Jim Clark

5th battery? Something is wrong.

I just dropped off the RX for the steering recall and was given an ES350 with navigation. Based upon its total confusion when trying to get me to an alternate highway, I am reluctant to upgrade the NAV software in our RX.

The other thing I think is a bit unsettling is that I have to pay for the gas I use in the loaner car. We are asked to bring the vehicle in to be "fixed" and yet we have to pay for gas to get to work. When I take the (out of warranty) Corvette in, I am driven to work and picked up later. I don't spend a dime on fuel, other than to drive my car to the dealership and back.

I think the customer should be allowed a stated mileage and then anything beyond that mileage requires a per-mile fee, which would essentially cover fuel costs.

Are you really THAT cheap? How many pennies can it possibly cost? Unbelievable. D-Bag. I always thought you were intelligent, I was obviously wrong.

What is the actual mileage verses sticker specified mileage?

Just drive it and enjoy it. You'll get about 24 mpg average, pretty good for a 4300# SUV.

We just bought a new Lexus SUV 450 Hybrid. We have not received it yet but are very excited. I am reading some of the topics and am concerned about one thing. I walk to work and will therefore only be using my car on weekends. (My husband doesn't drive). Our car is in a garage under our building although it is not entirely closed off but is protected from the elements. Will I have trouble starting my hybrid on the weekends after not using it during the week? The dealer didn't say anything about this but I am reading about difficulty starting it if not used for a few days!

If you drive it once a week, it will be fine.

The more often, the better.

Oil - 10k. They say 5k, it's not necessary with proper synthetics.

ALL other fluids - 30K with complete/proper flush/fill.

It certainly does not hurt doing it more often.

If it were a German car you might want to get an extended warranty. But I wouldn't be worried with a Lexus.

Parada Spec-X here. Not many miles yet but they are good in all conditions. WAY better than the OEM Michelins which sucked. The newer version of the Michelin is supposed to be better than the original. But there are a bunch of people on here who are happy with their Paradas.

In the menus, is there an option to reset defaults?

Our 2008 RX400h gas engine (ICE) is on most of the time, thats normal. It always comes on within 15-30 seconds of starting it when cold. Typically, the only times the ICE shuts down is when coasting or at a stop. Sometimes you can drive it slowly in a parking lot (or stop-and-go traffic) on electric only, if it's warmed up (that means oil, not coolant). It's not an electric car, it's a hybrid.

The RX400h does a respectable 24 mpg average, that's pretty good for a 4300# SUV. My old Jeep Grand Cherokee got 12 mpg, my little BMW 330Ci get's 18 mpg (all around town, it can get 23 mpg highway). Our Prius gets 50 mpg.

It takes a long time to recoupe the price difference in gas savings between a 350 and 450. We bought our two hybrids (RX and Prius) so my wife could use the HOV lanes commuting to DC, that was really the only reason. The RX is a real nice mid-size suv and gets a reasonable 23-25 mpg (good for a 4300# vehicle with plenty of power). The Prius gets 50 mpg and it's also a nice car, just wish it came in Lexus trim.

You'll like the 450h, you'll quickly get used to the differences between a regular car and a hybrid.

From "Zig" at the Tire Rack (in the above-link):

The Yokohama Parada Spec-X (Street/Sport Truck All-Season) is a really good choice as well. This is more of a sporty feeling tire which has great steering response and cornering feel, but the stiffer sidewall does have a bit of a harsher ride then a touring tire. So, if you drive your RX a little harder than the average RX driver this is a great choice. Long wearing, quiet and does great in winter weather. Great recommendation.

Well, that would be me (driving a little harder)! Looks like the Parada's will be the choice!

We like the Paradas. You mentioned you wanted a summer tire, but most of the ones on your list are all season tires, including the Paradas. They're good in the slop, unless you live in extreme snow country, you won't need winter tires.

I actually couldn't find any summer-only tires in this size... do you know of any?

If TireRack doesn't show any (they don't) then they likely don't exist. You'll like the Paradas.

has anyone installed a aftermarket radio with their rx400h. I have a 06 rx400h with navi and back up camera. but after installing the new deck i lost the back up camera function. Has anyone else experience this issue? Thanks in the advance

Never heard of the problem, but I believe very few people on here go with aftermarket radios. Sounds like it could be a wiring issue. But it's strange that the navi would still work and the camera doesn't. Check to make sure the wire from camera is hooked up properly.

From "Zig" at the Tire Rack (in the above-link):

The Yokohama Parada Spec-X (Street/Sport Truck All-Season) is a really good choice as well. This is more of a sporty feeling tire which has great steering response and cornering feel, but the stiffer sidewall does have a bit of a harsher ride then a touring tire. So, if you drive your RX a little harder than the average RX driver this is a great choice. Long wearing, quiet and does great in winter weather. Great recommendation.

Well, that would be me (driving a little harder)! Looks like the Parada's will be the choice!

We like the Paradas. You mentioned you wanted a summer tire, but most of the ones on your list are all season tires, including the Paradas. They're good in the slop, unless you live in extreme snow country, you won't need winter tires.

Thank y'all. I just charged it. Started right up. She's a trooper :)

Same thing for me. Charged it and it was OK for a few days and then died again. You need a new battery. I got the Autocraft Gold model from a local Advance Auto Parts store. They have a good warranty. There's a discount if you order online and then pick up in store.

Ok made the plunge ordered the Parada's.....be here in 2 days...

You won't be sorry.

My next problem could be what items need to be reset, I believe the battery was nearly totally dead. I'll update again soon.

Power windows, sunroof, memory seats, maybe the power hatch (sometimes mine needs this, sometimes not), 2008 model so you shouldn't need to do the ISC reset. Radio presets?

Just needed the TPMS reset which the manual told me how to do. Working fine since I put the charge on. Just need to remember to drive it at least once a week.

Resurrecting an old thread again. The battery died again. I had been trying to remember to drive it at least once a week. It did take another charge but I was sure it needed to be replaced.

Bought an Autocraft Gold battery at Advance Auto (net cost about $95 with discount and core trade). We'll see. Advance has a good warranty, 3 years free and 7 years prorated. Thought about the Optima but it is too expensive.

My next problem could be what items need to be reset, I believe the battery was nearly totally dead. I'll update again soon.

Power windows, sunroof, memory seats, maybe the power hatch (sometimes mine needs this, sometimes not), 2008 model so you shouldn't need to do the ISC reset. Radio presets?

Just needed the TPMS reset which the manual told me how to do. Working fine since I put the charge on. Just need to remember to drive it at least once a week.

Have the new tires on Baby Rex. Ordered on 11.7.11 and they were delivered 11.8.11, talk about service. So far I love 'em. The Parada's look and handle great. Now I'm ready for the snow, so game on.

Thanks to all for imput.

Good choice, I think you'll be happy with those tires.

If you want the best all season for snow, it might be the Continental ExtremeContact DWS, it's in the Ultra High Performance All Season category. BUT, the ratings in the surveys for snow performance for them and the Paradas are very similar. They are a little more expensive than the Paradas.

We didn't get much snow here last year but I took them out after a light storm on snow covered roads and they seemed to do fine.

The wider tire you'd like will not be better in the snow.

Yokohama Parada Spec-X.

Search here and on Tirerack.

Parking mishap with the RX400h. Right front door panel needs to be replaced, I believe the whole door "shell" will have to be replaced as this a whole welded unit. Then it will have to be painted, blended, etc.

Any recommendations for a good body shop near Vienna, VA?

This is an old thread but still relevant. Was going to use the Lexus yesterday and nothing. First the seat would not adjust when I pressed my button. I get in, turn the key to the power position and nothing, interior light was also totally dark.

I now have my charger hooked up and it's drawing about 8 amps, it's a 10 amp charger.

We don't drive the Lexus much anymore, especially in summer. It can sit for 2-3 weeks without being used. My charger is automatic and will go into maintain mode when a full charge is indicated.

Even if it takes the charge, my fear is this will continue to happen like it did to others. I suspect it will need to be replaced. In future, I will make sure to drive it at least once a week.

Our '94 Jeep Grand Cherokee used to eat batteries like Halloween candy. Needed replacement every 2-3 years even though it was driven regularly.

Prices on the Optima batteries are crazy. I'll go with something less expensive than that. Last time I paid that much was for an Audi wagon we had, it was a monster size battery that only dealers carried. I also paid a lot for a battery for my BMW because I had to go to the dealer for that one as well.

As an update, I can get an AutoCraft battery from Advance Auto Parts for a net $82 including a 25% discount offer and core charge refund. It's their Gold model with 500 CCA. And there's a store right near me.

Another update. I just checked the charger and the amp draw from the battery was down to 2-3 amps. The Completed Charge indicator was on but blinking super rapidly. Maybe it's just finishing the last stage of the charge. The charger manual did say that the charger would drop the amps as the battery neared full charge (going to maintenance mode). I think I'll leave it on a little longer before I try it, the charger manual says it cannot overcharge in automatic mode.

My next problem could be what items need to be reset, I believe the battery was nearly totally dead. I'll update again soon.

Next update, it started! TPMS warning is on, don't know how to reset it. Maintenance warnings and that stuff were erased. Not sure what else needs attending to. Really don't want to go to the dealer for this stuff.

Will the battery last if we drive the car more frequently?

This is an old thread but still relevant. Was going to use the Lexus yesterday and nothing. First the seat would not adjust when I pressed my button. I get in, turn the key to the power position and nothing, interior light was also totally dark.

I now have my charger hooked up and it's drawing about 8 amps, it's a 10 amp charger.

We don't drive the Lexus much anymore, especially in summer. It can sit for 2-3 weeks without being used. My charger is automatic and will go into maintain mode when a full charge is indicated.

Even if it takes the charge, my fear is this will continue to happen like it did to others. I suspect it will need to be replaced. In future, I will make sure to drive it at least once a week.

Our '94 Jeep Grand Cherokee used to eat batteries like Halloween candy. Needed replacement every 2-3 years even though it was driven regularly.

Prices on the Optima batteries are crazy. I'll go with something less expensive than that. Last time I paid that much was for an Audi wagon we had, it was a monster size battery that only dealers carried. I also paid a lot for a battery for my BMW because I had to go to the dealer for that one as well.

As an update, I can get an AutoCraft battery from Advance Auto Parts for a net $82 including a 25% discount offer and core charge refund. It's their Gold model with 500 CCA. And there's a store right near me.

Another update. I just checked the charger and the amp draw from the battery was down to 2-3 amps. The Completed Charge indicator was on but blinking super rapidly. Maybe it's just finishing the last stage of the charge. The charger manual did say that the charger would drop the amps as the battery neared full charge (going to maintenance mode). I think I'll leave it on a little longer before I try it, the charger manual says it cannot overcharge in automatic mode.

My next problem could be what items need to be reset, I believe the battery was nearly totally dead. I'll update again soon.

This is an old thread but still relevant. Was going to use the Lexus yesterday and nothing. First the seat would not adjust when I pressed my button. I get in, turn the key to the power position and nothing, interior light was also totally dark.

I now have my charger hooked up and it's drawing about 8 amps, it's a 10 amp charger.

We don't drive the Lexus much anymore, especially in summer. It can sit for 2-3 weeks without being used. My charger is automatic and will go into maintain mode when a full charge is indicated.

Even if it takes the charge, my fear is this will continue to happen like it did to others. I suspect it will need to be replaced. In future, I will make sure to drive it at least once a week.

Our '94 Jeep Grand Cherokee used to eat batteries like Halloween candy. Needed replacement every 2-3 years even though it was driven regularly.

Prices on the Optima batteries are crazy. I'll go with something less expensive than that. Last time I paid that much was for an Audi wagon we had, it was a monster size battery that only dealers carried. I also paid a lot for a battery for my BMW because I had to go to the dealer for that one as well.

As an update, I can get an AutoCraft battery from Advance Auto Parts for a net $82 including a 25% discount offer and core charge refund. It's their Gold model with 500 CCA. And there's a store right near me.

This is an old thread but still relevant. Was going to use the Lexus yesterday and nothing. First the seat would not adjust when I pressed my button. I get in, turn the key to the power position and nothing, interior light was also totally dark.

I now have my charger hooked up and it's drawing about 8 amps, it's a 10 amp charger.

We don't drive the Lexus much anymore, especially in summer. It can sit for 2-3 weeks without being used. My charger is automatic and will go into maintain mode when a full charge is indicated.

Even if it takes the charge, my fear is this will continue to happen like it did to others. I suspect it will need to be replaced. In future, I will make sure to drive it at least once a week.

Our '94 Jeep Grand Cherokee used to eat batteries like Halloween candy. Needed replacement every 2-3 years even though it was driven regularly.

Prices on the Optima batteries are crazy. I'll go with something less expensive than that. Last time I paid that much was for an Audi wagon we had, it was a monster size battery that only dealers carried. I also paid a lot for a battery for my BMW because I had to go to the dealer for that one as well.