GDixon

In California the highways are in terrible shape. Every time a pothole or bump would be gone over at speed an annoying clicking sound would come from somewhere in or around the cargo area of my 08 RX350. I tried putting foam self-adhesive weather stripping under and around all of the tire changing tools, jack, and anything else that could possibly move. The automatic clips on the luggage cover were even dampened. Nothing seemed to help. Then I noticed a small, spring-loaded plastic door where the rear door catch attaches when closed. Some weather stripping was put on top of it in case it was slapping against the catch. No help! As a last gasp effort, weather stripping was put under the little door in case the door was hitting on the frame by the bumper. Problem solved! It has worked for a week over the same roads and hitting the same bumps. Apparently the spring on the little door is a bit too light to keep it from flopping. Hope this helps anyone with a similar phobia of rattles in a brand new car. ;)

My 08 RX350 automatically locks if you walk away with the key after about 30 seconds. My wife went into a store and I was in the car and the doors suddenly locked. I unlocked them and about 30 seconds later they automatically locked again. While at the dealership getting the personal settings done, I walked away with the key and it locked. When asked, the service rep said that it was a safety factor in case the door was not locked and the key was away from the car. I leave the key in the door pocket when in the garage at home and the doors do not lock automatically. There must be some kind of signal continuously put off by the key fob. When the fob battery runs low I may be in trouble. Maybe this is the same situation with the 07 model.

Another trick is to light a cigarette or something that smokes - like incense -in the car and have someone in the back seat (not you! ) hold it up to and around the door area during the noise to see where the smoke is drawn or deflected. That will at least identify the area. Try pushing or pulling on the door to see if the sound changes indicating a sealing problem. The sound may also change in sweeping right or left hand turns at speed indicating the same sealing problem as the body slightly flexes. I'm not sure if the door on your model can be adjusted but someone here should know. Maybe the Detailing and Car Care forum would have some answers.

Here is something to try but it takes some time and effort. Find a third party supplier and get the part number for the Lexus item (try Googling the part). Then search the third party website using the Lexus part number and see what other cars the item will fit. That will reveal the year, make, and model of Toyota that has the same part application if there is one. Then the item can be picked up at a Toyota dealer but applied to the Lexus. It works with Wix oil filters so might work with whatever you are looking for. http://www.wixfilters.com/

Wow! Those pictures make the rims really look nasty. It almost looks like acid etching and that part of the surface has been lost. It appears that it would feel quite rough to the touch. Rims that are that bad on an 06 may indicate a warranty issue with Lexus. Going back to the dealer if the clay bar doesn't work is an option. Maybe an option even before using the clay bar. There is no doubt that the rims should not look like that under any circumstance. If it were a common problem the members on this web site would howl. The clay bar is designed to remove flecks embedded into or on the finish rather than give it the kind of overhaul that the pictures indicate is needed. Try copying a pasting your post with pictures on this site in the "Lexus Detailing and Car Care" forum further down on the opening page rather than in the GS model forum. Some of the members there are professional detailers and can steer you in the right direction. They may have seen the problem before and know exactly what to do.

I had this problem on a Porsche. It turned out to be the fuel pump combined with a dirty fuel filter problem. After the filter was replaced it ran fine for about a week and then the problem reoccurred. Apparently, shutting the car off would allow what pressure there was to send enough fuel to the injectors so the next start would be just fine and it would run for awhile and then start stumbling. The pump could not keep up with the demand. It could be compared to a water well pump with a holding tank that puts out 3 gpm while the lawn sprinklers demand is 4 gpm. Eventually, it gets to the point where the sprinklers function poorly after seeming to do fine for a time. Since you have a new fuel filter, check the fuel pump. It will work OK for a while but when it is called on to increase fuel output it can't make enough pressure or deliver enough fuel to keep the car running smoothly. You may have to take it to a shop to have them measure the fuel pump output and pressure. Nowadays it is impossible to find a cheap fuel pump. A generic one for a 1984 Porsche 944 was $300 so a Lexus pump will probably be as much or more. With the great price on the car it is a fix that is a third the price of the whole package but $1300 is still reasonable. At 200K miles repairs like this have to be expected.

Try a Zaino clay bar on the embedded brake dust. It is designed just for that kind of thing. http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/mercha...oduct_Code=Z-18

I haven't yet changed the oil on my RX350 yet but have changed oil and filters in a variety of vehicles - some of them with filters in absurd places. Since the filter has to come out and go back perpendicular to the filter mount, the logical way to attack it is from the end. One of my trick tools is a filter wrench that has a cam. When a ratchet is attached, turning it tightens (closes) two opposing wide "fingers" that grip harder on the filter as necessary and in proportion to the amount of effort applied to the ratchet. If there is about 1/2 inch of clearance around the filter and a spot where a handle can protrude a chain-type pipe wrench can be used. The chain goes around the filter, attaches to the handle, and considerable force can be used. It only needs to break the filter seal so does not have to move much. There are strap-type filter removers that work the same way and require less clearance but are more likely to slip.

Inspect the car first before the finish is touched. Look for swirl marks, scratches, and maybe "orange peel". Apparently Lexus details the car before delivery but if an inexperienced person did the detailing there may be damage or marks on the clear coat. If you have not worked on the finish then you can complain at the dealership. That gets it on the record. Then try using a Zaino clay bar on the finish to remove any and all foreign matter. After that, a waxing should be enough. I use Turtle Wax ICE because it is fast, has a nice shine, doesn't build up or leave white residue, can be used on plastic or rubber, and is no effort at all to apply and remove. Check out Consumers Reports for their rating of standard waxes if longevity is an issue for you. If by "polish" you mean a wax with a slight bit of abrasive, that has a different use. You should get a lot of good suggestions from the experts in this forum.

I agree with the above replies regarding the sulfur stink. Usually it is cheap gas from obscure refineries that causes the odor. Let the present gas get low and then run a few tanks of high quality gas and deduce if the odor goes away. A new catalytic converter or a gas additive may contribute to or cause the problem. Do a Google search using "gasoline exhaust sulfur odor" to get several results worth investigating. On the other hand, maybe someone in the area has eaten too many hard boiled eggs. :D

I think that Toyota vans have "run flat" tires which are very expensive and don't last very long. The mileage estimates sound like a CYA statement from Lexus. They also say that burning a quart of oil every 500 miles is "normal". When the tires and etc. are replaced, use parts that are designed to last longer rather than OEM. Elsewhere on the LOC forum can be found posts about the longevity of tires and brakes. Try doing a search.

Aghhh! She got me again! :cries:

Look in the "Workshop Tutorials" forum for detailed directions and pictures for changing oil on an RX. The RX300 is probably very similar to the RX330 procedures.

See, I told you to watch out for Rya. She swoops in and attacks withing seconds of posting.

I had exactly the same problem finding a bra for my 08 RX350. Calling the Colgan manufacturer only gets someone who looks it up on the Internet and is generally of little help. I emailed Colgan and got a reply that the RX330 bra would fit the RX350. Their website must not have been updated in a while. It is now ordered but it takes 3 weeks to put together. That must be why they are "Custom" bras. There is a box on the Colgan Internet order form for special instructions. I wrote that the order should be canceled if the bra would not fit a RX350. They billed my credit card so it must fit. We will see. The special instruction box can be used as a hedge against their disclaimer that they are not responsible if the bra doesn't fit. The final price for a T-style bra with mirror covers was right at $200 including CA tax and shipping. You will likely get several posts from those liking the clear, paste-on, semi-permanent, plastic pieces to cover the front end. They are not visible from a distance but waxing requires special care to get the wax out of the several seams. Try the Detailing Forum for more information. Since California doesn't get much rain, I opted for the removable bra for use only on long trips. BTW, watch out for Rya, she takes offense to the word "bra" and prefers "jock strap" since her car is a "he". Well, maybe not. :rolleyes:

Try the Detailing Forum. Be ready for a flood of suggestions. You might also check Consumer Reports. They have several waxes listed including their different uses and longevity. I personally use a clay bar and Turtle Wax ICE. It goes on easily, doesn't bother plastic, and leaves a nice shine. Some say that it doesn't last long but the shine and water beading has done well so far.

OOPS. Just found the post. Delete above post as irrelevant. :chairshot:

What happened to the post by the guy with the back and leg pain when driving the RX350? The post is nowhere to be found. I told the guy to send me his wallet and his pain would go away but now with the post gone, it will probably not be sent! Geez, at least I paid cash for my RX so I don't need the contents for payments.

Check out the "General Maintenance" forum on this website. Someone did an outstanding job of pictures and arrows to describe an oil and filter change for an RX330. He went through a lot of effort and thought. The RX350 should be nearly the same if not exactly the same. I intend to use the post when I get to do my own oil & filter thing at 10K miles.

Thanks to those that have responded to my "bra" question. Colgan finally answered my email. They do not stock the 2008 RX 350 bra but will make it over a 3 week period after ordering. It will be a "T style" hood cover. Mirror covers will be ordered as well. Since I have a two month window, the time frame works very well. The order will be put in on Monday when they open. Once again, I appreciate this forum and the informed people that frequent it.

Thanks to those that have responded to my "bra" question. Colgan finally answered my email. They do not stock the 2008 RX 350 bra but will make it over a 3 week period after ordering. It will be a "T style" hood cover. Mirror covers will be ordered as well. Since I have a two month window, the time frame works very well. The order will be put in on Monday when they open. Once again, I appreciate this forum and the informed people that frequent it.

Too late now. Just enjoy your new car and dish the second thoughts. They will only lead to dissatisfaction.

Thanks for the link and the research done to find it. There is a red box on the web page that specifically states that the product is not available for the 2008 RX350 so the front end must be slightly different than the 07. The Colgan factory will get a call to find out what is up. They should have the answers.

I have the 08 RX350 AWD as well and am 6'2", 215 lbs., and 60 years old The seat is all the way back, all the way down, and slightly tilted back to get me to fit comfortably. Yes, the seats are a bit tight but I'll bet you keep your wallet in your right back pocket. Try taking taking it out and storing it in the center console on long trips. (Or you could just sent it to me! ) I have two herniated disks on the right side, can't remember the numbers, but my chiropractor and physical therapist have a fit if either one sees my wallet in any back pocket. I've gone to cargo shorts and cargo pants to use the side pocket for my wallet. So far, there has not been a bit of pain, numbness, or reaction while driving the car. Hope the wallet idea works for you.

Completely freaked me out to have my father-in-law ask me about bras.... If they were called "jock straps" and my mother-in-law asked about them, I might feel the same way.