newtoncd

Yes, if you are replacing the timing belt, do the water pump at the same time .... if the water pump were to fail before the next change, you will be doing it again. Overall, the pricing sounds real high, but the Lexus dealer is expensive. Have you considered an independent that specializes in Toyota's? When I got the 60K on our RX330, Lexus was ~$900, the Toyota dealer was ~$625 and the independent was ~$400. This same place charges about $450 to do the timing belt with water pump, so shop around. Also, on the V6 RX330, the engine is an interference design, so if the belt would go, it could do some pretty serious damage.

Agreed, after replacing the battery on our 2004 RX330, I just had a similar issue with the power windows. I had to consult the manual and to my surprise, right there it said "after replacing the battery, you may experience an issue with the power windows ..."

Get the Alenza in the OEM size (235/55/18), you won't be disappointed.

When it was time for our 60K, an independent specializing in Toyota/Lexus was ~$400, the Toyota dealer was $~625 and the Lexus dealer was about ~$900. I am guessing at $1395, they are replacing the timing belt/water pump .... IMO, that can wait until 90K. Personally, I took the independent option that included the air filter, cabin filter, oil change, rotation, tranny fluid replacement, radiator fluid replacement and a general check over of the rest of the car.

Are you sure Michelin makes the LTX in the 235/55/18??? I know they make the Pilot MXM4 and Energy MXV4, but don't see the LTX. Regardless, you won't be disappointed with the Alenza.

Are you saying your mechanic said that if you have a timing belt and it breaks, you won't do any damage? If so, ask a VW/Audi driver. Some of the VW/Audi 1.8T engines have had premature timing belt failure and the valves were bent (aka new engine). From the Honda forum I read, a few Honda belts (Accord/Civic) have gone early and they bent valves. Back to the original poster's question, Gates lists the RX300 as an "interference engine", so I would certainly not put it too far beyond 100K. I think I would call the dealer and ask if it is a free running or interference, that will clear things up. http://www.gates.com/downloads/download_co...older=brochure)

I have attached the instructions. Lexus_Navigation_upgrade_DVD_installation_instructions.pdf

I am not sure about the 30K, but on my wife's 2004 RX330, the 60K went like this for me. Lexus: $910 Toyota: $650 Independent that specializes in Toyota/Lexus: $400 Pretty much sealed the deal for me.

As you are looking at the engine, look behind the battery for a rectangle black box. The filter is inside. If memory serves, there are two 10mm bolts that hold the cover on. I have had trouble with after-market filters not fitting well, but with the OEM filter I have never had an issue. YMMV.

Drain, fill. Drive for about 200-300 miles Drain, fill. Drive for about 200-300 miles Optional: Drain, fill. Drive for about 200-300 miles. I am not sure a flush would cause any problems, but I would be cautious at that mileage.

If you click search TSBs, select Lexus, RX330 and 2004, and it will pull up the entire list. It only provides the subject for the TSB, but you get an idea of the issues with the RX. My major headache has been with TSB 04-004, the brake rotor problem. Others haven't experienced it.

https://www.infotraxx.com/component/option,...tpage/Itemid,1/

Toy Car Care on Arapahoe will take care of you; I think the timing belt with water pump/accessory belt is around $600, but call them to make sure. http://toycarcare.com/ Phone: (303) 799-3895

Neither the dealership nor the indy ever came back and said it was only one side or the other. I have no idea how to disable the DBW servomotor, I am not even sure what that would do for me.

RX, trust me, I am not pleased. I always take the RX to Discount Tire for rotation and I watch them hand-torque the lug nuts. On the repair order, the indy shop said they used OEM parts with TSB BR004-04 at 62K (correction to my previous post which stated 52K); at 62K, I thought it was all fixed, but we were driving up in the mountains one weekend and it started up again, this time at 74K. We very seldom drive up in the mountains, so it isn't like we do this on a continuous basis. I went to Kuni Lexus in Denver and wrote to Lexus of America to see about a long-term fix or at least reimbursement for the costs of getting the same part fixed multiple times; no luck. This is our third Toyota/Lexus product and I can't see purchasing another one.

RX, glad you got it all fixed. I hope you don't experience the brake warping I have gone through on our 04 RX330. I have been back at the dealership or independent specializing in Toyota/Lexus at 26K, 55K and 74K to fix the rotors. This is with the TSB's applied.

The Cross Terrain's don't come in the stock 18" size for the RX330.

Not sure about the Lexus, but with an Audi Quattro, unless the tread is within 4/32, you can run into transmission problems by only replacing 2 tires. My sister-in-law asked the Honda dealer (Honda CR-V AWD) and they said to replace all four at once. I don't know if the Lexus AWD has the same issue, but I would ask the dealer.

When you removed the old oil filter, was the gasket still attached?

I just wish (at least as far as the 2004 RX330), they would make a rotor/pad combination that didn't warp in 26K (routinely in our situation). I normally always use OEM parts, but I am going to try another setup next time it happens; not sure it will be any better, but I am not pleased with the OEM pads/rotors.

Click on MENU and then DVD (upper right hand corner).

We have just over 1,500 miles on the Alenza's. We live in Colorado, but we have only been through one storm since we had the Alenza's put on, and it was only a couple of inches of snow. However, I can assure you, the Alenza's performed nicely. The reviews at TireRack convinced me to go with the Alenza and I don't regret the decision. My wife is the primary driver of the RX and she said she couldn't tell any difference in ride (i.e. noise, bumps, etc) between the Michelin MXV and the Bridgestone H/L Alenza; and I have to tell you, she can be fairly critical...;-) My only complaint with the Michelin was the lack of any type of treadwear warranty; on the highway, they were very smooth and quiet. The bottom line: I just hated spending $850+ on a set of tires and being lucky to get 35K out of them; this last set had 35K and they were at 2/32 tread-depth. The Bridgestone has a warranty for 65K and if I don't get that, at least I will get pro-rated towards the next set; with the Michelin, I didn't get anything. I run my tires at 36psi, just as I did the Michelin's and I have them rotated every 5K. Hope this helps.

I don't own a Hybrid, but do have the RX330. After 35K (twice) on two sets of Michelin's, I changed over and put on the Bridgestone H/L Alenza. It offers a 65K treadlife warranty and ride great. The tread is more aggressive than the Michelin's, but they are quiet and smooth. I think the Michelin's seemed to absorb potholes better, but that is about the only difference between the two. I was tired of only getting 35K out of the Michelin's and from what I read, the Goodyear's weren't any better. Watch Firestone for a sale; I purchased mine when they had a buy 3 get 1 free. Out the door with road hazard for $705. YMMV.

Well, I thought the TSB had fixed things, but the rotors are warped again; after having the rotors and pads replaced at 62K, I just had them turned. I have had issues at 26K (new rotors), 62K (new rotors) and 74K (turned). I know Discount Tire hand torque's the lug nuts, so it that and my wife's driving patterns aren't unusual (i.e. no hard stops, etc). I normally prefer OEM parts but I am pretty frustrated and will be looking for a better replacement pad/rotor.

I haven't experienced that problem on our 2004. But, I sure am sick of having warped rotors every 26K (so far, 26K, 52K, 75K). I normally use Toyota OEM parts for everything, but next time I think I will try a different pad/rotor.