TunedRX300

I would also get a set of ultra light weight wheels, more hp to the wheels.

Here is a fact finding about how long does Mobil 1 5w30 syn oil last. Mobil 1 5w30 Shorter oil change interval may NOT be better: Empiral data from Neptune's studies: "While the wear metals all accumulated steadily over the course of the test, the highest concentrations of accumulation per mile occurred in the first 3,000 miles of the test! From the 3,000-mile mark all the way to 18,000 miles, only lead showed an increase in per-mile wear beyond 3,000 miles. Yet even with an increased wear rate, lead wore the least in terms of absolute wear. For iron and copper, the longer the oil remained in service, the lower the wear rate got. In case it isn't obvious yet, this means that the most wear occurs in the first 3,000 miles." "Engine wear actually decreases as oil ages. This has also been substantiated in testing conducted by Ford Motor Co. and ConocoPhillips, and reported in SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-3119. What this means is that compulsive oil changers are actually causing more engine wear than the people who let their engine's oil get some age on it."

K&N drop in filter is a good start.

Update: Bulbs for front side markers are clear, but mine are rusted out. RX300's front sidemarkers are poorly protected from water, I have to replace bases also since rust killed all eletrical contacts. Luckily Euro clear sidemarkers I bought on Ebay came with two amber bulbs and two bases. Now I feel smart buying not just lens but complete assemblies. :P LED is solid state, which means no mechanical movable parts. A big plus since car movements shorten incandescent light's life. LED also does not generate heat and uses ~1/10 of power. Many people like LED because of color, e.g. hyper white LEDs do not have incandescent's yellowish color. A negative on LED its directional projection, or not spreading light to more than a single spot. Better designs shave the bulb head to spread light if it is single LED bulb. Others use multiple LEDs in one bulb, each w/ different projection angles. You also want >6 LEDs, better >9 LEDs in a bulb, if you want readable light. I will replace courtesy light with blue 9 LED bulb and use one of the clear ones for license plate. Blue is illegal in California for external usage.

I have Akebono ProAct Ceramic, no noise, low dust, firmer pedal, and no fade. I no longer have those black brake dust showers from semi-metallic pads on my wheels. www.rockauto.com and tirerack sell them, about $42-$45 plus shipping for front. I even found a 5% coupon code for rockauto that apply to anything you buy. RockAuto Discount Code

Tony, Do you know RX300's front sidemarker has clear or amber bulbs? I want to move one of the bulbs (if it is clear ones) to license plate since I bought a pair of Euro clear sidemarkers with amber bulbs included. The bulbs are inter-changable, wedge ones according to Sylvania's web site. When they burn out again, it is LED time :P

wiggle, don't take off everything.

Tony Thanks, I got the plastic housing off and pried the bulb off the base with a flat head screw driver. Did you replace it with LED instead of incandescent?

My 2000 RX300 AWD's right license plate bulb burned out. Loosened the small philip screw but can't get the plastic cover off. Anyone has changed it? Is the bulb 168 or 2825? Thanks

Very easy to do, just locate the air box on the driver side of engine bay. Loosen those 2 clamps and wiggle the top portion that connects to the air hose until you get those two "hinges" clear of plastic reteners. Lift up and you will see the air filter.

Better off just take of the resonator and extend an pipe to where resonator is since it is outside the engine bay. I dislike short ram intake since it sucks in hot air and foam filter breaks down over time, guess where those broken foam pieces are going to.

I have Eibach progressive spring on my old 94 Altima and the ride is pretty bumpy. I would go for Teins coilover or stay stock.

Try thinner winter engine oil. Mobil One 0w20's viscosity index and flash point are similiar or better than those of 5w30. If you worried about higher temperature protection, just change it before summer. Newer Ford and Acura cars recommends 0w20 to meet CAFE standard. I just changed mine 1000 miles ago and have no problem

Lexus is not good at honoring corrosion warranty. I noticed bubbles RX's clear coated silver rims and was told brake dusts are to blame.

99 RX300's factory recommended octane should be 87. There is a thread on gas octane in the maintenance forum that lists fact and opinions on both sides. You can research and experiement yourself but here is an pretty objective and informative site. Octane

I suggested 87 since I ran an experiement with 89 and my mpg decreased. You should be aware that higher flow filter lets more dusts into the engine. If Tennesse has a dusty summer just put the OEM paper filter in if you want additional protection. K&N should be good for the rest of the year. www.ajusa.com sells it for about $36 w/ free shipping

Flush your brake fluid, chances are it is never replaced. I would recommend you to use 87 octane next time and put a bottle of Chevron Fuel System Cleaner. K&N air filter helped me to get 20 mpg on mixed driving and 22 on 80% hwy driving on my AWD RX300.

Thanks, that is what I suspected, calipers from later models of ES300 and ES330 have three fingers instead of two to grab pads <- good hints for two pistons instead of one. I will try to buy a pair of rebuild unloaded calipers and see if it fit my RX300 :D

2002 ES300 owners must be due for front pads replacement, those who installed new pads themselves must know how many pistons...no one has done it?

For those who changed your own brake pads, I appreciate if you can tell me how many pistons in one 02-03 ES300's front brake caliper? How about 04-05 ES330? Thanks

If you see metal particles in the oil pan, something is really wrong with your oil filter (e.g. bypassing valve open all the time). Its supposed to catch > 20 micro particles. Find out why ASAP or kiss your engine and bearings bye bye.

A good alarm would help. Following this logic, Lexus have to supply alarms for free if many RX (not just headlights) were the target? It would be nice for the builder of my house to pay for security monitoring cost :whistles:

Here is a helpful link if you are looking for HID Conversion HID BTW, 6000K (2800 lumen) emits 20% less light than 4100K (3500 lumen), but gives you that cool blue light.

Interfering

Do a search, this topic is discussed many times. Lexus recommends 90K. Our engine is non-interfering, it is up to you to spend $1000 for peace of mind but probably replace a belt that still have lots of life left.