Pm Suggestions For 2002 Rx At 160000 Miles

[KirkII]

2002 Rx - Just shy of 160,000! Had new trans (courtesy of Lexus!) around 65000 and NO major problems since. Replaced plugs, timing belt and water pump around 100000 and antifreeze twice. Change oil every 5-6000 with Mobil 1 or other synthetic. Because of my tranny experience, I drain and fill every 20000 miles or so. As nearly as I can remember, except for the transmission, this car has had NO problems - ok, except for the antenna.

I know that I need struts - any suggestions for brand and where to have replaced? Also rotors - at least on the front. Any other PM suggestions are welcomed.

I've never had a car this long and would like to keep it going as long as possible. Thanks for any suggestions!

[joe913]

2002 Rx - Just shy of 160,000! Had new trans (courtesy of Lexus!) around 65000 and NO major problems since. Replaced plugs, timing belt and water pump around 100000 and antifreeze twice. Change oil every 5-6000 with Mobil 1 or other synthetic. Because of my tranny experience, I drain and fill every 20000 miles or so. As nearly as I can remember, except for the transmission, this car has had NO problems - ok, except for the antenna.

I know that I need struts - any suggestions for brand and where to have replaced? Also rotors - at least on the front. Any other PM suggestions are welcomed.

I've never had a car this long and would like to keep it going as long as possible. Thanks for any suggestions!

If you don't mind me asking, how did you get the tranny courtesy of Lexus? Thanks!

[KirkII]

I complained of transmission problems twice during the 30000 mile range. The problem was subtle - "chunky" shifting into overdrive and the dealer couldn't find anything. Right before the warranty expired, I took the car in again and they replaced the transmission. One thing that helped me was that I had had the transmission serviced by Lexus on or about the time it was specified in the manual. This was the first time that I had ever serviced a transmission by the book and only did so this time because the transmission was showing signs of trouble - I thought that the service (change trans fluid) might help - it didn't! But, it sure helped me to get a "new" trans without a hassle!

[joe913]

I complained of transmission problems twice during the 30000 mile range. The problem was subtle - "chunky" shifting into overdrive and the dealer couldn't find anything. Right before the warranty expired, I took the car in again and they replaced the transmission. One thing that helped me was that I had had the transmission serviced by Lexus on or about the time it was specified in the manual. This was the first time that I had ever serviced a transmission by the book and only did so this time because the transmission was showing signs of trouble - I thought that the service (change trans fluid) might help - it didn't! But, it sure helped me to get a "new" trans without a hassle!

Thanks! My curiosity stems from the multitude of tranny complaints I have seen on the forum. Apparently, there has been a high number of failures around the 125K (+/-) mile range. My RX300 has recently reached that number. I have my fingers crossed. Appreciate your sharing! :)

[KirkII]

Joe - Have you replaced struts or done any other maintenance?

[tmastres]

Thanks! My curiosity stems from the multitude of tranny complaints I have seen on the forum. Apparently, there has been a high number of failures around the 125K (+/-) mile range. My RX300 has recently reached that number. I have my fingers crossed. Appreciate your sharing! :)

Hard to pin the failures down at the 125k range, they seem to be anywhere from 40k to 150k without a discernable peak in any one area of mileage. If you have some info that shows more failure happen at this mileage please post it because thats what this boad has been looking for for a long time.

[joe913]

Joe - Have you replaced struts or done any other maintenance?

At 100K the timing belt, water pump, spark plugs and coils were changed. Recently, the air mix and mode servos for the AC/heat were replaced as well as the bank one sensor one A/F sensor. It's a smooth riding, good car. Sounds like yours has been really good to you.

[joe913]

Thanks! My curiosity stems from the multitude of tranny complaints I have seen on the forum. Apparently, there has been a high number of failures around the 125K (+/-) mile range. My RX300 has recently reached that number. I have my fingers crossed. Appreciate your sharing! :)

Hard to pin the failures down at the 125k range, they seem to be anywhere from 40k to 150k without a discernable peak in any one area of mileage. If you have some info that shows more failure happen at this mileage please post it because thats what this boad has been looking for for a long time.

True! You would probably have a better idea since you have been posting on this forum for a much longer time. I yield to the master. :) I came up with the number by reading a multiple posts I have seen on this topic. I do not recall posts complaining about tranny problems at 40K miles--possible because the repairs would have been covered under Lexus warranty. Thanks for your input.

[KirkII]

Joe - Have you replaced struts or done any other maintenance?

At 100K the timing belt, water pump, spark plugs and coils were changed. Recently, the air mix and mode servos for the AC/heat were replaced as well as the bank one sensor one A/F sensor. It's a smooth riding, good car. Sounds like yours has been really good to you.

I have no complaints! Been a Lexus owner since 1991 - several LS, an ES a GS and this RX. This is the least "Lexus" car of them all - ride, noise, smoothness, etc - but, I love its durability (so far!)

As far as maintenance goes, I guess I'll just keep doing what I've been doing: syn oil every 5-6000 miles, antifreeze every couple years, timing belt and water pump and plugs every 100K, trans drain and fill every 20K, differential and transfer case oil change every 60k and every 15k on air filter. I'll look in the book for anything else. I'll search the forum later for strut info.

[lenore]

Is your car AWD.? I suspect the center mount bearing supports on the drive shaft on AWD may fail eventually. I have 173k miles and still going. I do have a weird vibration at 50 to 65 but have not been able to localize. Sounds almost like a harmonic vibration. Makes me wonder about bearings at this mileage.

[KirkII]

Is your car AWD.? I suspect the center mount bearing supports on the drive shaft on AWD may fail eventually. I have 173k miles and still going. I do have a weird vibration at 50 to 65 but have not been able to localize. Sounds almost like a harmonic vibration. Makes me wonder about bearings at this mileage.

Yep - AWD. I have no (known!) problems and I hate surprises. Looking for PM that may be appropriate at this mileage/age.