fernandolpa

Hi, I drive a 2001 AWD, with 220's miles. I live in Spain, our orography is full of hills, not the best for MPG. Although I have an average after 22 years of 18,80 MPG, including city highway off road...and my highway driving is close to 90 MPH cruise. Driving on highway at 70 MPH average is 23,45 MPG.

Aerodynamics is the clue for the problem you mention. My BMW F11 can get 85 MPH in the same hill that the RX makes hardly 70 MPH in neutral.

Check tires pressure, my experience is that Lexus recommendation is quite low for the weight of the car. I have 2.9 bar instead of 2.2 recommended and the car goes much better and improves mileage.

Owning a 2001 AWD with no problems so far. Loved with the car. Only issue nowadays is fuel consumption. In Europe paying more than 2 USD per liter (more than 8 USD per gallon), using the car is like a luxury driving.

So I was wondering how to improve MPG. Why to be using front transmission while is not necessary? Could be possible to disconnect FWD (or RWD) to save fuel? So I remember the first AWD and 4x4 that they had the front locking hubs on the wheels. Could be possible to do it in our AWD RX?

Anybody has a better idea? Don't tell me to change the car, is not gonna happen. I have other two for the daily use. I would like to improve consumption by at least 30% (dreamer...)

Mine is 280's miles, from 2001 AWD. So far, so good. No transmission problems or anything else except replacing valve seal gaskets (I did my own) at 150's miles, disc brakes, suspension, normal issues. Of course some oil consumption but only while driving over 3750 RPM during highway. 1 liter every 1500 miles.

If you are good doing maintenance, is not expensive, parts are available and you have a lot of manufacturers to buy.

All is working perfectly, car is nice but MPG is really bad while driving over 60 MPH. And in Europe we are paying almost 2,00USD per liter, that is around 8 USD per gallon. So I now use the car as third on family, but still using it to go to ski. 

Is a nice car, I have no intention to sell it, trade it or junk it.

Hope it helps.

Hi, I guess you can do it as it was possible in the RX300 2001. You need to buy a video convertor, like the one in vaistech that I bought, and do the connections. Camera is working perfectly after almost 20 years. You also win a video input for the nav sat screen.

I have 200.000

only issue, is taking oil, from max to minimum in about 1500 miles, driving at 85-90 MPH for trips of 300 miles.

Hello everybody,

My RX300 2001 runs great, 18 yrs in the family. Unfortunately I replaced the battery a week ago and the auto close function, the one that closes automatically all windows and sun roof the you close the car with the remote, is not working anymore. I tried to re program all windows and all works perfectly, but the auto close function not.

I checked the auto open function using the key at driver door, does not work either. 

So I guess has been disconnected while changing the battery.

Anybody knows how to reactivate? After 18 yrs enjoying this feature now I really miss it!

Thanks to everybody,

You have a lot of help on youtube. Use "lexus rx300 valve cover gasket replacement" to find several videos. You need to remove the valve cover to be able to change the spark plug gasket seal.

Be careful while tighten the screws not to broken it.

reaching and changing the back of the V6 seals is really headache...if you are not familiar with mechanics, better not to get involved.

well, it is a late reply for this discussion, but my solution works perfectly and it is really cheap.

I insert a plain magnet on the sun visor and another one inside the roof panel using double tape. North and south polarity, of course. Problem disappear even driving off road. 

Thanks!

what about replace it with a 3mz-fe? I dont know if it will be necessary to upgrade to 5-speed and how it will fit...

If anybody knows if it is possible, could be interesting to have opinions.

Happy New Year!

Hello Gabriel,

Nice to read your post. I have been trying different choices to improve night driving but I never was satisfied with HID and when using LEDS I have problems to fit it in the narrow space behind headlights (low beam driver side).

Which LEDS did you buy? where did you get it?

Thanks in advance, Happy New Year!

Hi everyone,

I have a project to start, just to know if it is possible. I have a RX400h without NAV screen. It has the regular multi display.

I wonder if I buy a Nav Screen and if it is just "plug and play" or if I have much other work to do. Anybody had try this?

Thanks in advance,

awesome!

Welcome to the club. It is true that are a lot of problems about the car in the forums, but normally nobody writes to say that all os perfect! Good thing about it, you can find all solutions on the forums. 

My experience after several cars and many miles, is that the only one that I keep in my garage is the RX. Now I also own a Volvo XC60 and I always get the Lexus for long trips, so guess why.

About the knock sensors, replace both at the same time, even you have a message for one. If you do it yourself it is just a matter of time and patience. I also suggest to replace (if  it was not done before) the lid cam cover gaskets. Specailly the rear one that suffers more as has more heat. Don't forget to change the spark plush, rear set is a headache but once you start is better to do all at the same time.

So far I am very happy with the car. 168.000 miles, cruising at 90 MPH, doing off road as well and still solid.

Replacing the pads I discover this leak. 

Ill appreciate suggestions. I'm using a liter of oil every 3.000 miles. Shall I solve the problem considering the fix cost or just keep filling oil?

Last update and problem solved.

After installing the clips above, problem is gone.

Hi Trevor,

Switch is only present in the FWD model. I guess the only way is to disconnect something, somewhere...

Thanks

I have a RX300 2001 AWD.

I need help to know how to disconnect the VSC and TRC systems. While driving off road, sand and snow, is better to turn it off.

I read somewhere that the only ay is to take off the relay of fuse. Anybody has any other idea?

Ok, finally I know from where this noise comes.

It is recommended by Lexus to replace the brakes pads clips at the same time pads are changed. Almost anybody does it, even Lexus dealers. So after she pads changes, these clips does not longer keep the pad on place, making the rattle sound on bad roads.

Replacing the clips is the solution.

Part number for a 2001 RX300 is 0494733120

 Hope is the same for you

Anybody knows if it possible to lock center diff?

I have the same problem, in my case while rattling if  I slightly press the brakes the noise disappear. I  believe is something related with the pads, but I don't know what. Maybe we are lucky and someone else give us a clue. 

I changed mines with the KYB's. I am really satisfied. Comfort as always and much better ride and control. 

In my RX300 I did not have from factory the seat heater, as it was bought in very hot area. Now that I live in a colder area, I miss this feature, so I tried to connect the seat to the electrical system.

My model has the switcher connectors, so I bought the switch and the relay under the glove box. With all connected the smiths work well and get power, turning in the lights when choosing low heat and high heat. Until now all looks "working". But the seat does not heat. So I guess I am loosing something. I know from my Lexus dealer that in my model I have heated seats from factory, so I guess that they just did not install the wires. 

Looking under the seat I see a connector that is missing the the wiring. It is in both seats, it is a three pins connector. I guess is the one to give power to the heaters.

Now is the question, ideas to connect the seats? Where it could be the wire? If I had it to the console switchers and to the relay, where is the seat connector? Anyone dod this job before and can help me?

Thanks very much,  

I have a problem with the passenger power seat.

Moves correctly front-back, lumbar support and reclining.

What it does not work is the up&down, either the front or the back of the seat.

Using the switch makes the motor sounds like underpowered and maybe I can get a small move, but not as it should be.

Any ideas? 

Thanks very much for your help

Nice transformation! How it develops in all terrain?