BillyShaft

Hey checked out your full review...you aren't kidding. That is good...no, great news!

Hey Jack(k), Your system is a Gen 5 navigation system. This is important to note because the differences in generation determine what is and is not possible in terms of overriding the system I suspect you have either a 6.1 or 7.1 data disc and either one of those will lock you out of the bypass sequence. You can check that (Menu---> disc ver or Info---> disc ver sorry dont remember which) The way that people get around this is to make what is called a hybrid disc. They use their existing nav DVD data and make a new one while substituting the LOADING.KWI file from a 5.1 or earlier data disc. The LOADING file acts as the OS for the nav system, and that is what determines what features are enabled/disabled. It is possible with a Gen 5 system to create a hybrid disc using the latest and greatest 8.1 data and the 5.1 LOADING file. You will retain all the override capability and have the latest POIs and maps, but you will lose the Automatic "I agree" screen and will once again have to tap I agree every startup. Hope that helps with the concept of a Hybrid disc and what options are available for Gen 5. If you google Lexus hybrid nav disc, or even search the boards here, there are detailed instructions on what you need to do and how to do it. Good Luck!

Wow! You aren't kidding. This is the Nav system we have been wanting in our Lexi! I have a sony system in my F150 that streams bluetooth from my blackberry, and I was thinking that having the same in the Lex would be fantastic! Next you will tell us is that it has full functionality when moving :) Thanks for the awesome review!

Here you go...check these out. There are 3 pages of diagrams and the hangers look like they are at the bottom. Hope that helps!

My wife used to get a couple of codes when she would not tighten the gas cap enough. I believe one of them was the system leak but it was the small, not large. It finally inspired me to buy a code reader so I could tell if the problem was worth being worried about, and of course, reset the codes. I got her to start counting 3 clicks on the cap after fillup and now she doesn't have the problem.

Goodness...that is a bunch of money. Yea, sadly mikey is right, there is too much info on the RX300 tranny failures. You are better putting that money against something else...2004 RX and up or even something else entirely if that is out of your price-range. :(

I thought we had just watched your 4-6 page mega thread on TB replacement! Dood! Bad news! :( Well, this time you can probably knock it out in half the time!

Hey Brett, The link I provided is simply a pinned/stickied policy of the LOC on selling copied NAV DVDs. You asked about the club sharing Nav DVDs and I figured that board policy would speak for itself without involving my own opinion in the matter. Having worked in the IT side of the entertainment industry, including the largest music company in the world and three different movie houses, I am familiar with the laws regarding copyright material and I understand why these people want to get paid for their work. In my position we did a lot of work combating piracy and frankly, it nearly ruined our industry. I guess my point is that my insight is probably fairly educated where the issue of piracy is concerned. Please provide insight if you have any on Denso/Navteq position on copying their material. If they consider the older version software to be abandoned by toyota/lexus and hence not subject to anti-piracy rules, that would make my week. Even if they supported this idea, I am pretty sure that they wouldn't be on board with the idea of treating their current $300 software as shareware. Additionally if you have information, in writing of course, stating that they do not mind if you copy their product to your heart's content and sell it/trade it, please post it. I have bought 4 updates over the years and would welcome the opportunity to get it for free in the future. Looking forward to new insight, B

Wow...the windows fixed themselves after you normalized the roof? Crazy! No problem on the help. Our manuals are so big there is no way to know everything in there.

I believe that G Man is talking about a guy named Toby Rivers. He is a sponsor here and can sell the factory Lexus/Toyota extended warranties and he sells them discounted. If you are going factory warranty, you may want to check his pricing before you pull the trigger. I am kind of with you on the extended warranty question. Buying Lexus sort of acts as an extended warranty since they rarely need the coverage. Nice to have when you really need it, but at what cost? Tuff decision.

There are lots of threads on this issue...may want to check in the entire forum and not just the RX section. I believe you have lots of options available that can integrate with your Nav display. One thing you may want to look for in your research is a product by VAIS technology. I have read good things on the boards here from people who use it.

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. 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.

Yes...check your Owner's Manual. As you suspect, there is indeed a reset procedure for the sunroof and windows after a battery change. I do not remember the procedure off the top of my head, but it is in the Manual and will cover both the sunroof and auto windows. If you do not have a manual, click the link in my sig. There is a post there on how to get a free replacement or view it online. Good Luck and welcome to the LOC!

HAR...SAKATAJ LOVES the ALL CAPS!

I believe that the title of this post regarding the rules of the board covers this topic pretty well... Forum Terms And Conditions / Nav Dvd Copies = Ban Boards and software that encourages or facilitates the theft of intellectual property have been sued in the past (Napster ring a bell?) and I am pretty sure that the management of LOC do not want to answer questions from "The Man" on why they thought it would be ok to buy a single copy of something and allow their members to copy it.

Man...that sucks that they want to work you like that. You will be especially annoyed when you see how easy it is. The links above by dadcat work great for instructions, but there is a RX specific one so I will attach it here, too. RXNavi_1_.pdf When upgrading, you simply place the disc in the drive and it updates. Easy. One thing you will need to do differently in order to "downgrade" from the 8.1 to your old version is to reset the system. In my 2006 RX400h you have to pull a fuse to get the system to reset. Under the hood on the driver side, you will need to remove the two trim covers, and then look for the square fuse box. In the lid of that box is a white fuse puller. Use that tool to pull the Radio1 fuse for about 2 minutes. You will know you have the right fuse if the nav system stays blank with the key in the "on" position. So here are the steps: 1. Open up the tool compartment in the back following the instructions provided. 2. With the ignition in the "on" (do not start the vehicle) open the drive door and pull the disc if there is one. 3. Put your old disc in the drive and slide the door closed. 4. The Nav screen will say something similar to "put the correct disc in the drive" 5. Turn the ignition off. 6. Pull the Radio1 fuse and turn ignition to "on" no need to start it. 7. verify that the nav screen is not displaying anything. 8. Wait about 2 minutes (only really takes about 5 seconds to reset, but wait just to be sure) 9. Turn off the ignition and replace fuse. 10. Turn ignition to on and wait for the "Loading" screen. 11. Select your default search region and you should be ready to go. Let us know if you have problems with the downgrade process or if you need more info on making a hybrid disc. Good Luck!

I agree, that kind of sucks that they didn't pay attention to the big warning light on the dash. :(

hahaha :D Those wheels are the best!

Hey Larry, There has been some legislation (sorry, I forget the name of it :( ) that specifically allows a car owner to have maintenance done by a non-dealer. I would suggest that you keep detailed receipts to prove the maintenance was actually done so that your warranty could not be voided just in case you have some issue down the road. Even if you do oil changes yourself it is ok, as long as you can show you purchased oil and filters for the maintenance. Hopefully someone will weigh in on a trustworthy SC shop for you.

Typically if you are driving a road that has a chain up inspection, you just hold up 4 fingers to the troopers there. They understand that to mean you are 4wd.

Man you are something else! You pontificating buffoon! Here we are all trying to help each other and you are going all pompous on us. Get a life, bro! You are probably one of those guys with no friendsd, whose children hate their father, who no woman wants to go near, and you come of forums like these and spoil it for the rest of us. Please get some help! GO find a religion or a get treated for trauma! I think you were abused as a child for you to turn into the monster that you are! Yes, that is me...all of it. The guy who stands against theft has no friends. I am the sad pathetic buffoon that spoils all the fun by pointing out the obvious. Are you saying that it is a personality flaw to NOT steal? I guess you must have slept through the whole "don't steal software" campaign and the lawsuits that stemmed from it? Mothers and kids going to court for downloading music and software...not ringing a bell? While I am judging, here is another one: Carmark, on top of being a thief, you are a drooling idiot.

You can buy the latest and greatest version 8.1 for your Gen 2/3 system. It is a pretty simple swap and easily done if you have any mechanical aptitude. Here are the instructions for replacing the disc and here is a dealer who will sell you the disc at a discount.

Awesome story...only way that could be better is if were actually true :D

Gotcha. Been awhile since I have done any heavy-lifting style maintenance like you guys are doing...nothing would surprise me really :)

Hey Pato, welcome to the LOC! I thought I might point out that this thread is from May 2005. :) Anyway, welcome!