lenore

I have 109k miles with three transmissions, One set of brakes at 85k miles, timing belt and waterpump at 101k, third set of tires. Two new front shocks and shock mounts. new driver door latch assembly. and new battery about a month ago. thankyu all for your helpful info on the clock loosing time. This on a 1999 Lexus RX300

In my experience in the SUV world you really can't go wrong with the Michelin LTX M/S. The RX doesn't come with SUV tires but these are very ride and comfort biased, I've had two sets on my Explorer. The first set went 100,000 miles and they could have gone longer before needing replacement. Nice smooth and quiet tire with good looks (they come with outlined white letters which you can mount inside or out depending on your preference) at not too nasty a price. I don't know what tires the car has on it now but the stock Goodyear Integritys that come on the RX300s are pathetic, same tire that they put on Toyota Corrolas and its totally unsuited to the RX.

That said there are some new more advanced highway SUV tires out there such as the Michelin Cross Terrain that would be well suited to the car but they're a little costlier. TireRack has the LTX M/S in stock for the RX at $119 a peice which is a good price.

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The Cross Terrain has a more agressive looking tread design when compared to the LTX M/S and costs about $10 more each otherwise all the specs are pretty close to the same. What about Toyo Open Country A/T

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I have used the LTX M/s and found them great in the beginning, but when they had about 65k miles on them the ride got quite firm. They lasted an easy 80k miles but I could not stand the ride anymore and went to the Cross terrain which rides very well. The LTX m/s has a firmer sidewall which attributes to the harsher ride. The cross terrain is designed for the luxary suv in mind.

I just came from the Lexus Roseville dealership and they use an additive to the transmission fluid to improve it's characteristics. One additive is called Granatize automatic conditioner, and the other is made byBG automatic transmission conditioner. The other thing recommended is a transmission oil change every 15k miles on the AWD transmission. Yet Lexus of AMerica will not support this position. I asked about the compatibility of these conditioners with Toyota Type IV fluid and was told it is fine and sold at this dealership. Any body else using additives with their fluid?

Yes, transmission fluid seems to last far longer and present fewer problems in many domestic vehicles.  The three Jeep Grand Cherokees we've had all went well beyond 60,000 miles before the fluid began showing signs of particle accumulation and needed to be changed.  I did so without any follow-up problems whatsoever.  My 1999 Dodge Ram 1500-series 5.9-litre V-8 pick-up currently has about 37,600 miles on it and the transmission fluid is still sparkling clean.  But these Lexus RX300s simply don't retain clean fluid for nearly as long for whatever reason.  Perhaps the clutches and bands are too soft.  Perhaps the gears aren't as solid.  But whatever the reason, there appears to be a much higher number of failures of these transmissions.  So if you own an RX and choose to run the factory transmission fluid fill for the life of your vehicle, many of us would say that you're rolling the dice and playing with fire.

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Again I feel the major problem is cooling, my wifes car is commuted on back streets for most of the distance of 14 miles one way. The cooler is not located as most coolers in the radiator or infront of the air stream of the radiator. the cooler is located in the right front wheel wheel behind the bumper. there is a access hole but it is partially blocked by the windshield washer resevoir. and the air exit is very constricted to some slots inside the wheel well. My fluid was always burnt and very black. I changed the filter and dropped the pan on all three 30k fluid changes and found very little debris. Lexus has a cooing issue when the car has not been driven at highway speeds giving the best air flow across the transmission cooler. My car is driven at a 160 feet above sea level and no mountain or hill driving. Accura has addressed their problem with a larger cooler. I noticed no failures of other toyota products but have looked and found the cooler is placed in a more traditional area where air flow is present. I suspect my transmission had a heat failure and lost some gear or clucth pack rings. When it failed and The salt Lake city Lexus dropped the pan they found severe debris in the filter and pan. This was only 7k after a fluid and filter change which showed none, and only the the burnt and black condition exhibited all along. Signed Lenore.

I used mobil 1 synthetic atf fluid and had problems as did other people

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when my third transmission goes past warranty I will probably switch to SWEPCO hydralic fluid. I have had excellent success on a 91 dodge Caravan and a 98 ford windstar which both have had significant tranny problems. The flash point is higher and the breakdown temp is 10 degrees higher than most fluids on the market. Unforntunately the fluid is available wholesale only. I get mine from the Mercedes independent garage locallly. Cost is about the same as type IV. Lenore

RX In NC,

I am not in agreement with you on this issue. You did say the transmission on your RX fried up after 70k miles and all you ever did to maintain it was a drain and fill. To me, that's more proof that a drain and fill is not sufficient for proper maintenance.

Both of my RX300s have almost 80k miles and shift very smoothly, and I don't notice any jerking or shifting delays. The fluid is extremely clean and does not overheat. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I don't think so. You are the lucky one, seeing as how you were able to persuade Lexus into replacing your transmission after your warranty had expired. I guess persistence can pay off for some, but for most of us, it would be a costly venture.

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When my transmission failed there was no warning signs, It just lost overdrive and fourth gear. Drove great the day before and just died. We really need to challenge Lexus of America to step up to the probablity of poor cooling especially in heavy commute traffic with very little cooling on the fender/wheel well coolor.

Does there seem to be any kind of pattern on the trans failures? Towing or using the ect button in either mode?

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my lexus is commuted in street traffic approximately 14 miles one way everyday. No snow or special conditions. the fluid always smelled burnt at the 30k change intervals. The cooler is in the right front fender/bumper area. Probably inadequate cooling for stop and go traffic. Cooler should be in front of radiator for cooling in slow traffic to allow for electric fan cooling. The fender well has got to be a poor circulation of air.

No I do not know an easy way to file complaints, however I did file a complaint to the National Traffic Safety Board and Two complaints to Lexus of America. I plan to issue flyers with helpful tips to preventing failure and also get some feedback from local lexus owners. I am going to place them on all RX300 Windshields wherever I go. I am not going to give up

I would just like to know what is the standing of most owners out there of the AWD RX300 having failure of transmissions at approximately 100k miles with proper service? I contacted Lexus Consumer department and they stand on their warranty of 6 years 70k miles while their competitor Accura MDX is backing up a recall with unlimited mileage on their transmission problems, Just exactly how do we as owners contribute to the dissatisfaction of such a prevalent problem failure?

I ask all of you whom have had to replace the transmission that you consider showing your displeasure by call Lexus of America and registering your complaint.

The attitude of management at Lexus needs to step up to the plate. I know I sound like a disgruntled customer, but find it difficult to understand why the transmission should fail after personally servicing the transmission every 30k with Type IV fluid and still experiencing this early failure. Thankyou all for hearing me as I am quite displeased and will not give up giving this info to Lexus RX300 owners both old and new.

Help, how much play should there be on right inside axle shaft on AWD RX300 front axle? Mine is moving about 8-10 mm. When you pull the inside axle boot the Transmisson fluid pours out. I have obtained a new seal and axle clip but have not pulled axle yet. This all showed up after my third transmission change at my wonderful Lexus of Roseville DEalership. Cant prove they caused it but am supicious, since there work has been very substandard and consistently poor.

I called Lexus and they said that they had not pulled the right axle when doing the transmission. Then three phone calls later they admitted they do pull the right axle when doing a transmission. They suspect the spring clip not being seated in the transfer case. But they are not sure whether they should cover charges for fixing the loose axle shaft and seal. Will keep you posted. Lenore

would definetly suggest 15k miles intervals or every year which ever comes first to save your transmisson.  I just lost mine and the fluid was changed every 30k.  It  cost  $4300.  The fluid was always black and smelled bad.  Also make sure it is type IV toyota fluid.

What was the mileage when the transmission failed?

Was the fluid black and odorous on the first 15k change and each susequent fluid change?

What specific component(s) failed in the transmission?

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I am now on my third transmission from Lexus of Roseville. The workmanship from this dealer is at best poor. The first replacement transmission I found hoses and bolts missing on the transmission to engine and vacuum lines disconnected. The Remanufactured transmission failed to work properly and would drop out of gear and almost cause rear enders in heavy traffic. Nothing like stepping on the gas and not going. After three tries at the dealership and a month of downtime they replaced the remanufactured transmission. This time the Sway bar tie rods where completely disconnected and rubbing against the brake lines and drive shafts. I have had it with Lexus service from Lexus of Roseville California. Waiting for the test results from my wife on this third transmission.the second transmission only last a few hundred miles. I highly suggest a total fluid flush instead of the transmission draining. I also would suspect because of the failures that cooling is insufficient because the cooler is in the wheel well without any proper venting. I will keep everyone posted. Lenore

would definetly suggest 15k miles intervals or every year which ever comes first to save your transmisson. I just lost mine and the fluid was changed every 30k. It cost $4300. The fluid was always black and smelled bad. Also make sure it is type IV toyota fluid. I suspect poor cooling and lack of design in the failures I have heard about. Also most failures are on the AWD RX300 from my exposure to Lexus mechanics.

My front shock mounts seem to be making a clunking noise on sharp bumps in the road. The shocks appear good, but has anyone changed the shocks or shock upper mounts and solved the noise problem? Also what brand or did you use OEM parts for replacement. I have read that the shock mounts have been improved, but wonder if the aftermarket mounts are also improved? This is on a 1999 RX300 with 106k miles.

I too experienced the lost of electronic control of the driver door lock. the procedure I have is to disconect the battery and reconnect and see if the problem goes away. If not the motor control solenoid in the drivers door is bad. I test it with 12 v and found it sluggish. I t was worn. You have to buy the entire motor solenoid assembly from Lexus. Part No 69040-48020 at $258. Sorry no cheap fix I tried and was not successful. The mechanism comes with all new cables and by the way the trick to find the last screw on the door is to carefully pop the switch assembly straight up without destroying the arm rest. the last screw is under the switch which is not easy to locate. Good luck by the way pin 1(yellow) and pin 2(red) go to the lock motor, pin 3 Green/red and pin 4 Green go to Door Unlock detection switch. Pin 5 Purple and pin 6 go to the Door Key lock and unlock switch. (note all of these for left drivers door)

My transmission failed july 8,2004 and I serviced it every 30k miles. I feel there is a design flaw in the RX300 AWD transmission as there service interval has changed to 15k miles. I was also told by a Lexus Mechanic of poor cooling because of the location of the transmission cooler. Lexus is not willing to step up to the issue as Acura has in their recent recall on the MDX Suv, giving unlimited mileage repairs because of insufficient cooling on their transmission. On a high end vehicle with known reliability such as the LEXUS this transmission should not have failed at 102k miles with proper maintenance. Anybody else feel the way I do????