rxpx40

Good job, Kimo. I too replaced the pads on my wife's '04 RX330 (fronts only) At 85K miles, her right side had just worn through the outside pad. The rotor needed turned so both sides done, new pads from Lexus of Austin $69. I opened the bleed valve on the calipers when I squeezed the pistons back into the calipers. This forced the old, nasty fluid out of the calipers. I used the mityvac to remove all the fluid in the master res, filled with new fluid and bled a couple times. All new fluid, new pads, like new rotors. Car stops like the day it was made. Chris

Excellent advice, Paul. Looking on their site, I see Coopers CS4 Touring for $104.14. Better deal, possibly better tire? Anyone have any experience with Cooper's CS4's? Chris

How about this? http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-first-g...ter-change.html

Interesting reviews. Thanks. I too am in the market for new shoes on the wife's 04 RX330. Her original equipment Goodyear Integritys have 85k miles and are getting thin on the tread. Are the Alenzas as quiet as the original Goodyears? From the feedback posted here, I believe I can count on the Alenzas for good handling/traction performance. Tire rack is showing $139 each. Chris

Excellent early post. My wife is interested in XM radio for her '04 RX330 and I will be encountering the same issue. The last thing I want to do is make holes in the interior of this car. Her stock stereo is having intermittent problems with the CD drive and I would like to investigate possibly installing XM radio for her. I don't know anything about manufacturers or features. Any information will be very welcome. Chris

This is a fascinating thread. If for no other reason than this: I pulled the transmission dipstick on my wife's 2004 RX330 and clearly stamped into the stick is the phrase "No need to change the fluid". Being the DIY type I am, I will no doubt climb under the car and see how much fun I can have dropping the transmission pan. I ain't scared. Reading other threads, I seem to be gravitating towards code58's words of wisdom. Wife's car is hitting 85k on the clock and I was considering a timing belt change, since I just completed one on (potential future) son in law's '02 Xterra. Many posts indicate I would be throwing good money away if I were to take on the RX330 timing belt replacement now. However, her car is due for an engine oil change as is the big Dodge truck. I am planning a road trip before Christmas in the Dodge, so the transmission work on the Lexus will wait until Jan. But a trip through the transmission on the Lexus sounds like fun. More later. Chris

You should be able to reach the passenger side headlight easily on the 2004 model. Do you have the xenon HID's? My wife's '04 has the halogen headlights. Remove the large plastic cover that is above the coolant overflow and windshield washer bottles and you can access the headlight plug from behind the headlight assembly. Rotate the plug 90 degrees to release it and pull the lamp with the plug. I plan on changing my wife's standard halogen lamps out this Saturday to Sylvania Silverstars. I can take pictures if you wish. Chris

My wife pointed out to me tonight that the rear windows on her 2004 RX330 do not respond to the driver's controls. I reached back and operated the right rear window using the right rear door switch. Is this normal, or am I about to visit the dealer? Thanks Chris

Just looked at this guy's website- He recommends Michelin Cross Terrains. I put them on my full sized van and really liked them. See here: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rx300how2/index.html Chris

Hello, New poster (poser?) here. My wife recently purchased a 2004 RX330. She really loves this car, I think we'll keep it. I am interested in replacing the stock halogen headlights with Xenon HID's. Has anyone attempted this upgrade? I am not interested in the 'steerable' type that the newer models have, just something similar to this: Ebay item number 180205776650 Also- has anyone dealt with this seller or similar products? Not looking to go 'wow, neato blue' or <gasp> Violet color. I just want to put more bright white light out in front of her- she doesn't see very well at night. Thanks Chris

If I recall correctly, these sensors are sending a RF signal to the car's computer. The frequency is pressure sensitive. When your light comes on at the dash, what it is telling you is not "Your tire(s) have low air pressure." but more along the lines of "One sensor is not reading within an established tolerance limit to all the other sensors" I believe the sensors are attached to the wheel inside the tire. I have heard a rumor that the new sensors are in the valve stems, but I haven't seen those yet. Realize that if all your tires are within say 5 psi (including the spare) and your light is still on at the dash, then a sensor must be bad. Chris