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Lexus RX 330 Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • donnadonna Member Posts: 23
    I was a little concerned since I was using the navigation reading and I drove about 6 miles after it indicated I had 0 miles left. I thought it would be accurate but it wasn't, thank goodness. My husband wanted to drive into Alabama hoping the price of gas would be less, but it wasn't. I would rather pay more and not worry about running out of gas on the interstate.
  • gardencargardencar Member Posts: 293
    ...run out of gas on the interstate. You could cause some costly damage to your fuel injectors if you allow your tank to run dry.

    Glad to hear you are enjoying your first SUV, couldn't have picked a better one!
  • mfullmermfullmer Member Posts: 773
    Where is the "miles-to-empty" on the navigation reading? Are you talking about the "Info/Trip Information" screen? I only have 600 miles on my RX but on my last fill up my Trip Info area said 42 miles to go when the light came on. It said I had gotten 17.8 MPG on that tank.
  • donnadonna Member Posts: 23
    The cruising range is what said 0 miles. I understood this was what I could go before running out of gas.
  • mfullmermfullmer Member Posts: 773
    I've never seen the cruising range go down that far. That's interesting. How long was your low fuel light on before it read "0"?
  • ninjaboyninjaboy Member Posts: 3
    can anyone update me on the tranmission problem I have been reading. and also the rattle noise.
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    I have also driven (not by choice!) with the trip computer indicating I had 0 miles cruising range before empty. I must have driven another 10, maybe 12 miles, before I reached a gas pump.

    My guess is that the trip computer indicates 0 miles (empty) when there is still 1 or 2 gallons of gas remaining. This is common among other cars, as well. When we had our '01 MDX, the Acura service advisor told me their trip computers were programmed to reflect 20 fewer miles range than what was actually available in the tank. It was an offset bias that he was able to adjust for me, if I wanted.

    Basically, these automobile manufacturers realize there are too many drivers out there who sometimes take risks with leaving themselves stranded with an empty gas tank. They intentionally program these trip computers so that we will fuel up before we get into real trouble!
  • rycaryca Member Posts: 17
    I wish Lexus would make the gas warning light larger. I usually only notice it is on by accident. I would also like to see some audio warning when the miles to empty reaches 25 miles or less. My old Ford did this when it reached 50 miles to go and would re-alarm every 10 miles or so. A very nice reminder.
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    Regarding the transmission, I personally cannot provide you with any updates above and beyond the same info that I've published here several times before. As far as I know, all new RX330 models now have the latest ECM software loaded for the transmission. Owners who purchased their RX330 back in December and then asked to have their ECM updated (per the TSIB) were told their RX330 was already up to date.

    At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I still believe this particular transmission issue was blown way out of proportion, which sometimes happens when you get a few enthusiasts in a forum such as this one. The early models of the RX330 had transmission programming that sometimes caused a slower than expected downshift, when the driver applied a little more force to the gas pedal while traveling at lower speeds (such as 30mph). The downshift would be slightly delayed, depending on how relaxed the throttle was pushed. In some cases, this brief delay would cause an impatient driver, who had expected an immediate downshift and burst of acceleration, to exert full force on the gas pedal, resulting in the transmission abruptly downshifting a full 2 gears.

    The new ECM programming has definitely made our transmission more responsive, but I guarantee you there are many owners out there with the original ECM programming that do not suspect anything is wrong.
  • johngreisjohngreis Member Posts: 70
    It would be nice if someone in the know would post the serial numbers at which all cars coming off the line had the xmission update -- for both Japan and Canadian factories.
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    if Lexus was more "open" about all these TSBs.

    I'm not saying that Lexus needs to mail notices to all us RX330 owners regarding each of these improvements and/or bug fixes, but they should ensure that all of the Lexus service advisors know about them! (Don't you think? Or is this asking too much??)
  • mfullmermfullmer Member Posts: 773
    Toyota/Lexus is open about the issues, but at a price. If you go to their tech website: http://techinfo.lexus.com/ you can subscribe and you can pull up tons of info about any Toyota or Lexus. I have done this many times and even pulled the C-Best settings so that I can take it to the dealer to customize how I like.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    I would think vehicle owners would,should, have free access to information of this nature.
  • mfullmermfullmer Member Posts: 773
    I couldn't agree more. On the other hand, there are also full tech manuals there that the dealers themselves don't even get for free. I would like to see the site have free sections for owners with valid VINs (Owners Manuals, Recalls, Tech issues, etc.) and then have the subscription area for the more shop related material.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    I would think a satisfactory arrangement would be limiting the number of minutes/year a registered owner could use would suffice.
  • ninjaboyninjaboy Member Posts: 3
    Thanks for all the info. I did purchase the car afterall since the dealer gave me a pretty good deal. The price I paid was 37600. for a 2 wheel drive, premium plus package and Nav. So far I think the transmission is OK since I am taking easy to let the car break in 1st. And I do enjoy the car so far as it is the 1st luxury japaness made car I ever have.
  • theflowtheflow Member Posts: 98
    Regarding your post #533, do you know if the new ECM programming applies to the 2004 V6 Solara?? I think the engine and transmission are the same between the V6 Solara and RX 330. Your description regarding the delay in downshift is exactly what's happening with my car and I don't like it. Should I contact Toyota directly instead of the dealership? Or should I take my Toyota to a Lexus dealership?
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    My best guess would be to contact Toyota directly, and ask them if they have issued any technical service bulletins on the Solara transmission shifting, similar to the Lexus TSIB TC005-03, titled "ECM Calibration: Shifting Enhancement". I wouldn't go directly to a Lexus dealer, as I suspect the software is different for the Solara.

    Regarding the RX330, I understand that this ECM update was performed for all factory builds starting as early as December 2003, maybe even earlier. I do not know if a similar issue, and fix, apply to the V6 Solara, but I think it is worth investigating! This may also apply to the '04 ES330 and Camry SE V6.

    Also, just in case your Solara is brand new, allow some time for the transmission to "learn" your driving patterns. It may grow more responsive after you have a couple thousand miles on it.
  • theflowtheflow Member Posts: 98
    Thanks for the reply. My car currently has 6xxx miles and this "hesitation" is annoying. I don't drive fast. But I'm annoyed by this hesitation because everytime when I slow down to like 30 miles to make a turn, the car won't downshift. So after the turn, I hit the gas and there's no response. Then it downshifts and the car surges forward. The same thing happens when I slow down to a red light, then the light turns green, I hit the gas and there's no response. And all of a sudden it downshifts and surges forward.....

    My Solara was purchased in October 2003 and I believe it's manufactured in the US Kentucky plant? Is the RX 330 manufactured in Japan? I think there's no TSBs for this matter for the Solara. But I guess I will contact Toyota directly.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    I think that all who own FWD or front biased AWD will begin to experience this. My 01 AWD RX seemed to me to be shifting upward or maybe even into neutral during stopping or slowing or sometimes even coasting.

    Given all of the posts I have seen complaining of the resulting effects of this I have concluded that it is intentional on the part of the manufacturers. My guess is that it is the simpliest way to overcome the threat of loss of control from engine braking on the front wheels during directional manuvers on adverse roadbed conditions.

    Think about it, would you really want the engine to quickly apply HIGH torque to the front driven wheels at the same time you're turning hard and asking those same tires for their best roadbed adhesion charactoristics??

    That's the (one of) nice things about RWD or rear biased AWD, while you can still apply too much torque to the rear at least you're taking advantage of all four tire contact patches.
  • theflowtheflow Member Posts: 98
    Well, the thing is, you don't apply your brake when you're making turns. You apply the brake before making turns. Also, we're talking about 30 mph and not 60 mph. Even it downshifts to the 1st or 2nd gear won't apply too much HIGH torque to the front wheels.
  • katherine6katherine6 Member Posts: 61
    Does anyone have experience with lemom laws, especially in Massachusetts?
    I'm seriously considering the lemon option for my rx330. The dash has been pulled 3 times, the A pillars have been worked on three times, the center console has been removed, the headliner has been removed, the moon roof pan has been raised, etc.... and the rattles just keep on coming. The latest one is the worst. At this point I think it just can't be fixed. I'm not worried about meeting the criteria for lemon status in MA - three unsuccesful repair attempts for one defect, or 15 days in repair for any combination of defects within a year of purchase - because my rx meets both. My concern is with other things. The MA lemon law states that anyone whose car meets the criteria is entitled to a refund or a replacement of the car. Can replacement mean a new OR a used car? If I get a refund will I have to pay sales tax again on another car. Obviously I will talk to the appropriate officials here in MA but would like to hear from anyone with real world experience.

    Other questions - will a Lexus dealer help me, or will I be on my own? I bought from one dealer and took my service to another dealer after the first one couldn't fix the dash. They dropped a screw which rolled around inside it. Should I approach the selling dealer to ask for help, at least as a courtesy? Should I notify them, again as a courtesy? How about the servicing dealer? Will Lexus corporate be helpful? In general, will I be in for a big adversarial struggle or will Lexus want to take care of this problem to my satisfaction with the least fuss possible. Has anyone tried the arbitration services - either BBB AUTO LINE offered by Lexus or by state agencies?

    People on this board were very helpful when I bought this car, and I've tried to keep you posted on the problems and fixes I've experienced. Sorry to say I'm at the end of my patience. Funny thing - I loved the rx330 I had as a loaner and would get another 330 if it were as good as the loaner. Meanwhile, any input would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Katherine
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    All,

    Add me to the "not a happy camper" list.

    Today I took the wife's RX330 in for the 15K service. I mentioned I had noticed some vibrations, particularly within the steering column, when applying the brake mildly while traveling at highway speeds. They just notified me that I have warped rotors on the front axle. They will be happy to replace the front rotors and brake pads for only $550! (Gee, where do I sign??) They found no evidence that would allow this repair to be covered under warranty.

    My wife is the primary driver of this car, and we were both careful about driving this car conservatively during the break-in period. In fact, I believe we have done a decent job of not driving this car too aggressively during the entire time we've owned it. We typically buy new cars every 2-3 years, but this problem has never happened to us before. I can't help but wonder if anybody else is going to experience this problem within the first 20K miles of ownership?

    I guess I will try to find a good brake shop and see if they can turn the rotors and replace the pads for a reasonable fee. I just can't see paying $550 for a brake job on a car that is only 1 year old!

    I'd be interested in hearing anybody else's comments/advice.

    Katherine: Sorry to hear the news on your RX. I know absolutely nothing on lemon laws, but I hope you can get some timely information and make the law work to your advantage. Please keep us posted.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    I cannot imagine that Lexus isn't willing to replace or at least turn your brake rotors. I would find another dealer and be willing to make noise if this isn't fixed.

    But first be really sure your wife doesn't often ride the brake pedal ever so lightly. Fuel economy means lower weight and lower weight means thinner brake rotors and today's thinner brake rotors are much more subject to warpage than those of yesteryear.

    Driving along the highway I am always amazed at the number of vehicles with the brake lights on continuoisly.
  • lovemylexus1lovemylexus1 Member Posts: 101
    Sorry to hear about the brakes. I don't have any brake problems to report (yet).

    I am due for my next oil change and I have a laundry list of items I want my dealer to look at. Nothing major... mainly just all of the updated TSBs since my last service. But I have noticed at times a small hesitation in the transmission between second and third at times in recent weeks. I've already had the original fix done. I have been on the road (via air) more than I've been at home in the past three months. I half wonder if the RX is trying to "re-learn" my driving habits after it has been parked for days at the airport.

    Please let us know the outcome of your situation.
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    I checked with a couple other forums. I found a couple reports involving premature rotor warping on RX300's or ES300's, but nothing yet for the RX330.

    I placed a phone call into Lexus Customer Service; politely stating my circumstances, and asking if they had any history of this problem for the RX330. After a couple of minutes, the customer service agent got back with me to report they had no data on this problem with the RX330. I then asked him if Lexus might be able to help me out with this repair, as sort of a goodwill gesture. I am supposed to hear back sometime next week.

    By the way, my wife says she is confident she doesn't ride the brake pedal. I saw one post in another forum where someone mentioned over-tightening the lug nuts could be a contributing factor. I'm not sure if I agree, but it just so happens we had 2 new tires installed on our front axle about 3000 miles ago by a local Goodyear shop.
  • md52md52 Member Posts: 20
    I am taking my RX330 into the shop tomorrow for the infamous "klunking-on-downshift" problem..I have read on this site that TSIB TC-002-04 (replace Trans Cooler Lines) will resolve this. When I asked the dealer about this TSIB he said it was a "software fix". Does anyone know if this TSIB is just a software fix or if some hardware (trans cooler lines, etc) have to be replaced in order to solve the klunking noise. I dont want to have to go back to the dealer multiple times if I dont have to..

    Thanks for your help..
  • katherine6katherine6 Member Posts: 61
    When mine was fixed I had to wait for the parts to come in.....
    Katherine
  • johngreisjohngreis Member Posts: 70
    Over tighting the lug nuts will warp rotors. My niece had a new set of tires installed and on the way home felt a shimmy when braking. Her father immediately took her back and had them torque the lug nuts properly and she had no more problems.

    Over tightening lug nuts is a known problem for causing a shimmy.
  • md52md52 Member Posts: 20
    Hey Katherine..

    ..thanks for the tip..you wouldnt happen to know from your service invoice what was done to correct the klunker, would 'ya??...it would save me lots of time not to mention arguing with the service guy if the problem isnt resolved when they're done with the car..

    Thanks again

    Mike
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Over-tightening, improper tightening sequence, and RATE of tightening can all cause problems.

    Likely due to the industry wide effort to lower the overall vehicle weight. lighter metals, aluminum, etc. I was recently told that the speed of an air wrench to initially run the nuts or the bolts in can result in stripping the threads for dis-simuliar metals.

    I notice that some of the new lugnuts feel so light I think they might be plastic (they're not.).
  • katherine6katherine6 Member Posts: 61
    Hi Mike,
    The work sheet says:

    Trans Cooler Line S/O/P
    TSIB
    R/R Tubes
    369311 1.5

    Parts--Qty----FP-Number------Description
     ------- 1 ---- 32907-40831---Tube S/A oil coo
    --------2 ----- 90119-06942---bolt W/Washer

    There was a transmission downshifting hesitation issue that required a software fix. Maybe that's what your service person was thinking about.

    good luck,
    katherine
  • tomjavatomjava Member Posts: 136
    In most cases, warped rotor is caused by spraying cold water during car washed when the disc is still very hot.
  • md52md52 Member Posts: 20
    Hey Kath (Roberta)

    Thanks!...armed with this info I should be able to get the problem fixed right the first time...wouldnt that be novel??

    I'll ask about the software/hesitation problem too..although I dont seem to have that problem...so I dont want them to try to "fix" that problem is its not really there.

    I'll post a message as to what happens tomorrow..

    Have a good holiday

    Mike
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    for your insight into my warped rotor issue!

    I wish I had performed this research before the 15K service. Maybe we could have determined whether the lug nuts were not tightened correctly by that Goodyear store? Now that my Lexus dealer has since removed the wheels (to inspect the brakes), we'll never know for sure.

    With the ease that my rotors became warped, I'm thinking I should invest in a good torque wrench to double-check the lug nuts every time I have a wheel removed/replaced.

    I'll also ensure we allow the car to cool down a little before we run it through a car wash. (But if this was caused by cold water, who's to say it wasn't due to a large puddle or a flooded dip in the road?)

    For now, unless Lexus Customer Service offers to help us out, I'll probably keep the existing rotors and pads for another few months. The shimmy/vibration is only felt when lightly braking at speeds above 65mph, and even then, the vibration is relatively minor. Any good reason why I shouldn't try to get a little more wear out of the existing pads? (... as long as the vibrations do not become progressively worse?)
  • lovemylexus1lovemylexus1 Member Posts: 101
    I think you have discovered the reason behind your problem. I ALWAYS make sure tire stores and/or dealerships hand torque the lug nuts on my tires.

    I had a tire dealer destroy the rotors on the car I drove in college by over-tightening the lug nuts.

    Best of luck to you.
  • md52md52 Member Posts: 20
    Hey Kath (or anyone!)

    ..well, I tried! Lexus is telling me that the TSIB TC002-04 only refers to cars built in Japan; that those (like mine) that were built in Canada already had the fix. So they naturally are refusing to do this TSIB fix. I bought my car in Dec of 2003. Do you know if yours (a J as the first letter of the VIN) was built in Japan??

    Mike
  • md52md52 Member Posts: 20
    Yours is a grest message. I'm currently having this exact same problem, but Lexus is telling me that since my car was made in Canada it already has the fix. With the VIN's that you mentioned, how can you tell what the production date is? The TSB refers to models produced BEFORE the production change, but I cant tell from my VIN what my production date is, or the dates contained in the VIN's listed on the TSB. The TSB refers to a production date change, not where the car was manufactured.

    Do you know if a there is a TSB for Canadian vehicles with this problem??
     
    Thanks.
    Mike
  • katherine6katherine6 Member Posts: 61
    Mike,
    I went to the trouble to make sure I got one of the last rx's from Japan. I didn't want to take a chance on those made in the first months of Canadian production. Mine was manufactured in July. I think production in Canada began in Sept-October '03. Since then dealers on the East coast get Canadian built cars and the west coast gets Japanese built. The production date on mine is on a metal tag on the part of the door that is exposed when you open it - where the latch is. wierd thing , I looked for the tag on my latest loaner and didn't find it.

    A while ago someone posted a very good explanation of VINs. Maybe you could find it with a search. Hope any of that helps.

    By the way, my service dealer says that the Canadian produced cars have come through perfect.

    Katherine
  • md52md52 Member Posts: 20
    Kath

    ..Thanks for the note.I did a search of VIN's and there was a detailed nmessage, but it didnt say how I could tell the date of mfgr by the VIN. If anyone else knows, it would be very helpful to me as I'm not sure now wheather to trust the dealer..

    'ya know, I violated my own cardinal rule when I bought this thing; and that is NEVER, NEVER buy a car during its first year or 2 of production! It is, after all, a mass-produced product. We basically have become Toyotas' "test pilots". I thought I'd take a chance on a Lex (relentless persuit of perfection, and all that) but I wont make this mistake again. In retrospect, probably the best one to but would have been the RX300 during its final year. All the bugs would probably have been worked-out..

    I'll plod-on, hoping I dont spend too much of my free time getting this resolved.

    Mike
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    Hey, I have some good news! (Good news for the "cotmc" household, that is.) After I called Lexus Customer Service late last week, they investigated my warped rotor problem with my service advisor at Bell Lexus. I guess Bell Lexus went to bat for me; and now, Lexus will cover the cost to replace the front rotors and pads on our RX330! I just received the call from my service advisor a few minutes ago.

    Obviously, I am very pleased at how Lexus is taking care of me. I had hoped they might provide some type of discount or partial payment toward a rotor and pad replacement, but I did not expect them to cover the entire cost. Especially considering we did not buy our RX330 from Bell Lexus, I am extremely pleased with how this issue was handled.
  • lovemylexus1lovemylexus1 Member Posts: 101
    I can only hope other Lexus dealerships and service departments take note (especially in areas where there is no competing Lexus dealership).

    Thanks for the update cotmc.
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    "I can only hope other Lexus dealerships and service departments take note..."

    Yes, I hope this is becoming the norm rather than the exception.

    This type of goodwill and customer service is what leads to a large loyal customer base, as well as those full red Customer Satisfaction circles within Consumer Reports!
  • my1stsuv1my1stsuv1 Member Posts: 19
    I found this TSIB from NHTSA web site. Does anyone know what this TSIB is about? Any VIN#? Thanks.

    Summary:
    THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION OF THE 7 SOLENOIDS USED IN THE U150E/U151E/U151F TRANSMISSIONS.
  • edev31edev31 Member Posts: 41
    Katherine,

    Just wanted to know if you are pursuing the Lemon Lawsuit you mentioned a while back.

    I haven't posted in a while, b/c I'm fed up with my RX330 too! Today marks 2 weeks in the shop. I was also given a "loaner" Rx330 that is actually for sale AS-IS-NO WARRANTY. The dealer left the window sticker on the back seat! I was told by a lawyer friend that this must have been declared a lemon. By law, a lemon vehicle's title is branded and the manufacturer's warranty becomes null and void.

    It sounds like our cars have so many of the same problems. If you get a chance, let me know what you decided to do.

    Thanks!
  • katherine6katherine6 Member Posts: 61
    I'm planning to file for lemon status but don't know the exact timing. In Massachusetts the manufacturer is allowed a 7 day period after notification (by registered letter preferably) for a final attempt to fix the problems. After the 7 day period, if the manufacturer doesn't refund or replace the vehicle the process goes to arbitration at the owner's discretion (if i'm reading the law correctly). Since I will be out of town for approximately 3 weeks starting one week from now, and since my rx is presently in repair, I think I'll need to file when I return.

    If the car is declared a lemon the manufacturer must replace it or return all of the buyers money plus state sales tax and any fees such as registration, etc. They also have to refund any interest payments on loans and costs of dealer add-ons.

    I'm hoping Lexus would rather take the car back than have it "lemoned." Such a pain. I'm in my 5th loaner.

    Let us know what and how you are doing.

    This board and its posters have been very helpful. Once again, thanks to all.

    katherine
  • kcr2kcr2 Member Posts: 10
    My stereo crapped out on the return leg of a trip a few weeks ago. The radio appeared to be working except no sound. I had it repaired during my 10,000 mile service. The problem was a bad amplifier which the dealer replaced. I had a loaner (ES 330) for 7 days while they waited on replacement parts. Problem solved...sounds great again.

    Just a note, the ES 330 was a nice but I'm glad to have my RX back. It was quicker, smoother, and quieter than the RX but not as much as you would think when comparing a car to an SUV. After 7 days I got used to the ES, but I prefer the overall ride and feel of the RX.
  • rx330rx330 Member Posts: 16
    Could someone explain this issue please? I just
    bought an used (12K miles) AWD RX330 with performance package. I was wondering whether
    this is something I should be worried about?

    Thanks
    /kmk
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    My 01 AWD RX300 sometimes vibrates with light braking downhill at ~30mph when the street is wet. But no other time that I have noticed. I have attributed it to the automatic brake force distribution system.
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    kmk,

    Did you read all my posts going back to #547?

    So far, I seem to be the only person who has reported this problem on an RX330. Hopefully, this is an isolated incident. Don't know the root cause. This problem could have been caused by any combination of issues, such as the Goodyear dealer over-tightening the lug nuts; by my wife and myself; or due to original equipment that wasn't as robust as it should have been.

    If you don't feel any significant vibrations on the steering wheel while lightly applying the brake on dry and smooth pavement, then your RX330 does not have this problem.
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