pauljcl

Aren't these the OEM tires in the US (on my 09RX350)? I don't like them. Wear is good, but they are not very 'grippy' and I find them noisy and 'harsh' in the last 50% of their life. I will be chnaging them this Fall, and I don't realy know what to put. On another website (the Club Lexus Forum) for the RX, opinions are between Bridgestone Alenza and Pirelli Scorpio, and some Contientals - DWS/DWS/ProContact as available.

I got the (small OEM) mudguards. I have no idea whether they really prevent much, but whatever they might prevent would be at a sharper angle to the paint and thus more damaging. Price is low and any protection obtained is worth it. They are probably smaller than the old because smaller impacts fuel economy less.

.. or maybe 22/78 = 28.2% (lol)!

Anytime you post in a thread, you automatically "subscribe" to that thread. Most people like to know when there has been a reply, and it's also to remind you of threads and conversations you have become a part of. If you don't want to be emailed or notified, go to your profile and select settings. Click on notification options. And un-select any or all that apply. But remember, that you will have to track your own conversations from this point on. Thank you, smooth1 ! I did as you explained. Much better! (and, yes, I do check in regularly to see/track postings). Best.. Paul

For some unknown reason, I am 'subscribed' to certain topics and received e-mails advising me that a new post has been entered. I did not 'subscribe' to anything. Does anyone know how I can 'unsubscribe' from these e-mails? Thanks!

Ethanol provides about 25-30% less energy (per unit of volume) than does gasoline. If you use 10% ethanol fuel (and if the fuel is really only 10% ethanol), you are losing some 3% vs. gasoline without ethanol.

I don't know if this will help: Check this old thread. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54527&pid=371423&mode=threaded&start=0#entry371423 I had spoken to TobyToyota a couple of years ago (when I had bought my 09RX350) and he seemed very 'honest' and straightforward. A couple of other sites have indicated his prices are (were) very good. Good luck!

Lenore: the car looks beautiful, in great shape, like new! Congratulations - may you drive it long and in good health!

Most of the transmission issues seem to have been caused by a failing planetary gear, that was made of aluminium (later replaced by steel). It would appear that the failure is due to the inability of the part to withstand stress, which is caused when the transmission makes extra effort (e.g. towing). AWD RXs generally put some extra stress on the transmission compared to the FWD RXs, and, thus, the failure rate is higher with AWD RXs. Reading between the lines - and depending on the luck of the draw - I would guess that transmission where the car that has always/often carried a full load and has been driven with a heavy foot, will probably - other things being equal - suffer transmission failure more often than one driven gently with little load. In previous posts, there was some discussion about later RX300s having an improved planetary gear that is made of steel rather than the aluminium of the earlier ones. It may be that the 2002, particularly if a 'late' 2002 model, might have a 'good' vs. 'weak' transmission. If your Toyota friend can help people put a date on the change (to steel from aluminium), that would be useful to many, since there has been much speculation as to the date of change. Among 'posters' in this forum, 'lenore' has spent much time at, and written much about, this issue. It was from one of his posts that I learnt of the aluminium planetary gear weakness in early RXs. You might want to consult his posts.... I di not have a transmission problem in a 99RX300 I used to own, but I did have a rear engine seal problem which costs a lot to fix. It seems early rear engine seals would harden over time (the RX motor runs 'hot')and then begin to leak. You should check out the state of the seal on any one you buy. If it has any semblance of humidity or weeping, it is shot. Good luck!

Most of the transmission issues seem to have been caused by a failing planetary gear, that was made of aluminium (later replaced by steel). It would appear that the failure is due to the inability of the part to withstand stress, which is caused when the transmission makes extra effort (e.g. towing). AWD RXs generally put some extra stress on the transmission compared to the FWD RXs, and, thus, the failure rate is higher with AWD RXs. Reading between the lines - and depending on the luck of the draw - I would guess that transmission where the car that has always/often carried a full load and has been driven with a heavy foot, will probably - other things being equal - suffer transmission failure more often than one driven gently with little load. In previous posts, there was some discussion about later RX300s having an improved planetary gear that is made of steel rather than the aluminium of the earlier ones. It may be that the 2002, particularly if a 'late' 2002 model, might have a 'good' vs. 'weak' transmission. If your Toyota friend can help people put a date on the change (to steel from aluminium), that would be useful to many, since there has been much speculation as to the date of change. Among 'posters' in this forum, 'lenore' has spent much time at, and written much about, this issue. It was from one of his posts that I learnt of the aluminium planetary gear weakness in early RXs. You might want to consult his posts.... I di not have a transmission problem in a 99RX300 I used to own, but I did have a rear engine seal problem which costs a lot to fix. It seems early rear engine seals would harden over time (the RX motor runs 'hot')and then begin to leak. You should check out the state of the seal on any one you buy. If it has any semblance of humidity or weeping, it is shot. Good luck!

Most of the transmission issues seem to have been caused by a failing planetary gear, that was made of aluminium (later replaced by steel). It would appear that the failure is due to the inability of the part to withstand stress, which is caused when the transmission makes extra effort (e.g. towing). AWD RXs generally put some extra stress on the transmission compared to the FWD RXs, and, thus, the failure rate is higher with AWD RXs. Reading between the lines - and depending on the luck of the draw - I would guess that transmission where the car that has always/often carried a full load and has been driven with a heavy foot, will probably - other things being equal - suffer transmission failure more often than one driven gently with little load. In previous posts, there was some discussion about later RX300s having an improved planetary gear that is made of steel rather than the aluminium of the earlier ones. It may be that the 2002, particularly if a 'late' 2002 model, might have a 'good' vs. 'weak' transmission. If your Toyota friend can help people put a date on the change (to steel from aluminium), that would be useful to many, since there has been much speculation as to the date of change. Among 'posters' in this forum, 'lenore' has spent much time at, and written much about, this issue. It was from one of his posts that I learnt of the aluminium planetary gear weakness in early RXs. You might want to consult his posts.... I di not have a transmission problem in a 99RX300 I use dto own, but I did have a rear engine seal problem which costs a lot to fix. It seems early rear engine seals would harden over time (the RX motor runs 'hot')and then begin to leak. You should check out the state of the seal on any one you buy. If it has any semblance of humidity or weeping, it is shot. Good luck!

The manual of my old 99RX300 stated that the timing belt should be changed (and other maintenance items completed) at 90,000 miles or six years. All the mileage numbers were linked to a period (like the 5,000 miles or 6 months for oil change). Lexus talked me into changing the timing belt after six years even though I had only 60K miles. After reading various posts in this forum, I am close to certain it was not needed.... but I did it. It may be that the manual of your 02RX300 does not contain the same requirements...

I am having same issues. Just found some pointers about the merits of tapping the key while in cylinder with a hammer, screwdriver and WD40 on postings on PAGE 2 of this RX330 Forum. Didnt go back far enough last nite when I was trying to find help with this problem. Worth checking out..... Whoever would have thought????.... Hopefully one of these suggestions posted earlier will solve your problem. Could just be jammed up but it does appear unfortunately to be a bit of a design error... Good Luck and sure hope it works for u. Keep me posted. <_< Rather than WD40, I would probably spray a touch of graphite in the lock... [i'm on my second RX, and have never had the problem, thankfully. But if it were to happen, I would try the screwdriver/tapping trick and some graphite of the screwdriver/tapping worked.]

$3 seems inexpensive. Places here charge up to $10 'extra' for TMPS when changing tires. I believe (but am not sure) that they change the battery.

It sounds like a great deal! Congratulations! (Enjoy!!)