bainzey

I was researching RX 330s at the time as was looking for things to watch out for. Must say since then I have searched and found for that matter, whatever I have needed to find, from actuator repairs to NAV screen shortcuts. I think tha this site is a great source of info.

I can't waste my time reading all of your responses

Fair enough... Good luck. Stay with in the speed limit for your sake and others.

I'm not bragging about it; just didn't realize how "uptight" everyone is!

CD, it's comments like that, that are showing your ignorance. Re-read my post, better yet I'll post it below so you don't have to scroll. No body is denying what YOUR point was in posting, we get it, perfomance cars going fast blah blah...

I'm talking about while you did this, it seems to show some of your FUNDAMENTAL misunderstandings in the way that it went down. I'm not a heck of a lot older than you, but we just want you to LEARN, or perhaps TAKE AWAY something here... :chairshot: :chairshot: It's very frustrating for me to hear... "I know driving fast is insane" to me that's not the point that you are missing. If you are going to be stupid then atleast be stupid in a responsible way. If that makes any sense to you.

my orig post, please re:read it CD. I feel like you missed it or something.

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I couldn't resist replying here...

I think what the take away here for you CDULUK is that... On the roads, there are the "laws" legally speaking and then there is courtesy and the unwritten rules of the road. Fair enough that you were both over the limit and there fore he couldn't legally pass you, however based on common sense and courtesy, you should've simply moved over. And THEN if you so chose floor it, but only after you moved.

Really it is as simple as that. Imagine for a second, a Lambo doing 100mph down the road in the passing lane and a Ferrari comes flying up behind him. What In your opinion should happen? Now if your answer is well they are both well above the speed limit, so it doesnt matter then I would have to say that you have just proven your immaturity on the road.

The right answer, The Lambo moves the F*&% over and lets the Ferrari take control of the passing lane. Now if he chooses not to pass then feel free to use the passing lane again, if you need to pass someone in front of you.

This is common sense, especially at higher speeds. People that dont understand this, should simply stay with in the limits. As it is a safety concern. Granted, high speeds are as well. But in the world of higher speed driving there are unwritten rules that should be followed and are commonly known.

I was cruising 10 MPH over the speed limit already. Legally, the other guy couldn't pass me, no matter what lane i was in. I didn't owe him anything. We were both breaking the law...

He's got "following too closely", "attempting to pass on the right", at least i only have "speeding"...

I couldn't resist replying here...

I think what the take away here for you CDULUK is that... On the roads, there are the "laws" legally speaking and then there is courtesy and the unwritten rules of the road. Fair enough that you were both over the limit and there fore he couldn't legally pass you, however based on common sense and courtesy, you should've simply moved over. And THEN if you so chose floor it, but only after you moved.

Really it is as simple as that. Imagine for a second, a Lambo doing 100mph down the road in the passing lane and a Ferrari comes flying up behind him. What In your opinion should happen? Now if your answer is well they are both well above the speed limit, so it doesnt matter then I would have to say that you have just proven your immaturity on the road.

The right answer, The Lambo moves the F*&% over and lets the Ferrari take control of the passing lane. Now if he chooses not to pass then feel free to use the passing lane again, if you need to pass someone in front of you.

This is common sense, especially at higher speeds. People that dont understand this, should simply stay with in the limits. As it is a safety concern. Granted, high speeds are as well. But in the world of higher speed driving there are unwritten rules that should be followed and are commonly known.

I need ome help my maintenance required light stays on. I have reset all maintenance items on the Nav screen ie. Oil change, filter, etc but the light stays on. The manual says check with a dealer.

Turn your ignition on and set your odometer so that it is on the actual reading not a trip. Then:

With the ignition off, hold down (push in) the trip reset button. Continue to hold it in as you start the car. I hold it in for about 10 seconds, you will see the odometer flash(reset has occurred) and then your light will be off.

Hello fellow lexus owners. This is my first post - but I've been lurking while trying to find an appropriate solution for our issue.

First off, we have a 2005 rx330. Our passenger side light went out a few weeks ago - took it to the Lexus dealership where they quoted us $1900 per headlight (of course we suffer from the condensation issues the same as so many others). Obviously there's absolutely no way we're going to spend that kind of money... that's absolutely insane. So, I then proceeded to look for some aftermarkets on ebay, prices looked good - until I realized the HID AFS headlights (which I'm pretty sure we have) are still pretty expensive. So, I'm looking for advice. Has anyone downgraded from HID AFS headlights to non AFS? We don't have AFS of any sort on our other vehicle, and while it's "neat" I don't know that it warrants a thousand bucks. As long as the lights are bright and light up the road - I think we could do just fine without the AFS. Is there any issue downgrading? Would the harnesses work just fine or would there possibly be a conflict?

Edit: it looks like if I use this method, we'll get to see the blinking "AFS Off" light for the rest of our lives. So, maybe we're better off just with the following solution?

The alternative, while it might also be a lower budget fix - it might not be as ideal... since it's only the one bulb (passenger side) that's out - I wouldn't be opposed to simply replacing the bulb... however, the condensation issue remains, and I worry that it will lead to bulbs going out again or further issues (with the ballast). I saw a little "how to" addressing sealing the lights, but they're already pretty messed up on the inside (visible rust). Does anyone have any suggestions on how to clean these up, seal them well, and just replace the bulb - in other words, has anyone done this and been happy with the results?

Sorry for my rambling. Hopefully my questions provide enough information for some responses. Thanks very much in advance!

Only real solution here is replacement of the unit. There are some band aid type fixes you could try, but itll probably be more of a headache than it's worth. Now the question is how hard and where you look for that replacement. If I were you, I would replace the bulb for now, to keep you going, and then search for a replacement unit. I'd search wreckers, and ebay to start. You'd be surprised what you find online. Get the part # for the unit in question and search on that, not just a generic Headlight for RX type of search. And if you just stay persistent and diligent on the search, you may luck out, I have in the past.. May be your only option if you don't want to spend the price for new.

Hmm seems strange, but I have ran into this before. On a different vehicle, exactly what you are describing would occur. It would loose charge really quick. Wouldn’t seem to charge well.

I had the battery replaced, alternator replaced and still it had the issue. Didn’t see any oxidation on the terminals. Turns out there was oxidation on the terminal wire, not on the terminal side, but where the negative attached to the body. I couldn’t even see that, luckily my dad’s mechanic figured it out (sometimes old school thinking is a good thing). Any way I replaced both positive and negative wires and I was good to go. Never saw the issue again.

I mentioned this problem when the car was serviced (and the issue wasn't always the same. The seats would move, the mirrors not. Or nothing would work). The service guy asked if the battery had been changed. It had, tho I think the seat settings had been reset. I reset them again, and all seems to be well.

When I saw only one reply, I assumed it wasn't a known problem.

Strangely,

In my case my seats memory has gotten erased a 3-4 times in the last year as well. I always amounted it to my 3 year old that sometime likes to play driver while I do other stuff in the garage, so I just re-train the buttons and I seem to be fine. But maybe there is more to it.

I'm sorry but I don't understand how people still run out of gas... really? I recall the days when I first got my $300 beater in highschool and my buddies and I would scrounge together what we needed to get to where we had to go... So yah we ran out of gas occasionally, but it was part and parcel of the choices we were making. I think i've learnt since then. Any ways that was a nice story, I haven't ran out of gas in over 25 years of driving...

should I be pround of myself...

:whistles:

Is there a trunk button? Or will the rear seats lay down? Don't know much about the 01 GS sorry but have had many other toyota/lexus cars and most had a way to pop the trunk inside the car...

Fold the seat down, crawl through the inside. Better yet, get a kid to do it. There should be a release, but if there's not atleast you got your goroceries out.

My wife is considering either an Rx350 or 450h (Both 2012). We get a fair bit of snow. Are there noticeable differences in the AWD performance of these? Does the 450h handle snow as well as ICE? Any other cold weather differences between these?

Thanks,

I'd be surprise if there is noticeable diference between the 350 and the 400h as far as AWD goes.

In my opinion, the RX series in general handle both Ice and snow fairly well, depending on your winter rubber. Also I find that the ground clearance is not all that great, I have been almost stuck in my RX snow boarding, when the cleaners hadn't got out to the lot yet, and I had to plow trhough it. But other than that I've been good to go.

Over all considering the vehicle, it does well.

as the previous poster commented. since they changed the tires and your light came on, they have the reset the tire pressure monitoring system. and most cars have a hidden button some where under the steering. maybe since you car also has the alarm sound button there, the accidentally pressed that instead.

Or they simply disconnected the battery fro a few minutes and thereby reset ALL user/owner selected parameters...

Highly unlikely...

I bought a used RX330 a few weeks ago. I noticed a "howling noise" that started around 40 mph. When I took it to the dealer for its 30K service, they told me it was the back tire "feathering" (?) and they fixed it. Drove it home; same noise. Did a bit of research and removed the cross members on the roof rack. Problem solved!

Still kind of strange though, you shouldn't really have to do that. Maybe they weren't on properly when you got the car. I know a lot of people remove them and only put them on when the need to attach ski racks or a cargo box. I'd try to put them back on your self, and ensure that they are on proper and tight, and I bet the noise will no longer be there.

my .02

I know on the Old rx the filter was only accessable by dropping pan. let me see if yours has a filter. Thee is a filter according to Rock Auto site

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

Yep definetly, The lexus part site also shows one...similiar to old RX300.

http://www.mylexparts.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getJointLocator&siteid=214992&chapter=&sectionids=1,0&groupid=10057&subgroupid=20012&componentid=60556&make=20&model=RX%20330&year=2004&catalogid=1&displayCatalogid=0

Great link.

Sounds like whoever owned the car before you abused the !Removed! out of it...

my thoughts also... I've got a 04 RX330 bought it new, and no issues what so ever. Just the regular maintenance. Oh and I had to replace the rear door actuator. But that's it. My wife and I both love it. If one is to buy used then there is always risk and a potential case of not knowing the true history. I prefer new for that reason and the piece of mind. But obviously there is a cost associated with it. Having said that there are ways to buy used and be safe. But I do however find it interesting how, someone who buys a USED vehicle, with high mileage, probably with out any service records, can really then say as a matter of fact, "ALL RX330's are crap", for that matter he is probably saying "DON'T EVER BUY A LEXUS, ANY MODEL!!" And the best bit, he's looking for support...

lol

No sure what hapenned but here is the sequence of events

Left/rear side making annoying sqeeking noise - suspected the problem to be in rotors

Replaced rotors + brake pads

Light thump on the back axis/breaks? after starting the car and driving first 1-2 meters

3 weeks after left/rear can hear thick friction noise

few days after the car started to shake violently while driving, after it runs for 10 min goes to normal

Light thump on the back becomes a loud and with bigger force

Had the shop to take brakes/rotos apart clean and lubricate. No more shaking.

Thump still exists.

Any idea what that might be? This happens 1-2 seconds after putting the car on D and releasing breaks.

Sound like the tranny not the brakes to me...

Is this normal or do I have something wrong? Thanks.

Yes it's normal. But I will say that I find it handy, the manual control I mean. I often park in under ground parkades and what not, and I often reverse in. When I'm backed in, and I have to gain access to the trunk. I don't always want it to just "swing" open in its entirety, as it could (in my case, it has) hit the wall behind (DOH! moment forsure). Not that it was much damage, but something to keep in mind. Yes I realise the simple answer is why not park a bit further? I know, but sometimes, you just need to open it a bit, or enough, well I do anyways.

My .02

I have a 2006 RX 400h FWD (Front Wheel Drive). I see that it is possible to get the rear differential from an AWD for a reasonable price. What more would I need to replace to do this modification?

a socket set... :whistles:

Not an expert, but had a super charger on a a Buick 2000 Regal, and shocking as this seems, it would get up and move when that boost kicked in. MPG was awful. One of my buddies has a Buick Grand National, super charged and burning alcohol. It damn near threw me out the door window when he accelerated from a dead stop. Glad I had my seat belt on. The boost offered in that configuration is awesome.

I've never driven a turbo but hope to someday.

IMO, turbo is great for smaller engines, to get that extra "umph". The main draw back tho, is what is known as Turbo Lag, it will not give immediate boost from engine idle, also your turbo cannot continuously out put, it needs to cool/regen. Hence the invention of the turbo cooler. Many cars now have them built in, but back in the days they were an add on, and pretty much a must if you were doing any kind of performance driving. One may not really notice turbolag as much if its just daily green light rocketing and then normal diving after that. As far a Superchargers go, now if you have some decent HP and you just want it to ROAR, well this is your option, but lets just say your car will no longer be a fuel effecient commuter :-0

Main difference between the two is a supercharger is a big pump that is driven by belts or gears from the engine and can be felt almost instantly, whereas a turbocharger is a pump driven by a turbine driven by the exhaust gases of the engine. Due to the nature of a turbo charger, it will not give immediate boost from engine idle. It takes time to act. A turbo is the easier to fit, if one is retorfitting it.

OK, before people start blasting, let me start by saying that this is my first RX, I'm a straight male and have no insecurities about my gender! I love the RX, and think it looks great. I've had a couple of guys respond when I tell them I bought an RX with " you bought a lady's vehicle"? Anybody else get this? Is the RX considered a ladies car? I think it's one of the better looking SUV's out there. Any comments or feedback?

Who cares, its a great ride. You can tell people that say anything that they can spend their 50k how they want to and you'll spend your $50k how you want to.

Check the document at the following link for instructions for removing door speaker:

http://www.box.net/shared/o55c5697lt#/shared/o55c5697lt/1/9328827/92954531/1

This document may also be helpful:

http://www.box.net/shared/o55c5697lt#/shared/o55c5697lt/1/9328827/92954407/1

Good luck!

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

I appear to have blown one of my door speakers. I guess its time to replace. The speaker doesn't seem all that accessible at first glance, I assume i have to remove the door panel to gain access, has anyone been through this that can provide some insights, or refer me to a how to :-)

Wow...nothing like kicking us in the !Removed!. As if we dont have enough to deal with with a 3,000 Mile Military PCS Move coming up...My wife calls me this morning at 11am telling me she was driving through the town square here in Watertown and somebody backed out of a perpendicular parking spot INTO TRAFFIC and smacked her. I don't really know how it happened, I was not with her. She said it was a little old lady not paying attention and felt bad for her. I dont know who this woman is, but I want to kick her !Removed!! Who backs out of a space adjacent to a major roadway, into traffic? Furthermore, you can't see this big !Removed! TRUCK coming right at you? I will let the pix tell the story. Theres at least $5,000 in damage. It moved the bed 2 inches off center as well. FML.

Mabey if your truck had been clean she would've seen it. Time for a detail... DOH! Did I say that....

"these new cars must be run every 3 days or the batteries will die because there are so many memory things that stay on even when the car is turned off."

LOL. I have an 04, with the original Lexus Battery, and I frequently leave it parked for up to a month when I am away for business, I have yet to feel it struggle when trying to start it. Mind you most of the time it is parked indoors, so temp prbly plays a part.

But 3 days... that, I can't believe that the mechanic actually managed to say that with a straight face.

Crawl through the trunk, release the seat to fold it down, and open the locks from the inside. Better yet, get your kid or neighbours kid to do it.