JoeCompute

Our 2010 had just under 30K miles on the OEM Dunlops, and while they were wearing evenly, they seem to have lost a good portion of their tread - they are fairly low rated for miles at "260", I believe, where the Michelin OEM tires on my new 2013 have a rating of 440. These new ones seem to handle and ride better, also (but, then, the car is new).

Actually, the basic warranty is 4 years / 50 K miles, and a longer powertrain warrany also applies. In general, extended warranties can be costly unless you "plan" to be abusive to the car. I had one on a Mazda in 1985 (when the Mfg warranty was 12mo/12k), and it did not pay off.

I had the 20k Oil & rotation on my 2010 RX done by the nearby huge Toyota Dealer (Arlington Toyota, Palatine Illinois) when they sent me a flyer offering to do the Oil Change and Tire Rotation for $50. They specifically said they service Lexus. Since the engine is the same as several Toyota V6 cars, I felt they could do it. I took it in, they had it back to me in 1 hr on a weekday morning, and the they used the right oil (0w20 Mobil 1 Synthetic). the only thing I missed was the selection of 25 different coffees and free juice & snacks at the the Lexus dealer. I also missed the $50-$100 extra cost (well, it was a special offer). For basic powertrain work I trust a Toyota dealer, if it were for working on the unique few Lexus features, perhaps a Lexus dealer is better.

Yes, our RX is a "Woman's Car" since it was mostly chosen by my wife. In fact, it is her fourth RX since the first one back in '99. And, yes, it is Red - that was her first requirement. No kids get carted around though, but occasionally 2 small dogs ride in the back. She says its particularly easy to get into compared to my car(s) - the latest being a 2012 MB C300 Sport, which is fairly low.

Unfortunately, the RX has been "decontented" almost every model year. Our 2010 "Lost" the cargo mat, but did come with the net and key gloves "for free" (on a $45+k car thats a relative term). Our 2007 had a tape player (no big loss), rain sensing wipers, a sunglass holder, roof cross rails, cargo mat, etc as standard, and they all disappeared in the 2010. Seems the "Yen Counters" are taking over - a problem known by all too many industry observers.

Yes, a sad decision to drop the holder - but it didn't produce ongoing revenue like the "On-Star" service. We use a soft slide-in sunglass case placed in the side door "pocket". It works well with the large wrap-around cheap sunglasses we keep there.

We get about 18mpg in mixed driving in Suburban Chicago on our 2010 with 22500 miles on it. On the highway, it gets about 23-24 in pure expressway driving, usually at 65mph +. Thats on Regular gas.

The Camry is substantially changed for 2012, but the basic "hard points" on the body, plus engines, transmissions etc.did not change, so the ES may continue for 2012 on the same basic body. I have heard that it is due for renewal in 2013, but not from a formal source.

I have found a local Midas shop that charges only $20 for a standard 5w-30 change, plus (at times) a few dollars extra when they notice it takes almost 6 quarts and not 5. On occasion, they even have a special that includes rotating the tires. This shop, in Palatine Illinois, does a consistently competent job, but sometimes it takes an hour or so due to "traffic".

Here's a curious fact about XM: If you refuse to extend your subscription, eventually (a month or 2) they will offer you a full year for less than $90 (including all extra fees) - but only if you agree to put it on "automatic renewal" for the next time it is due (you give them a credit card number). However, if you THEN call them before the annual renewal date (they won't contact you) and say its too enpensive, they will will renew it at the same price!

Here's an update. For severe "Jeans Rub Off", I've found that a product called Goof-Off works well. I used it mostly on the (Vinyl) seat sides where it worked easily. Used it very carefully on the worst parts of the top surface, then immediately cleaned it off with a leather cleaner and a conditioner (Eagle One). this seems to have worked. Previously: Yes, we have a 2010 with the standard grade light interior and it has been seriously discolored by blue jean stains (even though the jeans were the "stone washed" denim) - it is a constant battle to keep it remotely clean after 9 months and 7k miles. It seems to have picked up permanent stains during a 3k mile vacation and nothing I have tried will fully remove them. I have used 3 types of cleaners for auto leather. One by "Eagle Ottowa" that I purchased years ago seems to work moderately well, but still has left blue "images" on the seat bottom sides. I'm not sure if those parts are really leather, though, so perhaps a strong vinyl cleaner is needed. I'm affraid to try anything that might weaken the material.

Regarding ES350 Wiper blades, I meant to day "How do you get the actual blades off the arms" - on the 2008 ES, there seems to be some sort of lock that keeps them from sliding off, evenwhen the arms are in the "out" (winter) position that you would use to get the blades off.

I have used a Fram filter in my other Lexus, and oddly, the Fram is made in China while the OEM Nippon Denso is made in USA. The Fram was a good fit, but slightly different edge construction.

Does anyone know how to remove the blades from the 2008 ES350 - they are more "flush" than other model standard blades (eg an RX 350 from 20076), and not obvious as to what you push or pull to get them off.