RX400h

Surprisingly, there are quite a few wheel and tire choices here: http://www.tirerack.com/upgrade_garage/Whe...mp;autoModClar= Still, I'm going with the Bridgestone Alenzas (if they EVER) come in! (still waiting). Dave

I can't say I blame you; I am sportscar-biased, myself.

The C5 Corvette is capable of getting 30 MPG on the highway, but virtually impossible to get anything over 18 in city driving. I typically drive it "aggressively" early in the morning when there is very little traffic, and yet still average 20 MPG. This gas mileage is what seperates the Corvette from other sportscars, like Porsches and Vipers, whose owners achieve much lower mileage numbers. You should remember, however, that the RX400h weighs 44% more than the Corvette. A GM SUV with Corvette engine would achieve far less gas mileage than the RX400h does. s

Then again, your mom's RX is probably faster than your car........ :chairshot: Seriously, there will always be features of other cars, even in the same family, that are preferable. My Corvette seats are light-years more comfortable than the RX's seats, but the 3200 lb Corvette averages only 20 MPG vs. the 4600 lb RX's 25 MPG.

Does the dealership have any other 400hs on the lot? If so, ask to listen to them.

Our 2006 RX400h has not had this problem at all. I am sure that a fix is in order for your RX. Please let us know how it turns out.

I just bought Bridgestone Alenzas from the Tirerack. All four were about $650. Michelin makes good tires, but they are generally overpriced.

That's assuring to know - thanks! I hope to get more than 18,000 miles; maybe the alignment will help in this regard. Dave

Why take chances when the better half is doing most of the driving during the week? These Bridgestones are rated very highly - not highest, as the Goodyear Fortera is #1 - see http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresult...ay.jsp?type=HAS However, the RX400h tire size is not yet available in Fortera sizes. The Alenzas are back-ordered until the end of this month, but I think we should be okay until then. I'm going to have the dealership mount and align them (I ordered them from tirerack.com for $600 and some change). I may also have them install a trailor hitch so we can get a 4-bike rack, soon. The bike rack installs on a 2-inch hitch. I should have some impression insight to convey within a month or so. Dave

Actually, the Lexus RX350 has slightly more horsepower than the RX400h. The 400, however, has much more torque.

...and the hybrid Camry is said to average 36 MPG!!!!! That's amazing!

You should remember that Alan was probably working for Ford when he originally planned this purchase. And typically, the engineering department tears apart competitor's vehicles; the CEO is not required to do his or her own testing (at least according to what I've read).

You are a very honest man! I lived in the NE for 27 years. After visiting Southern CA and telling everyone of what I encountered, almost all tried to convince me that the change of seasons far outweighed the beautiful weather. Only one person admitted that he would move in a heatbeat if he hadn't established roots already. He was another honest man.

From what I understand, our engines are NOT high-compression and do NOT require premium fuel. The owner's manual states that regular gas is just fine, if I recall correctly. Maybe someone can post the manual's statement.....

With most vehicles, lowering the ride height requires replacing the factory springs with shorter versions. These shorter versions are often available in different spring rates, but it is possible for a swap to provide the same ride qualities as OEM. I like the ride height of our RX400h when we traverse steep dips or driveways. Other vehicles may scrape, but the RX has never had this happen, yet. My Corvette, on the other hand, was lowered just by rotating suspension bolts. I was able to lower it by 1 inch, just by doing this. Unfortunately, the result is that I have to be extra careful when going over dips in the road. Still, the car looks much better to me (less wheel well space above the tire). Dave

Then again, you live in New York...... (I can joke about it because I was born in Queens!) Ah Yes New York, I was in San francisco for the last Earthquake(Candlestick park). New York aint so bad eh... Hey, I live in San Diego - BIG difference, there! I did visit San Francisco once and didn't care for it - too cold!

Thanks, Peti! I will give it my best shot! Dave

Then again, you live in New York...... (I can joke about it because I was born in Queens!)

I've had my RX 400h for just over a week. I checked the cold tire pressure. 37psi from the dealer. I intend to maintain them at 37-38 psi. Its a fair balance between comfort and milage economy, keeping in mind that ride comfort is subjective. Dealer is Metro Lexus, Brookpark, Ohio. Keep in mind that dealerships often forget to lower the pressure that is set at the factory. Apparently, keeping the pressure near 40 psi prevents flat spots from occuring when the vehicle is shipped from Japan. The dealerships are supposed to reduce the pressure to that which is recommended by Lexus. If I were you, I'd keep an eye on the tires' center tread wear at that high a pressure. I estimate that 32-34 is ideal for the Goodyears, based upon the wear pattern I have been seeing when the pressure is 30 psi. Dave

Ours did get a bit more noticable, but not so much that it bothers me. Still, it wouldn't hurt to ask the service advisor if the factory has anything to say about it.

Corvettes have a battery-powered pressure sensor/transmitter strapped inside each wheel; there are no wires required. The original Humvees (not sure about the H2s and H3s) allowed the driver to increase and decrease tire pressure from inside the cabin, primarily to traverse sandy terrain. Grphon, Where is the tire pressre displayed? Is it accessed via the "mode" button?

Thankfully, there were no injuries, just a bruised ego, but she'll get over it :)The tires are Goodyears and as a general rule-of-thumb, OEM tires are not the best wearing tires. I will go with Bridgestones, primarily because Goodyear's latest aftermarket tires (which have repeatedly achieved top ratings) are not yet available in the RX400h size.

This has GOT to be better than the 30 psi recommended pressure that the 06s had. Still, you might want to keep tabs on their wear patterns. Dave

For those hybrids that are so equiped (my '06 400h is not), the threshold would likely be well below any of the numbers we have been discussing here. Besides it only works if ONE tire is rolling at a different rate than the others. If they are ALL evenly underinflated, it will not set off this sensor. The low pressure warning in my Corvette is 24 psi, so you are correct in that this number is typically well below pressures that would result in outside tire wear.

The max pressure is listed on the tire and yes, it is "cold" pressure.