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Comments
Best would be to run it until an analysis said it was time to replace it....
Steve, Host
With most engines I would agree with you that 7,500 miles is conservative for dino oil, and synthetic is used for longer drain intervals. However the Lexus RX300 had a bit of an oil gel (sludge) problem with a few engines. Lexus made a minor change to the size of a part in the PCV system, and I have never heard of a RX330 with oil gel. Still, I would not be comfortable going longer than four months or 4,000 miles before changing the oil in a RX330.
And I'm with the host on this one...in my early years I probably threw away more good oil than the Exxon Valdez. Old habits die hard.
I change the oil in my RX300 every 5000 miles with Mobil 1. If I have to have tires rotated, I go to my trusted local shop to do that and bring my own Mobil 1 for him to change the oil.
It is a bear to get at the filter in the 300. I do it from the front and and use one of those suction pumps that gets about every drop out of the crankcase.
Lexus charges an outrageous price for oil changes. You're better off at your Toyota dealer.
The 1999 and newer 3-series cars have a service indicator that counts down the number of miles until the next service. (No more green, yellow, and red lights.) In my previous '99 328i, my service indicator went 17,000 miles before recommending an oil change service, which is always performed with synthetic oil. (Personally, I was not comfortable with this long of an interval between oil changes. I paid for a very expensive oil change service at midway -- about 8000 miles.)
My 2000 528i uses colored lights for its service interval indicator, but it still required over 15,000 miles before indicating another oil change service. Again, this is performed with synthetic oil. And, again, I paid for an additional oil change service at about the midway point.
I've seen that Mercedes oil change intervals are very similar to BMW. On the other hand, Audi and Volvo seem to be a little more reasonable on the frequency of the free oil change services. I almost purchased a new Volvo XC90 instead of the RX330 (horrors!). During the process of researching the XC90, I found out that Volvo provides their oil change services every 7500 miles. I'm guessing this is with dead dino, as Steve puts it!
Any ideas on how to minimize the reflections? The salesman didn't have any.
Probably a reflection of the cheaper construction of OEM tires - less tread depth, perhaps shy a ply...but still a Michelin dat gum it!
Inflate these puppies cold at 31-32 psi and you could easily exceed 35 psi when they get to operating temp. Add a hot summer, a long trip, a heavy load..Exploder/Cheapstone all over again?
The Volvo XC90 T6 with its slightly different Michelin Pilot MXM4 has the same 35 psi max rating - also an "OEM" version tire. Even worse - the driver door jam shows a recommended psi for full loads of 39 psi...huh?
Pretty sad on a $40-50k vehicles that tout passenger safety as a major selling point.
Thanks.
To simplify, the 17" combo has a smaller wheel or rim and a "taller" tire. The 18" combo has a larger wheel and a "shorter" tire.
So, if you measure the diameter of each combo, bet they are the same overall. You could exchange the standard 17" wheels & tires for the 18" optional set and there would be no difference in speedo/odo readings.
If you want a more technical explanation, check out www.tirerack.com under "plus 1" sizing.
225/65R17: 225mm x .65 = 146.25mm
235/55R18: 235mm x .55 = 129.25mm
Add the additional 0.5" (12.7mm) RADIUS of the 18" wheel (versus the 17" wheel), and you will see there is roughly only a 4mm (.16") difference between the overall height of these two wheel/tire packages.
Note these calculations are approximations. The actual sidewall height is sometimes specified on the tire manuacturer's web sites. I've seen examples of where the calculated height was different by a few millimeters from the manufacturer's specified height. With this in mind, we may discover that the two RX330 wheel/tire packages are actually within 1mm of each (or less), as opposed to the calculated 4mm differential. Either way, 4mm is very insignificant.
Thanks.
Tsmith
Our RX330 came with Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires on the 18" rims. "V" speed rating with a "260" treadwear rating. The maximum indicated psi on these tires is 44psi.
Hmmm, I wonder why the Michelins MXV4s are rated to only 35psi? And the Pilots on the XC90 T6 are no better?? Very strange. As you mentioned, they must be cutting costs on OEM tires.
I never thought I would be glad to get Goodyear tires instead of Michelins. (And I never thought I would say that with a straight face.)
You're right; neither 18" version is what I would call Great Rubber. Hard to believe they cost about $160 each discounted at tirerack.
Tirerack's reviews, comments, surveys etc. on both of these tires is not very encouraging. RS-As don't see to last too long and they have a bad rep in the wet and this particular Michelin - and I'm a big Michelin advocate - ain't near the top of their food chain either.
Three years ago I swapped the El Cheapo Goodyear Integrity's ($60 tire on a $40K Lexus?) that were standard on our '01 RX300 for Cross-Terrains - what an improvement!
Problem on the RX330 is that I could not find a single alternative tire brand other than GY RSA or Mich MXV4s in the factory OEM 235x55x18 size. And I didn't really want to experiment with the RX330 steering and handling by fitting a different size.
Oh well...time will tell.
Thanks
Thanks
"Lexus just released this new software for the RX330 to improve the shifting. Here is the TSB#TC005-03. Contact your Lexus dealer for this ECM update..."
I would be interested in this question and agree that you should be able to have power there without the key in the ignition.
Has anyone received a copy of the C-Best tables?
Any suggestions?
Buy the standard OEM system and if you really MUST spend more money, then upgrade the speakers alone.
But not all will hear it. The various posts illustrate this. So again, go experience both and decide for yourself. Make sure you turn on ASL on the Levinson system and experiment with the settings for "All", "Front" and "Driver" to see what the system can do. The decide if it's worth it for you.
Re the ML sound system - true, it's value is solely in the ears of the potential audience. The standard system also has the "driver-front-rear-all" settings operated from the tuning knob on the right side.
On a more serious note, I have a decent ear for some of the finer details presented by better audio systems. I rate the standard RX330 audio system as decent, but just slightly lower than the sound quality I remember from the standard audio system in our '99 ES300. On the other hand, I would rate it slightly better than the standard system provided in the MDX (not the Bose system), if nothing else than because of the ASL with its various settings. I also like the CD player providing additional information not normally provided on typical OEM systems, such as track time or CD text.
I'm guessing this standard system could be given a little more "punch" by upgrading the rear speakers.
You can argue (and some will) that the RX330 isn't worth three times as much as a Kia. I believe it is. We all have different tastes and priorities. The car stereo is high priority with me. If you don't wish to upgrade to the ML, that's fine. I am glad I did.
I've noticed a different feel to the driver seat and it appears to be not as easy getting in and out. I've also read about the blind spot. Any comments would be a big help in making my decision.
Thanks,
Wes
Improvements in RX330 -
1. Lot more legroom for driver - I'm 6'2" and I never could get comfortable in wife's RX300
2. Handling is firmer - FWD with reg suspension & 18" rims & Mich MXV4 rubber
3. 5-spd trans = less rpm on freeways = less noise
4. Less noise overall at 70 mph highway cruise
5. Power rear hatch is very handy - not just cool
6. Gen 3 Nav system better than Gen 2 in our '01
7. Rear camera - jury still out on how useful
8. Audio controls a LOT better than '01's touchscreen - no need to take your eyes off the road
9. Standard non-ML audio better than standard in '01 - no magazines req'd for multi-CD load
10. Better interior materials, leather, etc.
11. HID lighting big improvement over non-HID '01
12. More power - nice, but with dogs we drive at 5/10ths anyway so it's not a biggie
13. Besides more legroom for me: Biggest Improvement - turning radius! No need to carry a foghorn to signal 3-point turns.
It was also nice to see that competition has kept the RX pricing down to the point where we are actually paying less for the 2004 than we did for a comparable 2001 - even with all the new features we did not have before.
Jeff