NMLX450

Pretty much an inactive site! I also belong to an Infiniti site which is extremely active, having seperate boards for different models (I own two). Very helpful for those of us who hang on to our older vehicles. Try this site (www.IH8MUD.com) for advice on the Toyota Landcruiser, which is, essentially, your LX 450.

Michelin LX tires with, MAYBE, 10K miles, are showing extreme "dry rot" cracking. Vehicle used only during summer months at southern NM home, and under covered roof storage during winter months. I use ArmourAll protectorant on the sidewalls, and cover them with cardboard against the sun, but it would appear that original owner did not (Tucson vehicle), with even the truck's front seats dry rotting due to no tint on front glass (corrected), and no Lexoil. Does anyone have any experience with the tire issue? I would hate to replace a set of tires with this much tread left, but do not want to deal with a safety issue. AND, I am toying with going to the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo when replacement time comes (from research on Tirerack.com). (I have the Michelin Cross Terrain on my Suburban, and Michelin Pilots on my Infiniti Q45, but they are mostly highway driven, where the LX must contend with some serious off road use, on occasion.) In advance, thanks for the imputs!

UPDATE: Weather finally warmed up enough to look into matter of noisy blower. I went to the workshop manual and looked at the blower motor and removal procedures (I did not have the manual when I had this problem the first time). It took me HALF an hour to do the removal, remove the mice nesting material (Man! Those guys sure were warm!), and re-install the motor. I spoke with a couple of folks who said this was not all that uncommon around here, and, it is a good idea to try and cover those air intakes which give the mice access to the heater/ac duct system. I found two rather largish holes on either side of the engine compartment, the only places I have determined that the mice use on their travels. I went to a local hardware store and bought some "hardware cloth" which I will cut into shape, and install over the holes. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY OTHER PLACES WHICH NEED COVERED/PROTECTED, PLEASE ADVISE. The original mouse removal job cost me nearly $150 last year, with the tech doing the same thing I did, only he did have to remove mouse remains! THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HAVING THE WORKSHOP MANUAL ENABLING YOU TO SAVE MONEY!

I leave my LX 450 at my NM summer home, spending the winter months at my coastal SC home. Last year, upon putting the vehicle back into service, an unbelievable smell came from the heat/ac vents! It smelled like dead rats! In fact, it WAS dead mice! They had climbed up into the system and, either died there, or were killed the first time the vehicle's system was turned on! YUKKKKK! Took the vehicle in to a local independent shop, where they had to dismantle the system to extract the carcases! I am presently on a short visit to NM, and, when turning on the heat yesterday, the blower motor makes terrible noises, like something is inside one of the circulation boxes. As of yet, there is no smell, having put rat poison under the hood hoping to kill the mice before they begin their adventures! Any ideas what this might be? I purchased a workshop manual for the 1996 Toyota LC to help me, but was hoping that one of you folks had experienced the same issue and might save me some time! Purchased the vehicle about 2 years ago from local Toyota dealer whose friend had traded it in with him, and it was showing a little over 60K on the clock, and was in excellent condition, having been bought new and used in Tucson area. Thanks for any help!