maseace

Here is some info I found on the service manual. Check all the relays, especially the DIM relay. HL.pdf

I can confirm that the high beams still work with one bulb disconnected (just one came on), so I suspect either both bulbs burned out, or you have a DRL or high beam relay or fuse that's gone bad. You can try swapping relays if you have another with the same part number (there are several identical relays in the fuse/relay boxes).

The low beams (and the fog lights) go out when the high beams are on, by design. Motion has nothing to do with the lights, the DRLs will be on whenever the parking brake is off and the headlights are off. DRLs will also light if just the parking lights are turned on. You can check it by yourself. You are correct that the DRLs and high beams share the same bulb. So if one or both go out, you will not have DRLs or high beams. You CAN get a service manual - I bought one on eBay a few years ago, on CD. It has full schematics, install/remove instructions with diagrams, and troubleshooting guides. Some operations involve a Lexus diagnostic tester computer, but many things can be worked on at home. Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lexus-RX400h-Repair-Manual-Wiring-Diagrams-Body-Manual-2004-2005-2006-2007-/261202929512?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&hash=item3cd0e86768&vxp=mtr There is a fuse and a separate relay for the DRLs/high beams, so check all of these if the replacement bulbs don't work.

Didn't know that. I assume I can leave it in "Park" transmission mode? Yes. The DRLs normally come on as soon as the parking brake is disengaged, in any gear.

Remember you have to take the parking brake off to turn on the DRLs with the system in ready mode.

There is no schedule for the transmission other than to inspect the fluid every 30,000 miles. You can view the maintenance schedule on My Lexus: https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home

Have you checked all the fuses both inside and under the hood? If you're lucky, all you did was blow a fuse. If not, one of the computers may have been fried. There are 3 fuse panels under the hood on the driver side, and one under the dash, that I know of.

Here you go. I have not done it myself so this is all I know. Engine Coolant.pdf Hybrid Coolant.pdf

Strange. I would start by disconnecting the battery negative terminal for a few minutes, then reconnecting.

Show me another luxury SUV that has the MPG and performance of the RX hybrid!

The outside temperature, type of tires and tire pressure, length of commute, and hills make a big difference in MPG with this SUV.

I bought a service manual CD on eBay a while back. It really comes in handy. Link

Here it is. The rear door panels pull off with several clips and you should be able to unplug the buzzer.

I have the AWD model. When I was looking at used 400h's, it seemed at leat 90% were AWD models. We don't get snow that often in the Puget Sound area, but during a bad storm in fall 2010 it performed excellent on snowy roads. I had just installed new Yokohama Parada Spec-X tires, and tires make a big difference. I didn't get a chance to drive it in snow with the original Michelin MXV4 S8 tires. I will say that the OEM S8 tires, which are low rolling resistance, gave me about 2-3 mpg better gas mileage. But the tradeoff is better traction and safety with the higher performance all-season tires.

The warranty is: 48 mo/50k mi bumper to bumper 72 mo/70k mi powertrain 96 mo/100k mi hybrid system (including inverter) It follows the car based on original purchase date. I believe only CA has the extra hybrid warranty. There were some recent recalls to inspect the inverter power module, which are free even if the warranty is expired. I would not worry about the hybrid traction battery, they are designed to last the life of the car. I don't know why there is this fear about battery failures in people who have not bought a hybrid. It's not based on facts. If batteries were failing left and right, there would be recalls and you would hear about it on the news.

How do you know it actually stopped running? It will always be turning at that speed. The power gauge dip doesn't mean the ICE stopped running. It may have just done a normal transition between motor and generator states. Check the energy flow meter on the touchscreen next time to see what it shows.

Short trips ARE a killer, especially in colder weather when the heat is used and the engine has to run more to make the heater work. 24.5 is good for your conditions. I get about 22 mpg in the winter on my 10 mile work commute in my 400h. My best mileage has been on long trips in the summer on slower highways (55 mph). I always get better mileage on long trips than short trips.

'B' mode on Toyota/Lexus hybrids is only meant for steep downhill driving where you would need to downshift on a regular car. The hybrids already use the motor-generators for coasting and braking. Under normal braking, your regular friction brake pads aren't used, except in very hard braking or when under 9 mph. That's what's meant by 'regenerative' braking. The motors act as generators to charge the battery, while helping slow the car down.

Hard to tell if the gas made a significant difference, or the lack of a trailer (or cargo) on the return trip!

Even with EV mode, you're usually better off letting the hybrid system decide when to be on electric and/or combustion engine. Using the EV mode in the wrong circumstances can hurt fuel economy by draining the battery too low, requiring increased running of the engine to recharge. A cold engine, A/C/auto on, battery state of charge on the low end, over 34 mph, and heavier than feathering the gas pedal are all situations where the engine will run. These aren't pure electric cars and the EV mode is very limited. The only time I found it useful in the Prius was moving the car in/out of the garage to keep the engine from starting, if I wasn't really going to drive it anywhere.

If you don't get any takers, you can get the cross bars on parts.com for $154.79 each. http://www.parts.com/parts/2007/LEXUS/RX%20400H/?siteid=2&vehicleid=1434553&section=BODY%20HARDWARE&group=ROOF&subgroup=ROOF%20RACK&component=Cross%20bar

The B mode doesn't eat up brake pads - per the manual, it's equivalent to downshifting in a normal transmission. The brake pads on Toyota/Lexus hybrids actually can last much longer because in most cases, the motor-generators provide the braking force when coasting or normal braking. The friction brakes are engaged during hard braking or when slowing to under 9 mph, where they trasition from regenerative mode to fricition brakes. I agree with your other comments about mileage - where I live, I get better mpg on the highway than in city traffic, which is the opposite of the EPA average ratings. I usually get 22 mpg on my 10 mile work commute in the winter, 25 summer, and up to 30 on the highway on longer trips. My best tank was 32 mpg on a trip averaging 55 mph.

That is strange. I would start with removing and reinstalling the navigation DVD in the rear compartment jack/tool storage area under the floor.

Maybe you can re-route the air vent from under the seat (for the rear passenger) to face forward and get a little extra heat up front?

Do you get cold air even with the heat turned up? Does warm air blow from the vents down there when it's supposed to?