robski

I' thinking about replacing the coolant in my RX300 and it looks like the only option in the UK is the Toyota Super Long Life Pink Coolant. A quick search has brought up a price of £40 (incl p&p) for 5 litres. As the RX needs 9.7 litres that's £80 to fill the cooling system not including the flush! I've investigated using generic 'red' coolant but it seems that may be incompatible with some of the seals that Toyota / Lexus use - see this thread for more info: So the question is, has anyone else found a fully compatible coolant or know how much dealers charge per 5 litres of the correct coolant? I'd rather not take the risk of using 'red' coolant if there is a chance it adversely affects gaskets / seals but it seems strange that Toyota would choose to go their own way on such a generic product. Damage to seals can take years to appear but can be very costly to put right... If £80 is what it costs then so be it but an alternative would be nice! Any advice greatly appreciated!

I've just done a bit more research and now I'm confused! http://www.awdwiki.com/en/lexus/ In the link above it states that the RX300 has a 'permanent all wheel drive system.... normally 50/50 torque distribution but up to 95% to either axle when slipping occurs'. More research brought up various different theories as to how the system works.... A quick look through the owners manual didn't reveal anything either, which I thought was strange! Hopefully one of the gurus on the site will be able to lay down the facts for us.

I think that you're right. It isn't like the permanent 4WD on, for example, a LR Defender. My bad for using the wrong terminology! :-) I should know better as I used to have a LR Defender many, many years ago! It was the perfect car for driving around London! I believe that when loss of traction is detected there is a transfer of up to 50% torque to the rear wheels. By all accounts it is a very good system and the transfer of torque is seamless, although I've not really had the opportunity to experience it in poor conditions yet!

As far as I know all RXs in th UK are full time 4WD. However the bulk of my (limited!) knowledge is related to the RX300. I know there was a 2WD version in the US though so that may also be available in other markets and may have been imported into the UK.

As Chris says, if this problem coincided with the plugs being changed then it kind of suggests that either the plugs are at fault or the connections within the ignition system. Hopefully it's an easy fix for you.

Sadly the iPod 30 pin to AUX connector wasn't recognised by the system :-( However, I had a little dig around behind the stereo and found that the iPod adapter fitted (Connects2 CTATYIPOD 002) has a 3.5mm AUX socket. Very happy indeed! The iPod connection cable had also become detached but I forgot to try the adaptor again. Doh! I'm more than happy with the performance from the 3.5mm AUX link. Obviously no steering wheel controls but I can live with that as I've got lots of long playlists! Hopefully this info might help others in a similar situation and I promise not to take the thread off topic again! :-)

I found this which might help.... http://repairpal.com/my-accelerator-pedal-is-hard-to-depress-when-accelerating-from-full-stop-305

More great advice! I looked into a couple of the products you mentioned above and settled on the Soft99 Fusso Coat Dark. From what I've read and watched on YouTube it looks pretty bloomin' good! As I'm a lazy bugger I like the durability aspect but I suspect 12 month will be pushing it! Hahaha The stuff should arrive midweek so hopefully I'll get some decent weather to give it a try! I cleaned the original beige floor mats with the help of the ScrewFix / Titan wet vac and they came out like new. Very impressed indeed!

This one looks like it's had a lot of TLC. Just look at those wheels, not a spot of alloy corrosion as far as I can see. Puts my wheels to shame! LoL

That looks very clean indeed! Congratulations!

Thanks for this Bu. Very informative. I've been very close to pulling the trigger on the Yatour system for a few days now. The only thing that has held me back is what seems like a limited music / track navigation facility. Last night I found this review for a Yatour system installed in a Volvo although I suspect it will be similar for the Lexus: http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/165890-my-review-of-the-yatour-media-changer-yt-m06-android-version/ I have an iPod connection installed in the RX but I don't use iPods so as an interim measure I've ordered a 3.5mm jack adapter for it. I'll attach a xDuoo X3 Music Player to this when it arrives and see how I go from there. It will be playing play lists so I won't need to fiddle with controls while driving. It would have been really handy if the car had an AUX IN but such is life! I may yet buy the Yatour kit for the USB / SD / AUX features it provides. Thanks again for the update and sorry for taking the thread off topic!

I found it quite useful when I started searching so I'm sure it will come in handy for plenty of other prospective buyers. Best of luck!

Just to add to what others have said, it is good to remember that having the Navigation option also gives you the rear view camera.

Congratulations on the new purchase! Although I can't help you on the bumper protection I'd love to hear about the audio system upgrade! Which one did you go for? Any other information about it that you could pass on would be greatly appreciated.

I've just bought a Quixx Headlight Restoration Kit on eBay for my 2005 RX300 as the lights are looking a bit yellowish. I can't comment on its effectiveness as I've not used it yet but it's not too expensive at £10.74. Plenty of youtube videos on this one. There are plenty of kits available but, in my opinion, for them to be effective they need to be abrasive in order to remove the damaged surface of the plastic headlight cover. I'm no expert but I'd imagine that this is also where any UV protection was to be found when the light was new. As the surface of the headlight is already damaged I think the only protection it has is the degraded surface layer! Most of these kits come with a 'sealant' which I imagine is just some kind of protective wax / polish. It stands to reason that this will need to be reapplied on a regular basis in order to maintain some level of protection from the elements but it's never going to be as good as a new headlight. I'm sure that some wet sanding paper / rubbing compound / t-cut of varying abrasiveness and a decent wax / polish is going to do the same job but I thought I'd give the Quixx kit a go. However, I'll probably not get around to it for a few more weeks as I've got a few other priorities. Not sure that I've been of much help but I'll report back when I finally get around to giving it a go. In the mean time I'm sure some of the other folks here have done a 'headlight restoration'...

Chris, Have you had a look at the Parker's website? I lists the various models, gives you some stats etc...and has a number of owners reviews. http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/lexus/rx/estate-2003/ Hope that helps.

@rayaans was kind enough to leave this link in my thread. I'm just passing on the love! All credit goes to rayaans! It should be very helpful.

I checked the MOT histories on quite a few RX300s when I was looking for one and advisories on pitted / corroded discs came up fairly regularly. I don't recall seeing 'general corrosion' mentioned so I suspect you dodged a bullet on that one! Perhaps it was a seaside car or spent much of its life parked on grass rather than a paved drive or road? It's so useful being able to access MOT histories on cars, I remember seeing something about 'sharp edges on bodywork from accident damage' so I didn't take that one any further. Oil leak advisories were another red flag for me as I know they can be expensive to put right. Best of luck with the search fella!

Just grabbed a set of those valve caps. Not many left now! Thanks for the tip Goose.

I take my hat off to you Sir! That's a superb source of really useful information, I really do appreciate it. On top of that, you've convinced me that I need a wet & dry vacuum cleaner, it makes perfect sense! Screwfix seem to have a few at very reasonable prices. Job done. It's just a shame that the weather isn't ideal at the moment...

Thanks for that, it's good to know that the cream carpets can be cleaned up! I'll have a rummage around in the cleaning cupboard as I'm sure there's some Vanish foam stuff in there somewhere!

Thanks for that, it's good to know that the cream carpets can be cleaned up! I'll have a rummage around in the cleaning cupboard as I'm sure there's some Vanish foam stuff in there somewhere!

Thanks for that, it's good to know that the cream carpets can be cleaned up! I'll have a rummage around in the cleaning cupboard as I'm sure there's some Vanish foam stuff in there somewhere!

Yes, AutoGlym leather cleaner & balm are high up on the options. I'm sure I used to have some in the garage but...erm...they seem to have been stolen by the garage gremlin! The interior is generally fine but it needs a good clean. No nasty odours! The products I'm looking at are: Dash & other plastic trim - ArmorAll Protectant - Semi Matt Finish (because I have some already) Leather - probably AutoGlym Cleaner and Balm - unless there are other recommendations for cleaning / preserving cream leather? Carpets - This is the big one! As I have cream carpets they obviously look dirty after 11 years of use even though they're not that bad at all. This is the thing that makes me think I should just pay for a full valet! That kind of defeats the reason I was looking for something like this car though! I'll try some carpet cleaner and elbow grease and see if I can give them a new lease of life that way. I don't want to get the carpets too wet though as it's not yet hot enough to dry them properly. Interior roof liner - This is where there are a few spots of mildew (or similar type stuff!) where the car was left unused over the winter. It comes off easily just by rubbing your finger on it so I'm sure a general purpose cleaner and a damp cloth will work a treat for that! Then there's the exterior.... but I'll leave that discussion alone as I've seen wars over the best way to clean and polish bodywork! Hahahaha The paintwork looks in really good shape actually but I'll have a much closer look when I get round to giving it a wash & polish. Still loving it!

It really is a huge amount of car for the money! If I'd known how good they are I'd have bought one years ago! Good luck in your search and hold out for a good one!