Mike Bearden

My wifes 2011 RX350 did not come with the rack cross bars..i have bought the factory cross bar kit...The instructions show using a plastic tool that looks like a flat open end wrench to remove the rear covers...but did not include the tool. I don't want to damage the covers...has anyone taken the covers off and if so how did you remove them.

I am not too sure about that price (sounds high) but replacing the struts on any car isn't a simple or easy job. Check with an independent shop.

I haven't had to replace the door struts on our Lexus...in the past on other vehicles Autozone has been a good and cheap source for these struts. I checked the Lexus and they do not look any different. They can't be model specific to the the Lexus...the mounts maybe. I did learn my lesson on a Jeep Cherokee that you need to replace both struts...not just the bad one.

The first thing to try for the AC odor is to spray LYSOL into the underhood air vents with the car runnng and the AC on...do the same with the heat on. Let it sit for a while between treatments and repeat.

We bought a used 05 RX 330 last summer and have been very pleased with it. The lumbar support works but just doesn't provide much support. My 05 Miata has no lumbar support but there is a very simple manual lumbar support device that can be added. It's just an inflatable bellows with a hand squeeze pump. I had one on a previous Miata and it worked great...just slips under the upholstery. I also only got one key...I am convinced that the extra keys end up on E-Bay. I bought two blank keys off E-Bay...key shop cut them but I had to have a Toyota dealer program them...the programming instructions for the keys do not work on 05's...the Toyota dealer only charged $20 per key to program them.

U-Haul did the hitch install on our 05 RX330. No problems at all...the installer said that they see a lot of RX's. It's not a hard install and the wiring wasn't a problem. I did have a problem with the converter burning up but that turned out to be a short in the trailer wiring. U-Haul traced the problem.

We bought an 05 RX330 FWD last year on E_Bay with about 35K miles on it...and now have about 57K miles. It has been a trouble free car and I expect it to be a long term car. We had a trailer hitch put on by U-Haul and have had no problems. Just remember Toyota has sold hundreds of thousands of these cars over the past few years and some of them will have problems...that is most of what you read about here...the problems. This is a great place to get help. My dealer is wonderful but expensive...Toyota dealer is wonderful but lots cheaper. I think some of us forget that we have a very nice "Toyota". The more we pay for a car the more demanding we are about the car and the service. Again it has been a great car and I expect to keep it for a long time.

I had the same problem with only getting one key with our 05 RX330...i bought two remote keys on E-Bay for about $50 each...Bills Lock and Key in Little Rock cut them for $4 each...they are not a special key that requires a "laser cutter" just a small milling machine....I took the car to Landers Toyota and they programmed them for $20 each.

We have an 05 RX330 with the Nav system...but no remote for the dvd player...the manual shows a different remote if equiped with the nav system and another without nav system. I have been trying to find one without paying $400+ to the dealer...will either remote work...or is there a universal remote that will work. We have a 1000 mile drive with the grandkids coming up soon and a working remote would be great.

The rear window wiper blade on my wifes 05 RX330 is broken off...Is this something that I can change out or do I have to take it to the dealer...there does not appear to be a nut or cap.

The rear window wiper blade on my wifes 05 RX330 is broken off...Is this something that I can change out or do I have to take it to the dealer...there does not appear to be a nut or cap.

I had the same problem with the light grey mats. I ordered the same Lexus carpets from Sewell Lexus...only in the charcoal grey...$99 plus shipping...about $115 total...came in about two days and I think it looks better than the light grey...I cleaned them and put them way to have when I sell the car.

I bought an 05 RX330 this summer and only got 1 master key. I bought two extras on e-bay and had a local locksmith cut them...they laughed when I asked if they had a"laser cutter"...no laser involved...just a certain type of machine...$2 per key...I got the programming instructions and tried it...did not work...I then found out that only a Toyota/Lexus dealer can program keys for an RX330...the local Toyota dealer programmed them for $20 each...and even they had trouble getting the program right...

No thoughts ...anyone?

Am I correct that Toyota Dealers can do the scheduled maintenance on a Lexus but not warranty repairs...My 05 RX330 is due for the 45,000 service ( the light came on) at the same time the service lights on the right side guage panel are staying on sometimes when we start the car. My preference is to have the Toyota dealer do the maintenance but will I have to take it to Lexus to get the lights checked?

I just had a U-Haul hitch installed on my 05 RX330...not a problem...they hardwired the converter off the battery...which was most of the work...the hitch bolted right up...the installer said that they do a lot of them...Total bill was about $310.

Just to report in...U-Haul installed the hitch and converter(hardwired)...total cost $310...took about 2 hours...they told me that they do lots of RX's. It all works great....no problems.

We had a droning noise from under the hood...only when the air was on... Lexus had sent out a service letter addressing the droning noise. The dealer replaced one of the AC lines and recharged the system...but their machine was overcharging the system and the surging started...three or four minutes of AC followed by three or four minutes of just air flow. They recalibrated their machine and the the surging problem was solved.

I went to the local Toyota mega dealer and they programmed the keys in about 30 minutes for $20 a key... they had a little trouble getting them to program also.

When you get the instructions I would appreciate a copy. My key supplier is now telling me tjhat I need to take the car to the dealer for the programming. Thank You mike Bearden

I have used the Mr. Clean car wash kit for several years. I don't like the soap but the filtered final rinse water gets rid of water spots...the filter lasts about 7-10 washes. No need to squegee or wipe down. Consumer Reports tried it and gave it a good report.

I have an 05 RX 330 with only one key...bought two replacement remote keys on line and had a local locksmith cut them. They will open the doors and turn over but not start the motor. The programming instructions (Mid West Keyless) do not seem to work. I see references to instructions being on the Tutorial Section but can't find them. Any answers out there? Thanks for your help.

I figured this out last night. What has happened is that someone has screwed the knob down too tight/far and the shaft is pushing the knob apart. Unscrew the knob...using a plastic tipped mallet tap on the bezel...the inside of the knob will slide back into the knob...may take a few taps and may need a little pressure. Then screw the knob back on the shifter careful not to screw it down too far...its pretty tight on the threads.

First thing is to change out the cabin air filter. I have great luck with Lysol in getting rid of odors in the vent system. Warm up the car...turn on the heater at full speed...spray the Lysol through the air intake at the rear of the hood... a lot of Lysol...try it several times and do the same with the AC on and close up the car overnite. Febreeze for Cars does a good job on carpets.