Gryphon

So, for maximum performance the RX400h should have a (nearly) empty fuel tank and a full battery. Quite unique. Tom

Very well said, MadloR. Just a few short comments. I often wonder if the additional cost of complete dealer maintenance over several years might be more expensive than eating one expensive out-of-warranty repair. A Lexus extended warranty might change the equation. It saved my bacon on a previous LS400. Tom

Good post re brake cleaning, MadloR. Unfortunately about the only way to be assured of that level of workmanship is to do it yourself. Tom

You made me laugh, RX400h. I needed that. :) I agree with you, Someone, C&D clearly is not in love with hybrids. IIRC my RX400h has a "quirky CVT," and is just no fun to drive. Does performance really vary with the level of battery charge? BTW, I am not allowed on the AZ HOV lanes because my RX does not demonstrate a 45% improvement over the standard model, an RX350 I assume. But a Dodge Ram with a passenger, getting 12 mpg is quite welcome. Go figure. Tom

You made me laugh, RX400h. I needed that. :) I agree with you, Someone, C&D clearly is not in love with hybrids. IIRC my RX400h has a "quirky CVT," and is just no fun to drive. Does performance really vary with the level of battery charge? BTW, I am not allowed on the AZ HOV lanes because my RX does not demonstrate a 45% improvement over the standard model, an RX350 I assume. But a Dodge Ram with a passenger, getting 12 mpg is quite welcome. Go figure. Tom

This from Car and Driver, May 2007: "Hybrids don’t go vroom-vroom, part two: California, the state in which the Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, reigns, will not extend any more car-pool-lane passes to hybrid owners. Since 2005, the state has offered 85,000 permits to hybrid owners to drive solo in the fast lane. A sticker on the rear bumper lets cops know if the hybrid has authorization to use the lane. To encourage gas-electric-vehicle purchases, the state set aside permits for hybrids on a first-come, first-served basis. The program drew flack when the fast-moving lanes began to be clogged with hybrids and, worse, slow-moving hybrids. The permits expire in 2010 and probably will not be renewable." Somehow the image of a cheapskate Prius owner, driving down the HOV lane at exactly the posted speed limit (or below), tires inflated to the max, windows up and air conditioner off for maximum fuel economy, oblivious to how many vehicles are stacked up behind him comes to mind. Here comes the flames. :) Tom

And considerable torque on two front tires. Tom

Brake cleaning can be accomplished with nothing more than a garden hose and nozzle. Unfortunately many Lexus dealers live quite nicely on the "just do whatever it needs" customers, largely female from my observations in Scottsdale. Surly they had the wheels off to "professionally inspect the brakes," so a tire rotation should involve nothing more than putting them back in a different place. LOL. Tom

but if you unload the suspension for any reason while driving (i.e. going airbone), then you will hear the tire rubbing. I do not recommend this. Right when I perfect my skills in ramp-jumping over buses with my RX you ruin my fun. Tom

I was/am concerned that the little green car pictured on your left might need a second filter that I am not aware of... WW, I haven't owned a 911 in many years so I don't remember where the cabin air filter(s) is/are. On the 968 they are under the black plastic cover forward of the wiper blades. Some 968 seem to have two and others none, depending production date and year. Tom

I'm with you, RX. The only thing I do differently is to buy all of my tires (none for my RX yet) at the same Discount Tire. I know the manager well and get free rotations, balances, and repairs. Tom

"One" has to wonder, at least this "one" does, just what the FE of the '04 RX330 would have been in comparison to the RX400h had you driven it just as CONSERVATIVELY as you seemingly have adopted for the RXh. Not denigrating the RXh in any way, just wondering what it is that makes people think they need to revise a lifetime of learning in order to drive an RXh advantageously over an RX. I don't driver my 400h advantageously. I just drive it for fun and enjoy the performance when I can. The price I pay, so to speak, is around 22 mpg. Tom

I haven't spent much time with the voice dialing, but the map voice commands are ridiculous. I'm fed up with trying "zoom out" and getting "dual map" instead. Tom

Chief 3sticks be man of few words. Tom

Happy to help, Someone. I've been through this twice from leaving an interior lamp on all night and draining the battery. Somehow one wouldn't expect power windows to lose their program so easily, or even require programming at all. Tom

"two required.." Oops...where is the second one? Sorry, that's two for my Porsche 968, not my RX. Tom

Someone, have you tried reprogramming the switch per the manual? Tom

That's about what I did for my Porsche cabin air filter. I bought a HEPA filter from Home Depot and cut it to fit. Somewhat cheaper than Porsche price of $47 each. (two required.) Tom

I have a limited mpg report: flat terrain, premium fuel, steady speed of 85 mph on cruise control, moderate cross wind - 19.0 to 19.5 mpg This was the displayed mpg, not calculated, and over about 50 miles Not impressive considering that most vehicles traveling along the same road were probably doing better. Tom

Drat! I just purchased a new rear logo for my 2007 when I had some scratches repainted. I could have upgraded to a 2008 logo. Tom

Exactly. Blame the litigious American legal system for the annoying constraints, not Lexus. Tom

One would assume that the Lexus dealer has a record of what was done. If the BMW dealer is honest then they should respond to a request from you for the Lexus service record. Tom

BUMP....... Hoping someone missed this. Tom

That heated steering wheel would come in handy in Arizona. Tom

Still, do you mean that your dealer uploaded your Katana phone directory to your Lexus? Tom