Late last week my RX 330's low tire warning light came on for a few blocks, then went off. Hmmm, I thought, having had this trouble before, I wonder if it's REALLY low. Pulled over at a safe spot, got out and checked - no problems.

Sunday, the same thing happened - warning came on, then within a couple of miles (no place to exit the freeway), it went off.

Monday morning I take it into Westside Lexus here in Houston for a look - and despite the fact that all tires seemed to be holding pressure, the warning tripped again. OK, the RX's low tire warning does NOT measure pressure, but via the ABS sensors on each wheel measure relative wheel speed. Low tire = smaller diameter = turning at a higher rate of speed than others.

Dealer checked - and to be sure the right rear was less than two pounds low. That's sensitivity! Yes, there was a small nail in the tire and it was a VERY slow leak. Now, here's the really surprising part. This exact same thing happened about a year ago - intermittent warning, small nail, slow leak. Westside fixed it for free.

This time? They fixed it for free AGAIN! OK, I realize that I really "paid" for this service when I bought a Lexus, but how often do you see a dealer go out of his way to make sure you are a happy camper?

Not so often, I'm afraid. Hats off to Westside Lexus of Houston! They have a service department that understands what "service" means.

 

i wish they would give me a break on MSRP for an IS no houston dealers seem to want to. Other people here at work commented how westside had good service. Sounds like the best place near my to service the IS whenever I get it

 

In some cases the tire doesn't even have to come off the car. A hot rubber cylindrical plug is inserted into the hole with a plunging tool and it cools off and melts, sealing the hole.
Some shops, though, won't do this any more...they take the tire off the rim and patch it from the inside, which means maybe not getting it back on the rim and balanced properly or out-of-round with a shimmy if the balance machines are inaccurate. That's why I prefer not taking the tire off if possible.
And, of course, this assumes that you don't have a nail or other puncture into the sidewall part of the tire above the tread. If you do, it's good-bye tire.....plugs won't work because of the flexing and you MUST trash it. Then, with AWD vehicles like the RX, if the other tires are significantly worn, you can't just replace one or two of them with new ones.....the resulting differences in front-to-back and side-to-side tire rotation speed could burn up the center differential. ( This is a MAJOR cause of damage in AWD powertrains ). It can get expensive.....sometimes you have to replace all 4 tires instead. The service manager can advise you further in detail of the RX's allowable tolerances for tire diameter differences.....every AWD vehicle has a spec for that, depending on the center differential's design. .

 

Good to hear your story Lil4X. That's what Lexus is all about. I've owned a Lexus since 1996 and I remember back then their service was exactly how your story at Westside Lexus is...

 

Lil4X,

I actually had a good experience with them. When my father and I were first driving down to Mexico back in 2002, we got a CEL. My father then noticed off the expressway a Lexus dealer (Westside).

We did not even need to talk to a service rep. A mechanic outside promptly checked us out and reset a P0171 error (which many of us RX300 owners know all about). No paperwork, just a friendly thanks and we were back on the road.

 

While I don't shill for dealerships, if you are considering a Lexus anywhere near the Houston area, PM me for names of sales and service people that have given outstanding service to me and a number of friends. I can't guarantee any kind of special pricing, but if you are going to part with the bucks, you deserve to be treated with honesty and integrity. No, I don't get a commission - I just like to see nice people who go that extra mile get the business. Maybe the idea will spread!