Just wanted to introduce myself. After a month of looking at Audi, Acura, BMW, VW, Infiniti cars finally took the plunge on a 2005 RX 330. It cost me 14K cocunuts after all the fees, has 70K miles, and comes with a full year dealer warranty. Cosmetically It appears to be well maintained and the service history was all at the same Lexus dealer it was initially sold from and that I bought it from.

As far as I can tell car is sound. My only concern right now is there's a huge 40K mile gap between servicing I saw on the Lexus website. There's a 20K mile service and it immediately jumps to 60K miles before the 70K mile service. Any thoughts? CARFAX also has the same void. So local repairs?

Anyway hope this is not a biggie and wish I knew about this before, but at any rate I look forward to participating at this forum to take care of this new family member.

 

Welcome to Club Lexus, Luexus.

Your thinking is probably correct. If there are no records in the Owner's Manual then it is not to be had unless you know where it might have been taken due to a oil change reminder or such left on your RX. However, double check with the dealer just to be sure to see if they can see something you cannot.

Consider a plan to start replacing all your fluids so you know where they stand within the big picture.

 

Thanks for the quick reply RX330inFL. I already scheduled a trip to my local mechanic for a full inspection and have all the fluids changed next weekend. Crosses fingers...

 

Be sure to include the power steering fluid in this. Usually neglected. Also, note that the RX does not use regular power steering fluid, rather, uses DEXRON II/III ATF.

Everything you need regarding this can be found in the Owner's Manual.

 

Go to www.lexus.com and look up near the top of the page for "Owner's Resources;" click it. You'll then be directed to a site where you can "register" your Lexus, and, pull all the service records on your vehicle. What's really neat is that when I was looking, and before I bought my 2005, I went up there and put in the VIN number for vehicles I was looking at, and pulled their service records. Then I removed the "vehicle" from my records after I'd learned all I needed to know.

Service is pretty routine, check belts, change oil, filters, etc, the usual stuff, until you get to 90,000 where the recommendation is to change the timing belt and water pump. Combined it's a pretty stiff bill, and you'll hear various opinions on whether or not it's necessary. Listen, then make up your own mind. At 120,000 it's time to change spark plugs, which on these horizontal V-6s is a lot of work, plus the plugs are $25.00 each at the dealer, and all the labor isn't cheap either.

What I was told was the most common problem for the '05 was leaking power-steering racks and boot failure on the passenger (right) side. My "new" old 2005 needed that after I bought it. Fortunately, my Lexus dealer mechanic called and told me that the stock Lexus rack was "out of stock" and he could put in an aftermarket rack that was $400 or more cheaper, though the labor would be the same. I jumped at it, and so far, I can't see any problem. And, I'm not really sure if their rack was "out of stock" or they were just being nice to me, or were simply bypassing the Lexus rack which does tend to fail (apparently). Regardless, I was grateful.

The power steering is primarily an issue because the only way to check the fluid level is to remove the plastic engine cover on the passenger side of the vehicle, so, should a small leak develop, you probably won't know it until all or nearly all of the P/S fluid is gone and the leak gets really bad. Checking it is part of normal maintenance.

Best of luck. I think you bought a great vehicle!

Paul

 

Hey Paul just caught your post today thanks for the great inside tips from a fellow 2005 RX owner. Just had time to come back here this weekend to make a who dun it thread. (Somebody scratched my rear bumper pretty bad because they don't know how to park.) Anyway thanks again for the helpful info!

 

what do you mean an aftermarket steering rack - this is a Toyota part, either it comes brand new or remanufactured.

 

Костян, епта, да он наверное от Москвича ее поставил!

 

lol rzhy nimagu