RX400h

Excellent writeup - thanks a bunch. A coworker just joined the ranks of RX400h owners and there are many here in San Diego. I was tempted to go to Mt Laguna this weekend just to "try her out" but had to back down due to prior commitments. I do have 11 Winter seasons of snow-driving experience when I lived in Connecticut, so I'm no stranger to driving on the white stuff.

I agree, the oil filter is a pain in the %$#E, been doing them on my RX300 For 7 years. Under the exhaust manifold is a great engineering feature. tempted to get a oil filter relocation, but everytime I think of it is right after I do the filter change. Then I dont think about it until the next oil change. Oh well, live and learn and dont buy a Lexus.

The welded nut feature of the K&N makes the extra $5 for it worthwhile in my book. In the website, www.bobistheoilguy, an extensive test of oil filters revealed that a couple of filters not only filtered very well, but also exhibited a very low pressure drop across the filter. Those two are K&N and Baldwin and I've been using K&N in my Corvette for the past couple of years.

All 2006 Lexus models require the use of ILSAC GF-4 engine oil standard. Castrol doesn't meet that standard. Check out TSIB EG001-06.

That's funny, because I obtained this from Castrol's website:

SAE 5W-30:

The most recommended grade in today's new cars. Exceeds all car and light truck manufacturer's warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline, diesel and turbocharged engines where API SM, SL, SJ, SH, CF or CD is recommended. Exceeds European ACEA: A1, A5, B1, B5, Corvette GM 4718M, GM 6094M, Ford WSS M2C929-A and all requirements of ILSAC GF-4 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils and meets Energy Conserving Standards

Another option: Follow the instructions in the factory service manual and use an end cap style oil filter wrench: http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/mastertech/capf.jpg which is excellent for working in tight spaces such as underneath the manifold. Then you can use any oil filter including a genuine Toyota oil filter and genuine Toyota Motor oil and save even more:

Example: http://elkgrovetoyota.com/Specials-Parts.aspx

Thanks for the tips. This is why I used this:

http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=HP-1002

The next oil change will be easier, although I still may have to remove the bottom panel - getting at the filter from the top is a real bear! Believe me, I'd be tempted to use the Toyota stuff if a dealership were closer to my house. Then again, I doubt the Toyota oil is less expensive than the Castrol.

Another tip: Wait at least 15 minutes (for the exhaust manifold to cool) down before reaching down (or up) there to grab the filter!

Cost of oil change:

Filter: K&N $11.00

Oil: Castrol 5W-30 anti-sludge formula: $10.70 for 5 gallon jug

Total: $21.70

Dealer cost for oil change and tire rotation: $135.00

I still need to get the tires rotated (or do it myself), but even if I have it done at the local Discount tire, it shouldn't be more than $20, I would think.

Dave

Dave, you failed to mention the time it took you? This would be important in the comparison you are making. BTW, What is your hourly rate?

Well, the last time I took the RX to the dealership, I had to sit in their waiting room approximately 2 hours while the service was performed, so I guess spending 1.5 hours at home (40 miles closer than the dealership) isn't such a bad thing after all!

I think the next time I do this, one hour will be all I need.

Well, my RX400h has gone down in my history as the being the toughest vehicle in which to change oil. I must also mention that this would not be the case, had it not been for the oil filter location.

Although you might be able to complete an oil/filter change without elevating the RX, I like to look around underneath, so I drove it up on Rhino ramps. Laying on my back underneath the engine bay, I noticed that the oil filter is nowhere to be found. Mmmmm, I guess I should be able to see it from above.......nope - nowhere! Next, I grabbed a lantern battery and went back underneath.....nothing. Getting a bit frustrated as it was already almost 5 PM, I rushed into the house and ran a search for "RX400h oil filter location".

There wasn't anything specific to the RX400h, but a few posts mentioned that the RX330 oil filter is i the same location as that of the RX300, so my guess was that the RX400h's filter would be in the same place - correctomundo! Unfortunately, the filter is underneath the exhaust manifold and tucked away in such a location that getting at it with a wrench is very tough.

Despite having three different types of oil filter wrenches, I couldn't get one to work. I then decided that removing the plastic panel that is directly underneath the filter would allow me to have more access. After removing about 8 screws, I noticed that there appeared to be 2 snaps that keep the panel from falling down. Not knowing whether they were really snaps (and knowing that daylight was fast leaving me), I was able to push the panel far enough towards the front so that I could reach in with two hands and grab the filter.

I guess working out at the gym paid off because after using every last ounce of energy I could muster, the filter started turning. Of course, the oil from it dripped all over the place as it made its way down to the pavement, but that certainly wasn't the first time this happened after my loosening a filter. (our 86 Honda Accord burned my arm almost every time.)

Thankfully, my K&N oil filter has a welded-on nut, which allows you to use either a socket or a box/open end wrench to torque it a little bit after tightening it by hand. Whew, what a fiasco. Anyway, when removing the oil pan plug, I noticed that there is no gasket, plastic or brass washer, or o-ring to seal the plug. Rather, both sealing surfaces are metallic AND smooth as glass - interesting.

Oh, another thing: If you DO plan to change your own oil, don't get a 5-gallon container. The oil filler cap is set down far enough so that trying to use an ordinary funnel will result in oil getting all over the place when you try to pour from the large oil jug. I have a long-nose funnel and STILL had a hard time pouring without spilling. Having quart bottles would definitely help matters.

Cost of oil change:

Filter: K&N $11.00

Oil: Castrol 5W-30 anti-sludge formula: $10.70 for 5 gallon jug

Total: $21.70

Dealer cost for oil change and tire rotation: $135.00

I still need to get the tires rotated (or do it myself), but even if I have it done at the local Discount tire, it shouldn't be more than $20, I would think.

Dave

I've read where Electrical Engineers in Southern California have "tricked" their Prius into driving on battery longer than stock set-up. While I'm not of a mind to screw-around with my Lexus, it would be neat if Lexus offered a setting change that us owners could switch on and off much like the towing mode some trucks have.

Unfortunately, this could significantly reduce the life of your batteries. Toyota knows that the batteries that are used (NMH), like the standard lead-acid battery, last longest when they are not discharged past an ideal percentage range of full. Even marine-type (deep-discharge) batteries like the Optima Yellowtop rarely live past three years, compared to 5 years for a standard auto battery.

Maybe if a complete set of batteries for a hybrid could be purchased for $300, you wouldn't mind replacing them every 4 years of deep-discharging, but this is not the case. I'll keep my 25 MPG and a battery lifespan of 10 years, thank you.

Driving out of the company parking lot today, I saw another new RX400h. They are certainly proliferating rapidly, and I understand why!

According Car & Driver,

* The RX400h has, because of its very powerful electric motors, 650 lbs-ft of torque. That's more than double that of the RX350.

* The RX400h ran 0-60 in 6.9 seconds - significantly faster than the RX350, probably because of its massive torque at low rpm.

* The RX400h averages more than 5 MPG higher than the RX350H, according to Consumer Reports. In big-city conditions, this will be at least 7 MPG, according to comparisons I've observed locally. In fact, our RX400 averages 25+ MPG, compared to 16 MPG from two RX330s belonging to former coworkers. The higher the traffic density you encounter on a normal basis, the larger the fuel mileage spread will be between the two vehicles. Of course, if you live out in the country, don't have to drive into the city everyday (in other words, you are retired), and can cruise along at 65 MPH when you do venture out, the biggest difference now becomes the superior CVT transmission in the 400 and its monster torque. Only you can decide whether the extra money is well spent.

As for me, driving a hybrid SUV has spoiled me for life. Not having to gas up every week is one of life's simple pleasures after driving a van for 10 years.

I've noticed that there are few, if any rock-caused chips missing from our Lexus. Tall vehicles tend to be far less likely to receive damage. My Corvette nose accumulates much more damage than our RX. Of course, the amount of damage inevitably changes depending upon the type of roads on which you drive. Areas of the country that are cursed with rock salt and purposely-deposited sand during winter months are more likely to bring about paint destruction than southern or far western areas.

Veeeeeery nice car! ....another stab in BMW's back! Don't forget to post pics when you get one.

"The RX 400h luxury hybrid SUV reported February sales of 1,803 units." PR Newswire

Not bad at all...........

Has anyone seen many Highlander Hybrids on the street? I haven't seen one yet - must not be as popular as the RX.

Well, I did find out that K&N's HP-1002 fits both the RX330 AND the RX400h. It's about $9.00 at Auto Parts Warehouse.

See http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=HP-1002

You can buy oil filters and other common maintenance parts here ....

http://lexus-parts.com/

For some reason, they don't list oil filters!

If any of you has changed his/her own oil, did you have to buy the filter at the dealership? I've heard that dealerships around here are using 10W-30 synthetic blends. If I find that the manual recommends 5W-30 (I'll be rereading it soon), then that's what I'll use.

I always change the oil in my other cars, so I'm tempted to do the same with this one, especially considering the price of having the dealership do it.

Thanks for the report. I think it's a good idea for EVERYONE to add a can of concentrated Techron at least once per year. I'll be adding one to our RX, soon.

I'd say the RX400h turning radius is better than average, at least compared to a Nissan Quest van!

Thanks for the report! I have not detected any smoke smell, but am ready to add some Zaino "Leather in a bottle" to the seats. I've already used Connoly conditioner but NOTHING beats Zaino's leather smell. BTW, we are getting the same mileage as you are and it includes my bowing by X5s on the weekends (can't help it). Luckily, the wife has a light foot during the week and we can go two weeks without needing to fill the tank.

man, that should be illegal! lol anothe reason to be against american cars.

You know what they say, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." GM is certainly not the only manufacturer that does this. Historically, the Japanese have been known as the great imitators; they are now on the other end of the stick, so to speak. In the book "All Corvettes are red" there was mention of an tear-down room for competing sportscars. Based upon knowledge gained from the tear-down process, GM engineers were able to produce a sportscar that was unmatched at anywhere near its price. Today, the 06 Corvette Z06 outperforms sportscars costing $80,000 more.

I say, if the result is a better vehicle for the masses, keep doing it, as long as patents aren't breeched.

The service techs certainly acted like it was a first for them, too! I just hope we don't have "lemon" :(

The good news is that I've never heard of a Lexus "lemon"! I'm sure your RX will be just fine.

It sounds like this condition is a "first" for most, if not all of us RX400h owners; we'll be interested in finding out the cause of the problem.

I just rode in a coworkers minivan that had the DVD entertainment package, but no NAV. Why anyone would prefer the EP over NAV is beyond my comprehension!

Every vehicle should come with NAV; it's great!

The Highlander hybrid is certainly a nice vehicle, but it is not in the same class (status-wise). Therefore, I say if you can comfortably afford another one, why not? I drive my Corvette at least three times per week and it was almost as expensive as the RX400h. Like you, I would never buy an SUV that gets 16 MPG.

Check around about <MRP deals; I'll bet they're out there somewhere.

I receive the dealership reminder every 5 months, but because our RX isn't driven very far on a daily basis, it takes us at least 6 months to accumulate that many miles. The first service is free, but I may very well change my own oil when we hit 10,000 miles. I just have to see how much a rotation will cost.

....Very nice!