Ask the Car People.SM


Lexus RX 300

9497 messages,  Last post on Dec 13, 2012 at 5:24 PM

You are in the Lexus RX 300/330/350 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 300, SUV

Messages Page 948 of 950

#9470 of 9497 Re: 2001 RX300 gear getting stuck [wwest] by jbl85

Mar 06, 2012 (3:01 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Mar 06, 2012 2:40 pm)
You are so negative. On this and other boards.
 
Premature Trans failures are NOT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE for these first generation cars, period. Yes some folks have had their transaxles fail prematurely, but the overwhelming majority of these vehicles run well into 200, 300k, but if you listen to this guy, you'd be lead to believe every one of these cars is a complete failure.
 
It's just not true. It is true however that some people aren't happy unless they're complaining about something.

#9471 of 9497 Re: does any one know what the problem is [txgal1] by love23

Mar 06, 2012 (8:51 pm)

Replying to: txgal1 (Jun 13, 2011 11:02 am)
2001 rx300 purchased in 2005 I have had the same issue. I would bang on the dash until the noise stopped. Well the problem was a senso motor that became loose and cracked. Long story short I had the motor replaced at the dealership a cost of $575. I had 2 hv it replaced since I had no heat.

#9472 of 9497 Re: 2001 RX300 gear getting stuck [jbl85] by la4mead

Mar 06, 2012 (10:04 pm)

Replying to: jbl85 (Mar 06, 2012 3:01 pm)
You're so right JBL, most post on this forum are only for problems or complaints, rather than "everything's OK". Some are just a bit more insistent than others. These cars certainly aren't new, so they have a track record. Many have clocked loads of miles effortlessly, and some not so much. I'm glad someone else is posting both sides.
Thanks for your contribution.

#9473 of 9497 Re: My 2000 RX300 2WD by jiamin

Mar 07, 2012 (9:57 am)

Replying to: la4mead (Mar 06, 2012 10:04 pm)
My 2000 RX300 2WD has only got 67K miles. I am kind of concerned about the transmission failure. So far, the only failure is the door locks. I had dealer replace the driver side main control unit, and fixed rest myself. A few time I really abused the transmission by accelerating it like a sports car. Absolutely smooth and quiet.
 
I though about trading it in for a new car, just in case it would fail soon. Now I want to keep it until it dies.
 
Do you experts recommend synthetic oil for this engine (possibly less likely oil gel)?

#9474 of 9497 Re: My 2000 RX300 2WD [jiamin] by la4mead

Mar 07, 2012 (5:38 pm)

Replying to: jiamin (Mar 07, 2012 9:57 am)
Jiamin,
 
If you change your oil often and maintain your cooling system properly, you are not likely to have an oil gel issue. Have you noticed an issue with yours?
 
I do use full synthetic (Rotella-T 5w-50 non "Energy Saving" compliant meaning it has the old-school additive package, about $21/gallon at Walmart with OEM filter from the Toyota dealer) in mine, but you don't have to use synthetic if you change your oil before the oil condition has deteriorated. Just change it often, especially since you put such low mileage on the car.
 
Oh, and don't forget transmission fluid service (don't rely on the Lexus or Toyota dealer for this), especially because you put such low mileage on your car. Every year (not longer than two). Transmission pan, front differential (shared fluid with the transmission), and if you have AWD (separate fluids), the transfer case and the rear differential, too. Smell the fluid and rub it between your fingers if you want to have an easy way to guage wear. Burned smell, metallic look are signs of wear. Change tranny fluid often in any heavy FWD platform vehicle.
 
There are extensive threads on the Club Lexus owners forums on this subject, as well as transmission maintenance and DIY door lock solenoid replacements.
 
Good cars are worth keeping, even as they age. Mine's 14 years, biggest complaints: handles too lazy, wish it got lots better gas mileage.
 
Good luck with yours.

#9475 of 9497 Re: My 2000 RX300 2WD [la4mead] by jiamin

Mar 08, 2012 (12:25 am)

Replying to: la4mead (Mar 07, 2012 5:38 pm)
Thank you for the detailed reply.
 
No, I haven't noticed anything abnormal. Compared to my 02 QX4 AWD, RX is very soft meanwhile quieter, accelerates quicker. Workmanship is noticeably better, paint is better.
 
I skipped a few scheduled services, just keep doing regular oil change. Now I need to have some serious sevices to get long life out of it.

#9476 of 9497 Re: My 2000 RX300 2WD [jiamin] by wwest

Mar 08, 2012 (11:00 am)

Replying to: jiamin (Mar 07, 2012 9:57 am)
I am of the belief that it is the RX300 F/awd system that results, primarily, in the premature transaxle failures. At least the failures seem to be more prevalent with the F/awd system.
 
For the '99, '00 models a fairly robust VC, Viscous Clutch, was used, plus a mechanical LSD was available as an option. As of the '01 model year the VC was made more flaccid, mostly non-functional IMMHO, and the LSD option was dropped.
 
So the '01 and later F/awd RX models became primarily simple ONE-WHEEL drive systems, with TC braking as the ONLY way to reapportion engine TORQUE to the rear drive. As of 2010 the RX got the new Venza type F/awd, a significant improvement but still no cigar.
 
The cigar goes to the Honda/Acura SH-AWD system.
 
So your FWD "only" RX300, especially a '00 model, may not be nearly as prone to the failure of the transaxle as would be a '99 F/awd model.

#9477 of 9497 Longevity and Honda, Lexus/Toyota by la4mead

Mar 08, 2012 (7:51 pm)

Funny about the mention of aging RX 300's, door lock solenoids, transmissions, and Hondas. I was talking about my RX, transmission service, and a lazy lock solenoid, and a good gearhead buddy of mine who's worked for Honda service for years and he joked with me: He said if it weren't for replacing door lock solenoids and auto transmission rebuilds on Hondas (some models aren't so "durable" either), their service department probably wouldn't be able to stay in business.
 
So the early RX's had some that experienced early failures... Mine (didn't fail but) was replaced under warrantee, and had at least one door lock solenoid replaced under warrantee and one since (and needs one more, I'll do a "piggyback" universal) but that doesn't prove statistically across the board failures or worse than other models. And the new "updated" transmission (2004) is as durable and well-designed as it can be expected from ECT4OD. And no, it doesn't have any of those "lazy" up or down shifts. Just the right rear door lock that's lazy. Go figure.

#9478 of 9497 Re: Longevity and Honda, Lexus/Toyota [la4mead] by wwest

Mar 09, 2012 (9:52 am)

Replying to: la4mead (Mar 08, 2012 7:51 pm)
"...(some models aren't so "durable" either),..."
 
There was a rather substantive design change, probable mostly in favor of FE, made in/for the transaxles to be used in the new '99 RX300. The problem was/is that there was an unforeseen flaw in the design. But it wasn't long before this new improved FE design found its way across the Toyota/Lexus product line ('01 Camry) and then onto the rest of the asian and US fleet.
 
The final fix, 90% anyway, was arrived at via the adoption and use of DBW, e-throttle, to delay for 1-2 seconds the onset of rising engine torque in response to the accelerator until the transaxle could complete an upcoming downshift command.
 
There was a followup firmware change made in about '08 to help reduce the instances of encountering the 1-2 second downshift delay but that still leaves us with the few instances not predictable by the firmware.

#9479 of 9497 Re: New RX300-Tires [gambiaman] by seastburn

Mar 12, 2012 (7:09 pm)

Replying to: gambiaman (Nov 26, 2000 2:51 am)
I went5 with the Michelin Latitude Tour tires because very low noise and rolling resistance. I always go with passenger car type tires instead of the SUV/LTX for the noise and ride difference. Smooth and quiet! The Michelin Primacy fits this bill, if you can find them.

Messages Page 948 of 950

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement