Hi Scotty,

• in April 2022, I purchased a certified preowned (CPO) Lexus RX-350 with only 32k miles on it. The car was in seemingly excellent condition and ran great.  
  Until around a week after I bought it, when I began experiencing the following issues:
• 1. the tach started jumping around when I’d try to keep the car at a steady speed. It was not in between gears.
• 2. It would hesitate when attempting to accelerate

ive taken the car to the dealer twice, who said:

1. In the 1st visit, when I brought it in for the first oil change, the dealer diagnosed the issue as “surging”.  The dealer said this is a common problem with this make and model.  The dealer claimed to have performed a “software update” to resolve the issue.  The car then drove better for around a week or so.  However the problem resumed.

2. Last month I brought the car back to the dealer for the same ”surging/hesitating” issue.  The dealer examined the car and stated it’s a gas problem.  The dealer stated I need to put premium instead of regular gas in the car - and that the dealer puts only premium fuel in its loaners and used cars for this same issue. I replied I’m really disappointed - I was told by the dealership when I shopped for the vehicle that RX-350s Are rated for regular fuel. I specifically did not want to buy a car, while gas prices were 6 dollars a gallon here in New Jersey, that required premium fuel!

Subsequently I did put premium fuel in the car and that did resolve the issue - it drives great.  I am relieved because it’s a luxury car and I couldn’t live with the surging experience any longer. It was driving me crazy.  But I’m not happy about having to spend the extra money on premium gas.

I would appreciate your thoughts on whether the dealer is correct or, instead, whether there is a fix that could be applied.  Thanks in advance for any information you may provide.  I love your program on YouTube by the way!

All the best,

Montedino