mo.miner

Great post...just exactly what I was looking for.

I did take off the wrong panel under the engine and should have taken off the smaller panel in front of the engine.

I would suggest that when re-installing that front engine panel, you should install the two forward bolts first which will help line up the other panel holes and makes it easier at least on my 2004 RX330. Mine wouldnt line up installing the bolts on the rear of the panel first. I wasnt really sure where the two sheet metal screws went as compared to the bolts. I put the screws on the very outside edge of this panel near the headlights.

What surprised me the most was the color of the engine oil when I drained it after 5,000 miles. It didnt appear that dirty on the dipstick but came out pretty dark in the catch pan.

I would have never found the oil filter without this posting. Even the owners manual didnt show it on the front side of the engine.

Keep up the great work with even greater photos.

MoMiner

10) With the panel off, you can now see the oil filter (orange) and a nice gift from the Lexus engineers: an oil catch (green). Loosen the filter, and residual oil will drip out. The oil catch will guide the dripping oil out the oilpan/drainplug panel so position your oil catch below the catch.

11) On the new filter, dab a layer of fresh oil on the O-ring (the rubber ring around the outer lip of the open end of the filter). Align the threads of the new filter and spin it by hand onto the engine where the old filter was. When it makes contact, tighten by hand another 3/4 turn. Don't over tighten.

12) Wipe up oil drips. For me, even though the catch was there, some oil still dripped all over the exhaust pipe and panels. Wipe this up.

13) Fill the engine with 5w-30 oil, 5 qts. A funnel is helpful here.

14) Replace oil cap.

15) Replace both plastic panels.

16) Shut hood and drive around the block. Park the car on level ground and wait 15 minutes. Check for leaks and oil level.

I hope this is helpful to someone.

One thing that must be said here is that everyone is assuming that we are talking about radial tires.

Radial tires are about all that is available now because they are superior to bias ply in many areas.

However, radial tires can only be repaired if the puncture is in the tread area.

If the puncture is in the corner of the tire, that is in the transition area between the tread and sidewall, then this repair is questionable. I have tried to patch/plug a corner puncture but never been successful.

If puncture is in the sidewall of a radial tire, no reputable dealer will try to repair this area. This is one of the few shortcomings of radial tires.

The only other shortcoming that I know of radial tires is that when pushing them to the limit, they dont make alot of noise (squell-sp) and warn the driver like the old bias/ply tires. They just break away without any noise warning.

Other than that, radial tires are the greatest invention since bottled beer.

Ex-tire engineer

(who loves Michelin donuts...)

Just wondering if there is any active Lexus club in the St.Louis area and when and where are meetings?

If not, anyone interested in organizing one?

Thanks.

ps.just traded my Volvo for Lexus