KBRX330

If you have a 2004 then you have an rx330. Our 04 rx330 has 144,000 miles on the transmission and is shifting fine. I do a single drain fill every 15,000-20,000 miles and at 90-100k did a series of 4 drain fills which will get you to 90% new fluid. You can drop the pan but my dealer advised against it. You can also get a flush for about $180 but the 4 drain fills cost me about $80 for the 12 quarts of T-IV

My 2004 RX330 has never seen anything other than Shell or Marathon or Sunoco 87 in 143,000 miles. Never a CEL and the spark plugs went to 140k. However, I do use techron or redline s-1 fuel systems cleaner every 20,000 miles to prevent deposit build up. When I disassembled the throttle body at 140k for cleaning it was still fairly clean.

It is a lot of work for plugs. But I did do the PCV valve replacement & TB complete cleaning which is important as well. The fuel economy on the car is definitely up as is the performance. So it's worth it. If you are pricing this service don't forget to add the disassembly & complete cleaning of the TB and PCV replacement. This total service at a local dealer here would be over $500. My cost was about $80. So, you are saving about $100/hr. KB, If I drive up to Ohio, would you do mine for free? Then again gas is more than $4....hmm.. :( At $4 gallon it would be cheaper to have your dealer do it....... :D

When I did mine at 140,000 miles they were looking a bit worn but still functional for sure and would have gone 150k easily. Replacing them before 120k is a waste for sure. But I don't think going past 150k is good either. Their perfomance degrades so slowly you barely notice it. The tips on mine has some deposits built up which is expected but robs fuel economy by 2-3 mpg. You really notice the difference once you clean the TB & install the new plugs.

Sounds like it's definitely sensor related. My first guess is a bad o2 sensor that is falsing or just aged/contaminated and the ecm is getting a weak or intemittent signal and shutting down the OD. Did you check all the wiring to the o2 sensor? (wild a$$ guess). The knock sensor would be my second choice. But the fact that your OD works for a few miles before it throws a code says to me the o2 sensor is the culprit. I have had o2 sensors read fine cold and then weak after heating up. Very common on motorcycles where they use really cheap o2 sensors. It could be a trans sensor but I doubt it.

I have done all of those items myself and they are definitely NOT rocket science. If you are not mechanically inclined look for an independent shop or like said before call a few toyota dealerships that are not associated with a Lexus dealership. Much cheaper.

It is a lot of work for plugs. But I did do the PCV valve replacement & TB complete cleaning which is important as well. The fuel economy on the car is definitely up as is the performance. So it's worth it. If you are pricing this service don't forget to add the disassembly & complete cleaning of the TB and PCV replacement. This total service at a local dealer here would be over $500. My cost was about $80. So, you are saving about $100/hr.

That is super inexpensive. I would have driven to Denver for that one... The dealer here wants $400+

Pull & replace the PCV valve (cheap) and check the hoses for obstruction. Take a good look at the old valve and check to see if the ball in the valve is still freely moving as it should still rattle when shaken. Change oil brands to a high calcium oil like Pennzoil Platinum which will have more of a cleaning effect on the engine. Fill it up with premium fuel and add a bottle of techron or redline s-1 fuel system cleaner and take it for a 200-300 mile freeway trip with some hard acceleration on the on ramps. If it still smokes take it in under warranty. You engine probably needs a good blow out if the previous owner did nothing more than short trips. You could also consider trying a HM oil like Valvoline Maxlife 5w30 which has a seal swell additive. But if it is consuming more than 1 quart in 5000 miles after you give it a good blow out you probably have an issue. My 04 RX uses 1/3 qt in 5000 miles at 142,000.

See my oil change post several posts below on the oil change. No covers need be removed.

Our 04 Rx330 has been growling only when cold (goes away after about 5 minutes) for about 75,000 miles now. Sooner or later the compressor will give out. I have been waiting for it to go and now I'm like Kramer waiting to see how far I can get before it craps out.

My wife has tested the limits of the RX330 AC system in such a manner and now at 145k miles it still blows cold air. Note: There is a warranty extension on your radiator to 7 years 90k. Ours went bad at 89,500 and was replaced under warranty. The top seam of the radiator fails and you will see the coolant level in the overflow plastic bottle drop to zero. I noticed it because I check it every week along with the oil, tires etc. SO if your RX is running hot better get the radiator pressure tested. Ours never overheated because I caught it in time. FWIW, I run 5w30 Pennzoil Platinum synthetic oil which will take the idling abuse & punishment my wife & daughters hand out on a daily basis.

There should be an engine code sticker under the hood that will tell you which engine you have. Then find a wrecked one that was hit in the rear and all should bolt right up.

Exactly! The GM testing showed that even impaired drivers in the oncoming lane will see you. If you have ever been hit head on like I have, you would never think of disconnecting them. Trust me on this one. But since you'll never know the accident you didn't have they seem like a nuisance.

Another consideration is the terms of the warranty contract. I do some simple maintenance on my vehicles like change oil, replace filters and rotate tires. Will this effect the Lexus extended warranty?

What is to get used to? It's not like you see them while you are driving.

Wow another one. Don't understand why you want to turn off a safety feature that has been documented by General Motors to reduce front end collisions. <_< You will notice newer model motorcycles now have no headlight on-off switch as well. Soon this will be a Federal safety requirement for all motor vehicles. All GM vehicles have had them for years.

No not entirely fixed yet. Mine flared on the 1-2 shift once at 50 miles on the clock. Has not done it since and now have 3,000 miles on. One thing I notice is that if you take your foot off the acclerator pedal it thinks you are going to slow down and begins downshifting. If you just apply the slightest amount of pressure to the pedal ( the weight of your foot) it doesn't. This is built into the software. So you need to learn to drive this car as it learns your driving style. This is not an issue for my wife since she only uses the accelerator and barely touches the brakes. :( So if you take your foot off and then hit the pedal hard you can cause it to flair under the right circumstances. My flair occured when I was turning left from coasting at about 10 mph on a level plane then down a driveway apron into an uphill turn and goosed the pedal. So the trans shifted 2-1 then 1-2 in rapid succession. I only assume the ECM got a series of signals that the vehicle was level and slowing then coasting downhill for a second then turning (rolling left) and accelerating uphill.

Has anyone done strut replacement on an RX330 yet? Any suggestions would be helpful. I am aproaching 145k on mine and two of the boots are torn but no leaks yet. Ride quality is still good but I suspect I'll replace them at 150-160k.

Same maintenence as you. They got noisy very suddenly. Not one but all of them. I ditched them with 30% of the treadwear still there. No problems with the vehicle either. I drove them about 50-55,000 miles. The NTB dealer in my area said they have seen that issue with them before. BTW, I do think they would have gone 75k. BUt I couldn't take the noise anymore.

I'm getting rid of my DRL, ABS, Traction control, seat belts & air bags. Then I'm stripping all the padding off the dash..and getting rid of the air conditioning and power steering. I want my kids to get the feel of what it was like to ride in a car like my Dad had in 1957 If I have to panic stop with them in the front seat I'll just put out my arm to shield them from the force of 20G's throwing them against the dash & windshield like my Mom used to. Today's Mothers need to learn the "safety arm" manuever like my Mom & Aunt had down to a science. Oppps almost forgot...power brake booster...definitely has to go.

Yes, they are too wide for that application.

I ran a set of alenzas on my rx330. They were good to about 40,000 miles and then got very very noisy. So noisy I got rid of them before they were worn out. So unless you are hearing impaired the 65,000 mile warranty is useless. They are good for 40k.

I bought a set of 18" Kumho's from a local dealer after seeing them on tire rack. Total cost with install and balancing & alignment was under $600. Very nice riding tire and excellent winter snow & ice traction. I highly recommend them. Softer ride than the Alenzas that they replaced

I do the 5000 because this is my wifes car and gets lots of stop and go driving, idling etc. If you are a freeway driver then 7500 is probably ok but my schedule is severe service.