tealboy

The tranny link was very helpful, thx for sharing. I do have one question, how important is it to replace the filter if it is nothing more than a screen, a metal one originally and now paper. Can't the orig metal screen be cleaned just like the magnets and pan?

I think my beams must be low. they are the original factory HID lights and while bright and white, they have no reach whatsoever. I believe the factory sets them a bit low, especially back in 02 b/c at the time, a lot of complaints were arisinga bout these lights being blinding to oncoming traffic, at least that is my guess. Sounds like i can tune them upward a bit or maybe have my mechanic due it while in for the next oil change. If i can raise the beam a little but not be blinding, i think they would be great. I should have done this yrs ago b/c i've always hated these lights, but that's the reason. regarding the 04, i saw a review in consumer reports where they rated the lights on the 04 as poor. might have also been adjustment related

I just learned that my 02 awd rx300 which had a tranny service by lexus at 30k miles and then by a local mechanic at 60k may not have been a full service. My local guy, providing a bid for the 90k service said std tranny service is $120 but after looking it up, said the awd is more labor as two cross bars must be removed to drop the pan and the filter is $30. So, a full flush is $200. If I wanted a basic service in which the fluid is pumped out but the pan is not dropped and filter not changed, it would be $100 ish. Given the history w/ these cars, i will do the $200 service but thought I'd share in case others wanted to know the difference. Unfortunately, I do not know what was done on the first two changes, so it is possible i have the original filter but w/ 2 fresh fluid changes. It is my understanding the filter is part of the problem on these cars as it can get clogged up, restricting fluid flow. Best case, lexus put a new filter in at 30k and fluid changed at 60k but its possible i have the original filter w/ 85k miles right now. Still better to have changed the fluid but certainly better to include a new filter though I don't know how big of a deal this is.

after searching a bit more on the site, i think i developed a increased concern regarding the high probability of a tranny failure. Mine has been run gently and fluid changed at 30/60 and is due for 90k service but sounds like they routinely fail??? Or are we just hearing about the ones that fail vs. the thousands that don't?

My 2002 rx300 has 85k miles and I am looking for advice on what needs to be done at this point. Originally, my intent was to trade into a newer vehicle but with the economy soft, I've decided to keep the car at least one more yr but want to make sure I am keeping up w/ maintenance and reliability. So far, the car has been extremely dependable. Here is what i've done so far. oil change every 5000 miles, along with tire rotate/balance/alignment Tranny fluid change (AWD model) at 30k and 60k miles New belt and brakes front and rear at 75k miles new starting battery Lexus pulled valve covers for sludge inspection, found to be clean That's about it, the car has been great. Areas of concern are when to replace timing belt? Is it time for another tranny fluid change? The car lived in NY with salt roads/snow for 3 yrs so the under carriage and certain engine components show corrosion. I've never had a car w/ salt corrosion so this worries me. Last, tire kingdom told me one of the struts is leaking so all 4 need to be replaced at $900. Car rides fine but not sure if this needs to be done. Other???

I have the upgraded HID lights on my 2002 Rx300 and have always been disappointed at how terrible they are on low beam. I've always wondered if they were mis adjusted but never had them checked. Last week, I was cruising the online version of Consumer reports and noticed the 2004 series had terrible ratings on their headlights, so it occurred to me that my lights are probably no different even though i have the earlier generation vehicle. Anyway, I decided I'd reach out to see this is a known weakness of this model. Is there a way to test these lights for alignment and performance?

can anyone tell me what the symptom of a bad o2 sensor is? My 02 RX300 gave a check engine light and code pointing to a bad Bank 1, Sensor 1 o2/AF sensor. The mechanic said it is the heating element of the o2 sensor and that it is otherwise working fine. He said it should not be important to replace unless I wanted the check engine and vsc light to go away b/c we live in Florida where the heating component of the sensor is not so important. Does this make sense? How do i know (or does he know) if the 02 sensor is working fine with the exception of the heating element, which he doesn't think is important in my case. I admire his interest in saving me money on the repair, but also want to make sure i am getting good advice. By the way, he is not a lexus dealer but you probably already knew that b/c they would never miss the opportunity to charge me $350 to replace this part.

can anyone tell me what this light is indicating? I have both a check engine light, which is the O2 sensor, Bank one sensor one but also have a VSC light on. Are they related or completely different?

I saw a report on the tv that said the oxygen sensor is the most over replaced item when the check engine light comes on. Mine has been on for months and the local mechanic (not lexus) said it was the sensor 1, bank 1 oxygen sensor. The part is $248 and labor $95. Is this price reasonable and, can you tell me where this sensor is located. would it be responsible for the engine light? also have the VSC light on. What else might cause this light? veh is a 2002 rx300 with 74,000 miles, AWD.

what does it mean when the VSC light and engine light come on together? I have felt a bit of a brake pulse when hitting the brakes moderately hard, suggesting I may need a brake job soon, but not sure if the vsc light is somehow connected. Also, seems to have shown up shortly after getting an oil change, though I'm sure that's completely unrelated. any ideas? thx

My 2002 RX 300 AWD just turned 60,000 miles today. The vehicle has been perfect in every way, i've had the valve covers pulled by Lexus to inspect for sludge and it was found to be 100% clean. I am not burning oil, so I plan to keep the vehicle. Besides changing the oil, I was thinking about the tranny fluid, which has not been changed since 30k miles. The belt is also squeaking a little, so i thought i would replace it. Can you tell me what else needs to be done?

I agree that's prob a good choice but it is a lot more expensive and is perhaps less proven with only 3 million miles vs. 9mm for the Comfortred. 3mm isn't bad but i am not entirely convinced of it's success at this point. I also suspect it is a stiffer rubber and a more harsh ride, though i don't know for sure. I haven't done anything yet, but soon...

225x70x16. have given some consideration to the Mich LTX b/c i have owned and like them, but don't like the price.

worried about the sludge issue, i took the 2002 rx 300 to the local lexus dealer, whom i know personally and asked him to have his shop check for sludge as I need to know. The charge was $60 to pull the valve cover and inspect the internal workings for gel/sludge. It came back perfectly clean and he said overall, the car is in exceptional shape. I bought it used 2.5 yrs ago but had all svc records from the Lexus dealer that took care of the car in the past. Given the clean bill, I am installing new tires. The old ones have a ton of tread left but they are Kelly signature series and good for snow, but slightly louder than I like. There is a small amt of cupping on the outer edge that contributes to the noise which I am sensitive to. Anyway, I haven't heard much on the board about tires but it looks like the Goodyr Assurance comfortred is the way to go for exceptionally smooth and quiet tires. For those worried about sludge, go spend the $60 for the peace of mind, it sure helped me.

For my 2002 RX 300 I have decided to replace the tires (assuming I decide to keep the car after having it serviced by Lexus this week) and want to use either the Goodyr Comfortred or the Firestone Desitinations (LE's I think). Anyway, I live in a warm climate so wet road handling matters, not snow, but very high on my list is to have a comfortable but VERY quiet ride. Both of these tires seem to have good quiet riding characteristics, but the Comfortred by Goodyr seem slightly better. Any input is appreciated. there is a Geolander 051 series that has similar rating and high popularity, but i don't know anything about that tire.

I am taking my 2002 RX 300 to the dealership this week to get the oil changed but also to get them to inspect the engine to determine whether I have a sludge issue or not. Other than the dipstick does look a little greasy toward the top/handle and the oil always looks dirty, I have no reason to believe i have a problem. Still, I want them to look at it b/c I will deciding whether to keep the vehicle or not and whether it will qualify for the new motor sludge program. Assuming everything is fine, what should I have the Lexus dealer do at this point? I have 55k miles and believe it may be due to more involved maintenance at 60k but I'm not really sure. Up to this point, svc has been diligently done including tranny flushes (i have the awd model). I'd probably rather get everything done at 55k rather than waiting 5k miles to hit 60 just b/c the dealership isn't conveniently located. Besides doing another tranny flush, putting on a new belt, oil change, air filter change, I don't know what else is due. thx

225x70x16. these are stock size

I have a squeaking belt that is in otherwise good shape. I went through water about 2 feet deep and the belt starting squeaking and hasn't quit in 6 months. I have not sprayed it or put candle wax on it, both suggestions i am skeptical of. Any suggestions besides replacing the belt. The dealer was pretty expensive and i don't want too much money into the vehicle unless necessary.

I have a 2002 AWD RX 300 that i purchased used. It has been excellent for the past 3 yrs that i have owned it, but the tires it came with are very disappointing to me. Though they are a good brand, Kelly Signatures, they have become chopped out and are therefore noisy. I hate tire noise which makes me hate this vehicle. With gas prices at $3+, I'm not sure how long i will keep the vehicle since i really don't need a AWD SUV in Florida but for this reason, the value of the vehicle has fallen a lot since I bought it. It appears to be worth $19-20K with the add for low miles of only 50,000 (does that value sound realistic??). Anyway, since i probably won't keep it that long, I don't want to buy Michellin LTX's which is what I have always bought. They are just too expensive. The Kelly's still have great tread life and if i were to get rid of the vehicle in the next 6-8 mos, it would be better to such it up and keep the kelly's but it will probably be another 18 mos before i get rid of the RX. So, I might as well enjoy it with better tires between now and then but don't want to break the bank. Given the above comments, what would you recommend? I went to the Tires plus web site and read a few reviews and did not come to a conclusion other than the stock Integrity Goodyears are not very well regarded, unfortunately, bc they are cheap, which is good. Any help is appreciated.

yes, 20 feet, maybe 25. they are terrible. the xenons are definately working, just very poorly aimed. they are bright and very white, just don't go far.

can you offer more info on a do it your self xenon light adjustment? I am going to be driving for thanksgiving in darkness in somewhat remote areas, so improving the low beam lighting would be helpful before i leave and don't have time to take it to the shop. by the way, I re-evaluated the lighting distance and said it was 20 yds or so. the reality is, they go about 20 feet. They are awful.

thx for the reply. can the xenon's be adjusted upward by me, or is this only done by lexus where i am required to pay a hefty svc fee?

I have a 2002 RX300 with Xenon's and I have been frustrated with them due to their very short range. I don't know if they are maladjusted or if that's just the way they are. The lights only light up about 30 yds in front of me. High beams light up nicely, but normal low beam gives me very little down road range, unlike any other vehicle. The lights seem to have an automatic adjustment b/c when they turn on while in my garage, the beams are mechanically adjusting themselves before fixing straight ahead. I'm pretty sure this is part of the design, but this also makes me wonder if it is possible for me to adjustment them for longer range. On my other vehicles, a simple adjustment and light placement is controlled, but not sure about this setup. Pls advise.

wow, i thought i would have rec'd a lot of great advice since this topic has been well known and discussed w/ regard to this series/engine. Didn't everyone get the class action suit notice in the mail offering the extended warranty and sludge protection? Mine showed up a few months ago, but i never called the dealer to learn more about it.

I posted this previously but in the wrong place, i'll try here. I rec'd a card from Toyota related to my 2002 RX300 discussing options/coverage related to the well discussed subject of sludge. However, I am interesting in finding info from folks who have either been covered by the extended warranty/settlement or have dealt with your own dealership on this subject. I don't know whether i have a problem or not, though the car does burn a lot of oil, about one quart in 2500 miles (seems like a lot to me). I have not pulled the valve covers. Any input on your experience with the dealerships and how they are treating this situation would be apprec. I did a quick search and found little info, but if there is a thread already covering this, perhaps you can direct me. thank you,