NeoN

can't we just pull the fuse for the DRLs inside the cabin? if not just unplug your fog lights I guess and nothing will work at all.

can someone please do some research as to the MPG savings to not having DRL's

Try tirerack.com they have 17" wheels for the RX400h avail for cheap and they aren't steelies!

That explanation makes no sense.

They would solve their problems if they had a web site that clearly showed what each product does, which product works with each vehicle and exactly how they are installed. Every question here is related to people trying to get this information because they can't find it on their web site. Their problems are all self inflicted.

if there was anyone out there making a similar product that actually attempted to cater to their customers, coastal tech would be out of business quicker than free gas being devoured in europe

I got the basic lockpick 3 that unlocks the navigation feature on my 2008 RX400h and it works like a champ. Install took less than 5 minutes. I really want to utilize the functionality of the ulitmate lockpick 3 that would allow me to use on screen phone dialing while driving, but according to the coastaltech website, I am not sure if my vheicle (Mark Levinson with 6 disc CD/DVD changer) supports this.

Does anyone have any info concerning the success or failure of using the ultimate lockpick 3 with an 08 RX 400h that has the same stereo components as described?

Thanks

P.S.

If anyone needs install help, let me know. I have all but mastered disassembly of my RX's interior :)

I too have the RX 400h with Mark Levinson sound and 6 disc cd/dvd changer. I also purchased the lockpick 3 basic. When I purchased mine I called them to confirm that it would work and also if the lockpick 3 ultimate would work or not. I was told that the basic was all that would work with the ML sound system if it had the 6 disc in dash cd/dvd changer. This is a bit confusing to me as well because apparently the ultimate allows you to watch dvd's on the front screen while driving, which means yo need the ML system to have the front dvd head to read the dvd's and secondly I think they say it does work i the RX 350? I am not sure if they are confused about the rear entertainment configuration on this issue or not?

Anyway I did not really want the 3 ultimate real bad because all it would add for me that I would like is phone dialing while moving using the bluetooth screen/phone book and touch pad. I can pick up my phone and dial it just as easily and it will still go thru the bluetooth link. Plus your speed dial numbers in the Lexus phone book are accessible while moving without the lockpick ultimate.

anyone know if the lockpick 3 ultimate works with the rx400h 08'? im curious about the lockpick 3 basic

I posted something yesterday that was not meant to offend anyone. I was just irritated by the fact that so many times I come to this forum for advice, or help and have to see that people are just so unhappy and spew venom towards a car that I think is amazing. That's why I bought it! Anyway, I would like to be welcomed back if it's OK with my fellow Lexers...the happy ones. The rest of those that see life as a negative, an amazing car as the object of their frustrations or lack of ability to just get something else...well, I wish them well also and hopefully they can get their perfect car and at last be happy in life. I must go be with loved ones now, watch children play, hug my family and give thanks for my life. Warmly, Rey Bustos in L.A.

RXREY, You never left in my eyes, Your always welcome here. We all have those days.

Thanks, it's a pleasure. I want to post pictures and my thoughts after having my Toyo Proxes S/Ts (255/55/18"), for over a year and 12K miles. It will be a great report on them, they are amazing tires.

Reyjavou!

I actually like my Pirelli Scorpion Snow & Ice tires (255/55/18) better than the Toyo Proxes 4 (255/45/20) that I stuck on my SUV, the Pirellis are taller and inhibit less body roll, they are also wider and meatier which might help my case. although i think the toyos are stiffer they don't ride any harsher than the pirellis... love the pirellis for the money!! great value! ill post up pics of my rims soon as I get some time to clean her up and take some pics!

so your going to complain about navi? headlights?

get an aftermarket navi unit if you dont like it, its ten times better than a fixed or repaired daily navi, benz and bmw i garbage.

aim your headlights up, takes 3 seconds

these gripes are minor when you consider what a sheer technical marvel the rx400h is.

my only problems with the rx400h is the extreme amounts of body roll, i wish someone made sway bars for the truck.

also the awd system sucks, it drives like a FWD car 99% of the time, not a fan of torque steer

besides that im one happy owner, although i couldn't get the ML stereo system in my car! ARG!!

Mitch, you have to remember the average age of a Lexus owner is 61, i would bet money you are younger. I think for that reason the decision makers at Lexus left out some of the better ideas in the entertaiment system. Not a good excuse to forget about MP3 at least but i think other things were on their radar. I am in seattle and have no problem with the Nav system it has always worked well, and i drive throughout western washington for my job. (the one glaring exception, not fixed in the new update is that the Lexus system will not recognize a street address in downtown seattle that is simply 'fifth avenue', it always wants a fifth NORTH or SOUTH, my dealer says that is a known flaw for those of us who use the GPS in the northwest)

I am more grateful that toyota designed a reliable hybrid system that works well even though it is complicated. As gas races past 4.00 (premium is 4.60 in the NW as i type) to 5.00 it becomes more important every day. One also has the ability to conserve even more with thoughtful driving.

I am most dissapointed at the loud rattles near the rear decklid that have returned at 36000 miles. My ford exploder on its worst day never rattled like this car. Yes the dealer will fix them again. The OEM Goodyears never should have appeared on this vehicle and honestly i think Toyota owes everyone some kind of rebate for their second set the day those things come off the vehicle. Yes i stopped using the voice recognition but thats not a deal breaker for me.

Regarding the headlights, I think what you are experiencing is that they are set too low. Lexus has a habit of doing this saying they dont want to blind oncoming traffic. Nevermind that the left headlight is set even lower than the right. When i got an 08 loaner that was set noticably higher than mine i asked the dealer to adjust them higher. Even though the service tech winked when he said 'we really arent supposed to do that', i winked back and i noticed they were adjusted up after my last oil change.

Lastly, Mitch while no Lexus is cheap, my friend paid 86K out the door for his X5 a few months ago, and yes i love the seats, and his bamboo inlay in the dash, and as wwwest mentions the undoutably better 4wd system, i think the 400h is a much better value. Also know that you have found valuable resource in this group of people online, who are here to help you with problems you may have, and they have been deep source of knowlegde and support with this SUV over time.

wait till that X5 is equal to the value of the rx400h in about 4 years! bmw will come out with a hybrid SUV deeming the X5 gas guzzling V8s next to no value... german cars deprecaite at a much higher rate than japanese cars.

rey please don't leave we need you intuition and help on these forums!! I try my best to post up how-to and do-it-yourself tech articles, forums should be all about learning more and sharing our knowledge of how to defeat lexus not bashing the lexus itself. its a lovely car if you dont like it go discuss on other forums eg the HH forum...

this is the LEXUS OWNERS CLUB!! if you don't own a Rx400h or don't plan on buying one anytime soon why would anyone be trolling around here anyway?

jesus christ paying almost 50k for a toyota!? have we lost our mind here? I got my 2008 RX400h for $4k under sticker, you just have to shop around and know how to negotiate. no comparison between the two SUV's, its a lexus, resale will be much better. if the Hylander Hybrid was $40k then i'd consider it, but not at that price!!!!!!! what is toyota thinking?

Neon, your religious slurs are offensive to me. How about keeping them to yourself?

Tom

Original post was altered.

Neon, I don't want to warn you again - please tone down your language!

Dave

are you guys serious? im not cursing i dont see whats the big problem here

jesus christ paying almost 50k for a toyota!? have we lost our mind here? I got my 2008 RX400h for $4k under sticker, you just have to shop around and know how to negotiate. no comparison between the two SUV's, its a lexus, resale will be much better. if the Hylander Hybrid was $40k then i'd consider it, but not at that price!!!!!!! what is toyota thinking?

Neon, your religious slurs are offensive to me. How about keeping them to yourself?

Tom

lol ok dude not trying to offend anyone relax im a christian too

Wow, paying almost 50k for a toyota!? have we lost our mind here? I got my 2008 RX400h for $4k under sticker, you just have to shop around and know how to negotiate. no comparison between the two SUV's, its a lexus, resale will be much better. if the Hylander Hybrid was $40k then i'd consider it, but not at that price!!!!!!! what is toyota thinking?

I "second" RX400h's comments on the Alenza's. They're awesome in the rain, greatly improve handling, and are quiet.

this leaves me wondering... why weren't these equipped from the factory? or at least an option for them?!!!

I just added in more feedback... take a look up top.

More writeups to come next week when I get my 20" wheels/tires on my RX

I know in our shop we use agm and gel for applications that have no constant charging system such as powered wheel chairs and scooters. The battery will be discharged often times completely and then given a full recharge. This would cause a quick rate of sulfation on a standard lead acid but the agm and gel are much more forgiving. Again this is just my 2 cents worth.

interesting. this is good to know, I always figured a dry cell battery is better for contsant discharge like a scooter/wheelchair etc... kind of like a 2-cycle is meant to be run at higher rpms most of the time. It even states on the optima website that the deep cycle battery is ideal for starting/stopping situations where the current drain is maximum for 1-2 seconds (cranking/starting the engine in stop and go traffic). I couldn't see a more properly suited battery for our cars IMO.

Alright well time for my input on this subject... It all started about 2 weeks ago when i was driving to work in the pouring rain and almost crashed after hydroplaning on the stock Michilens.. in my opinion they are complete garbage in the snow/rain and drive more like $50 Firestone tires. I swapped mine out for Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow tires this weekend, and I couldn't be happier. These things are amazing! Ten times better feel than stock tires. Much more feedback on the road and the steering isn't as vague now. Much stiffer ride than stock, the lexus actually drives like an SUV now, not a Cadillac anymore. I could actually take the stock Michilens and bend them all the way in half which is absolutely unacceptable for a tire. They do weigh a ton less than the Pirellis but im much more concerned about my safety than getting .5 mpg better. By the way, I went with 255/55/18 (only $151 a piece from tire rack). The dry grip is amazing, I can actually corner now without worry about my RX tipping over. Drove them in the rain this morning and was extremely pleased so say the least, 80mph, no problem in pouring rain, wasn't afraid to take a corner at 15 mph over the speed limit either in the pouring rain. These tires instilled actual CONFIDENCE in me!!! who would have ever thought you would feel that way cornering in your RX?? I was always worried about rolling the RX. I give these tires a 9.0 / 10, check out the tire rack ratings (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=Scorpion+Ice+%26+Snow&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=555HR8SCORISXLV2&fromCompare1=yes&place=53)

Edit: The Defining moment came last night when it was pouring buckets of rain, near hurricane like conditions, everyone is driving 45 in the slow/middle lanes and then comes Brett flying by them at 70 in the fast lane in complete control, high beaming people to get the F out of my way....On a side note, I hate people that refuse to move over from the fast lane, its a PASSING LANE for Christs sake!! If I want to drive faster than you desire with a higher chance of hydroplaning i'm more than willing to take that risk (not with the Michilens however). Just some background knowledge, I'm used to hauling !Removed! at like 80 in these situations in my old ML500 with giant 275/55/17 All-Terrain Michilens, so it was an absolute shock to me when I couldn't even safely pull 55 in my RX when my Supra would have no problem pulling 70 in a torrential downpour (love my Bridgestone Potenza SO-3's). So basically I ended up having to weave in and out of traffic in this torrential downpour at 65 lol I would have been scared to death on the Michilens but I had no problem on the Pirellis, took the exit ramp at 10 mph over the speed limit, no loss of grip whatsoever. Took 90 degree turns in my neighborhood at 25-30, still no loss of traction, I couldn't even get VSC to come on.. I was shocked at how capable these tires were, two big thumbs up from me!

-Brett

alright well time for my input on this subject... It all started about 2 weeks ago when i was driving to work in the pouring rain and almost crashed after hydroplaning on the stock Michilens.. in my opinion they are complete garbage in the snow/rain and drive more like $50 Firestone tires. I swapped mine out for Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow tires this weekend, and I couldn't be happier. These things are amazing! Ten times better feel than stock tires. Much more feedback on the road and the steering isn't as vague now. Much stiffer ride than stock, the lexus actually drives like an SUV now, not a Cadillac anymore. I could actually take the stock Michilens and bend them all the way in half which is absolutely unacceptable for a tire. They do weigh a ton less than the Pirellis but im much more concerned about my safety than getting .5 mpg better. By the way, I went with 255/55/18 (only $151 a piece from tire rack). The dry grip is amazing, I can actually corner now without worry about my RX tipping over. Drove them in the rain this morning and was extremely pleased so say the least, 80mph, no problem in pouring rain, wasn't afraid to take a corner at 15 mph over the speed limit either in the pouring rain. These tires instilled actual CONFIDENCE in me!!! who would have ever thought you would feel that way cornering in your RX?? I was always worried about rolling the RX. I give these tires a 9.0 / 10, check out the tire rack ratings (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=Scorpion+Ice+%26+Snow&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=555HR8SCORISXLV2&fromCompare1=yes&place=53)

-Brett

on a side note, the stock michilens are garbage in the snow/rain. I just swapped mine out for Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow tires, and I couldn't be happier. These things are amazing! Much stiffer ride than stock, the lexus actually drives like an SUV now, not a cadillac anymore. By the way, I went with 255/55/18 (only $148 a piece from tire rack). The dry grip is amazing, I can actually corner now without worry about my RX tipping over

Neon,

Yes, we average 10 years of vehicle ownership, regardless of how often "bigger and better" models are introduced. With two teens who are going to college, buying new every few years is out of the question.

BD Mobile. This may be true if you're talking about deep cycles and AGM vs non-AGM, but not when you're talking about simply more starting cycles out of the same batteries. A standard (non-deep-cycle) AGM can last just as long as a non-AGM if the AGM is kept fully to near-fully charged. Still, the best bang-for-buck batteries out there are not AGMs, since the average cost of a good AGM is close to $150. (The new Sears Platinum AGM retails for a whopping $180.)

hey if so, good for you, you are truly getting your moneys worth out of a vehicle!

I've had my supra for 6 years now and I plan on having it for at least another decade (can't wait till I can use historic plates).

Really, though, you are comparing apples to oranges. You have a deep-cycle battery, whereas factory batteries are not. Deep cycle batteries do not generally last as long as factory batteries if starting and stopping is the biggest drain involved. If you like to leave the stereo on for hours and not permanently damage your battery, then a deep cycle is the way to go. However, for most of us, the longest-lasting battery will be an OEM-type non-AGM. They typically provide close to 7 years or more of service - something few Yellow top Optimas can match.

are you really going to own your rx400h for 7 years though? i highly doubt it, once the 2010 model comes out, v6 with an electric only mode, more power and better fuel efficency, everybody is going to be looking to trade in their 400h for a new 430h (assuming)

I would be so bold as to guess that the average Luxus RX400h battery will last 5-7 years. In fact, most OEM batteries last over 5 years. Besides, of all the RX400h owners who post here, only a tiny percentage have had a permanent battery failure.

Now add in the fact that edhLexus has had two batteries fail tells me that chances are good that something else is causing the problem. The shotgun approach (throw in another battery) to solving a problem like this is risky at best. Neon has high current draw from his stereo equipment, so his solved issue does not seem to match that of edhLexus.

What we DON'T need is a massive argument over which battery is best.

Dave

I have a secondary battery running my stereo equipment in the back of my lexus, a stinger SP800 dry cell 800CCA battery :)

i love my optima, hands down 10x better than the factory junk

Can't we all just get along?

Again, to the OP, from the description of your problem, it needs more diagnostic work before spending money on a yellow top battery.

my yellow top solved all my problems! end of story.

I have a 2006 400h, and I love it except for one thing: the battery (the small one that powers the electronics and stuff) keeps discharging. :o

The first time, about 3 months after getting it, it died after I left the radio on for about 10 minutes. When I came back, it wouldn't start and nothing lit up. I left it for a few hours, and it came back enough to start it. I drove around for a while and it was good for a few months.

Later, it started dying spontaneously, even when I hadn't left anything on. I would come back in the morning and it wouldn't start. Once, I left it and it came back, another time I had to jump it from my wife's car (a MB...), another time from our jet ski (don't ask, it worked).

Finally, I got fed up with it, took it in, and they replaced the battery. It was good for about a year, but now it has begun to die randomly about once a week for the past few months.

Has anybody else experienced their battery dying spontaneously?

EDIT: Looked around on here a bit, and saw a few others with this problem. The funny thing about my car is that I never have to reset the windows or anything like that.

welcome to my world. I had the same problem, ended up getting an optima yellow top deep cycle and haven't had any problems since! :)

I turned off that annnoying seat belt beeping noise, thank God

How did you do this?

Tom

there should be a post on this forum, let me see if i can find it for you and link you up.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...mp;hl=seat+belt

Here is an example to turn off the seat belt warning:

1. turn the key to the ON position (press Start 2 times), foot off the brake

2. cycle the odometer with the trip reset button until the ODO is displayed (not trip A or B )

3. turn the ignition to the LOCK (OFF) position

4. unbuckle the driver's seatbelt if it was buckled.

5. turn the key to the ON position (Press Start 2 times). when the dash lights have come on, press and hold the trip reset button and count a slow 12 seconds. (editor's note, hold it more like 30 sec)

6. while still holding the trip reset button, buckle the driver's side seatbelt.

7. the odometer display should read "b ON" or "b OFF". toggle the beep OFF with the trip reset.

8. the process should be completed when you unbuckle or turn the key off

there you go, enjoy!!! B)

Thanks, Neon. I was hoping for you, or someone, to tell me where I can find the annoying gong and permanently unplug it.

Tom

No problem! i was thrilled when i found that article so i figured i'd share the wealth :)

This topic has been kicked around many times and WWEST is the expert.

I asked my salesperson who directed me to the service manager. He said you CANNOT turn off TC on an RX400h and then went into a "why would you want to" and I replied in certain rare conditions where all four wheels are on slippery surfaces and he replied something like, "Well, that's like on ice and you can't go anywhere, anyway."

THANKS A LOT!

There is a complicated procedure (I lifted from another message board) for SOME Toyotas but I doubt if it works on the 400h:

"The method below works. But you need to do each time you start the car if you want the TC off. By default it turns back on each time you start the car.

1. Make sure the car is in Park and the parking brake is disengaged before you start the car.

2. Start the engine.

3. Engage the parking brake.

4. Fully depress the brake pedal and then release.

5. Fully depress the brake pedal and then release.

6. Disengage the parking brake.

7. Fully depress and hold down the brake pedal.

8. Engage the parking brake, then disengage it (while holding down the brake pedal).

9. Engage the parking brake, then disengage it (while holding down the brake pedal).

10. Release the brake pedal.

11. Engage the parking brake.

12. Fully depress the brake pedal and then release.

13. Fully depress the brake pedal and then release.

Its a bit convoluted, but i tried it and i works."

I haven't bothered to try it with my '08 400h AWD, if anybody else wants to, be my guest and please report your success or lack thereof.

this doesn't work, just tried a couple of times. shucks!!! i hope there is another way to turn off trac!! :(

I turned off that annnoying seat belt beeping noise, thank God

How did you do this?

Tom

there should be a post on this forum, let me see if i can find it for you and link you up.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...mp;hl=seat+belt

Here is an example to turn off the seat belt warning:

1. turn the key to the ON position (press Start 2 times), foot off the brake

2. cycle the odometer with the trip reset button until the ODO is displayed (not trip A or B )

3. turn the ignition to the LOCK (OFF) position

4. unbuckle the driver's seatbelt if it was buckled.

5. turn the key to the ON position (Press Start 2 times). when the dash lights have come on, press and hold the trip reset button and count a slow 12 seconds. (editor's note, hold it more like 30 sec)

6. while still holding the trip reset button, buckle the driver's side seatbelt.

7. the odometer display should read "b ON" or "b OFF". toggle the beep OFF with the trip reset.

8. the process should be completed when you unbuckle or turn the key off

there you go, enjoy!!! B)