GDixon

Since the manual calls for tire rotation when the oil is changed it is easy enough to do it all at once with floor jacks. However, I have four floor jacks and use three heavy duty ones for jacking up the RX. Two are used on the front jack points and one is used on the rear trailer hitch to make a three point platform. Jackstands are used along with the floor jacks. Hydraulic jacks are expensive but heavy duty ones can occasionally be found for a decent price at Costco or Sam's Club.

Not to rain on your parade but this is a well known problem with the RX. A search of this site will turn up the same solution. When I bought my RX the dealership advised me of the rattling clips (tabs) and how to avoid the rattle.

dpyang - PM sent

Pictures, pictures, please!

Lexus has been rumored to put in a "break-in" oil for the first 5000 miles that has different characteristics than regular dino or synthetic oil. Maybe that is what is at issue. The dealership wanted the OP to go the 5K miles to complete the break-in process.

No photos yet but the metal cylinder housing holding the filter element is supposed to come apart in two sections. The 3/8" socket wrench extension is supposed to take off only the very bottom disk on the cylinder. Then the little plastic gizmo that is in the box with the new filter is shoved into the exposed opening, it pushes a valve open, and the oil in the cylinder drains. Hint: a short piece of 5/8" garden hose easily fits over the plastic gizmo and down to the oil drain pan. Then, since there is no 3/8" square hole on the bottom anymore, a 64 mm socket is needed. NAPA auto sells cheap ones and Assenmacher sells a better one P/N TOY640. Since the cylinder is now empty there is no oil to spill. Replace the filter and the two O rings, reassemble, install, and you are done. The bottom cap is screwed on very tightly and the whole cylinder will usually turn the first time it is removed. I had to put it in a vice after the whole thing was out to get the little bottom disk off during the first oil change.

Try this link. http://www.soft99.co.jp/en/products/category/6

No, again. The RX's hitch may be OK but the RX is not. There is no way you should tow the set up in the picture with a RX350 even with a factory installed tow package. It is an overload that will void your warranty on the powertrain of the RX. A half-ton pickup (or heavy duty van) is the lightest vehicle that I'd recommend. Even bigger would be better. (Note the number of pickups in the background of the picture.) I'm not familiar with U-Haul's computer analysis but when things go wrong they probably will be out of the picture and you would have to take them to court for recommending that 5K pounds can be towed by an RX. With court costs and the repairs on the RX you could probably buy a decent used half-ton pickup for half the price. Plus, the dual axles on this trailer most likely have electric brakes which can't be hooked up to the RX given the standard electrical connection. Even if the trailer is equipped with hydraulic brakes it couldn't be easily backed up. Running that much weight without brakes is extremely dangerous and stop times and lengths would be excessive not to mention the wear and tear on the RX's brakes and the heat warping of the rotors. Maybe a trailer rental or sales place could modify things to work but doing something like that is highly discouraged. Another problem is that with the short wheel base on the RX you would likely need a weight distributing hitch (WDH) and a sway control bar. Otherwise, both the RX and the trailer would be all over the road.

2" is the standard receiver size for class III hitches (which you will have). Happy towing! Is a 2" square receiver the same as a 2" ball size? The dealer is asking me what size ball I want and I told him I haven't bought a trailer yet. Is one size more standard than another? No. Balls come in 1 7/8", 2", and 2 5/16". The ball size must match the trailer's ball socket size. You have to have the trailer first or at least know what trailer you plan to buy. Small trailers tend to use smaller size ball sockets but 2" is rapidly becoming the standard. Anything that would use a 2 5/16" ball you wouldn't want to tow with an RX. The 2" receiver that is discussed in the other posts is the size of the square pipe that is attached to the car's hitch. A 2" square ball mount slides in, is secured by a pin, and the ball is attached through the hole in the mount. Make sure the ball shaft (with the threads) fits into the mount's hole. Standard size of the threaded portion is 1" but there are other sizes. Yes, it is all important.

If it is your GX look through this: GX470_LPS.pdf

Part of the reason we purchased the 2010 RX-350 AWD was the rated towing capacity of 3500 pounds and the excellent service provided by our former Lexus. The RX-350 is heavily marketed as having a 3500 pound towing capacity and I would bet it is a bit more difficult to purchase one without the towing package than with. My view, in conclusion, is that Lexus would be more libel to a law suit should a trailer within the specs was in some manner responsible for either a wreck or power-train damage. I find your logic a bit difficult to digest as it would be difficult to argue that an integrated brake controller would somehow degrade the safety of the vehicle. The whole purpose of electric assisted brakes is to give the tow vehicle a break so to speak. The vehicle in the photo is a 2010 RX-450h and is towing a Camp-Inn Ultra which weighs in at about 1200 pounds loaded. The owner lives in Canada and had a shop install a brake controller just beneath the driver's right knee. With that information I know it can be done, I was just hoping for some insight here on the Lexus Owners Club. During the purchase process of my 2010 RX-350 I specified that I wanted a Lexus receiver style hitch installed which it was. My fault entirely in assuming that there would be provisions available to seamlessly wire in a brake controller and 7 blade "RV" style electrical connector. When taking delivery of the vehicle I was astounded that the Lexus dealer had perfectly butchered the wind valance while installing the Lexus receiver hitch. Apparently they used a Rotozip or Dremel tool to make a crude cut-out in the lower valance for the hitch to protrude through. Upon follow-up I was told by the Lexus dealer that that is the way it is done. Not the Lexus attention to detail I am accustomed to by far. I too have a Camp-Inn Ultra which has electric brakes installed. The RX-350 was our choice to tow this teardrop when not taking the Harley Road King along. For that, I too have a 10,000 pound rated tow vehicle, a Ford F-250 4x4. When not taking the Harley along the Ford is a bit overkill don't you think ? Since we enjoy fine machines we bought the Lexus for performance, style, comfort, and utility to tow the Camp-Inn. And no, of course I wouldn't tow my 6500 pound boat with the Lexus even if it had a brake controller, so again, I fail to see your logic and still fail to understand why Lexus chooses to ignore this important safety feature. Perhaps contacting Lexus Customer Support would be the next step. An explanation from them may be more enlightening - or at least more logical in your view. Quickly to restate, a brake controller would not increase the danger but rather would increase the likelihood that someone would abuse the towing limitations. A 4-prong recepticle is a limitation in itself since most heavy trailers have the 7-pin blade plug. The fact that you would not tow a 6500 pound boat does not mean such intelligence is universal. Had the RX been designed as a tow vehicle it likely would have come with the factory hitch already installed - as do several other Toyota products. Towing ability is an aside rather than a primary feature. The fact that the "tow prep package" doesn't include the hitch may be a hint. The tow prep package contains desirable features that complement the vehicle even without the hitch. It is probably included to increase sales rather than as a suggested use. The RX "can" be used as a tow vehicle doesn't necessarily mean that it "should" be used in that fashion. One could throw a hitch on a Ford Pinto but that doesn't qualify it as a tow-designed vehicle. Your F250 was intended to be used for towing so is well equipped for it. If I recall correctly, it even has a factory brake controller if it is a recent model. While I agree that the F250 may be excessive for the uses for which you intend for the RX, it is also likely that a brake controller is overkill for use with those smaller trailers. You could probably tow the Camp-Inn with the Harley in a pinch. I don't want to engage in a back-and-forth debate on this issue so wish you well in your efforts for clarification.

Check the spare tire. In most Lexus models it is monitored also.

If you need trailer brakes you probably shouldn't be using an RX to tow that trailer. Lexus likely is aware that someone somewhere would try to haul a 10,000 pound backhoe if the RX was equipped with the means to do it. Get a one ton truck and do it right. The RX is a light, short wheel-based vehicle that is designed to haul light loads. Even 3500 pounds sounds too heavy to me without a weight distributing hitch and sway control. The Teardrop in the photo is about the right size if one wants to be sensible. My truck is rated to haul 10,000 pound but when at that limit it is quite an unpleasant experience with a lot of "(lower) cheek crimping". My limit on RX towing is a 14' fiberglass open fishing boat that tops out at 2000 pounds fully loaded. Any more weight and vehicle control would go down exponentially in hilly or curvy conditions. The nannys would make it an interesting drive and may end up doing more harm than good. The 7-blade connector may be possible given that 4 of the connections are already there but the brake controller may be a problem splicing it into all of the fly-by-wire electronics in an RX. The LED circuitry may also be a factor. The computer might have a fit trying to figure out what is going on. Maybe a place that sells trailers could give you better advice. So in conclusion, my view is that Lexus is not "missing the boat" but rather avoiding the lawsuits.

The factory Toyota/Lexus hitch is the least visible one available. Plus, it is designed to fit perfectly and the electrical connections are simple. Getting to the electrical connection is not so simple since it requires removal of the luggage area. Hopefully, the RX is equipped with a tow package. Try this post for information: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...c=39543&hl= For photos, if you are using Windows, right-click on a picture and choose "Copy". Then open a program like Word and choose "Paste".

That is a common occurrence. On crowned roads, especially when it gets hot, the oil and tar seeps to the edge of the road. If you happen to habitually drive close to the right edge of the road you will pick up even more gunk. If you drive rural areas very much you may have driven on a recently oiled or surfaced road. I see you have an 86 944. Mine was an 84. It would especially pick up road tar with the flared fenders. That and trying to hit the apex of a turn just right would put the car on the edge of the road. Mud flaps just didn't look right on the 944 so mineral spirits was the solvent used to remove the gunk.

I don't know why I am having such a HARD time trusting ANY politicians. You are kidding, right?

Get the Samsung - much better machine.

The RX350 and nearly all Lexus have personalized settings. Here they are in PDF for the RX350 and they should be similar for other models. My doors do not lock when driving off, engaging the transmission or at any other time because the setting were changed from default. The dealer simply hooks up the computer and changes the settings. The first setting adjustment is usually free. RX350_LPS.pdf

Both of your cars are fairly high powered so can take some lugging. Your comments are not applicable to this discussion based on your models. It also has nothing to do with not understanding the concept. The problem is a shifting action every few seconds on even moderate inclines. The car seems to cycle far too often in a surge (downshift) and lug (engine stall) pattern that is quite distracting and even disconcerting. The CC setting band between surge and lug seems to be far to narrow - like a home thermostat setting in a 1/10th degree band. It is to the point that, at least in my case, CC is not used unless on flat ground (as you imply). BTW - my V-8 Ford truck takes the same hills with CC in overdrive without a single downshift. When the RX is not in CC on the same roads it does not shift nearly as often to maintain the desired speed. The IS250 of the OP might experience the same circumstances. While engine HP is certainly a factor, with the CC engaged there seems to be a change the RPM shift points. Since this is electronically controlled rather than vacuum controlled it seems that a reprogramming could change the settings. Lexus may have programmed the smaller engines to do exactly what is being observed. First of all, everyones comments on here are applicable to any discussion. So slander on this board is not needed. I'd like to see how you know you are driving on the same grade hill as these other guys are in your Ford. And the reason the RX does not shift nearly as often as when CC is on is because you are not pressing the throttle enough for it to upshift. You are allowing a greater band of deceleration which is fine. But when CC is on, it wants to keep the speed set and will do anything it can to keep it there. Driving with your own foot and with the CC are two different animals and somehow I will get it through your heads. But anyway regardless this is a normal function of any car cruise control on or not. If you want to maintain a certain speed you are going to have to press the gas more and sometimes the car is going to upshift is my point...depending on the engines power and the amount of throttle you give it. But when in cruise it will only allow a certain amout of deceleration before it says...."hey I need to speed up". And if it cannot keep the current speed in the gear the car is already in it wll upshift and get you there the quickest way possible. So all in all the point is....this is completly normal. My tank LX470 does it with CC, my dads Dodge Ram with the Hemi does it with CC, it's all the same. But I can drive both of these cars on the same roads and be more sensitive with the throttle and they will react normal not trying to keep the same speed. Never has my IS350 done it though. It has enough power in almost any gear to maintain a speed even on some grades that I have driven on. But i'm sure there are some that would make it upshift. But I do not live in a hilly area. So if these "actions" by a normal functioning car bother your. Don't use the cruise. I understand that driving at a normal speed and then all of a sudden it upshifting to keep up the speed can feel like the car is going out of control without your input but hey, that is was cruise control is used for. So because my comments are "not applicable" i'm just going to tell you guys to get used to the way cruise control works. Or don't use it at all. You are not going to get anything done by complaining to Lexus about it. There is one in every crowd. :P Arguments for the sake of arguing are pointless. You prevail, I'm done correcting your assumptions and misconceptions. Let your own words allow others to infer your intentions and intellect. Slander: Oral communication of false statements injurious to a person's reputation. (Excerpted from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition Copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V., further reproduction and distribution restricted in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.)

Both of your cars are fairly high powered so can take some lugging. Your comments are not applicable to this discussion based on your models. It also has nothing to do with not understanding the concept. The problem is a shifting action every few seconds on even moderate inclines. The car seems to cycle far too often in a surge (downshift) and lug (engine stall) pattern that is quite distracting and even disconcerting. The CC setting band between surge and lug seems to be far to narrow - like a home thermostat setting in a 1/10th degree band. It is to the point that, at least in my case, CC is not used unless on flat ground (as you imply). BTW - my V-8 Ford truck takes the same hills with CC in overdrive without a single downshift. When the RX is not in CC on the same roads it does not shift nearly as often to maintain the desired speed. The IS250 of the OP might experience the same circumstances. While engine HP is certainly a factor, with the CC engaged there seems to be a change the RPM shift points. Since this is electronically controlled rather than vacuum controlled it seems that a reprogramming could change the settings. Lexus may have programmed the smaller engines to do exactly what is being observed.

=================== That's a good analogy; LOL. It's very uncomfortable and not suitable if seniors or babies are on board. Here is a link to another post on the subject you raise. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...c=41598&hl=

The RX350 is famous (infamous) for this. It is like riding a bucking bronco.

Here are the personalized settings for the RX350 that were downloaded from the Lexus website. Your model is likely very similar or you can download a set for your specific application. Most dealers will do the adjustment pro bono - at least the first time. Be sure to check each setting before you leave the dealership since they sometimes get it wrong. RX350_LPS.pdf

The cargo area is where the plug-in is located for the electrical connection for the tow package equipped RX. The OP needs to know where the "junction box" or "converter box" is located. It is rumored to be under the rear seat, driver's side. Taking out the rear seat should reveal it but I haven't done it personally. One post said that it looks identical to the non-tow package converter box. Here is the link. The post is on page 4 by HipsterDoofus. The OP may want to send him a PM to see how his installation was done. He noted that it was no fun. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...39543&st=45

Do a search of this site. The search tab is on the top right of the web page. There is a wealth of information on this subject.