fbsdmd

Yes, I believe they are factory tires, 6/32 remaining after 39,000 miles that were on a car from a three year lease.

They are NITTO NT850 PREMIUM 235/55/18 104R, so these are probably the OEM tires?

Bill

I dont believe Nittos are a OEM tires for Lexus, amybe thats is the reason for the higher speed reading.

Yes, I believe Lexus current OEMs are either Michelin or Goodyear. My 08 came with the Goodyears, but I'm replacing them today with Michelins...$100 rebate for 4 tires at Discount Tire..

My 2008 is really going about 4 mph faster than the speedometer reading, and has done so since purchase. When brought to the dealer's attention, they said it was within factory tolerance. Mine came with Goodyear tires. They lasted about 24,000 miles. I had an RX 330 that came with Michelins that also had to be replaced at about 25,000 miles. The replacement tire was Yokohama Avid. These still had adequate tread when the car was traded at 60,000 miles. I put the same Yokohama Avid's on the 2008. They have only been on for 7,000 miles, so it's hard to say how they will last.

Just a little anecdotal evidence. I had a 2004 RX330 that was traded with near 80,000 miles on it. Never used anything but regular, never heard any pinging, no complaints about performance, no apparent damage. I now have a 2008 RX 350, only regular gas used in it for about the first 4,000 miles, same as above. I live in the great NE and we now have gasoline with 10% ethanol, all grades, no choice. I recently did two tests, using the MPG calculator on the dash. I realize that this readout may not give an absolutely correct MPG figure, but I think that comparison between MPG readings may be meaningful. The first test was done using regular gas with 10% ethanol and gas without ethanol. Ethanol containing gas was used to fill the tank so that the tank would be near empty after a 150 mile trip. The tank was refilled with gas without ethanol, and the 150 miles was reversed. The MPG readout was carefully observed during the trip, and the maximum MPG for each trip was recorded. I have been told that 10% ethanol will lower gas mileage as much as 2 MPG. Both legs of the trip yielded approx 24 MPG. Now as to test two. I have begun to use high test. Have been using it for the last 4 tank fulls. Today I repeated the same trip as in test one, using high test. Maximum MPG observed was 27.4. I was not able to detect any difference in performance during either test. I realize this is most certainly not an absolutely scientific testing regimen, but there may be a flash of facts here. My first thought is that 10% ethanol, at high, steady speed may not give a noticeable loss of MPG. Secondly, if high test gives a roughly 10% increase in MPG, and the difference between regular and high test is $.20 more than regular, at $3.60 a gallon for regular, you should save money by buying high test. I know, this is a sample of one, but it may have some validity. Thoughts anyone?

Yes... the readout on my wife's IS250 is not accurate all the time. Secondly, in order to do a valid comparison test as you described, and admitted that it wasn't "scientific", it would take more than a single test. There are too many variables that will effect fuel consumption - like: did you use the exact same fuel sample? Was the ambient temperature the same? Was the relative humidy the same? What atmospheric pressure, traffic conditions, wind speed, etc., etc.?

It would be interesting to see some real test data. :D

I would agree about real test data. Almost a year later the issue of regular vs high test is still around. I am over 20,000 miles with the car now, and for the last several months, since the price of gas tanked, have been using regular. There has been no noticeable difference in performance between the two fuels. This Lexus has been trouble free. Did the first two services at the dealer, did the 15,000 at my local mechanic. It would appear that high test may yield about 2 miles more per gallon. Not enough difference to justify high test.

Hello

I have an 08RX350. The passenger side rear view mirror auto tilts all the way down when the vehicle is put in Reverse, but the Driver side mirror tilts only 1cm or so. I think the Driver side mirror used to tilt more when I purchased the vehicle but I am not sure.

Can anyone confirm whether the driver side mirror is supposed to tilt only 1 cm or should it tilt down more like the passenger side mirror.

Thanks a lot,

Raj

I have experienced this also. I noticed a few months ago that someone had moved the mirror assembly while the car was parked. The glass itself was quite out of place. I moved the glass back to position manually, and it made a ratchety sort of noise. I suspect something inside has gone awry. It may be that we fuss more with the driver side mirror. It's possible that the passenger side mirror could also have this problem. One of the down sides of this vehicle is that it is very difficult to watch behind you when backing up at night. The back window is very highly tinted. The tilting mirrors help only a little bit. It would be nice to have brighter back up lights.

I thought they all had the tape decks...all 3 of my RX's have had them.

I see it as sort of a bad joke.

They could make better use of that space to have a set of aux inputs, USB ports and iPod connectors for people to actually use.

Hi - my husband and I are looking to buy a 2009 RX350 in the next month or so.

Great time to buy! Better get to it while they have the options and colors you want...the new models are coming out soon and I would imagine that selection will start getting stale. Be sure to check out some of the threads on the deals people have been getting. Simply amazing...some as much as 10k off sticker.

I would also like to have a place to plug in the iPod, and I can't imagine it would take any space at all. As mentioned, there are still a lot of books on tape available at giveaway prices, and listening to a book can help make a trip go by. Yes, I know they also have books on cd, but they all seem to be unabridged, include 14 cd's, and cost an arm and a leg.

Surely there is a place to plug in an iPod?

Time for a lawsuit?

And how can i test mine?

Our 2008 RX 350 is only going 60 when the speedo says 65. Got 20,000 miles on it and that's been the only issue. I can live with it. Not having a place to plug the iPod in *BLEEP*es me off more. If you do not have a handheld GPS, put your cruise on at 60 mph while driving level on an interstate. Interstates have mile markers. Measure the length of time it takes to go one mile. Add a mph for every second under 60, subtract a mph for each second over. This is quite accurate between 55 and 65. The more careful you are in doing this, the more precise the reading. (Let's not get into a discussion about the difference between precision and accuracy)

But again, aluminum wheels cannot rust, and the wheel surface is painted on the inside anyways so the moisture issue is moot.

I have a gut feeling that you probably don't want to have a lot of actual water in your tires.

SLW: New member and just read your input about RX350 engine "knocking/rattle". I share your concern. Anything that knocks, rattles, cliks, squeeks, grinds, thumps or rubs could be a potential problem and should be investigated and/or repaired. The knocking occurs on my '08 RX350 15000mi when cold and is particularly noticed on acceleration. It seems to go away when the engine warms up. This leads me to think along the lines of an exhaust manifold leak perhaps. Anyone else experienceing this problem found a fix. Living with it is not the answer.

Turn the radio up.

I checked tirerack.com and Goodyear tire is just junk, but Michelin MXV4 S8 is just slight better in reviews. Surprisingly, Yokohama AVID V4S has good review and cost 25% less. Have anybody using this model of Yokahama tire have any comment ?

I am getting close to folk up $1k for new set of tire; just want to made the right choice.

I used the Yokohamas on my RX330. I put them on at about 30,000 miles, after the OEM Michelins wore out. When I traded the 330 at about 80,000 miles, the Yokohamas were still going strong. I live in the great northeast, and we need good traction here. The Yokohamas were noticeably better than the Michelins, and yes, less expensive. I ended up using the Avids on several other cars, with similar good results. Also the Tirerack ratings were pretty good for the Yokohamas.

Who is your cellular service provider? I know with Verizon, the cell phone's "phone book" does not "load" into the car's "phone book" (it is a feature that is blocked by them). That would eliminate alot of entering on your part. You are trying to get your hands free system in the Lexus to recognize the Blackberry voice commands. I think you have to have your phone out, use the voice command for the Blackberry, and then it switches over to the Lexus hands free.

Cell service by ATT, no problem loading the phone book. I'm trying to get past all of the complexity of having a duplicate address book in the car. Once linked to the car, voice command on the Blackberry doesn't work. Seems to me that there should be an option somewhere to cut out all of the complexity and have the car act like a simple bluetooth speakerphone (i.e. the same way that an earpiece works). My earpiece allows me to use the full functionality of the Blackberry - including voice command. So essentially, I've just spent almost $38k for a car that is causing me to lose convenience and functionality on my handheld.

Look on the bright side, you could have spent $45,000.

Many have questions on how to program the Homelink buttons. It is in the owner's manual but sometimes it may be confusing to understand the terminology. I've summarized what the manual states, and hopefully this will help anyone in the future (as I have in the past already hehe)

"Ok. Delete the codes in the homelink then try this. (To delete, hold down the first and third buttons at the same time, hold for about 30-60 seconds till the light blinks really fast. Release and check if deleted if the light blinks at a slow but steady pace. That means there's nothing stored on that button)

Hold down the garage door button and the homelink button u want programmed. Once the light changes from a slow blinking light to a rapid blinking light, release both buttons. Then go to the garage door openner and (this is different for all garage door openners) push the "learn" button ONCE. Within 30 secs, press the same button u programmed 3 times, and it should work."

I had to go through this routine 6 or 7 times before it actually worked.

I own an RX350 FWD, 2007. Just bought a set of four new tires. All four old tires were gone because each of the inside treads were worn to the tire core. Each tire still had tread left in the middle and on the outside. Why do all four tires wear on the inside so quickly? Is it a problem with the springs or the design of the suspension system? (I drive mostly all highway miles.)

I suspect this is why most owners get less than 30,000 miles on the first set of tires.

Stick with Michelin.... as Lexus wants. Drive fast on what they want is a hard tire is a good idea. Gooey Goodyears will wear out. Drive sane and go with high pressure Michelin and the traction.... Michelin can take it. Listen to what the manufacturer says. *BLEEP* Goodyear. They are too soft and wear out saking reality. This is why you need a real tire that can take 44 psi.

OK, if Lexus wanted me to stick to Michelins, why did they put the crappo Goodyears on my car as original equipment? Michelins came with my 2004 330, and they lasted less than 30,000 miles, wearing out fairly evenly. They were replaced with Yokohamas that were still reasonably good when I traded at 73,000 miles.

The tire pressure light is always on in my daughters 2008 RX350. She bought the car used. The Lexus dealer just called her to say that someone swapped out the spare and her spare does not have a pressure sensing switch/something on the spare tire.

a. What is the thing on the tire?

b. They quoted her $240.00 to put one(whatever it is) on the spare

c. Does anyone know where to get it cheaper

d. Is there a fuse that I can pull that will disable the lite but nothng else??

Any help will be appreciated.

This is from the US Federal Register, 2005--

Compliance Date: Consistent with the phase-in commencing October 5, 2005, all new light vehicles must be equipped with a TPMS that meets the requirements of the standard by September 1, 2007, with the following exceptions. Vehicle manufacturers need not meet the standard’s requirements for the TPMS malfunction indicator and related owner’s manual language until September 1, 2007 (i.e., at the end of the phase-in), and vehicles produced by final-stage manufacturers and alterers must be equipped with a compliant TPMS (including a malfunction indicator) by September 1, 2008. However, manufacturers may voluntarily certify vehicles to FMVSS No. 138 and earn carry-forward credits for compliant vehicles, produced in excess of the phase-in requirements, that are manufactured between April 8, 2005, and the conclusion of the phase-in.

This is the National Highway Safety Admin web page with FAQ about Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems:

http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site/saferc...0002fd17898RCRD

My wife and I bought a CPO 2007 RX-350 a few weeks ago. I am a "rattle and random noise" freak, I'm sorry to say, so hear goes. We have two issues.....one has been identified and one still remains.

First one is the rattle/vibration coming from the back of the vehicle while driving over rough spots in the street. I traced it to the spare tire cover under the car. Even though the spare is pulled up tight against the underbody, the protective plastic cover that covers the bottom side cannot be pulled tight against the spare........that is, I haven't found a way yet. I took a piece of corrugated cardboard and stuffed it in one of the openings in the cover, thereby insulating the cover from the tire itself. That took care of the problem.

The other problem is a sound that I believe is coming from inside the front right passenger door. When I come to a quick stop, or, conversely, when pulling away from a stop, I hear what sounds like a loose screw or perhaps a bolt rolling around inside the door compartment. I will have the dealer check it on my first service.

Hope this helps, if either one of these issues are one of yours.

This forum is a great tool for owners ! :)

Wrong season for this, but our 2004 RX 330 was sometimes parked in the driveway under some oak trees, and acorns were able to make it down through ductwork under the dash, and they would roll and rattle something fierce. The dealer wouldn't believe this possible, until they found one of the acorns. There may have been something missing, that allowed this to happen.

Just a little anecdotal evidence. I had a 2004 RX330 that was traded with near 80,000 miles on it. Never used anything but regular, never heard any pinging, no complaints about performance, no apparent damage. I now have a 2008 RX 350, only regular gas used in it for about the first 4,000 miles, same as above. I live in the great NE and we now have gasoline with 10% ethanol, all grades, no choice. I recently did two tests, using the MPG calculator on the dash. I realize that this readout may not give an absolutely correct MPG figure, but I think that comparison between MPG readings may be meaningful. The first test was done using regular gas with 10% ethanol and gas without ethanol. Ethanol containing gas was used to fill the tank so that the tank would be near empty after a 150 mile trip. The tank was refilled with gas without ethanol, and the 150 miles was reversed. The MPG readout was carefully observed during the trip, and the maximum MPG for each trip was recorded. I have been told that 10% ethanol will lower gas mileage as much as 2 MPG. Both legs of the trip yielded approx 24 MPG. Now as to test two. I have begun to use high test. Have been using it for the last 4 tank fulls. Today I repeated the same trip as in test one, using high test. Maximum MPG observed was 27.4. I was not able to detect any difference in performance during either test. I realize this is most certainly not an absolutely scientific testing regimen, but there may be a flash of facts here. My first thought is that 10% ethanol, at high, steady speed may not give a noticeable loss of MPG. Secondly, if high test gives a roughly 10% increase in MPG, and the difference between regular and high test is $.20 more than regular, at $3.60 a gallon for regular, you should save money by buying high test. I know, this is a sample of one, but it may have some validity. Thoughts anyone?

I won't argue with your testing regimen, or the results; but your results do make me feel much better using high test; especially at today's outrageous prices..

Sad to say, the difference between regular and high test today in New Jersey is $.38

Just a little anecdotal evidence. I had a 2004 RX330 that was traded with near 80,000 miles on it. Never used anything but regular, never heard any pinging, no complaints about performance, no apparent damage. I now have a 2008 RX 350, only regular gas used in it for about the first 4,000 miles, same as above. I live in the great NE and we now have gasoline with 10% ethanol, all grades, no choice. I recently did two tests, using the MPG calculator on the dash. I realize that this readout may not give an absolutely correct MPG figure, but I think that comparison between MPG readings may be meaningful. The first test was done using regular gas with 10% ethanol and gas without ethanol. Ethanol containing gas was used to fill the tank so that the tank would be near empty after a 150 mile trip. The tank was refilled with gas without ethanol, and the 150 miles was reversed. The MPG readout was carefully observed during the trip, and the maximum MPG for each trip was recorded. I have been told that 10% ethanol will lower gas mileage as much as 2 MPG. Both legs of the trip yielded approx 24 MPG. Now as to test two. I have begun to use high test. Have been using it for the last 4 tank fulls. Today I repeated the same trip as in test one, using high test. Maximum MPG observed was 27.4. I was not able to detect any difference in performance during either test. I realize this is most certainly not an absolutely scientific testing regimen, but there may be a flash of facts here. My first thought is that 10% ethanol, at high, steady speed may not give a noticeable loss of MPG. Secondly, if high test gives a roughly 10% increase in MPG, and the difference between regular and high test is $.20 more than regular, at $3.60 a gallon for regular, you should save money by buying high test. I know, this is a sample of one, but it may have some validity. Thoughts anyone?

THe tire monitor is looking for the missing tire sensor. It knows the vehicle should have five, and since one is missing, it thinks its malfunctioning. Tire monitoring is a federal requirement. Even if you find a cheaper sensor, you still have to bring back to a Lexus dealer to have the new sensor registered.

Might a Toyota dealer do it for less?

The option package, premium plus, includes moonroof and some power stuff. Does not include nav, mark levinson sound system, etc.

Think it is the rather general option package. The potential deal would be through a Lexus dealership.

I think they are a bit high, for an 07 with a general option package, however it may just be me.

Any other comments are welcome.

-- JP

There must still be some '08's around. Maybe it would be worth paying a few thousand more for a new one.

I can tell you right now, unless you're married to your iPod, you can fit quite a few songs on 6 CD-RWs. Plus I'd rather be able to use the steering wheel controls for the car's cd player rather than fiddle around with the iPod while driving.

I use CD-RWs because I change my playlist at least once a week. It's quick! Trust me.

PS - I've learned that the CD-RW will skip in the Lexus player sometimes if you burn it "track at once". I burn all my MP3s for the car using the "disc at once" method. No skips this way. I don't know what the reason is but it seems to work.

At 128 kbps, (kilobits or bytes per second) you can get about 10 cd's worth of music on one mp3 disk. I save my music on my iPod at WAV resolution. Space is cheap these days, and once you have compressed your music, you can't get back what was removed during compression. Many people claim that they can detect inferior sound at 128 kbps. Perhaps a compromise would be to save your cd's at 192 kbps. This would give you roughly 8-9 cd's per mp3 disk. In order to burn mp3's from iTunes, your music can't be downloaded into iTunes in WAV format. (WAV format is the native cd format) Music has to be converted to mp3 when it is put into iTunes. This means, if one wants to use iTunes to burn mp3 cd's, that one has to either install a WAV to mp3 converter on their computer, or re-load disks into iTunes as mp3's. It would be much easier to have an iPod input in the car. It is possible in the somewhat foreseeable future that another format will replace mp3, and your mp3 capable player could share some characteristics of the 8 track player.

I owned a RX300 for 61/2 years. It was a perfect car. I bought a 2008 RX350 in December. I returned the car within the first 80 miles because of windshield distortion. I get dizzy and disoriented when driving it. I have had two new windshields installed all with the same problem. Anyone else experiencing this issue?

We've had 2 RX's, a 2004 and now the 2008. The 2008 was assembled in Canada. So far (3,000 miles) no problems of any kind. Quiet, smooth nice ride, nice finish, good gas mileage, fine in the snow. Get some cataracts and floaters, the windshield will be no problem at all.

Me too..

As long as my wife is along to let me know...

I have been planning on adding combination puddle/turn signal lights on the bottom of each outside rear view mirror and so now I guess it's time....

Then all I have to worry about is when my peripheral vision begins to fail....

That sounds slick-how do you do that?

I know what you mean! It is very quiet. Maybe we are getting a bit challenged in the hearing department. Sometimes my Wife tells me to turn off the directional cause I don't hear it. One of these days I'm going to find that flasher unit and see what I can do. It must be buried in sound deadening material! Can't be my ears! Ha Ha!

Wow-Deja vu. The only time I'm at risk is when I drive alone. Now if I could find a way to turn the volume on my wife down.

This question will probably point out that I am growing deaf. Both the 2004 RX 330 we used to have and the present 2008 RX 350 have had turn signals that, to me, are almost completely silent while driving, with the result that I tend to have the turn signal on when it shouldn't be. I do not have this problem with other cars. Has anyone else had this problem? Does Lexus use a standard turn signal plug-in, so that it might be possible to find a little louder after market unit? They have so many other gadgets on this car, why not a turn signal with adjustable volume? I brought this up with the dealer, and they thought I was whacky. Maybe this is just part of the aging process.

To find out if your vehicle will work with lower octane fuels:

Run your vehicle down to 1/8 th of a tank.

Fill up with 5 gallons of mid-grade (89 octane in my area).

Drive normally. If you feel any knocking or pinging, IMMEDIATELY top the rest of the tank with premium (91 octane in my area).

If no knocking or pinging occurs, your good to drive on that octane level.

If you can actually hear a Lexus motor pinging through all the sound deadening material, you have already done significant damage. Modern engines, as alluded to above, are required by law to function on 87 octane. This is done by the ECU sensing knock and retarding timing. Read that again, the ECU has to "sense knock" before it makes any adjustment to timing in order for pre-ignition to be avoided. I plan on keeping my vehicle well past the warranty, and I'll gladly put the proper octane in my tank that the engineers intended. Bad things happen to engines running on lower octane than they were designed to for...this thread makes me glad I got a good deal on a new one rather than buying used.

Yes indeed, you will definitely want to rely on the Lexus engineers.

You made valid points and I didn't mean to offend you or provoke a sharp response (note my comment, "Forgive me for being naive, but...").

I think what it comes down to is how valuable your time is and how much you mind getting your hands dirty. I was just saying that I'd never pay someone $200+ to do what I could do in less than an hour.

Peace,

Pete Zaria.

Hey Pete-No sharp response from me. I will defend to the death your right to do your own maintenance work. It isn't for everybody.