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I have ordered several high quality RX parts from Sewell. Just tried again and was informed they are no longer selling via internet. What is a good source of factory quality parts?

Had previously been very satisfied ordering parts from Sewell. Just tried again and learn that they are no longer in business. What is a good alternative source for high quality parts?

I have a 2010 350 with 18" wheels and 67,216 miles. Had Michelin Latitudes when I bought it and I replaced those with Latitude Tour HP at around 40k miles. This is my second RX (had a 2007 previously) and had only used Michelin tires on that one too. Even carefully maintaining pressure, insuring alignment and observing approx 6k mile rotations (rotate on same side only, no reversing rotation direction) the Michelins on both vehicles always got noisy. Really upsetting for such expensive tires! At 63,600 miles got tired of those tires making what's otherwise a very quiet vehicle sound like a truck! Decided to replace the Michelins. Did a bunch of checking on this site, a few others and Tire Rack. Based on that took a chance and fitted Continental CrossContact LX20 tires, which got the highest customer rating on the Tire Rack site. These were only $156 each, compared to ~$220 for Michelins and after 3600 miles I'm so far convinced I made the right decision! Quiet and smooth ride initially (but what tire doesn't give that) and they have stayed that way. I live in the West Michigan snow belt and have driven them in up to 8" of loose snow, in 1-2" of standing water and on several types of dry pavement and I'm extremely satisfied. These tires have 70k mile warranty which I think is better than Michelin. Until I tried these I'd bought into the Michelin hype but now am very happy I believed other reviewers and went with these.

Thanks to both respondents.

Given the challenges I have with my Matador Red vehicle, I can imagine black would be a real challenge!

Also thanks for the very complete recipe for maintaining the car in the condition I prefer. Still seems like way more work than should be required on a premium vehicle with what I had expected to be a premium paint job!

Previous vehicle was a 2007 RX, color tan. MUCH easier to maintain. Guess I've learned my lesson - it's silver or tan from now on!

It is ridiculous for Lexus to try to charge you such an exorbitant price to replace so many parts when only a couple minor sub-components are damaged! You need to chase this all the way up the Lexus organization, then threaten with "I'm calling my lawyer" if you get no satisfaction.

Be sure to log every phone call you have, cover with a written letter and save every bit of correspondence.

Also be sure to mention that you have posted this on the Lexus Club forum and that, absent satisfactory response from Lexus, you will be notifying Consumer Reports, etc. about a) the far too fragile design of these components and B) Lexus' unacceptable expectation and pricing re: rectifying this situation.

I am not happy with the toughness of the paint on my Matador Red 2010 RX350. It seems that the clearcoat is extremely soft and very easily scratched. Admittedly my color is one that easily shows even the slightest marks but I still feel Lexus paint is much softer and much more easily marred than clearcoats on other vehicles I've owned.

I am generally able to remove most of the mark with "scratch remover" (really just very fine polishing compound) and I am very careful when I park or maneuver the car anywhere near anything that could touch the paint. Also, I've stopped using brush-type car washes and now use only non-contact automatic washes or wash myself.

Comments appreciated

Many thanks for your response - and glad I'm not the only one challenged with this. I thought I'd investigated the entire area thoroughly but will have another look.

I have a 2010 with Navi system. Cannot find the TPMS reset button in the location specified in the owner's manual. Had a 2007 without Navi so know where the button is supposed to be (not the handiest spot!) but can't find it on my newer model. Can't seem to find any info in Navi instructions either. Anyone know?

I purchased body side moldings from Sewell and, thanks to advice on this site, got the Owner's Club discount. Total cost approx $100. Construction and color match are great! Had intended to install myself but had car at dealer for routine check prior to a long trip so asked how much they'd charge to install - told them I didn't want to pay much more than $50. Was surprised/delighted when they charged me $65! BTW that was at Harvey Lexus in Grand Rapids, MI. Their installation was great and the car looks good now.

Recently replaced my 2007 RX350 with a certified used 2010. Like the new vehicle very much except for driver's seat head rest. I find that regardless of how I set seatback angle, the headrest is too far forward and always bumps the back of my head when I sit up straight. Hate to lean forward to avoid contacting the headrest! I did remove and reverse the headrest but that places is too far rearward to be of any benefit in the event of a rear collision. Anyone else have this complaint? Any suggested solutions?

The proper way of adjusting outside mirrors was developed by an engineer at the GM Proving Ground and has since been adopted by the Society of Automotive Engineers. The key thing to remember is that the door-mounted mirrors are not "rear view" mirrors - that's what the thing hanging in the middle of the windshield is for. The outside mirrors are for monitoring things in adjacent lanes. And when they're properly adjusted you will not have a blind spot (assuming you have normal peripheral vision)

Here's the correct technique:

1. For the left mirror, place your head next to the left door window then adjust the mirror so that you can see the left side of the car just at the far right side of the mirror

2. For the right mirror, lean your head to the approximate center of the car, then adjust the right mirror so you can see the right side of the car just in the far left side of that mirror

3. Take a drive on a freeway or other road having at least two lanes each direction. Drive in the right lane and let a car pass on the left. Verify that you can see that car in the mirror until you can begin to see it in your peripheral vision. If you lose it, adjust the mirror a little further out.

4. Repeat this with the right side mirror - drive in the left lane and pass/let pass another vehicle on the right. Verify that as the vehicle passes you, it appears in your peripheral vision at the same time it disappears from the mirror. If not, tweak the mirror angle per #3.

The great thing about this technique is that, once you learn to trust it, you no longer have to twist your head around to execute safe passing maneuvers. Additionally, you can back up using only the mirrors by scanning back and forth from one outside mirror, to the center (rear view) mirror to the other outside mirror.

Of course, those of us with backup cameras won't need to do that!

Thanks for the thoughtful responses. I certainly don't expect any problems with the car but can enjoy more peace of mind on trips when I've "thought through" potential challenges.

Yes, I'll absolutely set up the Lexus and Toyota dealer locations in my iPhone & iPad.

And you're right, we are absolutely spoiled with technology and communication capabilities. In fact my wife and I couldn't manage our current lifestyle without it - travel to a new area, rent a nice furnished condo, stay as long as we want, then move on. The many vacation rental websites make it easy to find great places and to secure them before we move on. It's amazing, once you adopt this lifestyle, how much you find you can do without. We downsized after we sold our house in late 2009 and we're still shedding stuff at every stop!

First of all, the probability of something major going wrong is low on your RX at its low mileage -- unless you are planning to tow your 10,000 pound Airstream during the trip. A Toyota dealer should be able to take care of about any problem with your RX (and which is serious enough to fix before you return home) since it is mechanically about the same as a Highlander. Of course, anytime one is on a long driving vacation, part of the "plan" must be to be ready to have a vehicle transported a few hundred miles and to be ready to get a rental vehicle or to fly home.

You might want to record the locations of Toyota dealers and independent repair shops in the areas in which you will be traveling. Whether you have an OEM or aftermarket navigation unit, it would be a good idea to install the latest map and POI updates. If you have an aftermarket GPS unit, most of them accept custom POI files. For example, I added a custom POI file containing all the Lexus dealers in the U.S. to my old Magellan GPS -- image attached. I've even set my GPS to chime when I'm within maybe 1 mile from any Lexus dealer and to chime again with a different sound when I am within about 250 yards.

You can get custom POI files for just about any interest from GPS enthusiast websites (e.g. GPS Passion) and sometimes directly from sources like restaurant chain websites. Some portable GPS units will even play your own sound clip (e.g. MP3) when you are near a location in a custom POI file.

Also, you might want to check out cell phone coverage if you will be off the beaten track. There are still vast areas of the western U.S. that have zero cell phone service. If you are going to be in the middle of nowhere, consider getting an external antenna for your cell phone -- can make a huge difference. And does anyone take long driving trips these days without a wireless/WiFi enabled laptop PC or iPad?

Aren't we spoiled these days by all the gadgets? I've been driving "foreign" cars for virtually all of my 45 years of driving and never worried about finding places to get them fixed while traveling far from home and supporting dealerships.

I had the oil pressure hose replaced after I got the recall notice. It appears they replaced the old hose with a new one of the same type. Anyone know whether the replacement hose is really of longer lasting material? If not, is there a recommendation as to when the hose ought to be replaced again?

I've had a 2007 RX350 since new and now has 69k miles. We will be traveling all summer through several western states in which there are no Lexus dealers. I called Lexus to see what I should do if I need repairs in one of those areas. The tech told me that if there are no Lexus dealers, they call AAA!

I asked whether a Toyota dealer would be a good second choice but the tech wouldn't comment.

Anyone have experience with this issue?

I agree with recommendations of all previous respondents. I have an 07 RX350 and it's been a very good vehicle for us. Originally got it on 3 year lease, then bought at end of lease. Currently have 67k miles, generally trouble free.

I would get to know your local dealer. Some in the club have responded as having had trouble with their dealers. I'm happy to report that I've always been very pleased with the one's I've had to use. I bought mine in Ann Arbor, MI and have moved around since, having had experience with the dealer in Grand Rapids, MI and Wayzatta, MN. All have been good.

Was particularly impressed with the Wayzatta dealer. I took car there with a malfunction in the HVAC system - not controlling properly. Had 57k miles at the time so out of warranty. They quoted me $800 to replace the HVAC control module. I protested (mildly) that I thought this was too much and asked the service writer to check with Lexus re extending warranty coverage. Within 10 minutes I was informed they would do the job for free!

At each dealer I've been very impressed with the quality of service managers in terms of competency, courtesy and willingness to provide a loaner if my service was going to take longer than anticipated.

I've had an '07 RX since new and have virtually never used anything but regular fuel. Every once in a while I'll buy a tank of premium or mid-grade but never notice a difference in mileage or performance. And yes, I live near sea level.

Not sure how respondent comments strayed from your original complaint re: uncomfortable seats to all the discussion about tire and suspension affects on ride quality!!

I've had an '07 RX since new and have never been satisfied with the driver's seat either. I can spend about 3 hours in it, then need to get out and stretch. I surely don't mind a firm seat and, in fact, generally find them more comfortable than something too padded. But there's something about the ones in this car that just don't work, at least not for my butt!

I've had an 07 RX350 since new, now have 66k miles on it. Wind noise has never been too much of an issue although I will say that it's never been quite as quiet as I would have expected/hoped. I'm sure you're aware that, like most cars, even small changes in ambient wind speed and particularly direction can have a marked affect. Cross winds are particularly noticeable.

I've tried moving the cross bars on the top carrier around with little affect. At one point I thought perhaps the weather stripping around the doors was dried out and not seating as well as it should. But I tried some lubricant on the moldings with no affect.

I gather you bought your vehicle used. I assume you got a CarFax report indicating it had never been in an accident. Obviously an accident could have caused misalignment of one of the doors, rear hatch or sun roof. Absent that, I'd still wonder whether there's an air leak somewhere. I assume you've cycled the sunroof, all the doors and the rear hatch to ensure they're fully closed.

Not sure if the dealer would have an ultrasonic air leak detector. If so, they should be able to use the detector around every door and window opening as the car is driven to see if they can pinpoint the source.

Thanks. That's one of the ones I'm looking at. Also checked out an X-Cargo Sport 20. It's sold by Sears and has gotten great reviews. It's shorter than the Thule Atlantis, I think, but also higher. Has 20 cu ft capacity. One issues is it's hinged at the front so probably not as handy to load as yours.

I want to purchase a closed car top carrier for my RX350. Would like to benefit from anyone's experience in terms of type of carrier, its durability and ease of use, weatherproof, ease of installation on standard rack/crossbars, impact on wind noise and mileage.

For those who responded that their vehicle was built in Canada, are you certain the engine was also built in Canada/North America? Not sure whether Lexus ships in engines built in Japan.

Mine was built in Canada too, and I'm not familiar with this recall. I did have the oil hose TSB done a few months ago, and I know that there are currently no outstanding recalls for my '08 RX 350.

Do you have any additional information on the recall you are referring to?

Look at the opening page of the Lexus Owners Club site - you'll find a link to the valve spring recall and the vehicles affected. My concern is that that all of them use a derivative of the 3.5L V6 yet the version used in the RX seems not affected. As I'm about to set off on a long, cross country trip I wanted to be sure that I wasn't going to get a nasty surprise when my engine breaks a spring and drops a valve in the middle of no where!

Thanks. I'll have to double check my build sheet

I am curious as to why the 3.5L V6 in 07 RX-350 is not subject to the current recall. The recall started with models sold in Japan and now extends to US models, but not RX 350. I believe all RX's are built in Japan and am surprised/skeptical that the V6's used in the RX are built with different valve springs than those used in other models.

Nope...not all are built in Japan...mine was built in Canada.