mrc88dal

Alenzas!

I have Alenzas on my 400 and love them. They're especially impressive on rain-soaked roads where I've noticed little-to-no hydroplaning compared to the OEM Michelins. In the winter, I mount Bridgestone Blizzaks which are great in the snow.

Like Billy said-no sensors on the '06 400h

I'm in the middle of NH and we currently have 2' of snow on the ground w/another 9-12" expected this week. I purchased my Blizzaks from Tire Rack and bought dedicated alloys for the snow tires. Because of the heavy use of salt and sand up here, I didn't want to mess up the factory wheels. Tire Rack makes this easy with wheel/tire packages. I have Blizzak DM-Z3's, size 235/65R17. Hope this helps!

We just had our rear brakes done @ 45K or so on our '06. It sounds legit to me based on mileage and vintage.

Snow tires are the key! See my multiple posts on the 400h's performance in winter conditions. A new set of Blizzaks will alleviate your concerns.

Stock for my 2006 400h, size 235/55/R18.

Hi Rey, I've had mine on for about 20K now and still love them. When I first got them, I felt they were slightly louder than the OE Michelins but not objectionably so. I certainly find them to be quiet at highway speeds and love both their handling and wet-weather road performance. I'll definitely be getting another set but it will be awhile-they're wearing exceptionally well. There are other Dueler H/L's out there so be sure and get the Alenza variant. My sister just put a set on her Volvo XC-90 and is extremely happy with them.

Since you mentioned Tire Rack, I thought I'd quote what they say about choosing the right snow tire size. Here it is: I have Bridgestone Blizzaks, size 235/65R17, mounted on dedicated alloys for winter driving. For summer, Bridgestone Alenzas mounted on the OE alloys, size 235/55/R18.

Ron, There are others who are more knowledgeable about the nav system but I'm pretty sure that if you have a Gen.4(2006 RX) nav system, the last database that you can create a hybrid disc that the car will accept is 6.1. I'd love to hear if you get your disc to work. Of course these comments are all based on the assumption that you have a 2006 RX 400h.

Sorry to say you're stuck with the display as is. I just upgraded to database 8.1 but the generation disc on the 2006 RX400h will always be gen.4. It may not be as pretty but it's still extremely functional. On the bright side, my 2006 has almost 50k and has had no mechanical problems so you made a good decision buying a used 2006.

Thanks guys, I just had the air filter replaced at 40K so I think that's out as a cause. I'm wondering if there's a plugged drain in the A/C system. That happened once in my VW GTI(last VW I'll ever purchase BTW). The mold in the condenser sounds plausible/probable. My kids Mazda 6 actually got a mouse nest established in the system and had to be thoroughly cleaned out. That smell really stunk coming out through the vents. I don't think/hope that isn't my problem. Any more thoughts are greatly appreciated. Mark

Hi all, I've just started noticing an odor coming from the A/C system immediately after start-up and lasting 30-45 minutes. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm taking the 400 in for it's 45K service next week and would like to give the adviser some suggestions. The smell is a "musty" or mildew-like smell. Thanks!

First, I never suggested that the 400h is an off-road vehicle. It's not and my mention of my Sequoia ownership and experience with that SUV were meant to convey that I realize that the 400h is not as competent as certain dedicated 4WD or AWD vehicles. With that said, I can attest to the 400h's performance in heavy snow as can other members of this forum. Snow tires and driver technique, as discussed ad nauseum here, are critical when you live in snowy areas. If you don't change your tires, you'll likely complain about the AWD system or end up "off-road" as many of our MA and CT visitors do. My comments are based less on my "good experience" and more on my impressions of the 400h's capability when properly equipped and driven. My concern here, as with prior "winter" related posts, is the newcomer to this forum who is addressing this issue as I did several years ago. I want to make sure they hear accurately from people who have actually driven the 400h in winter conditions. Fortunately, when I first accessed this forum over two years ago, there were several owners in "snowy" states who alleviated my concerns about trading my Sequoia for a 400h. I haven't been disappointed. Like you, I love the car!!

Living in the great white north and having just weathered the 2nd snowiest winter recorded in NH with an RX400h, I can tell you that the 400h is quite capable. To call it a "joke" without having any experience with it in true winter conditions is misleading at best and is reminiscent of WWest's opines of yore. My previous SUV, a Toyota Sequoia, was extremely capable and I was apprehensive to purchase the 400h but decided to take the risk. After two winters, I've not been disappointed. I've driven it in 12" of snow with no difficulties and have never seen the "Christmas Tree Effect" you imply is common nor can I relay any "horror stories". As with any vehicle driven in winter conditions, dedicated snow tires and driver technique goes a long way. Is the RX as good as my Sequoia, no. But can it be driven safely and effectively in those same winter conditions, yes. I think this forum works best when we all avoid innuendo and stick to our own actual experiences with the car.

Hi, I own a 2006 400h and that system is not on my car. A quick scan of the owners manual and the sales sticker reveals nothing about a TPMS. I'm pretty sure it was an add to the 2007 model year and up. Sorry!

2006 RX400h Ownership period: 25 months 46,000 miles Zero defects(Front brakes re-done @40K) 25.1 mpg average on 93 octane

Congrats! It's awfully tempting to really drive it hard. I splurge on occasion and do all the things you're not supposed to(jack rabbit starts etc.) and then reset the mileage computer and go back to fuel savings mode. The good news is that even when you do drive it hard, you'll likely still get 20-22mpg. Far better than the 8-9mpg on your Expedition. I doubt we'll consider any other vehicle when we replace our 400h in 2-3 years.

Almost. You'll be able to use the NAV but won't be able to change/add a new destination via the maintenance override menu while the car is moving. If you plan on upgrading to 7.1(8.1 is due out next month by the way) you will need the disc made for Generation 4 nav systems. As far as I know, you can't interchange Gen. 4 & 5 discs. The 2006 400h is Gen. 4 and that is unchangeable without major hardware changes. If you decide to upgrade the nav database beyond 5.1, you will forever lose the ability to change the destination while driving. Even Lockpick will not change that reality if you update to 7.1 or greater on a Gen. 4 Lexus NAV system.

If you take the better gas mileage out of the equation, I believe the 400h is still the way to go. The CVT transmission is exceptionally smooth and the performance(torque and acceleration) easily blows away the 350. As mentioned above, re-sale value on the hybrid is better and will remain so. I'd aggressively solicit multiple dealers and try to get the best possible deal on a new 400h. You won't regret it! Happy Shopping.

Thanks! Unfortunately, they don't offer any products for the RX. Perhaps in the future?

I just purchased a 2006 and my son wants to connect his Ipod (that is what the lockpick does right?) Anyhow it has NAV, how do I know what Nav system and database version? To determine the database version, push the "Menu" button below the nav screen. In the upper right corner of the menu screen you'll see a button called "Map Disk". Push that button and a new screen will appear which reveals your nav database version. As for your Nav generation, I believe that all 2006 RX400h's are generation 4. Once you know your nav generation and database version, you can use the table on the Lockpick site to determine what will work in your RX. In my case, there wasn't a Lockpick device which would allow me to change the destination on-the-fly with a database > 6.1. On another note, I use a Vaistech unit (http://www.vaistech.com/) for XM radio and iPod connectivity so you don't have to use a Lockpick product if all you're looking to do is hook-up your iPod.

I did and fully support what they do but they haven't provided a solution for those of us(2006 RX 400h) that want to have the latest database and still be able to change the database on the fly. There was nothing in either of my posts that could be interpreted as "not giving them a chance". I gave them every chance and they just don't offer a product that works with my Lexus. I'm not complaining, just relaying to other 2006 RX 400h owners that they don't have a solution. There's likely a lot of other 2006 owners that would like that capability. That said, there must be hardware/software issues that prohibit Lockpick's development of such a product? I'm just looking for an alternative from other members.

Thanks Tom, I got an e-mail response w/in hours of posting my question and they confirmed my conclusion. I'd love to hear from anyone w/a gen. 4 nav system using lockpick 3 and a nav disc >6.1. That would confirm that I received bad info. Mark

Hi All, I just spoke with Lockpick and have determined that it won't work in my 2006 RX 400h. It seems the only Lockpick that will work with a Gen.4 Nav system is the Lockpick1 and if you use a nav database greater than 6.1, you lose the capability to change the destination while moving. Since I need the improvements in the later databases, I guess I'm out of luck. Does anyone know of any competitors or alternatives to lockpick? Thanks!!