I just recently bought a 1999 Lexus SUV RX300. The person I bought it from is a family member who just wanted to upgrade to a new model, not because the RX300 was a problem.

I would like to wash my car in my driveway, but, my neighbor has a huge maple tree that overhangs into my driveway. Would it be safe to take it to the car wash or does it need to be washed by hand with special soap to keep the finish/paint nice?

Also, I have four rescued pomeranians who love to go for car rides, but, my previous car did not have leather seats so this was never a problem. I've been told not to do this with my RX300 because the dogs will scratch the leather. Is this true?

Couple more questions: I still have a warranty remaining on my RX300 until November. My back breaklight is burned out. I called the Lexus dealership and they said this was covered under the warranty. My brakes also squeak - is this normal or should I have them checked when I take it in for the brake light replacement? The brakes work great...took a few days to adjust to them...they brake a lot quicker than my previous car, but, I noticed they do squeak.

I read on a forum that the RX300 has transmission problems when the miles get up to 70,000. Is this true? I've got 50,000 miles right now and no problems. Other than getting used to the brakes, it drives like a dream and I haven't had any problems with noise or handling. It handles VERY nice...to me.

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

Pommom, welcome to CL! Lots of good folks here to help with your questions...

A few ideas out of my own experience: I just turned in a '00 RX with 64,000 on the clock. No problems save for a burned O2 sensor in all those miles. My brakes were beginning to squeak, possibly indicating the pads were nearing the end of their life. While you still have warranty, get those checked out at your dealer. No transmission problems for me, but a mysterious clunking noise and failure to shift into reverse has been discussed (see RX engine and transmission forum).

You can hand wash your car in your driveway if you wish, with all the usual cautions about waxing at too high (or low) a temperature, tree sap, etc. The finish on your Lexus is extraordinarily tough and responds well to a good quality polish and waxing two or three times a year. No real worries here. Mechanical car washes are probably not a good idea for frequent use, and those "touchless" washes put a nice wax finish on the dirt. Because I often had to haul clients on short notice, I found a good hand car wash, and used it frequently. After three years, the “Golden Pearl” still shone.

As for your menagerie…Those little guys can dig their way through a leather seat in no time if they get bored with the scenery. Scratches and torn stitches are difficult and often expensive to repair. Consider a seat cover for your brood – I saw one on this forum a couple of years ago that was made of a black wetsuit-like material just for hauling the family pooch. Boy it was ugly, but looked like it could be easily removed. I can’t imagine a dog clawing its way through that! Be careful too of your passenger’s gnawing on armrests, headrests, and seatbacks – here maybe a little supervision is required – at least at first. That nice Lexus leather makes for some mighty fine chewing…especially for teething pups. To minimize this with our cocker, I just folded the rear seats down and placed her bed near the forward end of the load floor – she got the idea quickly. Most breeders recommend hauling your pet in a crate (carrier), or some aftermarket suppliers offer a "cage" that will restrict your furry family to the 'wayback, out of danger to themselves and your leather upholstery.

Best of luck with your new RX!

 

Welcome to Club Lexus Pommom!

Your dogs can definitely damage the leather. One idea might be putting them in the back with the rear seats down. This minimizes the leather surfaces exposed to the dogs.

As for washing the car, just don't use dishwashing soap, as those may strip the wax from your RX.

As for your other questions, we have a 2003 RX300 with less then 2000 miles on it, so we haven't experienced any problems or warranty issues.

 

Welcome to ClubLexus Pommom.

It is my understanding that the bumper-to-bumper warranty will not cover regular wear on items like blown light bulbs, windshield wipers, and various other things. (with few exceptions, like HID lights, but that doesn't matter here). Brakes would also be in that category but there is a technical service bulletin out on squeaky brakes for the RX. There is nothing wrong with the pads, it is just that the material that they are made of will cause them to squeak. I had mine replaced under warranty because of squeaing (the front pads only) and they work perfectly quiet now. So, your dealer should take care of you on the brakes.

If the dealer will fix your light under warranty that's great, but if not it shouldn't be difficult and won't be expensive to DIY.

Good luck getting everything fixed like you want it.

 

For the car wash thing, don't use a brush if you will wash the car yourself. If you will bring it to the car wash machines, use the touch free car washes that don't use brushes to clean the cars. The rx300 is a great vehicle. You'll enjoy it! You'll really enjoy driving it!!! :bigthumb Congrats!!!


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2003 GX470
Sand Dollar Pearl

 

Thanks for all the advice! I appreciate it!

I looked on my warranty info, and, LexRx - you are correct...my warranty expires once the car is sold to another person. I didn't read that part. It's my third brakelight that is burned out and looks like you have to take a whole piece of the back out to get to the light...I'll look in my manual and see if there is any info about replacing the third brakelight.

Thanks for the info on the brakes - good to know.

Thanks for the help on washing...my driveway is out because of the neighbor's tree..won't do a lot of good to wash it if I'm going to be getting tree sap on it while I do, but, I'm glad to know I can take it through a brushless car wash. Wasn't sure if the water pressure or soap would hurt the paint.

As for the menagerie...guess we'll have to resort to crating when they are in the car until I can get cover seats. They are all adult poms, so, no worries about chewing, but, they do have nails...don't want to damage my leather.

Thanks again for the help! I know I will have more questions in the future. Nice to know I have a place to come and ask.

 

My wife's RX300 (1999) needed the transmission to be replaced at around 90,000 miles. My wife really complained to the dealer (who we didn't buy the car from, we just have them service it), the dealer replaced our transmission for free. We did not have a warranty and had bought the car from a used car lot. This is what really impressed me with Lexus cars and dealerships.

We have two Lexi: a 1996 Lexus ES300 (our first Lexus) and a 1999 Lexus RX300. The ES300 was my wife's but when we got a RX300 as a loaner when we brought the ES300 in, she had to have one. We bought the RX300 within a month.

Other than the transmission needing to be replaced we have no complaints about this car.

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