Bought a used RX300 3 months ago and now have 45k miles on it. Love it so far. Am a little confused about the following.

I am sometimes hearing a squeeking sound from the back left when I brake. Only happens about 10% of the time I drive and only when I am braking. Usually when it's cold. I thought it was just a simple brake pad replacement situation. Took it into a dealer today and we did a VIN search. Luckily, this car has been well taken care of. Previous owner did a 1,5,15,30,35,40,45 mile service at a different Lexus dealership. Considering I bought it at 43k miles on it, was happy they did the 45k service on it.

We dug into the 45k service and it showed brake pads at 90% front and 50% back. I'm only 2 thousand miles past this service, so I wouldn't think its the brake pads. What else could be causing the squeeking sound? At what percent do pads start to squeek?

Another question and this one may seem dumb. I don't know where the front license plate goes. My used RX came w/o plates. When I received new ones a few weeks ago, there wasn't a place to install them on the front. I don't see any place to put the frame holder into. I've seen other 300's with them installed and I think it's the law to use them in CA. I have looked all around the front and not sure where I would install them. What's the deal?

Only negatives are poor mpg (started around low 15's, but am up to 17 now); cornering isn't great, but to be somewhat expected compared to coupes I have driven last 15 years.

Thanks!

 

im guessing u might have to resurface the rear rotors...as it might be causing vibration and making a squeaking sound, u can also try to spray brake cleaner onto ur rear brakes and see what that'll do. As for the front plates, yes it is the law in CA to have visible plates in the front and rear..(front for our lovely red light camara's and rear for cops behind us)...for the rx300 i believe u might need those license plate bracket that fit onto ur front bumper and then bolt the license onto the bracket itself. Hope the sound goes away...Goodluck

 

With warped rotors you would also notice shaking after braking (like highway to off ramp) after going at high speed. Usually the fronts have the greater issue.

Contrary to popular belief, here in Mexico City it can get very cold (snow in the mountains) and my brakes (no matter what the pad life) will squeal.

My RX300 originally was sold in NY (I am the second owner) so it had the holes drilled in the front for the front plates. Over the years, I can recall a few owners who bought their cars from places like Florida (my home state) that don't have front plates and had to drill the holes.

 

My mother's (she lives in Florida) 2002 ES300 came with the unused front license plate bracket in the trunk when she bought the car. It has two sheet metal screws that appear to just screw into the front bumper. Surprisingly, the two dimples in the bumper must be just mold-marks (or maybe for Japanese plates?) and aren't located in the proper places.
My milage has dropped and am still trying to figure out the cause. I've had BG treatment of induction (fuel) system and replaced the PCV device. My next step is cleaning the MAF sensor. The mileage jumped up after 1,500 of a 2,000 road trip earlier in the year, but has since dropped back. Still 19 mpg in everyday driving, but not what it used to be.

 

My car had the holes for the plate but the dealer said the "back Brackets" were missing and would cost usual Lexus big bucks to reinstall them. The service rep said the mechanic suggested getting some Moly bolts at Home Depot and using them.

I got some 1 inch molys and used a dealer chrome frame and it bolted right on. It's been a couple of months and many automatic car washes and no problems at all. The cost was under 2 bucks.