Gryphon

I wonder if paying Howard Stearns a salary approaching the Stimulus Package had anything to do with the curent situation? :) Tom

I am highly skeptical that this is/was a mere vehicle/battery problem. There will be much more to the story in time. Tom

I deactivated mine a while back and also LOVE it. And, FYI, a recent dead battery did not negate the deactivation. Tom

Yes, I guess it is. A dumb user problem, isn't it? As for the heated windshield, did you try and see where the wiper sit at? Try with a flash light and look at a 45 degree angle, you will see if you have it that is. Yes, I guess I am happily keeping the RX400 :) To answer Gryplon comment. the heated wiper/windshield works really well. I say at least on my old Highlander for now. When it is parked outside and if the blade got ice on, after I turn it on, the ice just goes away. Yes, you still need the front defoger blower on to clear the moist/ice inside. But the key is this, the heated blade/windshield melt the ice off the blade, so that the blade/rubber can clear the snow with proper fit. Otherwise, the rubber can't touch the windshield because the ice deform the shape of the blade. Regards, Thanks, LittleSand. I was thinking that the intent was to thaw the glass, not the blade. My bad. Tom

I cannot imagine how a heated wiper blade would work well, but I also never seen nor heard of them. It would seem that applying heat to the inside of the windshied via the AC system would be much more efficient than heating the windshield externally as well as the cold air. Tom

I spoke with my service advisor yesterday and our 2007 Rh400h's are definitely part of the recall. Whatever parts are required are ordered specifically for out VINs and we have future appointments for the work. Tom

Interesting, but when log on to Lexus.com, then go to My Lexus, it has a link entitled, "Service Campaign Available." (9LC) Tom

Interesting review. But the 450h sure is chubby. Tom

Funny thing--my future-ex-wife had her 400h in for a battery replacement less than a week ago and they said nothing about this recall. Tom

The following link has the TSB to perform whenever the battery is disconnected. As katzjamr said, it involves the ISC (idle speed control) learning. Some of the possible symptoms of not performing the ISC learning procedure include engine runs too long or more frequently than normal and reduced fuel economy. http://autozone.kiev.ua/files/Lexus%20400H/Battery/data.pdf My service manager, who quite likely could be either wrong or lazy, says that this only applies to 2006 models but not 2007 on. Tom

I think that they changed the recommendation, not the vehicle. Tom

Actually for 2007 the recommendation changed to, "Premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 (RON 96) or higher required for optimum performance." Tom

It's a bit hard to find in the Owner's Manual--page 297 for the 2007 model--Do It Yourself Maintenance--Engine Oil. Tom

I have had around 5-6 dead battery incidents in the two years I have owned my 400h. In some but not all cases I had to reprogram the power windows, power roof, and rear door. Otherwise nothing changed in terms of performance, ICE participation, fuel economy, etc. Tom

I don't think it's possible to replace a body panel without the use of body filler. And I strongly disagree that repairs using body filler do not look the same as before. It's used on almost all work involving body damage. Tom

I think that this would be cost prohibitive unless you can land the parts from a recycler. Tom

Sky, I backed into my garage one night with the rear hatch open and discovered the hard way that my RX does not clear the upper portal of my garage opening. Hence some minor damage to my bamboo pearl baby. A few comments: 1. Matching the paint color was not at all difficult by a competent body shop. In fact they did not even repaint the entire rear hatch, only blended the color and then clear coated. It looks perfect a year later. 2. I got two body shop recommendations from a local paint supplier to body shops (who also a little bit of retail). Both turned out to be great referrals who did excellent and reasonably priced work. 3. Here in Arizona, several high end car dealerships refer you to specific body shops. When you do the research you find out that the body shops are commonly owned by the same owners as the dealerships--in my case Roger Penske and crew. They do not have the best reputation and also gave me the highest bids. Hope that helps. Tom

I think that the correct link is (without the dangling "t"): www.techinfo.toyota.com Tom

I can't speak for your Lexus dealer, but I have encounter numerous "recommendations" over the years to replace rotors on my various Porsches, all long before the rotors had reached factory mininum thickness. Owner beware. Tom

As I recall, Car and Driver projected front brake pad wear to exceed 100,000 miles based on a long-term test of the 400h. Apparently they were wrong. Tom

Very cool, Billy. Thanks. Tom

Well those two batteries sure do look alike except for a little sticker on one. My guess: Lexus removed the sticker and check my electrolyte at my 5000K service. A wise choice in Arizona where almost all batteries need occasional water regardless of how they are labeled. Tom

Just for curiosity, would someone post a picture of the maintenance free battery with the plastic "do not remove" tape? Tom

Since my last post it appears that my battery is dying (or of course a charging problem). I will report more after I have visited Mr Lexus next week. Tom

Sky, isn't the battery covered under your bumper to bumper warranty? Tom