RX400h

What's an owner's manual? ;) I'm a bit of a DIY guy on a lot of stuff. So, it is easy to say, "If you can afford..." But, taking that argument far enough would lead to us doing nothing for ourselves unless we couldn't afford it. To me, there's satisfaction in a job well done, in addition to the $$ savings. I detail my car myself. I could afford to pay a good detailer who would arguably do a better job and take less time (it usually takes me an entire weekend). But, I save the money and know that the job is done reasonably well -- and I enjoy it. So, go for it! When someone uses their own mechanic or changes the oil themselves, we all benefit indirectly -- Lexus has to keep their price somewhat competitive, lest we all go the non-Lexus route. I learn something new everytime I change the oil in any of my vehicles. This, and "getting the job well done" as you mentioned, are very satisfying.

My experience has been just the opposite, at least with my other cars. Michelins are almost always the most expensive tires you can buy. However, Goodyear has consistantly topped the tire ratings in Consumer Reports and Car & Driver magazine. My Goodyear GSD3s (on the Corvette) are the best tires I've ever owned.

This procedure is in your owner's manual. I did it after changing the oil, myself and yes, getting at the filter is a bit of a pain. Fortunately, my replacement K&N filter has a welded-on nut at its top. This'll make it much easier to unscrew, the next time I change the oil.

NY, BMWs are arguably the most reliable German vehicles. Unfortunately, their reliability is average compared to all other vehicles sold here in the US. Mercedes and Volkswagen are near the bottom of the heap when it comes to reliability problems. I spoke to the service manager of a well-known German repair shop. He has seen far too many sludge-related engine failures in German vehicles and he attributes them to the free 15,000 mile oil changes. The oil change indicator is good if even at say, 5000 miles, the oil change service is free. Unfortunately, I don't think this is the case. If you want your BMW oil to be changed at anything less than 15,000 miles, it will cost you. At least, this is how it worked for my old coworker's 2001 530i.

FYI, BMW recommends (and provides free of charge) oil changes every 15,000 miles - way too long for most vehicles, including those that run synthetic oil. My old coworker had his oil changed twice as often (at his own cost) as what was recommended by BMW, and for good reason. There is a rising sludge problem with German cars whose manufacturers specify such a long oil change interval. And regarding loaners, my neighbor was regularly given a Toyota Camry as a loaner while his 328 was being serviced at the BMW dealership. I think many of us would be a bit perturbed if we were given an Altima while our Lexus was being serviced! Now, my philosophy with DIY maintenance is that if I can do it fairly easily, I will do it. I don't pay for maid service because I can vacuum and dust without much problem. The same holds true for vehicle maintenance, including washing and waxing.

I found out that an oil change and tire rotation costs $130 at the dealership, so I changed my own oil. Cost of oil change: $20. The dealership tire rotation runs $22.00, so I may go that route until I get a decent air compressor in my garage.

I noticed the inside of the Goodyear tires that are now in the front is wearing a bit faster than the rest of the tire - could be an alignment issue, but probably not the fault of the tire. Our RX has over 10,000 miles on it and the rears look great. It IS time for a rotation, however.

Congratulations and welcome to the Hybrid club!

Short trips are not relavant to the issue. Short trips cause internal corrosion, the discussion is external corrosion. Ron external corrosion is often a "too late" sign of heavy internal corrosion. I worked in the marine industry for almost 17 years; believe me, I've seen plenty of corrosion!

The difference there is that your rotors are uncoated steel. Mufflers can be aluminized steel, stainless steel, or even titanium, but they are never uncoated.

Okay, let me ask you this: Do you take any short trips (under 10 miles)? Often, I notice water spewing from the mufflers of cars that were just driven from their owner's home. Moisture condenses inside the muffler over night (especially if left outside) and the best way to get rid of this moisture is to drive a long enough distance.

I spoke to the manager at "All German Auto" a couple of years ago and he told me that they have been servicing many a German vehicle with severe oil sludge damage. He went on to explain that the 15,000 mile oil change intervals are literally destroying engines at a rapid clip. The problem is that the type of driving has a tremendous amount to do with how long oil should be kept in an engine. Apparently, many owners of expensive German makes do NOT drive long distances frequently, resulting in excessive moisture in the oil - moisture that contributes to sludge. My Corvette's oil life monitor's readout is based upon many driving factors - length of trip, oil temperature, etc. After one year and 5000 miles, my monitor displays approx. 20% oil life remaining. However, GM recommends an oil change at least every year and that is what I do. If you don't have an oil life monitor and you want to exceed Lexus' recommended oil change intervals, have your oil tested at 7000 miles and if okay, again after 9000 or more. By doing this, you are determining just how long YOU can take your oil without changing it.

I test-drove a Mazda 3 yesterday - great handling, quiet, only 16K with side air bags and power package, and rated 28/36. This may be my next 3rd car.

THAT'S what separates Lexus from the rest - great customer service!

"...HP is even better on the RX350...." ??? The RX350 is 270 HP and the RX400h is 268 HP.... But then there's the "rest of the story". Torque. Yep, ...650 lbs-ft of torque because of the two electric motors + the ICE - something the RX350 can only dream of.

If the tow hitch is installed by Lexus, I doubt it'd be rated at only 3000 lbs. Liability-wise, that wouldn't be a good move on their part.

Well, that's a lot better than the 90-120 days for Ford Expeditions and Chev. Suburbans!

My 400h has been driven in heavy rain at freeway speed and thru standing water with no problems what so ever (yes it does rain in so cal). In fact I never felt so safe on the road under those conditions. Love the auto wipers, they were running full tilt ;) Me thinks this problem is unique to this vehicle and I suspect it is a complication stemming from some of the previous work. Just my opinion, of course. I agree.

Here's what I have so far: Use (in CA 540, column "B") the same amount you used in your Federal, Schedule A (itemized deductions) somewhere near line 36. The confusing part is line 36 - this is a summation, not an empty line. Anyway, you are able to claim $2000 as a deduction, both in Federal and State. Dave

This link saved me over $400 in the federal return - thanks! Now if only there were something as clear in the State forms......... :cries:

Thanks. Unfortunately, this doesn't present the details, either. I guess I'll keep calling until I find someone at the CFB who knows exactly what we need to do.

There seems to be precious little info about how to go about taking advantage of the $2000 tax credit in the CA tax filing. I even called the help line, only to be told the law isn't clear. When they attempted to transfer me to a more knowledgable person, the phone was never answered. Has any of you CA RX400h owners who bought in 05 finished your state taxes? I have heard from a tax preparer in the family (from out of state) that the federal credit goes away once houshold income gets beyond $100k or so. I use TaxCut software, which is very detailed in its explaination of many things - just not the low-emissions part.

Thanks, Sky, From where did you get your lock? Now I'm tempted to get the Northern Tool rack, based upon your info. Also, do you happen to know the hitch installation cost if it is done by U-Haul?

Thanks for the replies, everyone. The bike rack I saw at the bike shop positioned the bikes quite a distance away from the hatch door and costs $259. I did see one advertised in Northern Tool for $129 or so, but it looked like the vertical rack was closer to the hatch. Its description specified a 2-inch hitch? I believe.

You gas wil last waaaay longer! Congrats! By the way, does anyone know how much the dealers charge for a trailer hitch? I was looking at a hitch-type bike rack (accomodates 4 bikes) the other day.