LexRexBlue

Well, I filled the tank with premium and low and behold the mpg is down! It has been colder (30s) in the morning to the 50s so I'll give it a try while the price of gas is low. I had been getting 24-25 mpg with regular on mixed driving (suburban and short highwaay stints at 70). (There is about 10,000 miles on the car.) The other factor is when they change the gasoline for the winter the mileage automatically goes down. Stay tuned.

I was at the same event but had been using regular. Did you get better mileage now that the weather is colder? I decided today to try the premium since the price of gas is lower, but I wonder if it is worth it. They have said that there is no harm using regular. 20 cents more a gallon is going to have to come up with a lot of mpg!

Changing the subject a little, has anyone tried Dunlop tires? I was surprised that they were at Taste of Lexus instead of Michelin. I never heard of Dunlops on the RX 400h or even other Lexuses. Yet they have recommendations listed in the handout.

[since the car is still under warranty, (and even if it weren't) I'd give the dealer's service dept. a call and see what they say. My dealer would fix it with no question free. Usually they can't do enough for you. I know you have great weather for sunroofs. It's starting to get too cold here and now I'm finding I'm actually using the tilt and forgetting to close it.

My back squeaks, too but we still haven't found the problem. Service dept thought it was the leather rubbing. They put tons of conditioner on it. It worked for 2 days. For some reason the noise is gone when someone sits in the back seat. It is also better when the back seats are in the forward position. However, I don't usually need that much room in the trunk and people would prefer the space in the back. Any thoughts?

I'm real interested in the answer to your questions. I have hated the Goodyears but it may just be the way the car drives. They seem to be wearing quickly but I only have 13000 miles. I don't notice uneven wear though. I miss the Michelins I have on my RX 300.

I just returned from the event in West Orange, NJ. Beautiful setting and great food. The place is owned by the same poeple as The Manor and Highlawn Pavillion. It was great seeing and sitting in and trying the messaging back seat of the new 600h. I was surprised that it was AWD. They had people to answer questions, too. Mostly, it was in appreciation for the hybrid car owners. The goody bag made out of a recycled billboard was an interesting touch. Nice evening. One more plus for Lexus.

The windows, doors and roof were all closed. I know that they blew the stuff into the cars so my only thought was through the vents. Other cars also had dust inside--bmws, jaguars, etc. However I seemed to have the most so I figured it was those extra vents for the hybrid. I wish it all didn't happen. It was a mess. I'd cut my hands from trying to use the steering wheel, etc.

I am a teacher and it was the school parking lot. The custodian did it. Everyone was hopping mad. My 400h was closed up and locked, so the question becomes, how could all that get inside the car? It has to be the vents all over the place. The dust would glisten. I had the car cleaned, vacumed from top to bottom, every surface. I went back over the surfaces and leather. I'm hesitant to go to the dealer, because wouldn't they consider that not Lexus' fault??? So far, the car is driving fine. I'm just concerned.

In an effort to clear a parking lot of dirt and glass chips a maintenance person blew the dirt and glass into the cars. Not only did my car look like a dump truck dropped a load of dirt on the top, but when I opened it up everything in the car was covered with what I thought was just dirt. As I brushed some off the seat my hand was cut. I found tiny specks of glass. Since all the windows and roof were closed I assume it entered via the numerous vents. Do you think the hybrid system was compromised? How should I get it out of the system?

I registered for the event held in NJ today. They answered the phone promptly, but would only let me bring one guest.I had wanted to bring 2 people. The man was specific about my data. Interesting.

I received one and thought I might go. However, it is closeby for me. I wondered why it was being held there instead of the dealership which usually introduces cars with a very nice reception. However, I haven't called yet.

My phone (RAZr Cingular) rings through the speakers. I noticed that Lexus now has a link to a site that describes which phones have which features with the Lexus bluetooth system.

2004-5 RXs and early 400hs are being recalled to fix a clip holding some piece on the floor near the console. There were complaints that the piece came loose and interfered with the gas pedal. Notices will be sent out in late July.

I've had mine a little over a year. I've only driven it about 11,000 miles but I've enjoyed driving and owning it. I really haven't had any major problems other than a flat tire the first week! (Lexus sent service who changed the tire and when I returned to my dealer they fixed it The formerly flat tire has now become my spare.) The only rattle I've had was the tourneau cover. They've added little adhesive pieces to stop it. The most annoying problems were the squeaky brakes (in reverse) which has since been resolved and the electric motors would kick in suddenly when I would brake on a hill if the car wasn't warmed up. Each time I've brought the car back to the dealer (close by) they were wonderful, took care of problems right away or provided loaners. I really love driving the car, love the acceleration and the gas mileage is nice. I don't really drive the car to save gas, but I only buy gas once in 2-3 weeks now. My old RX gets about 8-10 mpg less. I would buy another and I question whether the RX 350 really accelerates so well ( I don't mean from a standstill).

It is obvious that the problem is in the design of the transmission. Too many people are having problems. Most of the people who own RXs here are housewives who drive the car around town, get it serviced regularly by the dealer and seldom if ever tow or take it off road. I'm one of them. Somewhere around 62,000 miles my car had weird hums. After replacing several parts for free (differentials, bearings, etc.), going for test drives to hear it with me, etc. the dealer concluded it was the transmission. (the car ran fine). Lexus gave me a loaner and replaced it with a new one for free. It was before the 6 year warranty ran out, but I did not have an extended warranty. They had records of all the service that had been done regularly by the dealership. Their service schedule is ahead of Lexus'. There was no question or haggling. I guess I have the dealer to thank for this. If it weren't a design problem I'm sure they would have insisted that I pay for it. The car is still running 20,000 miles later.

Before the 400h I used to drive a RX300. I too had to get used to the brakes. The first few days my family laughed because known for smooth stops I was making all these hard stops. Now, I tend to let the car coast more than accelerate. When the electric motors accelerate in addition to the regular motor, there's a lot more to brake than normal.The other day I wasn't going fast but I had to suddenly stop as the car in front of me didn't accelerate but came to a dead stop to turn. I pushed the brakes hard, harder than ever before. The car stopped instantly. They do work, but I've owned the car a year now so I'm more accustomed to the way the brakes react.

Ok I have a '99 RX, but I've noticed that mostly men have answered your post! My RX is truly a wonderful, reliable, safe car. Yes, my transmission was replaced for free, too. However, I don't feel able to deal with mechanical problems should they happen on the road. Therefore, on behalf of the wives I think you should keep the car yourself and let your wife drive a newer car! I gave mine to my son to drive around town. It is still maintained by the dealer and is fine at 79,000 miles. He loves the heated seats amongst other features, and I don't worry about him in the snow. However, I have a RX 400h.

I have almost 10,000 miles on mine. The noise seems to lessen as the car breaks in (I want to say around 5000 miles). Also, it seemed more noticeable with premium gas than regular. I have no clue why.

I noticed the same thing when I got my 400h. My RX 300 is fine and I don't even use the rear windshield wiper. On the new one I'm constantly using the wiper and the washer and it still looks dirty. You really can't even see out of the back unless you use the rear washer. The dirt collects under the spoiler. If you have a solution I'd love to try it.

They do check the battery. Although I never knew I had a problem with the battery on my old RX, they discovered that the battery wasn't working properly and changed it. At the next oil change they checked again and said the new one was defective and changed it again. I never realized the problem but they really saved me from experiencing a problem. I don't regret having the car serviced at the dealer.

Problem resolved! The seatbelt was twisted causing it to hit against the plastic pillar. It has been fixed by the dealer.

A mitten is a cute solution. But my husband and sons are not about to remember to put it back on! I'm going to try and slide it down, but it just doesn't make sense that they would design the car so poorly. The car is going in for "troubleshooting" and I plan to ask them, but this is ridiculous.

Is anyone else having issues with the right front (passenger) metal clip of the seatbelt hitting the hard plastic and making a noise every time the car goes over a slight bump? It drives me crazy. I can't figure out what is causing it to hit that panel? It looks the same on the RX 300 but that one doesn't rattle or hit like this. What can I do other than buckle it?

We're not looking for the orange when it is braking, but when it lurches after you release the brakes.