fernandolpa

I have the same issue in my 2001 AWD from many long time. I guess is something related with the brakes, as if I push the brakes slightly over the bumps noise stops. I spoke with Lexus dealer but they have no idea. I guess is something with the brake pads and some missing small piece. I tell you this because if I put some cooper grease behind the pad the noise despairs. If you find the final reason let me know, it has been many years with this noise already. In Spain we have exhaustive yearly inspections (brakes, suspensions, struts, stabilizers...and the car is perfect year by year with no complaints at all in the inspection, so I guess is nothing related with all these parts.

Look at the rear diff, there are some numbers there that will determined what kind of diff is. I know that the MKI all where central and rear limited skip diff. For the MKII only rear was an option but not very common. In any case is auto mode, blocks partially the skip wheel to provide traction to the opposite.

HI, I drive a 2001 AWD with the same mileage, and so far the only problems I've got was to replace the knock sensor, that took me around a grand. I also have a 2014 Volvo XC60 Diesel, and honestly, I prefer to drive the RX. But, there is always a but, the fuel consumption is what it is. Getting an average of 20 MPG will be realistic. Actually it is the only reason why I use the Volvo instead the RX. About the transmission, I am not an expert, once I thought I had that problem but at the end was not. What is the % over all RX sold? Hope it helps

After changing PCV valve, consumption is now 1.05 oz every 4.000 miles, normal use. If I speed, 100 mph for 300 miles, consumption is higher. Car has now 130.000 miles No problems with emissions, no leaks. Transmission is perfect, just checked in Lexus dealer. It is the normal oil consumption?

I had the same problem some time ago. It was the Oxigen sensor in the exhaust. First it was the fornt one, I took the car to Lexus dealer = 350 euros! Then the second time I investigate a bit, find the OEM part, buy it by ebay (new), replace by miself and done for 90 USD. I was driving for around four weeks each time with the light on, and there is nothing involved, except that the traction control does not work (I have an AWD) and I guess that the VSC either.

I have a 117's miles RX300 AWD, new rotors and pads. When I am driving in a rought surface, I hear a multiple metal cracking sound fronm the wheels. Before I tought it was coming from the exhaust, some missing clap, but it is comming from brakes, as if I push just smoothly the brakes, sounds stop. As I said, new rotors and pads, and all works perfectly. The car passed the EU inspection (very exhaustive) a month ago and braking was perfect. Ideas? I heard that the pads have something to avoid they move while not breaking, but I don't know if sounds come from here or not.

Thanks, do you know the part #?

I own a 2001 RX300 AWD, Eur specs, until now I had no problems at all except the change of the exhaust sensors and a false alarm with the transmission. It was making noises on reverse when forcing it uphill offroad but nothing was detected by dealer. Lately I have checked the oil consumption and I found that the car is taking 1 liter (1.05 quarts or 33.81 Ounces) for 4,000 Kms (2,500 miles). it means 250 cm3 per 1000 kms = 13.52 Ounces per 1,000 miles. I use 100 % synthetic oil, speeding around 80 to 90 and even 100 steady on highway (even uphills), normally I cruise at 85 mph. How do you see this consumption? I am thinking in adding SLICK 50 in the next oil change, do you think will be a good idea? Thanks for your comments.

Hi, You have a problem with the oxigen sensor on the exhaust pipe. Go to Lexus, read the problem in the check computer and according to the code, buy and replace the proper sensor. There are two, one for the front exhaust and the other fro the back one.

I am very satisfy with the car, but, the driving position is a little bit too high, even lowering the seat to the maximum. I wonder is there is a easy way to lowered half an inch or even one inch more. About the subwoofer, my RX300 AWD is from 2001, with NAVI. Apparently it should have the sobwoofer below passenger seat, but is has not. I dont know if it is because in my model was not available yet, beacuse it does not have the wiring or simply beacuse mine is european... The car was bought new and it never was there. ¿Ideas?

Hi everybody, I own 2001 RX300 AWD, with 100's miles, and I am really happy with my car. During all these years I test many cars, including Audis and Benzs, but until now there is no replacement for it. I consider that the interior materials of the 2001 RX and GS's are years ahead of actual cars. Looks like the manufacturers decided to move to plastics that look like plastics, and personally I dislike. Anyway, fuel crisis is making me crazy...so I am thinking to move to hybrid... I have some questions that I need to clarufy. Any hidden problems on the RX400h? What is the real fuel consumption average, in normal conditions 40% city, 60% HWY? How it drives the constinous transmission on mountain roads? I am also looking for the CT200h, but keeping the RX. Using the RX for travelling (kids love the car with the Entertainment system) and the CT for the city. Same questions about the transmission and power. Basically it is a Prius, so...is this really a luxury-sports car? And then, the final question. If the electric engine is capable of more pwer, and the electric system can manage, is there any way to change the electric-fuel managing system to increase the output power to the maximum? Even discharging faster the batteries? Sorry for all these questions, but I dont want to put a lot of bucks in the car and get dissapointed... Thanks in advance to everybody,

You have to change the mast antenna. Buy one on ebay and do thereplacement. It is not easy, lets say 6 to 10. I did that and problem solved.

It is not as easy as buying the nav cpu. Check before if you have the wiring installed. If not, you need to do it yourself just for the unit to the screen or change all the car wiring, as it is sold as one. I had the same idea in my 2001, and I made the wiring. I am not using the nav, it was just to add a video input for the iPod video, rear view camera and DVB TV. You can check this on youtube.

Buy a carb cleaner, and spray and clean the throttle body. I had the same problem, and after doing so the car is going like new. Problem solved. You need to take out the filter box and tubes, very easy. Spray the throttle body, cleaning and mount it again. You have some posts talking about this matter or replacing the idle valve with pics, but it is really easy.

Following other topics, I celaned up the throttle body with carb cleaner, and now the car is going like new. Thanks for the forum

The accelerator pedal in my 2001 RX300 often locks up when I stop at a traffic light or a stop sign. I have to press very hard on it, or sometimes stomp on it, to get the car going again. It is uncomfortable and unsafe, especially on city driving. Lexus dealer changed the complete pedal set, and check wire, but situation is the same. They dont know what to do. Once the car is in motion, the gas peadal is back to normal. The car drives well with no warning or any other symptom. Only occurs after not accelerating. If someone has experienced this problem before, would you give me some suggestion on where I should be looking at?

Sorry, no way. You can do it but keeping OEM radio (for AC and NAV screen, and place the new unit somewhere else. You can improve sound changing the amp (under back seats) and speakers. ( Im talking about a 2001)

Ok, My japanese RX300 2001 EUR specs (I am from the other side of the Ocean) went to hell with 100k miles. Unfortunately there is no big offer of remanufactured trans or higlanders in this side of the ocean. In case that I go for a new one, does anyone knows if it is possible to install the 5 speed one for the latest RX350 that Lexus sold like UAE? In this case, you know the part number? At the end is a big money, so it is a nice improvement after all. Thanks! PD. By he way, I replace the transmission fluid 6k miles ago to avoid this failure...so far the first problem in the car since new...

Is your RX a Nav one? If yes, you can install a complete video system including rear view camera. The first RX2001 with nav did not have rear view, but I installed in my car. You can check it in youtube, searching dvb tv in my rx300 I bought the rear view camera on enbay.

I have a 2001 AWD with 65k miles on it, also doing offroading. ZERO problems at all.

I have 2001 model, european spec, made in Japan. Are you sure that SNOW just do that? I use SNOW with L gear and of course starts in 1st when doing so. Then what is the purpose of the SNOW in an AWD car?

Anybody knos how to lock the central diff? I do some offroading and sometimes I need to lock the central diff -even partially- to get more traction. Sometimes to get more traction I use the snow swtich and L. I do not know if SNOW locks the centrl diff or not. Any ideas? Any information? My Lexu dealer is even more lost than I. Any way to do it? I imagine that I will need to do some moficiation or even installing a switch, as the traction and transmission is controlled electronically. Any help will be appreciatted.

I do oftlenly here in canary Islands were I live. You can see some pics at my gallery, or even see my video in youtube. I do the routes on the Islands. Last weekend I note this GPS coordenates (you can see in google earth) N27º 53.2 W015º 38.9 The only thing that I miss is a switch to lock the central diff. If a rear wheel stays in the air, the car stops, and then you need to apply hand brake, put L and SNOW to move... Anyway, if I see a really complicated way, I turn around. By the moment I never had problems, even in mud, grave, or stones. I will be posting more videos and pictures in my gallery.