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SOMEONE ELSE'S GOT MY NAME

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Everything posted by SOMEONE ELSE'S GOT MY NAME

  1. (sigh) great ... now that I'm at 60K miles + .... and time to change the PCV - the links/pic's are dead guess I'll have to try the hyhi sight. Oh well .
  2. Yes, The Dealer blew smoke up your nether region. Your 12v Aux battery does NOT have - not does it need to crank the 400h. It merely boots up the ECU's. When the ICE starts, it's the MG's that starts it up. That's not to say your 12v battery wasn't low. They're awfully undersized - because they don't need a lot of power to simply boot up the ride. But because it's a light weight battery to start with, it takes way to little electrical draw to kill it. Think dome light on all night ... or running the music player while working on it ... stuff like that. We changed over to a 12v battery that actual DOES have cranking amps, so we can avoid the all too common scenario of aux hybrid battery premature death. I would highly advise on NOT getting a Lexus OEM battery, as you'll end up getting overcharged, for an under rated battery
  3. Lexus' trearment about this tsb really gets me P.O.'d. Our 400h was built in '05 and if the power plant suffers colateral damage due to so-so inverter cooling over a half decade (and who'd know), it seems like Lexus couldn't give a rip. We got notice from Lexus MONTHS ago, but thery're really slow to take care of it. They've known about this since the days of the stink about possible 'unintended acceleration' issues ... & so modernly, Lexus is suposedly no longer sluffing off owner conserns. Yea, right. .
  4. Like it or not - If your ride is a 2009 or newer - the word from Toyota (Lexus) is official. Yep. They've put it in writing: I mentioned earlier ... if the DEALER (who fight kicking and screaming to never pay for a warranty if they can blame it on anything else) says you're good to go 10K miles - as well as the synthetic oil manufacturers saying you're good to go ... well then you're spending double the extra money for your own personal comfort.
  5. I don't bother telling folks what to do w/ oil any more. I just direct them to the place that ought to know better than anyone. From the mobile 1 website: http://www.mobiloil.com/usa-english/motoroil/car_care/askmobil/10000_mile_oil_changes_on_mobil_1.aspx so anyway, yea, your conditions may be different ... harsher ... easier ... so oil test, oil wear, etc may vary ... even from season to season. But in simplest terms, if the people who make a living trying to sell you MORE products than you really even need tell you "don't worry about your filter/oil for 10k miles" - well, heck, if that doesn't mean anything, than nothing will. :)
  6. You didn't get the Inverter TSB for the RX? Bottom line, it ain't just the Prius inverter coolant pump. It's the 400h too. If anyone wants to download the TSB (dealer didn't send it to you) it's on the other Lexus forum:http://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/hybrid-technology/218313d1312380599-safety-recall-bld-intelligent-power-module-ipm-replacement-400h_ipm_recall2.pdf I knew it'd be just a matter of time, because they released one on the hyhi some time ago. Our notice from Lexus says they don't yet have parts, but when they (finally ... it's been almost 2 months now) do have the parts, they'll give us notice. ie; don't call us, we'll call you. Supposedly parts were to be arriving in a couple months ... now they're talking SIX months. Part of me wished the inverter would blow up. A few of THOSE might hurry things along. Maybe the TSB can be posted with all the others that got pinned? EDIT here's the one we got, in case your dealer says their's no such animal:
  7. +1That's seemingly saying what generically I was getting at. Yet Rey's 400h DOES look like his tires are taller - and that was his objective when he got them ... but the replacement set he installed ought to NOT be taller, based on the "55" number. So I'm just saying I can't reconcile the numbers with the looks.
  8. Sorry for the Zombie thread resurrection. RXREY, I'm confused about your Toyos. I remember long ago when you 1st posted about your 'taller' tires. But going from 235's to 255's ?? 235(the 1st number) is the number representing the WIDTH. If you wanted taller tires (albeit only 1/2") you'd go from (second number on the size label) 235/55's to 335/60's. Getting 255/55's keeps your height the same and widens the tire. Perhaps your Toyos gauge by narrower and taller scale? I don't know. Any input would be helpfull.
  9. Fresh & Easy Grocery Store in So Cal has hybrid parking too. Now that we have an EV ... I'm hoping they'll go whole hog, and install L2 charge stations too. :)
  10. The OP's post is likely a 450h. Completely differently animal - Atkinson ICE and all. Then again, if you want to add the necessary ECU's drill holes for a button, plug the hole in the steering column ... let me know how that works for ya. I'd love to have push button, but already explored the can of worm it'd be.
  11. Wow ... I've been away for a bit. I'm going to give this a try. I though it was my imagination, but after Lexus changed out a steering ecu and aligned our 4 wheels (which for whatever reason, made them disconnect the battery) the mpg's have been a bit low. We'll see if this makes a difference. Call me wacky ... but isn't is pathetic, that Lexus knows less about our rides (in some instances) than the owners do? Same deal with the steering ecu we had replaced due to a tsb. They never called ... never even suggested it when we complained about our ride pulling to the right. When I think of the tread we wasted, and the gas we wasted, and that they won't even own up to how wrong that is ... well ... maybe I shouldn't let incompetence get to me.
  12. To be honest - it turns a lot on driving style. "She who must be obeyed" only gets 25mpg whereas I easily get 30mpg and we have the AWD version. In part, my high mpg's turn on running higher tire pressure. Also, I installed an EBH so if I leave on a short trip - even in the summer - the 400h is already warmed up. A cold ICE (for the 1st 5 or 10 minutes) really kills mpg's. With the AWD version - this is about as good as folks can ever expect in it:
  13. I've loved prior Michelins we've purchased aftermarket ... but the ones that came with our 400h wore out in record time. True ... in part it was due to the defective steering ecu that Lexus somewhat begrudgingly replaced. But by the time they finally got done jerking us around and replaced the parts recalled under the TSB - we'd probably lost a good half year's worth of tread. (sigh) Our 2nd set of treads (Michelins) on the 400h are now shot too - at 50,000 miles. I'm trying the Ecopias this time.
  14. Even better ... those of us fortunate enough to be in the 7 or 8 states following CA hybrid emissions regulations, we get the hybrid part of their warranty carried out to 150K. EEEK ... we may end up needing it some day! Even so, life is good. I'm really surprised that Lexus/Toyota wasn't more gracious to dead inverter owners ... especially back when all the hubub was going on with alleged unintended acceleration.
  15. I don't suppose there's a snowball's chance that this new version (like the last two versions) will be compatible with the back door / maintenance screens that lock pick and other devices access ... letting you input map and or phone numbers on the fly, right?
  16. JBP - aside from all this silly banter, what part of the UK are you from? Your Avatar doesn't mention it. About 17 years ago, I lived in the Cambridge dorms for one semester of of my Barrister schooling. It was a wonderful experience. Our favorite hangout in Cambridge was "The Anchor" ... established some time before the colonies declared their independence, I believe. It was a wonderful experience ... so much so that I took my better half back there for a vacation just a couple years ago. Her fovorite stop was Stratford upon Avon. It was as though I still had every back ally of the areas memorized like the back of my hand. Wonderful. But I digress ~ BTW. It was Andrew Jackson who was attributed the expression, "It is a damn poor mind indeed which can't think of at least two ways to spell any word". His parents were both born on your side of the pond. http://www.famousquotesabout.com/quote/It-is-a-damn/25511 No, I don't buy into it ... but it's especially comforting to a slothful speller like me ... as I mentioned above, nonetheless. Here's to hoping all of YOUR 400h snowy travels are smooth ... despite the stock 400h tires. .
  17. See, I didn't think you'd try to weasel out, just because the example is old ... or mistakenly think it's a Montana thing (actually that article was from the Nation's capitol) Here you go ... an article from THIS year ... you can find it in the article's header, or read on into the body of the article where 'turn' is used again: http://www.kostrolaw.com/NJFamilyIssues/2010/06/17/entire-controversy-doctrine-arise-from-related-facts-same-transaction-series/ And for the uninformed comment posted from over-seas ... here's a UK example - so you won't feel left out. The first line of paragraph 21: http://www.lrb.co.uk/v31/n01/john-lanchester/is-it-art More? Ok! (you'll have to use your PC's 'find' feature ... I don't want you all to get lazy now: http://www.ejiltalk.org/reflections-on-self-determination-and-the-status-of-kosovo-in-light-of-the-report-of-the-independent-international-fact-finding-mission-on-the-conflict-in-georgia/ http://pewforum.org/Church-State-Law/Stimulus-Package-Stimulates-Church-State-Debate.aspx http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-welfareblack.htm Want me to find examples from every English speaking city it every English speaking country? I just might do it - if old age is making us old folk's skulls thick around here. Still, my "cut & paste" finger IS getting sore. Everyone ready to tap out yet? Good! Glad to be of service. Grammar 101 will continue some other time. B) Hope I don't get a warning for being a wise guy ... I couldn't resist. :chairshot: So ... back to topic! ... um, snow?
  18. "depends" ?? Aren't those adult diapers that I hope I never need? :P But no ... the verb turn(s) has an alternate meaning of "change(s) or as you say, "depends" ... and it's been that way for many, many decades that I know. See the example below, in the 5th paragraph - 3rd word of paragraph 5: http://ftp.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/347/347.F2d.471.18800.html Now my spelling is OFTEN hideous so if you want to rip me a new one over that ... it's well deserved. Little PDA keys and not wearing reading glasses ... bad combo.But to segway (and that isn't the little electric scooter btw :) ) back onto topic - if your state allows studs, we find them quite effective for winter driving In Montana ... especially on slick ice. But as to comments like, "this car sucks in the snow" ... it generates little light on the topic (and lots of heat) for members to say, "the 400h is HORRIBLE" on snow/ice. What happens is someone will come along and say, "no, it's fine, if you know how to drive on snow, and have great snow tires" ... and suddenly it becomes a pee'n contest ... "oh YEA? ... I've been driving on ice for EVER" ... "oh yea? ... " etc etc. I'm staying out of that.
  19. We called around. Best price for factory extended warranty was Toyota of Greenfield. sorry if it's too late for this to matter. If you get your best price, it'll be just under $1,900. That said, the factory extended warranty is based off when your vehicle is MANUFACTURED ... not date of purchase (new). That little tidbit can be several months difference ... and it'd be a shame if you were nearing the end of your extended warranty purchase time ... thinking it was from the date of purchase, and so you let the issue slide. It almost happened to us. The TSB relating to early production models had steering / alignment issues pulling to the right. The extended warranty paid for it and thus the extended warranty paid for itself, in one fell swoop. BTW .. it's not just 50K miles you need to keep your eye one. If your 400h is nearing its age, based on MANUFACTURE date ... it really doesn't matter if you only have 5 miles on it. So watch for BOTH ;)
  20. The topic has been beat to death, time & time again. Here's the synopsis. Snow driving turns a lot on the driver. Snow driving turns a lot on the depth & temps & condition of the snow. Snow driving turns a lot on the tires. Do your best to have all those elements in your favor. If you can't you'd best have decent tires. Stock tires are not decent for even moderate snow conditions ... especially on curves & grades. Your avatar doesn't show where your are, so I can't determine if you are in a serious snow like area. That's the best one can do with the data at hand.
  21. Yes, in Canada, you will benefit greatly from an EBH. Your cabin heater will be way more efficient in the winter, and your mileage will be better. Your dealer can easily install it in Canada. We had to order ours from Canada, because the U.S. dealers parts list don't even show them. During cold Montana winters, we will run it for almost 2 hours prior to driving.
  22. I've NEVER reliably heard ANY loading file being successfully mearged with any data base past 6, but you can always keep trying. The world needs more coasters. :P
  23. I have had an RX450h for two months. No doubt about the power. When both elec motors kick in, it acts like a V8. You cannot add power of each elec motors to the engine power, (so the dealer said) but the total must be up there. Off road it handles mud OK, but be careful of sand. The clearance makes it NOT a rock hopper. I had an RX 400 h previously. Some quirks: the audio is not simple. That joy stick thing to change channels can be a challenge while driving. Learn the steering wheel set-up controls from the dealer. That too can be challenging. it is totally customizable. I get about 8.2 litres per 100 km around town...don't know british system, and about 6.8 kept hot. But it is not "run in" yet. graley WOW! That converts (in miles per gallon) to somewhere around 23mpg, doesn't it? Our neighbor gets 6mpg higher (29mpg) in their 450h which falls somewhere in between the EPA stated EDIT: OH wait -- you're down undah ... austrailia ... middle of winter. Average temps maybe 42 degrees. Our winter mileage gets lower too in our RX - which is the case with all hybrids in cold temps. We added a factory block heater, and block the grill, which keeps our winter mpg higher on our 400h. Well . . . come January/summer, you WILL do better!
  24. I am averaging between 28 and 32 mpg, the shorter the distance travelled the lower will be your mpg. For a SUV of this size, weight and power no other SUV is even coming close to this low fuel consumption,i.e. my previous Explorers were averaging around 18 to 20 mpg. Nobody can beat physics, not even Lexus :) Very True! We traded in our 2002 Range Rover for the 400h. The Range Rover was LUCKY on a good day to maybe get 14mpg. The $6,000 tranny/transfer case had to be replace just 90 days before the warranty expired. Whew! that was TOO close. NO such reliability issues with the 400h. We are very happy with reliability, ride, mileage, power, looks, etc. Well - the visibility was better out of the RR since its sort of a fish bowl, but that's the only + we'd give it.
  25. I have NO doubt that at some point, over inflation becomes unsafe. But on the flip side, tire insiders have mentioned to me how high the safety threshold is, for blow out. Heck, that just makes common sense. After all - every kitchen chair manufacturer has to account for numskulls using chairs as ladders. Thus, foreseeable accidents are avoided by building chairs safe enough to stand on. Avoiding product liability is what it's all about. The tire industry too, has to account for the numskull factor, so the max rated pressure does not mean if you are one pound over, that you're on the verge of a blow out. By the same token regarding wear, lower tire inflation may causes tires to wear out quick. And we have the industry saying we should not over inflate, but rather run lower pressures (to a point). Harold Herzlich, as well as all tire industry folks know what side of the bread has the butter on it. I don't mind the tire industry marketing softer pressures over higher pressures for a smoother ride, but lets face it ... if tires last longer, the industry sells less product, and makes less money. So in my humble opinion, there's an industry bias (hey! tire joke!) towards lower pressure. There is a growing 'cult' of higher psi folks out there who are experiencing good mpg results. I'm no tire expert. As a caveat, I'd advise NO one to act on ANY one's ideas unless it comes from an expert. If you ARE the type to experiment, remember, you do so at your own peril. It's just like blocking your grill for high mpg's - to keep warm air inside the ICE compartment ... especially in winter time. There WILL be a numskull that forgets to unblock the grill ... then drive to Vegas during the 120 degree summer. Boom ... their inverter temps go sky high, and they smoke their HSD. Care and common sense first. Good luck to all who seek to beat the EPA mpg! Here's a fun tire psi read from the cop's view point: http://www.officer.com/web/online/Editorial-and-Features/Driving-Under-Pressure/19$27281
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