uthorns1976

Wouldn't another gauge or gauges have been more useful than the Kw gauge in the 400h?

that certainly helps i saw some pictiures on the autopia website where they show you how to use the pc 7424 and there were some before and after pictures of a car whose paint was heavily oxidized but after working on it with the pc the paint was looking realm good i dont know how to get the pictures to place them in this post but your telling me its not possible and they say it is so which is it

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sha4000...Since I'm not a paint and body person, I would definitely have to defer to the pictures you saw on autopia that indicate that the pc can revitalize paint that has "oxidized" and say it IS possible if they say it is.

In my case, the dealer repainted one of my GM cars TWICE at no cost to me because the finish went bad. So, I wasn't complaining. There was no discussion by the dealer of refinishing the vehicle using a pc or similar device.

As far as paint fade from the sun, every year thats less and less of an issue as carmakers put more UV protection in their clearcoats. Modern clearcoats act as sunscreen for the color coat beneath, which almost iradicates the problem of paint fade.

That said, Lexus black has no clearcoat. A car cover is definately a good idea.

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In Texas, just about every silver car that I have seen has oxidized paint. Does the Lexus clearcoat solve that problem?? Should one be "nervous" about owning a silver Lexus?? Does it all depend on how the vehicle is cared for??

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what EXACTLY is oxidized paint? and once a paint becomes oxidized can the shine be recovered? SW03es knows about the issue that i have with my black ls and im still trying to find a reputable detail shop here in the city that will do the the job correctly so i can start to take car of my car myself after te paint is brought back to life( my hood has a light greyish white color forming at the front)

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Webster's dictionary defines "oxidize" as a change in the molecular structure of a compound, perhaps through the addition of oxygen.

I'm not a paint expert but what I consider "oxidized" is when the car's finish is basically gone and there is no shine left. The paint has "disintegrated." I have seen this more than once on my GM cars and I have seen it many, many, many times on a silver vehicle. In my case, the "disintegration" started small and spread to the rest of the car, sort of like a cancer. Keep in mind that I live in TX and the sun here is brutal.

To remedy the problem on my GM cars, the car had to be repainted. The shine could not be "recovered." Of course, I would never compare a GM paint job to a Lexus paint job. There's no comparison. I hope that helps.

As far as paint fade from the sun, every year thats less and less of an issue as carmakers put more UV protection in their clearcoats. Modern clearcoats act as sunscreen for the color coat beneath, which almost iradicates the problem of paint fade.

That said, Lexus black has no clearcoat. A car cover is definately a good idea.

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In Texas, just about every silver car that I have seen has oxidized paint. Does the Lexus clearcoat solve that problem?? Should one be "nervous" about owning a silver Lexus?? Does it all depend on how the vehicle is cared for??

As far as paint fade from the sun, every year thats less and less of an issue as carmakers put more UV protection in their clearcoats. Modern clearcoats act as sunscreen for the color coat beneath, which almost iradicates the problem of paint fade.

That said, Lexus black has no clearcoat. A car cover is definately a good idea.

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Steve...Are you saying that no black Lexus, e.g. RX400h, has clearcoat?? I'm asking because my brother's brand new RX400h is black and he parks outdoors most of the time. Also, can you point me to a reputable (i.e., reasonably priced) source for a car cover?? Sounds like he may need one.

I'm far from an expert on car washing but if I owned a very expensive, black Lexus, I don't think I would let the hands-only car wash touch it. One wrong move and your brand-new paint is swirled or scratched. :( :cries:

I just paid to put the Michelins on my ES (same model, actually the RX has the upgraded model I didnt get) and am thrilled in the difference in the ride. Fantastic tires.

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Steve, what tires did you replace??

I would make the dealer come get the car, take it in, put the holder on, and bring it back.

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Steve, excellent idea!!! Or, they could send a technician down from the dealer where the vehicle was purchased--3 1/2 hour drive one way--and let him install it and then drive back 3 1/2 hours!! Wouldn't that be a hoot??

The salesman told me via email that they would be happy to install it next time he was in Dallas or he could take the vehicle to any Lexus dealership and have it done. I don't think a 7-hour drive for a 5-minute service is cost effective.

Has anyone checked into whether or not a factory service manual is available for the 400h???

I swore by the cargo net in my 300. It's not that I put anything in it, but it kept grocery bags standing up going up and down hills to my house from the supermarket. It basically kept items in the trunk from rolling all over. I was shocked to learn that the 400h didn't have a net. The 2 bins are supposed to replace the need. Of course if you have the net installed, the net is in the way of opening/closing (I think) of the bins. However, I'm finding that with the carpet they stick up. Now, if you want to put in a case of water, you can't because the bins have the little doors up! Of course you could organize and put your water in first and let it move all over in the back and then fill the bins. Anyone else have this dilemma? Are you having the net installed?I

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Something else that should be standard (along with the XM radio.) :(

Have you looked into the cost of having the cargo net?? If so, how much?

I searched for answer for this question but did not find. Don't want to start LONG thread.

My brother's new 400h has ivory interior. The carpet is light color. Can/should the carpets be treated with a "Scotchguard" type product to help prevent soiling, especially in the cargo area?? (He tends to "haul" stuff. :( ) If so, suggestions??

I'm watching the golf tournament on ABC. Just saw what is probably the first commercial for the 400h. Well, I didn't actually see the commercial because my computer monitor blocks the TV. But, I saw the tail end of it where they showed the Lexus logo with a little "h" next to it because the voiceover said something about "hybrid."

Now everyone is going to want to buy one (or at least kick the tires). B)

I don't disagree totally with the others. However, I just cleaned and conditioned the leather in my wife's newly inherited 1999 RX 300 (handed to her now that I have a new RX 400h). First, the seats in my new RX 400h were not very slippery/slick at all -- certainly not as slick as those in the 1999 RX 300 before I cleaned them. Second, after cleaning and conditioning (including buffing off the residue), the seats in the 1999 RX 300 are not as slippery/slick as they were and are more like the new car's seats. As a comparison, how does the leather on the backs of the seats or on the door panels (or did you clean them, too?) feel? To me, they aren't very slick. So, I'm not sure that a totally slippery seat is indicative of a perfectly clean seat, using my new 400h's seats as the reference. If you want a better reference, go check out the seats in a new Lexus on the showroom floor. Then, you can tell if your seats are simply clean or ruined (BTW, I doubt you've done any irreversible harm, if any).

Having said that, I agree that cleaning the residue and buffing are good things to do, if you haven't already. My main point is that I woudn't expect the (even properly) cleaned seats to be as slippery as old "dirty" seats.

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jasonatl...On the 400h, are the (grey) dash, door panels and seat backs leather?? (Comment: I really don't like the grey dash with the ivory interior but my brother did and it's his car. I think I might have preferred lt. grey interior but it was N/A.)

Also, the seats in the 400h seem really hard to me. After driving the car for 3 1/2 hours with one brief stop, my butt was numb but I'm used to my American car seats. Are these typical Lexus seats??

Toyota is gradually phasing out the #08922-02011 oil filter for the ES & RX V6's and replacing it with a 90915-YZZD1.  There's nothing wrong with the #08922-02011. Either oil filter will work fine.

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Once it's decided which oil to use, is it best to stick with the Toyota filter?? Any experience with the Mobil 1 oil filter if using Mobil 1 oil???

We have never had a Lexus in our family before. So, I have no knowledge of how picky the dealers are. I don't want do anything that would give the dealer any reason to use the words "your warranty is invalidated because you used a non-OEM oil filter."

My brother's new 400h purchased on 7/1 has Michelin tires. Some others on the dealers lot had Goodyear Eagle tires. Seemed to vary by color. His is black. All the bamboos had Goodyears. At any rate, I drove the vehicle 3 1/2 hours and was impressed with the ride of the Michelins. Normally, I don't like Michelins at all.

I'd be interested in others' impressions of the ride of their Michelins or Goodyears on the 400h.

is sat. radio really worth it?  pay a monthly fee for commercial free music? no offense but i dont think it is worth it.i like my FM radio the way it is...there is one feature i would like to have that all radio stations dont have...RDS...where it tells u the song u play...but i dont think thats worth $400+

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I think that some people felt the same way about cable television when it first came out ("Why would I pay for TV when I can get all the televison I want from the roof antenna?").

I think that once you have satellite radio in your car you'll never want to go back to over -the-air broadcasts again, except maybe for local news. The variety is incredible, both for music and talk (including sports broadcasts).

I really wish that Lexus would have an integrated satellite radio in the RX330. I have an aftermarket Sirius radio installed just below the factory radio. It's small, but it still looks like it doesn't belong there. I'm sure that Lexus will offer something within the next year or so. I just hope that we will have a choice of satellite providers (I prefer Sirius), instead of being stuck with whatever company Lexus chooses.

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I agree on the satellite radio. For what the RX400h costs, it should have satellite radio capability. Yesterday, after purchasing the car, we tried to get some decent music on the ML stereo on our way home from Dallas. Couldn't get anything worth a darn. I just shut it off and drove.

I think that if a person is going to shell out $50,000 for an automobile, they would be willing to pay $10 a month or whatever for satellite radio. Lexus should take that into consideration. Heck, they could get rid of the dinosaur cassette deck and add satellite radio. Actually, I'm still shocked that the car has a cassette player. By the way, no offense to anyone who has cassettes. I still have a bunch that haven't seen the light of day in a long time so I'm a dinosaur myself.

My dealer will change the oil for the first time free of charge at 5000 miles. Many years ago, it was common practice to change oil after 500 miles, but that practice is not necessary anymore unless the local garage rebuilds your engine (not recommended).

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When the dealer does the FREE 5,000 mile service, what oil will they use?? Toyota sythetic?? Toyota dino?? Who knows?? Bring your own synthetic, e.g. Mobil 1??

My brother just purchased a 400h yesterday. After driving the vehicle home 3 1/2 hours in the rain, we washed it and noticed there was no mounting bracket for the front license plate. There are two dimples on the front bumper.

I emailed our salesman and asked him what the deal was. He said the dealer has to mount the front license plate if the customer so requests. To have this done, my brother will have to go out of his way and drive the car to a dealership about 30 minutes away in traffic, which is a pain. So, he's not happy about it.

What's the big deal?? How is the front plate mounted...two sheet metal screws??

By the way, we live in Texas and by law a front license plate is required on the vehicle or you can be ticketed.

Just changed the oil on my RX400h (1500 miles) and I was told by the Roseville Lexus Delaer that the oil filters are the same as those for the RX330 and may be purchased from Lexus, Toyota or online. Toyota Part Number 08922-02011.

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KMKE...thanks for the post.

I'm curious why you changed the oil at only 1500 miles, what oil you used and who did the work (you or dealer)?? Many thanks.

no because the rear seats dont fold flat.

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That's certainly true. Rear seats don't fold flat.

He has a propensity for hauling stuff in his vehicles. I was hoping to find a way to protect the seat backs when folded down. Thought perhaps there might be some type of aftermarket mat. Guess there's always Scotchgard but that's not a real good solution.

My brother purchased an RX400h on July 1. Got it in Dallas. Several on the lot. This is first Lexus we have had in our family so please pardon my ignorance.

Planning ahead...does anyone know if the RX400h will use the same oil filter as the RX330?? If so, is it only available at a Lexus or Toyota dealer. Also, if he changes the oil and filter himself or has it changed by someone other than a Lexus dealer AT THE RECOMMENDED INTERVALS, will doing so affect his warranty??

As I said, we have never had a Lexus in our family before so please pardon my ignorance.

My brother just purchased RX400h on Friday. Ivory interior with rear cargo mat. Has anyone seen a "floor mat" that will cover the rear cargo area as well as the back of the rear seat(s) when the rear seats are folded down??

another great feature if you lose the remote inside the car, hold down the toggle switch on the unit for a few seconds and it will send a signal out and locate the remote.

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Does the "roof" mounted RSES unit block your view to the rear when you look in your rearview mirror??

Just got my 400h and immediately noticed that it pulled severly to the right when coasting, but seems to drive okay when accelerating..  Lexus adjusted it but it still bias right when coasting so took it back again.

Lexus loan me another 400h demo as a loner and it too bias to the right in coasting mode.  Lexus has had my auto for 5 days now and expained that they are working with mfg technical services on how to correct this problem.

One one having this similar problem, or is it just my 400h?

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There is a lot of discussion about this in the following forum:

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef2229b