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B5Bill

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Everything posted by B5Bill

  1. Check out this video which I relied on heavily when installing a stereo in my '06 RX400h with Navigation: https://youtu.be/R61_qAGhdpI What does the DISP button do again? I can check to see if mine behaves how you expect it to.
  2. Luckily (not for my pocketbook) the timing belt was done a little after 50K because the coolant pump was leaking. I think they sold me on differential service as well - when the SA said "front differential", I assumed it was the transmission, but I may be wrong there. Does the primary coolant also cool the inverter?
  3. Recently passed 60k on my '06 RX400h and have been pecking away at the recommended maintenance list. I've done all the basic replacements and a few were done early at the previous dealer servicing. Oil, intake filter, tire rotation, brake fluid, etc are all done leaving only the "inspection" items: 60,000 Mile Factory Recommended Service Measure brake pad thickness and rotor runout Inspect axle shaft boots Inspect ball joints and dust covers Inspect body Inspect brake lines and hoses Inspect engine and inverter coolant Inspect engine valve clearance (if noise, vibration) Inspect exhaust pipes and mounting Inspect fuel lines and connections, fuel tank band and fuel tank vapor vent system hoses. Inspect fuel tank cap gasket Inspect rack and pinion steering assembly Inspect steering linkage and boots Inspect transmission fluid Visually inspect brake pads and rotors Some are obvious - I looked at the pads and rotors during the tire rotation and they're good, and exhaust components are probably easy - just look for excessive rust or holes, and check the hangers. But not sure how to be thorough about some of these. Specifically "ball joints and covers", "inverter coolant", "rack and pinion" and "steering linkage and boots". TIA
  4. It's possible, but would seem less likely than finding someone on a Lexus RX forum.
  5. Crutchfield is actually what created the confusion in the first place. Their system said the AX-ADBOX1 was necessary, but it's such a universal product that there's no documentation as to what specifically it would do on my system. My guess is their staff won't know anymore information than the manufacturer provides, which is almost none.
  6. I know this usually would go in the A/V forum, but it's awfully quiet over there and because our RX's have such an odd assortment of audio packages, I wanted to ask this community first. I have 2006 RX400h with navigation (gen 4), Mark Levinson, 6-disc in dash with tape deck. There is no satellite radio option on this model. I do not have any rear DVD screens. My music library lives 100% on my Android phone, via Google Play Music, and so I require bluetooth audio streaming. I purchased the Audiovox (formerly Dice) Mediabridge device, but the connection was inconsistent and the text display did not work. Combined with non-existent support from the company, I returned the device. Here is what I would like to do: Replace the stock stereo unit with a single-DIN aftermarket unit that has full support for bluetooth audio streaming Keep existing navigation, with voice guidance (it's not great, but my needs are light) Keep existing amplifier Keep existing bluetooth phone setup (via navigation screen and steering wheel controls) Retain steering wheel audio controls I understand I need several harnesses and adapters regardless, but it's unclear if I can accomplish my goals above. Everyone says the Beatsonic device is 100% plug-and-play, but it's $400. The AX-ADBOX1 claims to do exactly the same thing (if you add a resistor to an existing harness), but it's so universal that I can find specific usage for my model. Has anybody done something similar to what I'm attempting? Thanks!
  7. Well after some more waffling, and test driving a newer CR-V, I finally bit the bullet. 2006 Lexus RX400h, crystal white. I found one with 47K on it and had to jump at that opportunity. Now that I know that the inverter recall is a straight replacement (not just inspection) and I could confirm which VINs qualify, I'm comfortable with an '06. Only complaint so far is the voice prompt lady is hard of hearing. Me: "Navigation" Her: "Rotating map" Me: "Directions" Her: "Changing discs"
  8. Hmmmm, that makes me think. My work commute is basically 5 miles and change.
  9. One thing I was wondering is how long the ICE runs from a cold start to get everything warmed up. I have a relatively short commute so I'm curious how much of it would be in true hybrid mode.
  10. Thanks for responding. I understand that inverter or battery failure is uncommon (although a recall indicates more common than we'd hope) - but the repair cost ($10K?) is such that it drastically changes the economics of the purchase. Back of the envelope, it would take 14 years of gas savings (at $5/gal) to pay back that kind of expense vs. the RX350. If my numbers are off, let me know. I do see used items on eBay for significantly less, but I don't know about the labor cost or quality vs. dealer.
  11. Apologies for dredging up old thread, but I wanted to thank those of you who contributed to this thread after I stopped responding. An unexpected tax bill put my luxury dreams on hold for a while. But an even worse snow storm this past winter has again put us in the market for an AWD vehicle before the end of the year, and so I've been looking back through my prior research on the subject. Looking at local inventory and prices, I think I am very firmly in the '06 market. This would mean that the standard Lexus hybrid system warranty will likely have expired at 8 years. Given the recalls on inverter components and the high cost of replacement (not to mention the horror stories about complete failure at highway speeds) I feel compelled to determine the answer to the second question I asked: living in Oregon, does the extended 10/150K CARB warranty cover any hybrid that I purchase, or would it have to have been originally sold and continuously resided in a CARB state? If any one has any further insight on this, or can point me to someone who does I would greatly appreciate it.
  12. Thanks for the tip on the display system. I think I just left it on the NAV screen. I was there early but they had been driving it around to have it washed and detailed. But maybe not enough to warm it up. I'll keep an eye on it next time - I doubt I'll get this one; the color was not to my taste and they sell like hotcakes so probably gone by Monday. I'm definitely sold on this model though... what a beautiful car!
  13. So I test drive an 06 yesterday - great car, wrong color. Anyways I noticed when I started the ignition, the ICE fired right up. The sales guy was talking most of the time so I couldn't really tell, but it sure didn't feel like the ICE was shut of at any point, and we were on some back streets and at traffic lights. Does this sound typical? What should I look for as "normal" when test driving?
  14. Thank you both for your thoughts. I guess I should worry less about the AWD and figure out what tires would be appropriate for my region. I do suspect my price range will push me into the expired warranty range, so I do worry about some of the costly repairs you mention. I do work on my own cars but can't do everything... Especially on a heavy car with no lift.
  15. Maybe a more useful question is how does the AWD compare to RAV4 or CRV? Different class of cars, I know, but they are still on my list...
  16. Thanks cduluk for your thoughts. Good to know it can handle RI. I picked up in passing that something with the AWD system changed between the 06 and 07 to lessen the "wheels won't turn" issue. Is that true or just Internet nonsense?
  17. That's really helpful, thank you. I remember that storm was pretty bad. I'm lucky that we're mostly flat down here in the Willamette - we got about 8" of snow last year and that's the worst in awhile (according to my neighbor anyways). I just need to feel comfortable that we could get to the store and hospital in that type of weather.
  18. Thank you for the reply. I do not have a "fear" about battery failure, but I do want to understand the warranty. A failure, however rare, would be a large expense. And my ideal "life" of the car may exceed the manufacturer's. If as you say the extended warranty applies only to California and not other CARB states, then that makes a significant difference in the model year and mileage I'd be willing to accept, and consequently, what I'll end up paying. I notice you are also in the Pac NW - do you have the AWD model?
  19. I've spent the last year or so researching AWD crossovers, and recently stumbled upon the 400h as an option that I didn't even know existed! Imagine my delight at the thought of getting a Lexus with all the qualities I wanted! In the interest of being thorough, I would like to ask you some questions and I hope you'll oblige a potential new owner and member. I've done a fair amount of reading of reviews and forum posts, so I feel I have a good overall sense of the vehicle, but have some fairly specific questions. I hope I don't give off the foolish n00b vibe... I'm looking pretty specifically at an '07 model as that is currently in the sweet spot for price, although I'll consider '08s should my purchase be a ways off (Oregon inventories are pretty slim...) 1. How is the AWD? I've heard ... mixed reviews. As you can see, I live in Oregon, but I live in the valley and so rain is 99% of what I deal with. However, we do get an occasional snow storm and one of my justifications for buying this car would be the peace of mind of knowing that in that rare snow or ice storm, I could get us where we needed to go in an emergency. Because we get so little snow, there are no plows or salt, so a good storm can really gum up the works. I know the 400h is not an off-road vehicle, and most of the negative reviews I've seen of the AWD system are from people who live in and deal with constant snow. But I read a post about someone getting stuck on a hill, and the wheels not turning because of a safety mechanism and that's a little troublesome. I'm probably worrying for nothing, right? 2. Traction battery warranty. I did a lot of reading about the hybrid battery system warranty and replacement costs and I think I have a good understanding of what's going on. But I have some questions related to the CARB state extended warranty. First of all, that warranty is not first owner only, right? I believe Oregon is a CARB state but I'm curious as to whether the extended 10y/150k warranty will apply to any car I buy. Does it just have to be registered here? Does the first sale have to be in Oregon? Does my purchase have to be in Oregon? What few 400h's there are in Oregon are in the Portland area and could have possibly been purchased or registered across the border in Washington. 3. Does the hybrid warranty cover the troublesome inverter, or was that an '06 issue? Thanks in advance for any insight! Bill
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