jerryray

Sure you do, notice the plug on the left side, it's plugged into the accessory socket. The cap makes up for the wiring not being to handle large current demands.

The sub just sits there, heavy enough never to move. There is enough friction between the velcro like covering and the cargo mat. I may upgrade to the 250 watt someday.

Ok, these pictures show a basslink subwoofer sitting in the cargo area of my RX400h. This WILL work the same for the RX330. The subwoofer pictured here.. http://www.icomrepair.com/picts/basslink.jpg Is sitting on a mounting board, connected via rx accessory plug as seen. The speaker connections for passenger and driver side are here: http://www.icomrepair.com/picts/speakerdriver.jpg http://www.icomrepair.com/picts/speakerright.jpg The colors are what you need to connect. You will notice that large capacitor next to the subwoofer, it is used to prevent voltage drops upon heavy bass. The Ideal install would be large wires from the battery, installing this cap really works to prevent bass loss due to voltage drops. I have installed connectors so when I need cargo space I remove the sub and tuck the plugs in the space below the rx's plug. Really works for me no wires cut, no holes drilled and sounds great. Be sure to listen in and work the phase switch for the deepest bass response. I went a little further and have an external volume control up front mounted with Velcro. This gives me control of the level of bass. Enjoy it's not difficult and you will be pleased. BTW it adds just the right amount depending on content. If you are looking for bass that will rock the cars around you this is not going to give you that.

I am starting a new thread how to connect a subwoofer rx400 or rx330 This should help anyone handy do this install.

I listened to one of the ML systems and did not care for the difference. I installed a basslink woofer that sits in the rear. Sounds great and unplugs when I need storage room.

I have tried Premium and regular gas, I get better mileage with regular. Could be me, but same roads times etc. Premium was 22.2, regular was 24.7-25.8. I do notice some slight improvment in acceleration with premium, but only if it's flat out. I tried this twice and used 2 tankfuls to make the test. These are my findings with my car anyway.

I would not mind so much, but the speed dials numbers are blank. The only way to see a name (or be stopped) is to transfer from your phone. Verizon has disabled that feature in their phones. BOOOO for Verizon. Lexus should have included a way to enter text in the name field...

That is interesting, premium fuel. I did learn that on my RX330, the cars acceleration was better after two tankfuls or premium. The service manager said it took two tankfuls for the computer to set the performance. I did get better mileage on my first tank of "dealer" gas. So after 6 weeks of regular, I have just filled up with premium. I will see if it makes any difference this week, made a difference in my pocket though...

I have also noticed a slight surge on the highway, however it is so slight, I can't tell whether it may be my foot on the gas pedal as the vehicle hits a rut or two. It doesn't appear to happen when cruise control is engaged, so I am thinking that the gas pedal may just a tad too sensitive. ← Jashev, so how would you compare the 400h and your X5?

I don't think it will have any effect on gas mileage as long as you take it out of "B" when finished the long downgrade. I have driven a little over 1500 miles so far and you will learn to drive differently. When going upgrade I try to accelerate slowly uphill. And coast as much as possible. Remember any time your foot is off the accelerator the engine is off. I have found that 50-60 is better for the mileage than 60-75 NYC traffic avg 23-25 Highway 24-27.8 Not bad for a 4000+lb SUV. AND power is there when you need it. Mileage may get a little better as the RX breaks in, about 5,000 miles should do it.

I don't usually get involved in disputes such as this, but I have been reading the last 100 or so post by Indiasfinest. I don't see where his comments have helped the other forum members with their questions regarding the 400H. Indiasfinest; Basically one liners as if you were on IM talking to your friends. You can type out the words, it's not morse code. No need to abbreviate. Do you own a 400h? Perhaps not, do you drive a lexus? I believe from what I read your parents may own one. Do you drive? 600+ posts since May? If we can help each other with answers or constructive ideas great that's what this is all about..

I only have 400 miles on my car but have the following observations: 1. My gas mileage has been about what I expected, 27 combined hway/city. 2. I have no complaints about materials used or quality controls. 3. I find the missing remaining miles guage annoying, but not critical. In a luxury vehicle at this price, there is no reason to not have that option. 4. Again, tire pressure system is an annoyance and at this level should be standard. 5. I have had no problems with the climate control. 6. Don't particularly care about the wood. 7. Listened to the Levinson system and elected not to get it. The only difference I saw was about 100 watts of power which I would never use anyway. 8. I think it is negligent not to have a satellite ready radio system in the car. 9. I think it is ludicrous to disable the navigation and phone systems when the vehicle is in motion (though I have already hacked the navigation portion and now get full functionality when moving. Still working on the phone.) 10. I find the car somewhat susceptible to torque steer during acceleration and I also find it has a tendency to pull to either side during braking. 11. There are certainly better AWD systems available on the market (BMW X drive and Audi Quattro to name two) and I am surprised that Lexus elected to focus it's powertrain on a front wheel drive configuration instead of balancing the power more equally through the drivetrain. Then finally, there is the fun factor. This car is fun to drive, gets great gas mileage for the amount of power available and in my case, the dealer seems extremely competent. The verdict however is still out as to whether I would buy the car again. Jon ← I totally agree with all. It's one of the best vehicles I've had. PLEASE tell me how you over rode the Nav lock out when moving. email me if you would . ron@ronovers.com ← Me too, would be nice to have the nav entry system. I am EE, so that may help.

Yes, RX330 my driving to and from NYC was 16-17, RX400 25 Other highway driving up to 27.8 and I only have 1,200 miles None of the other problems And get ready for more power that you will ever need And it will make most drivers drive more conservative. Cost me $20k to upgrade a 2yr old rx330 Would do it again in a second Just think what the next one will be like. Get it now, were not on this earth very long...

Put my commander just above the steering wheel, with real strong double side tape. Home made L bracket helps support it. Works well there. Picture here http://www.icomrepair.com/picts/rx400dash.jpg

I have the commander XM, I installed this unit myself. The head is double side taped above the steering wheel, fits just right there. The module is mounted in the rear of the console. I did remove the radio to mount the relay box. I used two clamp on splices for the power and constant +12v. I ran the antenna wire up the rain channel and dropped the antenna 5" above center. Used a piece of 3m clear protector below it on the painted surface. Tacked the thin antenna wire with a minature glue gun. Neat and works very well.

I have not noticed that exact feeling at all. BUT, I need to really floor it to get out in traffic, AND take my foot off the pedal right away, the car still accelerates for a second or so, VERY scary. Anyone else notice this?

I'm usually about 3 bars from the top. The bars are usually displayed in blue. Green occasionally. However, I had a scare yesterday, a very hot day here, going through a car wash. The battery display was about as usual before entering the wash. I decided to stay in the car because I didn't want the attendant !Removed! around and cranking the ignition, not knowing how a hybrid works. Of course, I had to put the car in NEUTRAL going through the wash, and of course I had the air conditioning on b/c it was so hot. Well, before I even got halfway through the wash, a warning was displayed that I needed to put the vehicle in "park" immediately because (as I found when I checked the manual) the battery doesn't charge when it's in neutral. And, surprisingly, the couple of minutes in the wash w/ the air conditioning on was enough to get me "in the red" and then to NO bars displayed. I assume the battery didn't really completely discharge, because according to the manual it wouldn't have started. I was certainly concerned, though, given the warnings from the dealer about how much it costs to recharge or replace the traction battery. I also find it strange and disconcerting that the traction battery could empty, or nearly empty, so quickly. ← I have just tried that same scenaro, only sitting in my driveway while in neutral. You are correct, I also got that message. Guess when that happens just turn the ignition switch to off. I can go about 15 minutes if the battery is nearly charged. Guess we have to keep an eye on the charge state before the car wash. Personally I prefer the old hand wash to the machines. Only during the freezing winter months do I use a car wash, and even then it is a hand wash, machine rinse and blow.

I'm usually about 3 bars from the top. The bars are usually displayed in blue. Green occasionally. However, I had a scare yesterday, a very hot day here, going through a car wash. The battery display was about as usual before entering the wash. I decided to stay in the car because I didn't want the attendant !Removed! around and cranking the ignition, not knowing how a hybrid works. Of course, I had to put the car in NEUTRAL going through the wash, and of course I had the air conditioning on b/c it was so hot. Well, before I even got halfway through the wash, a warning was displayed that I needed to put the vehicle in "park" immediately because (as I found when I checked the manual) the battery doesn't charge when it's in neutral. And, surprisingly, the couple of minutes in the wash w/ the air conditioning on was enough to get me "in the red" and then to NO bars displayed. I assume the battery didn't really completely discharge, because according to the manual it wouldn't have started. I was certainly concerned, though, given the warnings from the dealer about how much it costs to recharge or replace the traction battery. I also find it strange and disconcerting that the traction battery could empty, or nearly empty, so quickly. ← That is interesting. I have noticed when the charge display gets to one or two bars, the engine starts and charges the battery. So in your case the engine did not start? Was the display on the dash showing ready?

Really, the highlander synergy drive hybrid system is DIFFERENT than the Lexus ? I was under the impression they were identical?

Would this hold true for any State you would move to and register the car in that State? If Sales tax has already been paid in another State.

My first week with the 400h the battery display was reading one bar from the top. The last two weeks it is typically two bars from the top. What charge states are the forum members "seeing" ? TIA

I suggest you pick up a kit ~$14.95 in the auto parts store. It's not difficult to do. I have used these on my ES300 and the RX330. I have fixed bullet type stars and the type you describe. Do it quickly before dirt and moisture get in there.

What cost per galllon did you use? Looks like $2.00, try with the current gas prices in the Northeast it's closer to $3.00 And it will change per month and year, of course it will only go up. Thanks for your work

Umm, 2 so far is something to be concerned with. When did you get your 400? How many miles? There must be some TSB regarding this?? I go on 200+ mile trips where there are no dealers, this has me very concerned. I too had a 12V battery failure. Although covered under warranty, I was without my car for 10 days (after only 21 days of ownership). The dealer, although friendly, would not discuss the failure mode, or more importantly to me, root cause and prevention of a repeated failure. I did learn that more than the auxillary battery was replaced. The long delay for service included time for multiple parts to arrive from Japan to the west coast of North America. After the service, a few more stops at the service center corrected several "bugs" (such as owner programable functions - e.g. drivers seat position memory) revealed themselves during operation. ←

I was under the impression the Air conditioning compressor is battery operated. I do believe this is true, so running the air conditioner should not have any effect on the gas mileage. I would agree that in traffic the batterys would last longer with the air off. comments? quote=patt,Aug 10 2005, 03:10 AM] I personally do not believe that you are doing anything wrong. I have about 2000 miles on my RX400h and the average is 24.6 MPG. I coast whenever possible and do not use the AC even when it is hot. I practice painfully slow starts whenever there are no cars behind me. It is frustrating...the car just does not even come close to the advertised mileage. I expected more than this. ← There is a big difference between averaging 24.6 MPG as you are and never getting more than 24 MPG as Judy reports. Averaging 24.6 may be consistant with the EPA MPG numbers depending on how different your driving is from the EPA city and highway numbers. I get the EPA numbers when I drive something close to the EPA profiles. Our average over the life of the car so far is just over 25 mpg though that includes using AC . By the way, I have found that painfully slow starts don't seem to be the best thing for mileage. I get as good or better mileage when I go fairly promptly up to speed and then cruise. And why would you spend 50K to drive a car where you can't use the air conditioner? ←