PK_3

If your talking about the drain plug and they won't pay. get, a a cheap expanding champagne rubber cork (with a llittle lever on it to expand it in a bottle) and use it. I had a Porsche I put1 100k on with the cork. no problem. Regards, PK

Don't they still have mile markers in your neck of the woods? Just count how many you pass in 20 or 30 minuets and do the math. PK

I don’t know there are any options quality wise, there all DOT. They seem readily available. I had to break into my BMW. Pulled a name from the phone book, 1.5 hours my window was smashed out, car unlocked, and glass replaced....$100 odd dollars. Windows are a commodity i think. Nothing special about a Lexus. Good luck, PK

Your advice is good but I'd take a little issue here. For one of my more technically exotic cars, for power steering, everyone agrees, even the best mechanics, you top it off & keep an eye on it. No more no less. Power steering is under pressure and leaks ...period. It hurts nothing as long as it doesn’t run dry (even then you'll have plenty of warning an plenty of miles to placate it with some juice). You can drive the car forever just keeping it topped off. Leaks in the rack (most common) are $$$ to repair, not something you want to do until it's really untenable. PK P.S. Humor, decades ago my dad had a British sports car that leaked oil like a sieve. The manual said this was to aid in corrosion resistance in that it sprayed the bottom of the car with engine oil.

$1500 for a headlamp problem? 2 dollars worth of wire and you could jump the 2 headlights together, then go to Hawaii. But your not that sort I’m sure. If I were you, before I spent that kind of money I would have an auto electrics shop trace the wires and make sure all the connections were clean and making good contact and of course check the relay(s) light switch, and ignition switch. Yo can still probably make it to Hawaii. Regards, PK P.S. Next to nobody on a shop floor has a degree in engineering

Your smart for nixing the dealer for service. Even if you did need to fix x,y, & z, dealers are roughly twice the price as a good independent shop. My cars have ranged from the pedestrian (Lexus) to the fairly exotic. I’ve never changed or flushed the power steering fluid on any over the last 20 odd yrs. Your fluid being low means you have a small leak somewhere. Nothing to fret about, certainly not something a “flush” is going fix. Top it up. But you might also see if, and at what intervals, Lexus recommends. Also, if it really needs new fluid, just change it. You’ll be diluting whatever old fluid is leftover (after the change) a zillion fold. I don't see the point of a 'flush" Regards, PK BTW: Tire shops and oil change outfits are notorious for selling a bill of goods. Out here a couple of big chains are practically in receivership do to class action.

Never really stopped to figure out the bells and whistles on mine but it may flick in some auto defrost mode. Believe it or not, cold air clears the inside of steamed windows much better than warm. Regards, PK

Your wise not to rush into anything if it’s running well. There’s a “how to” somewhere here for the o2 sensor (I need one too). $260? If that’s installed it might be worth it. It’s a big job. If it’s for the sensor only, shop around. My Porsche O2 sensors are about $50. That’s a Camery motor at its heart. Regards, PK

Hello, cleaning you battery meant disconnecting leads. If the battery terminal were dirty enough to cause a CEL, the car would not start either. A few minuets of a disconnected battery will reset the CEL, no light, problem still unsolved. (it will go back on). The water pump and timing belt has absolutely nothing to do with your CEL. Check with Lexus and see the recommend mileage for changing the belt. The water pump should be noisy or dripping if it on it’s way out.. That may be the noise but it wouldn’t be only under a load. Your get mixed messages, If the cel say it’s running lean, that means less fuel, better mileage (maybe). I’d say O2 sensors but someone who knows these cars better than may disagree. With that said. It will be a sensor of some sort . Regards, PK

I live in California , bought mine used, and I have the same mileage. I‘ve had the transmission rebuilt and my motor shows all the signs of gell. Lexus wants 1 to 2 hundred to take the valve covers off and confirm the gell. If your not smoking or using oil don’t sweat it on the trans.,you can do a lot better than 4k, find a good indie. I to am quite disappointed by this thing. I’ve always bought German and at least I knew what I was in for...if anything. I’d have though the best Japan could offer would fool proof. Regards, PK

Ok, Thanks, My OBDII alluded to that (knox sensor) At 80k though that seemed premature and a real pain. Makes a little more sense to check for faulty wiring to before I go hole hog. Regards, PK

Hello, I just got through replacing the MAF (PO170 I think) and now after a few months this PO325. The thing about the CEL is it comes and goes Regards, PK

How he got one foot in the grave?? Mine went at 70k an at the time I was told it was not all that uncommon. That and my motor likely needing a reardown due to sludge at 75k .I have no sympathy for Lexus. If I knew a way to kill the trans.in B&K’s case I would. Throwing in park might break it but in the wrong place. Maybe reveres would might help thing along, drop it in at 30mph or so (leave the kids at home). Regards, PK

Hello Our 99 RX300 w/85k seems not to want to switch gears between second and third. Last night, we drove some 40 miles in second gear (4krpms) at 60+mph. No amount of jiggering of everything transmission related on the dash would kick it into drive (or third). On the way home it was fine, shifting properly. We had a opposite problem about a year ago while climbing a steep grade. It would not kick down into second, just dogged up the hill in 3rd. A unique situation we soon forgot it. Might be related(?). The transmission was rebuilt by a shop that I knew and they seemed to know the transmission well. That was about 3yrs or 10k miles ago. Any obvious, common problems with this transmission. ? Regards, PK

Is it smoking blue? Have your mechanic take off a valve cover and look for sludge/ Then brace your self. PK

Chiltons makes a book that includes the RX330 about $20.. The few times I’ve used it had the info. I don’t in general like Hayns and Chiltons, to generic but in a pinch…You can find in most box chains. Regards, PK

Wow, I have a similar problem with one of my rear windows. We keep all the windows locked because of the shenanigans we have to go through to get it to go up again. If you Google around or search here and other Lexus forums you should be able to find out exactly what the dealer does at 50k. Or ask them. Regards, PK

Ditto above plus there are places that sell just o-rings. Google in your area. Usually $25 min. but beats the heck out of a whole new MAF. Regards, PK

Tough? Your joking right? My 99 with 84k has been through one transmission and now needs a a complete tear down due to "oil gel". Look here http://www.engine-light-help.com/lexus-che...gine-light.html if you feel lucky. Otherwise check this out http://www.oilgelsettlement.com/ Regards, Pk P.S Am I asking to much? My Porsches and BMW's can't be killed. It was 20 yrs and 30 cars ago that I experienced a heap like this...a 1965...GM Corvair.

Hello, My 99 went out at about 70k. I had a transmission shop around the corner do it for $1700. (85k now, no probs.)I would not go to a dealer ($$) nor would I go to an Amco (duh). Rather, find a trusted indi (Angies list?) shop. Assuming it the same or very similar box, I'd think anyone could do it. Regards, PK

RX, Welcome to the club. It sounds like you have a good dealer. If you don't already know, there was a class action lawsuit http://www.oilgelsettlement.com/ (Lexus took it on the chin). I still waiting to see what my dealer will do with my 99 w/84k. Started 1.5 years ago at 70k. Good luck, PK

Yup, improve? lets find out. Regards, PK

If it's any consolation, my trans went at 65k.. I was told at the time it was not unusual. Good Luck

Hello, They probably have it sorted out by now. I think the key is you need to follow the maintenance to a “T”. Remember people post their bad news here looking for help. You'll find that with any auto forum. It's vicarious “rubber necking” for some, a chance share wisdom for others. What else do you weite about: "Today nothing happened...coments?" With that said, my 99 is a heap. I've never had a car that has failed so catastrophically with so few miles.. The trans. went at about 65k. At 80k, its burning oil., turns out it has a fatal flaw requiring a total tear down. (Lexus was sued and lost). Though like I say, they probably have the bugs worked out of the "beta" I bought. Would I buy another though, no. Back to Stuttgartfor me. Regards, PK

Hello, I had this happen, but I have been battling a code P0171 (maf or o2 sensor). Usually the opposite occurs. Disconnecting the battery for awhile clears the CEL's, At leas thats the way it works on Porsches. Regards, PK.