katzjamr

Isnt there a range issue with CNG because it takes more compressed gas than refined gas to go the same distance.

WWEST i think the article was in car and driver, you get this honda that runs on compressed nat gas and they lease u something called a PHIL that allows u to use your home gas line to fill your car at a slow rate overnight. It sounded pretty cool.

The europeans ( did you ever hear the old joke: "If you are American when you are outside the bathroom, what are you when you are in the bathroom? European.") are being dragged into hybrids reluctantly by Toyota. They would much rather sell their diesels. Is it just me or did the NYT find another way to dis hybrids with the tone of that article, basically saying the hybrid technology doesnt produce enough mpg. At the same time they did carry a piece in the automotive section quoting Toyota officials wanting to ramp up hybrid production to 300,000 units a year in three to five years. They backed off on that figure to 250,000 citing battery availability.

Since the AC runs off the battery, if it is well charged it will run for a period without ICE.

I have aluminum wheels on the 400h and i really like the Eagle One product Never-dull Wadding Polish. It is cotton batting with the cleaner inside it. You just tear a piece off and wipe the wheel, let it dry wipe it off. It cleans and polishes all metals, altho i think this product is easier to use when the wheel is clean or new.

Maybe they like the added excitement of transmission roulette

I'd be curious to know what your 400h manual says about the maintenance of your CVT? Is Type T-IV fluid specified or Type WS fluid (World Standard fluid)? Is there a transmission fluid dipstick located under the hood, or is there a transmission fluid fill hole located underneath the car on the transmission itself that you keep filled to the brim as on a manual transmission car? Is there a transmission fluid drain plug or is the whole unit permanently sealed? Does the manual specify fluid changes for severe service like towing? Thanks for any information you might be able to provide. ← Im working on a proper answer, i have the Manual Supplement that shows the Maintenance intervals, but i want to check the main manual and the dealer. From what i can see, they dont even mention checking trans fluid on the cvt until 36months or 30K. At 72 months or 60K they say replace fluid in the tranny only if under severe service, i.e. dirt roads, desert use or towing. They have u replace it again under severe conditions at 90K just check it if u are a 'normal' driver. At 120K they say replace it under the severe conditions, just check it under normal. I dont see a trans fluid dipstick under the hood ill look again.

I dont own a rx 300 and i have seen Monarch's posts were he defends Lexus, however in this post isnt he really saying dont spend the money on aftermarket coolers or expensive amsoil, just do the cheap insurance of the more frequent tranny oil changes to protect the larger investment of the 4 to 6 K replacement. I have a neighbor who owns an auto body and repair shop, his wife has a 2000 rx 300 with over 100K on the odometer. He had dark fluid and some odd shifting, had the fluid changed at an honest trans shop at 60K and has had no problems. At the time he took it in he thot he was in for a much larger repair. I do not deny that too many people out there seem to be in rx 300 transmission hell, but isnt the best answer the more frequent oil changes by themselves? BTW, after reading all this im halfway wondering if the CVT in my 400h is gonna go the distance pulling around 4300 pounds of suv, so far so good, and should there be some maintenance on it that is not mentioned in the manual.

Most people think hydrogen mass produced cars are about ten years away. Twenty at the outset. The Chinese feel that hydrogen will be the best choice for their rising middle class, they dont want to fight a war for the amount of oil it will take to sustain thier automotive needs. At this time China is working harder than any other country trying to make hydrogen fuel for cars a reality. China does not have the gas station infrastructure to worry about as we do in the usa, they will develop hydrogen fueling sites at employees places of work, ideally hydrogen will run the needs of the buildings also. The current Car and Driver has an interesting article regarding hydrogen.

Interesting article, im sure the 400h beat the diesel in emissions and power. Is that ML320 diesel available in the us? Will it pass tier two emission standards in 2007. I am encouraged to see the growing availability of biodiesel in the Pacific Northwest, whether it is made in a garage from waste fry oil or commercially from plant based oils.

To me it didnt make sense to use anything but regular fuel, however on my last tank i went for the midgrade 89 octane and i do notice improved fuel economy. Freeway driving at around 60 mph with cruise when possible and no AC (its cool in Seattle), then flat side roads at 40 gave me an even 30 mpg on a sixty mile trip. I have another 40 miles on this tank of incity shorter driving and i am at 28 mpg right now. I'll have to see how the rest of the tank goes. This is about a 2 mpg improvement over regular gas.

There is a Lexus owners club out of Newcastle on the eastside, i dont know of an rx club, im sure all lexus models are welcome at the local chapter. U thinkin of starting an rx club?

interesting, did you read the part where it says suvs tested for fuel economy ratings have the cargo racks off and premium fuel

The 400h has alot more sound deadening material under the car as Lexus was worried about people objecting to the sound of the electric motors, kind of like an expensive golf cart. So i dont think this vehicle needs undercoating. I did purchase the thin plastic protection for the hid lites only so one rock chip doesnt ruin expensive headlights, and i got my dealer to throw in leather protectant for whatever that is worth. Tell us when you take delivery, what color?

thanks nycrr sometimes i only open my mouth to change feet, thanks for your help

at the top of the header on this page there is a search button

Im curious formanrobs you have a post roughly half an hour ago saying you are picking up your 400h, and another saying you have 1200 miles on it. Did you get two of them?

Welcome Formanrobs. There is a workaround for the 400h. Do a search or look at some older posts in this forum its there.

I saw a cure for that in another forum. I think there is a workaround for the 2004 rx330 nav system.

Regarding the price of gas: most refineries are running at capacity, world demand is only increasing, i.e. china and india, our consumption only grows and we are not conserving nearly enough. Many experts feel known reserves are peaking, there isnt any more meaningful new oil out there, and exactly how much oil is left in the mideast is not a published figure, and what is published about their reserves is probably exaggerated. There have been no new domestic refineries built in the last twenty years. Technological advances have helped us before, we dont know if there is another rabbit to be pulled out of a hat to squeeze more oil out of the ground. The small blip in production that resulted from the gulf hurricane caused gas shortages and overnight increases. Yes higher gas makes alternatives more viable. (wwest im still waiting for you to develop an extra lithium battery pack for the back of my 400h to extend battery power and mpg as some entrepreneurs have for the Prius) As far as the 400h i think Lexus tried to make an educated guess as to what would be the best tradeoff for people who buy the Lexus brand regarding options and mpg. They are taking baby steps. Your 400h was delayed so that they could work out the bugs, and at the last minute a serious battery shortage developed. (according to my salesman). What is important is Hybrid Synergy drive works, its been reliable so far and i think you will see the camry and toyota truck hybrids skewed to more economy. In the future, i think you will see some dashboard options that will allow you to dial in fuel economy versus power. Those of us who bit the bullet now help to ensure the next generation of hybrids are only better and more efficient. Its easy for the NYT to critcize, Toyota put almost 900 million in R and D into real world products. For those of us who have to drive for a living, there are not many other options out there.

i would be really careful washing any engine if at all its so easy to get electronic parts wet in places water doesnt normally go.

Honestly the only challenge for me with the 400h is keeping the interior clean after coming from a more truck like Ford Exploder with darker colors. I know i have mentioned this too many times before however im amazed at how easily black marks mar the door sills and areas round the pedals, and they dont come off easily. Also while i am repeating things, make sure you check the tire pressure at the dealership before you drive away, many have been high at 40 psi. Lastly, it goes without saying, test drive the actual vehicle you are purchasing as well as the demo. Carry on

Thank you for the article, i agree it shows their bias again. My previous SUV averaged 15 mpg, my 400h 26 to 28. I agree the Times is very biased on this issue. Last time i complained not much happened. This article seems to be written by one of their reporters, perhaps i can get a response from him. Also it was interesting to see that Nissan is using toytoa technology in the altima. While it makes sense for them to not reinvent the wheel, and infact Toyota has the patents anyway, I dont think Nissan will get the newest and best version of the hybrid drive, certainly Ford didnt.

Also you are in an area there people are getting discounts off msrp, many of us on the west coast are still paying list.

Take a long test drive, you are right its not a small amount of money. Since you love the 4runner make sure you are ready to accept some changes. As you drive the 400h note how the engine starts and stops, especially at low speed. Most of us get used to that but it bothers some people. The electric power steering has a different feeling. Regenerative brakes are softer in their action. There is no four wheel drive chassis under this thing, its more car like, i think the handling will be good, but that is also different. It is not an offroad vehicle. Be ready to learn a smoother more coasting and anticipating slowing way of driving to maximize your mpg. If the length of a normal trip for you is 3 to 5 miles or less your mileage will suffer, i mean 22 to 24 mpg. If you drive mixed city hiway and longer trips and are willing to drive in a hybrid mode then 26 to 28 is realistic with regular gas. Now the good stuff in my opinion, you are stepping up in comfort from the seats to the ride to the smoothest transmission you will ever drive (be ready for more engine noise during heavier acceleration), the nav system, stereo, hid lites, rain sensing wipers and power lift gate are great features. I drove three demos before i purchased mine, after 2400 miles i have no regrets. I am beginning to think people dont take long enough test drives, and do it multiple times. Its easy to miss stuff that might bother you on the first drive because everything is so new. Good luck, tell us what you think.