dash, and the amplifier is located in the trunk.
The brochure says that this package contains the transmission cooler, heavy-duty alternator and heavy-duty radiator. For an additional $160, this sounds like a good deal for the upgraded alternator and radiator. But I'm not sure what is the transmission cooler. Does anyone know if this is added equipment for this package? If it is, was wondering if it's worth the while to get it since it may cost more in the future to fix/replace it.
I'm not altogether sure you can even get an RX without the towing package. Even more likely not with AWD. Due to the apparent problem they have with ATF overheating they seem to be including the towing package on all RXes in order to "enforce" ATF cooling on the owners without being forthright about the "need".
All RXes have an ATF temperature sensor within the transaxle and a warning in the owners manual that if the diagnostic icon illuminates you are to immediately pull over and stop the vehicle.
Obviously if you actually do "tow" the likelihood of ATF overheating increases somewhat. The ATF cooling heat exchanger on my '01 is mounted behind the front bumper just in front of the right front wheel well splash guard.
I removed the towing hitch from my '01 the week I bought it brand new off the dealers floor. While it NEVER carried an unduly heavy load at ~40,000 miles my ATF smelled and looked burned and had to be drained and replenished. Now at 65,000 and fully expecting a repeat by ~80,000.
I could have sworn I saw an auxiliary audio input in the center armrest of the RX 350 when I test drove it. But I guess that was in the hybrid and I'm just remembering incorrectly?
Anyway, would be interested to hear reviews of the aftermarket installations from those who have experienced them. My questions are (1) can you get an aftermarket install if you already have the dealer-installed XM? (2) does it work well, (3) do the aftermarket installers do a good job of not screwing up your car (which would really piss of my wife!) and (4) do the dealers do these installs (which would presumably be safer)?
Just had this issue resolved today, and happy to share with the group. I was furious that there was no ipod input on my 2007 RX350. I had dealer-installed Sirius (not XM) but was told by the dealer it would cost an additional at least $300 to add simple Ipod "aux in" connectivity, or $500 to have functionality through the head unit. As this is leased, didn't want anything too fancy.
Called around to car stereo places in NYC... found one (Mobile Audio on Tenth Ave) that seemed extremely knowledgeable. The owner, Jeff, said that if there was a Sirius installed, there was likely some kind of Aux in that he could tap into. He said if so, it wouldn't be more than $200 tops, and that would be almost all labor.
Brought car in this morning. They found that the Sirius unit was connected to the head unit using a VaisTech SoundLinq adapter. And sure enough, there were two RCA jacks that served as the Aux In that could be accessed via the SAT 3 band on the head unit.
They did a great job of running the cable under the carpet and up through the console... so I now have a wire with miniplug coiled in my cupholder that I can plug into the Ipod. I punch "Sat 3" on the radio, and the sound is absolutely breathtaking... better than the satellite radio or even CD.
The job was completed in two hours start to finish, and they charged me $190, including parts and tax. So I'm a very happy camper.
Has anyone compared between the Levinson and the standard audio system in the 2008 RX350? Looking for reviews to decide if it's worth the while to get it. Any input would be helpful.
Comments
I paid a local auto sound shop in San Francisco $125 to hook it into the RX head unit, and then feed the iPod and aux jack wires into the glove compartment. It would have cost more to set up the wires in the center console (between the seats). You can get the Vaistech SoundLink SLI for $299 + tax, S&H. Yes, it was a little spendy but at the time I wanted to hang onto the RX300 for a bit longer. BTW, if you have a newer RX with the latest navigation software that has MP3 capability, Vaistech's SLI will use the additional functions to control the iPod (see the pics on the web at http://www.vaistech.com/sli.html).
thx
I have a concern, perhaps misplaced, that the air suspension could fail while driving more easily than a traditional suspension, and result in a very unsafe condition. Anyone who understands this better -- am I off base here?
Any other thoughts on air suspension beyond what I have read already (that it improves handling markedly) would be hugely appreciated.
Happy Driving!
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
But either way you have a wonderful car that will last you for many good years to come.
Happy driving.
Has anyone dealt with this problem? I'm thinking there may be an aftermarket solution which can modify the seat so I don't feel like I'm about to slide off of it.
Thanks,
jims
Sorry you are having the trouble, but work with all the adjustments and I am sure you will find a happy medium just as I did.
Happy driving!
Assuming the RX series still has the 1-2 second downshift delay/hesitation symptom facilitated by the DBW system to "protect the drive train" (I haven't yet heard otherwise) the sequential shift can be an aid in avoiding instances wherein that puts you in, potentially, an unsafe driving circumstance.
A sequential "manual" downshift shift upon entering a lift-throttle coastdown period would abort the otherwise programmed upshifting of the transaxle in that circumstance.
The only logical explanation I have found for this "programmed" upshift in these circumstances is to lower the potential for loss of directional control due to engine braking on the front wheels should the roadbed happen to be slippery. Additionally, even a slight level of engine braking can and will interfere with ABS in that same slippery roadbed circumstance.
with the performance package.
This is really the only somewhat negative thing I have found in driving my '07 RX350; that, and I wish Lexus would tighten up the response on the steering. It feels overboosted. It still feels a little weird the way the tranny shifts in my car, particularly that 1-2 shift pattern, although I've grown accustomed to anticipating it and I'm learning not to press down on the accelerator too much so I can get better fuel economy.
I test drove the RX350 last week and really enjoyed it. Only thing was on the 10 minute test drive I found the wooden steering wheel really uncomfortable. Shame really because I love the way it looks!
Does the performance package replace the wooden steering wheel with a leather one? If not anyone have any experience of a good steering wheel cover?
Thanks
Tolax
Pete
Sidekick73
I can understand what you mean about the wood steering wheel. I had to have it also 'cause I thought it looked so rich and gorgeous, but being as I am a female, one thing I have done in the past and have learned not to do is to put hand cream on my hands before jumping into my Lexus to go to work. My hands were slipping all over the place when I tried to place them on the wood part.(LOL) I had to keep my hands on the leather part.
I've learned my lesson now, but I still love that wood steering wheel. Again, I think the key is you've gotta hold onto the leather part
(on the sides) to get a good grip!!
But in my region, if you move up to the premium plus package, you get the heated seats and the HID swivel lights, and I can't remember what else. Yet if you go to the West Coast, the packaging becomes a little different. Maybe you might want to consider purchasing your car in another state and either drive it back or ship it back. Good Luck!
Anyone who is familiar with both the 350 and 400h have any thoughts on what otherwise distinguishes the two (in terms of drive, appearance, etc.)? If there are substantive improvements in the 2007 to 2008 models that the 350 would have but the 400h wouldn't yet, I would be interested to know about those.
Absent the mods I did to my AWD 2001 RX300 I wouldn't dare drive 128 in the wintertime. 1.5" wheel spacers all around so I could use tire chains on the rear first/initially, and add a second set to the front if the need arose.
And why is there no Toyota vehicle RWD/AWD model equivalent to the IS or GS..??
RX = HL
ES = Camry
GX = 4runner
LX = Sequoia
xx = Avalon
GS = xx
IS = xx
It doesn't work all that well (if at all in the "instant" case) in my 2001 AWD RX300 (personal experience and 4WD dyno testing, 75/25 F/R at best) and was dropped entirely for the RX330 product run and now is back for the RX350.
I have no experience with either the RXh nor the RX350 but both are very heavily torque biased to the front which IMMHO can quickly become extremely hazardous on the wintertime roadbed conditions you often encounter in the Boston, entire NE, area.
Yes, I would trust the electronics for activating the rear electrics a lot moreso than the ability of a viscous clutch's fluid's "secret" formulation. And the low end torque capability of the rear motor is substantial, indeed.
I just completed a post over on the HL thread you might want to read also.
I would NEVER suggest going from an RX3xx to a Ford, ANY Ford, nor even the Lincohn versions. Look at the BMW X3 or even the Acura RDX.
I haven't driven an RXh at all but it certainly has the potential, at least on paper, to be a reasonably adequate AWD platform. Probably depends on how quickly the VSC/Trac system dethrottles the engine upon wheelspin/slip at the front initially. Does it bring on the rear electrics and wait for them to slip too or does it dethrottle simultaneously with activating rear drive?
I would hope not the latter.
If you can keep momentum up and moving in slippery conditions, you're OK. But, if you STOP on snow or ice and the wheels start slipping, you will most likely be stranded.
Apparently there is no way to switch off the TC as there is on some FWD Toyota vehicles. There is a procedure to turn TC/VSC off by putting the drivetrain in "diagnostic mode," but you won't find it in the manual.
Do a search for "turning traction control off highlander" and see what you find. Very disconcerting.
Yes, TC is very quick acting on ANY FWD or front biased AWD vehicle, just as it should be in consideration of passenger safety.
In the interim if you wish to disable TC/VSC simply unplug the MAF/IAT sensor while the engine is idling. After the engine dies plug it back in and restart the engine. For the next few drive cycles you will have a meaningless CEL and a meanful TC/VSC failure indication.
Won't make this mistake again...
ed
ed
aftermarket cassette player in your RX? If so,
where do they plan on installing it? I have the RX with just the premium package and I don't have a cassette player either, which caused me to pay the money to have my XM integrated into the radio, since using the wireless FM adapter for my Roady did not produce very good sound quality.
By the way I drove a test car with the Mark Levinson sound system in it for three whole days. One word - horrible -. Don't waste your money. The standard sound system and stereo effect is much, much better.
For example, supposedly leather seating is an option, and yet I've never been able to build an RX online with cloth seating, or for that matter, I've never seen an RX with cloth seating.
As to seeing many RX's on the road, yes, I've been seeing a lot of them on the road here in
Tampa also. I initially thought it was just because I was driving one, you know, the mental thinking; but I'm beginning to think they really are selling very well here.
Though there are many out there who like to give us grief for driving any form of a Lexus,
I must say, there must be something special to this Lexus RX if so many people are buying them!
I know that in the ES the subwoofer is located in the rear dash, and the amplifier is located in the trunk.
All RXes have an ATF temperature sensor within the transaxle and a warning in the owners manual that if the diagnostic icon illuminates you are to immediately pull over and stop the vehicle.
Obviously if you actually do "tow" the likelihood of ATF overheating increases somewhat. The ATF cooling heat exchanger on my '01 is mounted behind the front bumper just in front of the right front wheel well splash guard.
I removed the towing hitch from my '01 the week I bought it brand new off the dealers floor. While it NEVER carried an unduly heavy load at ~40,000 miles my ATF smelled and looked burned and had to be drained and replenished. Now at 65,000 and fully expecting a repeat by ~80,000.
Anyway, would be interested to hear reviews of the aftermarket installations from those who have experienced them. My questions are (1) can you get an aftermarket install if you already have the dealer-installed XM? (2) does it work well, (3) do the aftermarket installers do a good job of not screwing up your car (which would really piss of my wife!) and (4) do the dealers do these installs (which would presumably be safer)?
Thx
Called around to car stereo places in NYC... found one (Mobile Audio on Tenth Ave) that seemed extremely knowledgeable. The owner, Jeff, said that if there was a Sirius installed, there was likely some kind of Aux in that he could tap into. He said if so, it wouldn't be more than $200 tops, and that would be almost all labor.
Brought car in this morning. They found that the Sirius unit was connected to the head unit using a VaisTech SoundLinq adapter. And sure enough, there were two RCA jacks that served as the Aux In that could be accessed via the SAT 3 band on the head unit.
They did a great job of running the cable under the carpet and up through the console... so I now have a wire with miniplug coiled in my cupholder that I can plug into the Ipod. I punch "Sat 3" on the radio, and the sound is absolutely breathtaking... better than the satellite radio or even CD.
The job was completed in two hours start to finish, and they charged me $190, including parts and tax. So I'm a very happy camper.
Let me know if you need more details!
ed
Any input would be helpful.