Jim Nazium

Spacers also put additional load on wheel bearings.

Tom

So do rims with 5mm offsets... no difference there hehe.

Jim, I tried the Costco nitrogen thing on two RX400h's and my Porsche 968. All lost about 4 psi over two months. Given the inconvenience of going back to Costco to have them topped off, requiring about a one hour wait, I dumped the nitrogen and refilled them all with good old air. I can once again check and adjust my tired pressures with nothing more than pulling down my air hose from the garage ceiling.

Tom

Hey Buddy, I hear ya... The real benefit, is if you have expensive wheels. Nitrogen does not have the "moisture", and hence, you will not get oxidation from the inside of the rim. A side note, I did purchase a long time ago a spare air tank. I got them to fill that with nitrogen for me, for that very reason. Yep, I too have a compressor, and for my expensive rims I go to that trouble. For my winter beast, well, I don't really care if I mix regular air with nitrogen.

Cheers,

MadloR

Changing the Rim offset, or adding spacers, would put EXACTLY the same amount of "stress" on the vehicles suspension. In essence, you are creating the same thing.

Extrapolating on your point, I too would prefer a wheel that has the offset vs using wheel spacers. BUT, I much prefer the factory look verses the aftermarket wheel choices. Hence I'leaning towards wheel spacers and I honestly believe the 5 mm addition will not cause a "risk". If you don't mind and having the occassional wheel hitting the inner wheel well liner (THAT of course, depends on the tire choice you make for the given 255/55-18, as not all wheels are the same width) then you don't have to go with wheel spacers.

On another note, the factory specs for lug nut torquing is.... 79lb/ft. Your kidding me, right? (that's what I thought). Nope, it's in the factory 2006 manual. I would be much worried about having my factory wheels torqued to 79lb/ft.

Cheers,

MadloR

Quick Fix...

My Costco offers to refill my vehicles with nitrogen free of charge, and many of the local garages now have this as well. Give the tire a "fin" and lower the spare tire and refill it with nitrogen. Hopefully down the road if you ever need to use it, the "fat" nitrogen molecules won't bleed through and you will have plenty of air in the spare.

Cheers,

MadloR

My RX 400H is model 04/06 production and I must say it is very, very subtle the transition from a dead stop. I am the only one to notice, since I can feel it in the accelerator. Also, given that it is extremely cold the transition occurs almost instantaneously from a dead stop to about 1-3 mph before the engine kicks in again. I hope, come warm weather, the transition will be just as smooth.

Cheers,

MadloR

I am thinking about putting spacers on the rear wheels to widen the stance of the narrow footing my RX400h is on now. Has anyone done this? I saw the type that are pretty wide and to ensure safety they have their own bolts. Also, I know I can look this up but since I'm here, what's the bolt pattern on the RX400h? If anyone can give me any insight,I would really appreciate the advice or opinion, Rey Bustos, happy with my Lexus

Discount Tire offers 0 plus options where they list a 255/55-18 tire. I called and spoke with a representative and he stated that the 255/55-18 tire size was an option offered by Lexus for RX 350 & 400H owners. I am only reiterating what the Discount Tire Representative informed me. Personally, you have alot more tire choices for the plus zero option, than for the factory 235/55-18. I have also read by a fellow RX 330 owner who installed 255/55-18 tires on the factory Lexus 18" wheels and he stated that the only drawback to NOT installing 5mm spacers is the possible touching of the front tires to the inner fender well plastic housing. That being said, he did install spacers on all the wheels and the 5 mm offset was within spec to the factory wheel nuts (the alternative would be drastically more expensive).

Personally, I think given the weight of the vehicle, and all the complaints of premature tire wear, I would prefer opting for 255 instead of 235 as a factory tire. Also, please note that not all tires that are 255 mm are all the same width with respect to one tire manufacture to another.

Cheers,

MadloR

mine is definately coming from the cover, I don't know about anyone elses. I have some other squeaks as well, but this is definately that cover making noise.

What do they say? "The squeeky Lexus gets the ...."

Shmear a little silicone grease or spray, or slimy leather spray ... what ever suits your fance. Boom. Your done. To the dealer that says, "that's normal" ... I'd say, "I think I'll write to customer service to coroborate weather this is normal. See if he (while pee'ing his pants) changes his/her tune.

HMMM.... I purchased a demo RX 400H and it didn't come with the cover and was looking to purchase one on ebay etc.... perhaps, knowing that the rear cargo cover is a poor design and / or a culprit to squeaking noises from the rear hatch I may just pass. My biggest pet peave is creaks, rattles, or any kind of noises from the inside passenger cabin.

Cheers,

MadloR

My 0.02 worth...

I have had my last three vehicles, equipped with a roof rack. The only one that initially made some noise was back on my 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The roof racks are movable, and after adjusting the distances for the crossover bars, I was able to alleviate noise out on the highway. Why didn't my 2003 JEEP GCL and Passat 2003 Wagon make the same kind of noises? Who knows. I would suggest playing around with the distances. Perhaps, ask another member on the board who is not experiences noises and ask them where, with respect to the front and rear of the roof, there cross bars are situated.

Good Luck

Cheers,

MadloR

P.S. My rx 400h arrives in the next couple of weeks... ;)