steviej

get a dedicated set of snow tires and you should be all set. Just drive carefully. I have a set of Yakima racks on my ES for my kayak. Seems tight and secure. I could take a picture if you like. Yakima has racks for snowboards and skis that attach to the standard cross bars. go to www.yakima.com Thule is another reputable brand. steviej

The "splats" that are next to each forum seem to have three shades of beige now. You know, those designs that look like they came from the early 70's show "The Dating Game". They used to be almost transparent with there was no new posts in the forum and a dark beige when new posts are made and haven't been read yet. Now the splats in the Model specific forum seem to have a transparent shade of beige and a light shade of beige only. The darker shade is only on the splats in the remaining forums (non-model specific forums). Am I going crazy, need new contacts or did I just work too much this weekend? Anyone else notice this? steviej

how many miles? I'm guessing over 75k miles. i usually go with synthetic 10w-30 high mileage formula when over 75k miles. That will be fine in March to November. You might want to use synthetic 5w-30 during the coldest months to aid in fridgid cold start ups. steviej

All of what you say can be used to your advantage. Fill in the sales guy about the situation. He can have some influence with the service department, if not directly than through his sales manager. Don't tell them about the radio being on for 45 minutes. They don't need any ammo for their side to not replace it. Your probably won't get a yellow top so don't expect one. You might get what is in stock, Panasonic most likely. Use the 90 day warranty to your advantage. I will venture a guess that they will replace the battery under warranty so that they keep you as a service customer and your mom as a potential sale then service customer. good luck. steviej

Did you have the 45,000 mile service done? always take and extra set of belts. Both Alt and PS belts. just in case. Some where on the way, you will have to have the oil changed. 8,000 is stretching it on synthetic + highways. Might want to take some duct tape and a stash away a jug of 50/50 antfireeze/water if your travels take you through low populated areas. Take a jug of windshield washer fluid, too. Maybe stash a set of wiper inserts, too. The tool kit in the RX should be enough, but a cig. lighter powered air compressor is always a plus as well as a tire pressure guage. its only 8k miles, and alot may be overkill but its nice to prepare for the worst in the worst area. have a great trip and post pics when you get back. steviej

the idea of the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is to soften the water, however, you are talking a teaspoon in 5 gallons of water. Don't confuse this with a slurry mixture that you would put on a battery terminal. I, personally, have not bought into the idea as the water in my town is not that hard. Most of your professional car soaps have ingrediants to help soften hard water. If you need to strip the wax off you car for some reason, then use Joy Liquid or Dawn. They seem to remove grease and wax very well. steviej

I went through similar events with my old Bonneville at Circuit City when I had new speakers put in the front doors. Lights were not working, a molding strip was not working, door screws were left out and a few other minor cosmetic items to boot. After a discussion with the managers, all was covered by Circuit City. I think the broken vent just sealed your case that the techs were rougher than they should have been. Be calm and document everything. If they see you document names and comments, then they know you mean business and will want to get you out as happy as possible. good luck. steviej

All RX300 and 330 use gasket# 90430-12031 $0.75 each here: http://www.irontoad.com/Merchant2/merchant..._Code=1999rx300 given shipping costs, it may be cheaper to just get these at you dealership. steviej

if the car shifted fine when it went in and didn't shift fine when it came out, they most likely are responsible, especially since they where working in that area. They may not have touched the shifter, but may have moved something that dislodged something. Get a professional opinion. Get an estimate, even go as far as having it fixed. You got to have it fixed, right? Bring the receipt to Best Buy, speak to the store manager and the installation shop manager and ask them to reimburse you. If that don't work, threaten them with small claims court. They will most likely opt to reimburse you and right it off then to go to court and lose. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING...who you spoke with, what they said, when you spoke with them, etc. steviej

if the battery is the original, then it has 5 years on the clock. This is about max life for most batteries. 45 min on radio won't hurt a new or strong battery, but a geriatric battery......that's a different story. The battery in the car started the car, that was the dealers check of the system most likely. The dealer ain't gonna do anything, if he does, then he is being wicked generous. Take the car/battery to Autozone and have the battery load tested. It is probably just old and time for a new one. steviej PS. spend your energy being grateful for the good samaritan rather than being angry at the dealer. :)

have two cups of coffee and a donut. It's a quicky service. Just fluid checks and visual checks. Get the free car wash. steviej

I bring it to my detailer. Actually, you can do it yourself, just don't use a high pressure washer. Gunk engine cleaner type sprays are ok if used sparingly, but many communities are now discouraging this type of washing in the street and driveways. Many hand held wash bays now have signs discouraging this activity too. I would say, have this service professionally done. My guy uses a steam cleaner, low pressure wash and biodegradable detergents( I think on the same line as simple green). I just know the engine bay is spotless and shines immaculately. steviej

couple of suggestions that may help on top of what you've already done. 1. Fuel injector/rail cleaing 2. Fuel filter replacement 3. O2 sensor replacement (even though not throwing trouble codes, they get old and sluggish) 4. thorough throttle body cleaning (#1 and 4 may be accomplished by a motor vac, I think, but not completely sure as I have only read about them briefly. skperformance can give you more insight on this service.) I like synthetic oils. Just switching to them is good for 1-2 mpg. If you like Castrol products, try Syntec and see if your mpg comes up. Can't hurt. steviej

Key has got to be in the ACC position when the car is not running for power to go to cig. lighter and power outlet. I suggest you buy a buy a rapid charger for the office. steviej

yep. If the car is under still warranty, then it shouldn't be a problem. If you are out of warranty, then you may have to ask very nice like and they might do it for free. It not, they should at least meet you half way. If they won't, try another Lexus dealer. Tell them you will bring your car there for the major services if they help you out on the TSB. Always keep customer service in mind, they may be on your side too. 1-800-25-LEXUS (option 4, I think). good luck. steviej

gee sk, don't hold back. steviej

or a bad ground connection. steviej

Dent Wizard cost me $100 for a non-creased dent the size of a half dollar right above the wheel well. Expensive yes, but you would never know there ever was a dent there. steviej

synthetic oil, K&N filter and calm driving give me 22-24mpg in town and ~30mpg in all out highway. I get 55mpg on the zuki, so if the the mercury is above 50, i'm bikin it. steviej. PS, the zuki runs Mobil 1 synthetic too. I had to throw that in. :D

whenever I see the words "Factory Remanufactured" or "Factory Refurbished", my next question is always WHY is it being refurbed? steviej

thanks for your help, too. steviej

I did notice that gas still went up 4¢ across the board today in most stations around me. steviej

who?

wowcrazy, I have split this thread so that your two posts describing you item for sale now appears in the Buy & Sell Forum. I must ask you to comply with two simple guidelines for posting in that forum. 1. please provide your name somewhere in the post. I believe first name is ok since it is not in your screen name. 2. please provide a more specific location than just "Canada", either in your member description or in the posting itself. You can go to either post, click on edit and insert this information directly into your text. You may also update your profile to include the city in Canada that you are selling from. Thanks for cooperating in matter. I will give you 48 hours to provide the required information. If not, then the posts will be removed in accordance with forum guidelines. steviej

or are you asking how to program you garage door opener into the homelink system? steviej