First off I have to congratulate Club Lexus on the forum. It is a extremely valuable information source.

I purchased a '99 RX-300 AWD w/ 86,000 miles this past summer. No problems, 21 mpg hiway. It's a pretty good car.

Now that the weather has cooled off (Pennsylania) to around the 'teens the RX is acting strange- 1.) will not shift to 3rd until temp needle passes the "C" on the dash gauge, 2.) idles at 1,500 - 1,750 until needle approaches the "C", and (ominously) 3) if the system isn't warmed up to closely approaching the "C" a shift into drive is very hard ( due to the fast idle) but if I shift into reverse (same idle speed) it is a normal, very smooth shift.

No codes, no warning lights.

Also, my "D" light bulb is burned out too.

 

Welcome to the Club.

1. That is normal. Usually takes about 4 minutes at idle or so in order for everything to be okay. This is largely related to emissions reasons (warming of cat).
2. When you have this particular rpm, are in you park or in drive?
3. That has always been normal for me in reverse.

The D light burnout is a common occurrence, mine has been burned out for years and I have happily lived without that annoying light on the dash.

 

This site has how to change d lamp:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rx300how2/index.html

 

stand still idle to warm up is not recommended. One should drive slowly (not go beyond 2.5k rpm) and that will help the engine and the trans warm up quicker.

Salim

 

all that is normal. the ecu controls all that in cold weather to help the car heat up faster and to keep emissions low. event the delayed shifting is to speed warm up and get the cats to operating temperature as quickly as possible.

 

Anselm,
You get 21mpg on highway? What do you get around town?Also,do you use premium fuel,or regular?Just curious,cause I get around 19 running around,some highway(in summer)since it got colder,I get around 18mpg.All on premium fuel.(wich Im starting to wonder if reg. will do)

 

The owner's manual says regular gasoline is all that's needed. 21 on the highway sounds awfully low to me. But previous discussions have indicated that driving style is a significant factor. AWD vs. FWD may drop mileage maybe 1 1/2 mpg. Tire inflation might also mean another 1 mpg, as will carrying a few extra overweight passengers worth of weight. Using the A/C in hot weather is also worth maybe 1 1/2 mpg.

 

my rx seems to be set on around 19-20 on highway,thats why I asked him what grade fuel he is using.If I can use regular and get 21 on hwy,I might start using regular.Really,the only reason Im bringing this up,is cause of fuel prices.But I dont want my rx to be a dead dog(no power) either.Manuel also states use premium for best performance.I havent used reg. yet,I may try it.

 

I'd know I'd be getting more if the gas weren't so bad here, I have not seen the light of an 18+ except at sea level in the U.S.