Bigla

Hope the picture goes through this time. Larry

I have an 09 RX 350. Just got the Escort Smart Radar detector and would like to hard wire it to the mirror. Anyone have any suggestions? Photo is back of mirror where I believe the mirror dimming and compass are wired to the mirror. Thanks Larry

Thanks everyone for you input. Larry

Thanks for info Rawhide.

Thanks for the info. Didn't know about the copper in fluid and will have that checked out. Larry

I have an 09 RX350 with 93,000 miles. Have never had a problem with it and aside from oil changes, changing air and cabin filters,and keeping an eye out for things, have not had any extensive maintenance performed. The manual says that transmission oil and brake fluid should be changed. Local mechanic told me that and oil drain and replace rather than a transmission flush would be sufficient unless i was having problems or car had 150k with no change of oil. Any opinions? Brakes are great, only replaced front and rear once. Is changing brake fluid important? Anything else I should do at 93,000 miles. Thanks, Larry

My nav system in my 09 RX 350 is almost useless. I have v 8.?. I often cannot get guidance in older well exstablished communities, including my own which is 30 years old. It just does not have sufficient coverage. I know the V9.1 is out but I am not sure I want to spend $200+ to get it and find out the system still does not compare to my $200 Magellan. One of the service advisors at my dealer in Charleston, SC recommended that I call Lexus and see if I can get any price help for the upgrade. Has anyone done that? The advisor said he had one customer who did get a discount. Thanks and Happy Holidays Larry

My dealer here in Charleston told me they cannot do Sirius, only XM but gave me the name of an independent contractor who put in the sirius tuner and made it compatible with my nav/sound system on the 09 RX350 for just a couple of hundred, and they installed it in my driveway. It has worked fine. Maybe your dealer can rec. same. Larry

krypttic, I have an 09. I just wonder whether getting the update is worth it since V 8.1 was so poor. I live in a community that is over 25 years old and yet they do not have the roads here in the Nav system. Larry

I have the V 8.1 nav disc and find it woefully inadequate. Frequently in well populated, older areas, it will not be able to provide guidance until it gets to a major highway or thoroughfare. Debating whether it's worth 200 to get an updated disc that might not be much better. Anyone else dissatisfied with their nav system guidance? Larry

I have an 09 with the 7.1 version. I live in the Charleston, SC area which is well developed and when programming in an address I will sometimes get the message to proceed to the known route. You can see the street or road names on the map display but the nav system isn't able to plot a course until you hit its known area. My wifes $199 Garmin never has that problem. I also had this issue when travelling to friends in GA. I hope when we go cross country this summer, we don't get lost.

We have a subscription to Sirius. Dealer wants $500 to install system and have it integrated with our radio and nav screen system. Is $500 too much. Would it be ok to find an outside audio tech to do the job or does it require Lexus technicians? Your input will be appreciated. Larry

Is there any way to use the much maligned cassette tape player to run this radio? Are there adapters for it. I did send Sirius an email but thought I would get better help here. Thanks Larry

I priced both 3M's Xpel and Venture shield and in my area (Charleston, SC), they wanted about $800 to install the protective shield. Quite expensive and I wonder what happens to it, heaven forbid, if you get hit and there is some damage to the area you have that on. Larry

Zerka, what does your posts or pm's mean?

You might want to check because with that new of a vehicle any work done by a non dealer may void any factory warranty on your vehicle. Good Luck Thanks, I guess I should have been clearer. any significant repair/service I would have done by the dealer, but the 5k services are rather routine and could be done by others w/o voiding warranty and w/o paying the extravagant prices that Lexus charges. Larry

I am from the Charleston SC area. Just got a 09 RX 350. Looking for a goodmechanic/shop to service the vehicle. Dealership prices are outrageous. I am not much of a DIY'er. Thanks Larry

I agree with Ducatist4's April 07 post suggesting the optionof sorting members by region (w/o BBQ). This gives members in the same geographic area an opportunity to meet or communicate about our cars, service, etc while sharing local knowledge. I would love to find a non-lexus dealer, good mechanic in my (Charleston, SC) area and a general post might not be viewed by someone if he/she is not online. Anyone could have the option of not responding if done thru the board. Has this been tried before? Thanks Larry

I jave read some posts where people have said they use Toyota for service instead of Lexus. Assuming the quality of the techs are equal is there a downside to using Toyota (except for not getting the delicious Lexus bottled water and cookies)? What have been the experience of others who use Toyota service? Thanks Larry

Thank you for the info - big help. Larry

Just got my 09 RX 350. This is my first Lexus. Was told it has special glass coating so water beads up. Could not tell if these windows have been around for awhile or a relatively new feature. Read some of the posts about cleaning the windows and the products to use but just want to make sure I got the right product for these windows. Please advise. Thanks

I found out the 3m product is called Xpel and there is only one guy in my area that puts it on and he's asking between 700-800 bucks. Seems like a lot of money. Anyone whose gotten this please let me know what you paid for it. Thanks Larry

Thanks for the info. Lexus dealer here does not carry the 3m product. Any suggestions about findoing out who does install it? Larry

Just got my 09 RX350. It was a service loaner and has some scratches/pits, etc on front nose. It is black. First, would touch up paint on this new car work or would it make the marks just as obvious? Secon, I tried searching here for where to get the clear or black bra but couldn't find anything. Does anyone know best places to get one? If they don't have one for an 09, would one for an earlier model fit? Thanks for your help Larry