RX400h

I recently had the 2-inch hitch installed and am planning to order the 4-bike rack that Northern Tool sells for $119. The local Sports store sells them for $200. Since I need to mount four bikes at a time, my options are somewhat limited.

Dave

Just wondering how many there are and how big they are. I was pleasantly surprised with how little they affect interior space in the 400h. I understand this is not so in other hybrids like the Camry...

The book says the cargo area only looses one inch (higher floor) due to battery storage.

I was under the impression that the back seats are taller,not the floor itself.

Some SUVs have ultrasonic range snesors that beep more frequently as the object gets closer. Even better would be a distance measurement display (you can buy the kit for about $100) that tells you what the distance is, fairly accurately. I agree that it IS difficult to judge using the camera or by looking back. The best vehicles for judging distance of objects behind you are small pickup trucks, IMO.

However, having a large vehicle that is somewhat tall almost guarantees that backing up will be tricky. Even my Corvette rear end location is tough to judge when backing up. I always allow much more than enough room.

Dave

Our 2006 RX400h Auto Wipers work just as I'd like them to! They operate 'itermittently' in light sprinkles and then pick up the pace in 'regular rain.' You should review the manual and if you're doing it all right, then return for servicing!

We have no complaints with the way ours work although sometimes when I adjust the rearview mirror, the wipers will be activated briefly.

We love this vehicle - safe, smooth, quiet, great gas mileage, and fast!

Hello Chris and welcome to the club. I still have my C5 and enjoy it immensely. Aggressive city driving does cause the fuel mileage to plummet and I've seen 16 MPG. But as you've stated, highway mileage is stellar. The RX400h is at its best in the city, but that kilowatt-charged silky power is addictive on the highway, that's for certain.

Anyway, enjoy them both and feel free to ask us any questions!

Dave

The Alenzas are incredibly quiet, probably the quietest tires I have ever owned!

Side note: While I was driving to LA this afternoon, the outside temperature didplay jumped to 102 degrees. Coincidentally, this occured very close to the Anaheim wildfires. For a while, I thought the sensor was malfunctioning, but when I returned to San Diego, the display read 82 degrees.

Dave

Well, I just had my new tires balanced, installed and aligned, and a trailer hitch installed. The service advisor recommended that I call the Lexus customer service hotline to ask what can be done to compensate me for the premature tire end-of-life because of the too-low tire pressure specification. I am awaiting their response, but in the meantime, I did not have to pay for the tire balance and installation. Normally, the dealership to which I take the RX does not "help out" with tire or brake problems after 1 year of ownership. The service advisor did agree that our oem tires would last longer if they are pressurized higher than 30 psi. I'd estimate that my tires would've lasted another 6 months, had I inflated them to 35-36 psi from the beginning.

Regarding the Bridgestone Alenzas: VERY quiet and great handling - highly recommended (so far)!

Dave

What, pray tell, was the gas mileage of the GX470? I shudder every time I see such a huge vehicle!

Typically, premium is required for high-compression engines. You'd think that the RX engine doesn't need to have bumped-up compression, since it is supercharged by many kilowatts of power. Regarding ambient temperature and its effect on the grade of gasoline that is required, I recall driving in Las Vegas in our Nissan Quest when the ambient temp was up around 110. The V-6 engine pinged horribly on regular gas. When we returned home to San Diego, the engine ran great (75-85 degrees F).

This is why I am surprised that LexRex was getting lower gas mileage during cold weather months. I wonder if friction had something to do with it?

One thing that'll confuse almost anyone is the noise that comes from leaving the right side of the sun visor unlatched. It really sounds like the noise originates in the dash somewhere. The first time it happened, I was baffled until I pushed in the visor.

In the rear, check the tools for changing the spare tire. Other than those two sources, our RX has been noise-free. It is unlikely that any of the noises you hear is unfixable.

Dave

Totally completele false. America's Tire and Discount Tire are the EXACT SAME COMPANY.

Discount Tire, also known as America's Tire in California, Oregon and Washington, is America's largest tire and wheel store.

I think that's what he was saying!

that 0-60 time seems a little fast dont you think? its a bit over achieved. Im not saying they didnt get that, but saying that an RX350 couldnt get the same time is a bit biased.

Granted the hybrid has torque at 0 rpm, i cant see it "competing with the porsche"

The RX350 did 0-60 MPH in 6.8 seconds - not shabby, but not as quick as the RX400h, which has axle torque equivelent of 650 lbs-ft - MUCH more off the line than that of the RX350.

According to our manuals, "Select Octane rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended."

The octane numbers many of use see on the gasoline pumps are an average of motor octane number and research octane number.

"What octane number should you buy?

Modern fuel-injected engines have engine management systems that can adjust to burn almost anything. However, if the octane rating is too low, the engine management system will have to richen the mixture and !Removed! the timing to prevent destructive knock, resulting in lowered gas mileage. As you increase the octane rating of the fuel, you will hit a point where the engine management system can run the engine at optimum levels. At this point you have best gas mileage and best power. If you continue to increase the octane rating of the fuel, the engine management system does nothing, so all you are doing now is burning more expensive fuel for the same result. So, buy the lowest octane number that you can and still get your best gas mileage.

In the winter, or when it's very humid, you can often lower the required octane number. In very dry heat, for example in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, S.California, you will most likely need to raise the octane level a bit to get best gas mileage."

This is also true of my Mazda MX6-GT turbo's fuel requirements. Even though 91 octane gas will allow the engine to produce maximum horsepower, using lower octane gas will not hurt the engine as long as its knock sensor is functioning properly. As the statement above indicates, driving in colder weather allows many vehicles to run perfectly well on regular (87-octane) fuel.

I have been using 87 octane gas for almost two years now and have never heard any pinging or experienced any problems. Power is more than adequate. However, during Summer, it may be wise to use higher octane, especially for trips to cities like Las Vegas.

BTW, we average 25 MPG consistently and that's with my weekend heavy foot-driving.

Dave

After driving a 2006 RX400h for more than 40,000 miles, Car & Driver managed 24 MPG with many a lead foot and 27 MPG after being driven by editor Pat Bedard in Arizona for four months. They did make a couple of mistakes in that they assumed premium gas is required (we all know THAT is not true) and they calculated payback of extra cost based upon gas prices of $2.39/gallon. Here in California, even regular gas is costing us almost $3.00/gallon.

Regarding the blazing 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds, C&D commented that the Rx400h is as fast as a 340-hp Porsche Cayenne S. This time is definitely better than that possible by the RX350. Some of the drivers noted that the transition from all-electric to gas&electric was not always smooth and that "the transition from regenerative to hydraulic braking was often disconcerting because a small increase in pressure on the brake pedal might produce a large increase in deceleration."

That's kinda funny because I rented a Maxima for one month, a couple of years ago and I can assure you that the super-touchy gas pedal response was FAR more disconcerting tha anything an RX400h can do!

In conclusion, C&D wrote, "Despite its quirks, our RX400h turned out tobe a spry and fuel efficient luxury SUV, which is a rare combination in this price segment. For some people, that will be more than enough to justify the premium over an RX350."

Dave

Tom, do you have me mixed up with "RX400h"? I don't have the Alenzas...yet! Dave, I love that dave got them and they look awesome and I want some also! Please let me/us know how they are ,how they feel,etc. I can't wait! Maybe I should order them now. Do you then take them to Lexus to have them put on? Local tire/discount shop? Like America's Tire? Please advise. I hate my Goodyear RS-A tires. Rey

Rey,

Since I want to negotiate an alignment, I will take them to the dealership for install - hopefully, this week. Regarding Tire Rack: I have had them drop-ship my Corvette tires before and the shop that mounted and balanced them did an excellent job. This time, however, I wanted to get a good look at the tires before they were mounted, so I had them shipped to my house. I like them!

BTW, I am not sure that I want someone who is totally unfamiliar with hybrids, driving my RX. Maybe someday....

Dave

You'd think that the Girls Gone Wild bus had arrived at Dave's door.

Tom

Tom,

What can I say, I'm a car guy who has been deprived of new tires for too long!

Dave

After supper, my son announced that there were tires outside my front door. "My God, they're finally here!" I announced as I sprinted for the door. Yes, they do look great and I can't wait to try em out. It may be a little while, however, but not longer than a week.

All I can say is "Yeeeehaw!

Dave

I was just told by Tirerack that the Bridgestones will be in this week. Where did you get your info?

I will look for it - thanks!

The first generation Prius still fetches a decent price as a used vehicle and you may want to check prices of used RX400hs. The batteries should last 150,000 miles, according to Toyota test results and long-term hybrids in Japan. Therefore, if you don't pile on the mileage, resale value should be good, IMO. Still, you may want to discuss this with your accountant, as well.

Dave

Then there's the safety issue. Last year, Sony (SNE ) took a $430 million charge after li-ion powered laptops caught fire (see BusinessWeek.com, 9/20/06, "Battery Woes Spark Few Concerns Among Auto Makers"). In cars, where the risks are greater, avoiding fires is even more important. "We're making sure that the problem can be avoided." says Watanabe. "These difficulties must be reflected in the design.

Yes, indeed!

Hopefully, that doesn't mean that if you're offered a drink, you have 10 more! :P

Well, I haven't had a non-fixable flat in 30 years, so I did not get the road hazard warranty. I just get so tired of paying insurance for everything, I now go with the odds that are based upon personal experience.

Dave

Yes, I am getting the Alenzas (stock - 235/55/18 size). Apparently, the larger tires do fit, according to another member. The only advantage I can see with getting tires of that size is that there are more choices of tire manufacturers. However, since the Bridgestones are both rated highly and sell for a very decent price, I went with them to replace my OEM Goodyears.

Dave

Well, I can honestly say that anyone who doesn't see that your RX is a hybrid vehicle needs to get his eyes examined, ASAP!