RX400h

I have used an AC Delco filter when they were available at Walmart, but since Walmart no longer sells them, I have used a Mobil1 filter and just recently, a K&N filter (each, about $10.00). The oil experts over at Corvetteforum.com seem to prefer the K&N filter, but I'll bet the difference between it and the ACDelco is not enough to be concerned about unless the car is frequently raced. The owner's manual specifies yearly changes if milage is lower than normal, so I not only change the Corvette oil yearly, but also change my Mazda's (MX6 GT-Turbo) oil yearly, as it too, uses Mobil 1 synthetic oil. Wow, I honestly didn't know that type of monitor existed, but ideally it would have an algorythm that measures number of shifts, temperature of the fluid, and driving habits to determine fluid life. GM does come out with some innovative features every now and then. I love my Heads Up Display that can show vehicle speed, engine speed, oil level, oil pressure, or fuel level, all without taking my eyes off the road.

I was responding to this statement that you made: "A modified intake isn't going to do you any good without headers and exhaust." The example I gave regarding restrictive intakes is fairly common across vehicle types, not just among high-performance vehicles. It does help to open up the exhaust, but gaining extra power over stock HP is not dependant upon it. The posts just before this one confirm this.

I know at least one person who installed an aftermarket intake filter (2002 Z06)and gained 15 RWHP - nothing else was added. The reason for this is that quite often noise is a factor when manufacturers are choosing an intake system. Less noise could very well mean less power. This is also true for exhaust systems as well. I don't have headers, only intake and exhaust in my 01 Corvette, yet I gained almost 13 RWHP over the stock configuration. The OEM airbox is very restrictive.

I agree with Double Dubya on this one. The battery disconnect test was effective many, many years ago when there were separate voltage regulators in the engine bay. Performing this test on a modern-day vehicle could very well fry electronics - DO NOT DO IT! If an engine is started easily and then suddenly dies, chances are that the culprit is NOT the battery. If the engine can be started right back up again, then the alternator is not the culprit either.

Do you have a pic you can show us?

10,000-20,000 miles between changes is quite simply, a bad idea, regardless of the vehicle. I've read many oil analysis test results and typically, 12,000 miles is pushing the limit for synthetic oils. Although I don't have a Lexus yet, I do know that Porsche, Mercedes, and BMW specify synthetic oils and long drain intervals for their vehicles. I have also heard from an "all German" repair shop that they are seeing many German autos come in with sludge buildup. The owners were following recommended 15,000 mile oil changes. I really don't know of any oil filters that can filter adequately for more than 7500 miles, so even if the oil can last longer than that (and virtually all synthetics can), the filter will end up bypassing its clogged elements, allowing dirty oil to circulate through the engine. The solution? GM has included an oil-life algorythm in every Corvette for many years now. My 2001 Corvette monitors driving habits, including frequency and duration of trips and oil temperature. The digital readout in my dash tells me that I can go the maximum length of time (1 year) without changing the Mobil 1 5W-30 oil. After one year, the percentage of oil life remaining is approx. 15%. I drive the car in mostly city conditions and go 5500 miles per year. This type of oil life monitor is now being included in many other GM models and should be standard in every vehicle sold here. Another nice feature of the Corvette is the tire pressure monitors. The digital display will flash "Low tire pressure" if it falls to 24psi.

Jeff, are you sure you're talking about air filters and not oil filters? The only air filters I've seen for $3.00 have been no-name brand filters, not Fram. Mmmm, maybe I'll ask when I bring my used oil in this weekend.

Well, in my case, I had my new intake-equipped Corvette dynoed recently and it put down 329 RWHP and 352 RW torque - higher than any other similarly-equipped Corvette and appreciatively higher than my car when it had only a factor dry filter (316RWHP and 336RWTQ). I'd say, it is running very well with an oiled filter.

I was paying $10 per filter for a Nissan Quest back in 94, so if you can find even a Fram filter for the RX330 for $5, then I would say "Let everyone know where to get them for that price, please!"

The primary advantage is cost savings. It takes only a few replacements of OEM filters before the K&N could've been paid-for. From then-on, the savings from not having to replace the filter just eep adding up. I have K&Ns on two of my vehicles and a synthetic-fiber Halltech filter (huge) in my Corvette, and have been using K&Ns in my former 68 Corvette for over 20 years. While it is true that over-oiling the filters in newer vehicles may cause drivability problems (if MAF wires get coated), oiling according to the directions, along with a long enough saturation period, will result in a trouble-free intake system.

Taillights: (See attached JPG image)

That's what I thought. At least you're not forced into updating via some sort of contract. Thanks for the info!

This info was sent to me recently from Lexus: Seven colors are currently available: Black Onyx, Flint Mica, Neptune Blue Mica, Crystal White, Millennium Silver Metallic, Savannah Metallic and Bamboo Pearl. Other options include: Navigation system [1] with a seven-inch touch-panel display screen and backup camera [2] Mark Levinson® [3] Premium Audio System Rear DVD entertainment system The vehicle also comes standard with: Power front-seat adjustment Leather-trimmed interior High-Intensity Discharge headlamps (HID) with Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) Rain-sensing windshield wipers 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels Official release date is confirmed as April 15th, 2005. For those of you RX330 or other Lexus model owners who have the navigation system - do any of you pay an update fee for the map software? If so, how much is it and how often is it offered? Thanks! Dave

Thanks for the info; I look forward to getting a brochure.

I wonder if sandy roads during the winter is something that is a concern. The roads around here get REALLY sandy. ← Wow! They AVERAGED 34.4 MPG after driving through city, highway, AND mountain roads. That's impressive! I think it would be safe to say that the 400h will not be adversely affected by road sand. I think they are referring to beach sand and desert-area sand when they say you should subjectthe 400 on off-road conditions. The really impressive part is the torque specification: 650 lbs-ft of torque!!!!!!! All I can say to that is YEEEEHAAAAAWWWWWW!

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can't really apply that to the 400h becuz the design and engine has both been tested before, unlike me when i first bought the gx (maybe the first 1000 built), i'm the ones with bugs and defects! ← ...not to mention horrible gas milage...... :cries:

As SW has mentioned before, the technology has been out for several years now (Prius) and the rest has been proven/perfected in the RX330. I don't expect many problems with the 400h for these reasons.

Having received the 400h letter from Toyota, I called my salesman with whom I paid a deposit. He had no new info on the 400h. Yesterday I called the Lexus Customer Assistance Center. They said their information says February or March. I hope this is accurate because I need another car and will have to try something else if it isn't forthcoming asap. ← My salesperson told me that the first 400hs will be here in March of 2005.

I was just reading another article about the RX400h that suggested that Lexus is worried that it will take away sales from the RX330. For this reason, the author predicted that Lexus will load up the 400h with tons of features as standard equipment and charge $45K. The funny thing is that Honda just released a hybrid Accord that gets better gas milage than a Civic and is faster than the Accord V-6 flagship. The Accord Hybrid is rated at 30/37 city/highway, while the 4-cylinder Accord's is 24/34. The amazing thing is that the hybrid version does 0-60 in 6.7 seconds! So, why is Honda not concerned that the Accord hybrid will take away sales from the Accord V6 gas version? I feel that eventually, the hybrids will replace the gas-only versions, especially if gas prices stay at or exceed their presently astronomical heights. For now, there will always be those who want the most features for the dollar, regardless of gas milage.

WOW :o makes me wana ask my dealer if i can start and put my waiting list on a Hybrid Gx (well it'll eventually be on the Gx someday, right?:whistles: ) :D ← It wouldn't hurt to ask, that's for sure! Toyota/Lexus really have a good headstart compared to the rest of the competition.

I just got off the phone with the Lexus salesman who handled our deposit many months ago. Here's what he and I know at this point: 1. First RX400hs due in March 2. 268 HP, 36MPG City and 31 MPG Highway 3. No brochures have been sent to dealers yet, so options are primarily unknown. 4. The waiting lists have become so large that this dealership has stopped taking deposits for new spots. 5. The AWD model will have 2 electric motors; whether there will be a single motor, 2-wheel drive version is unknown As I mentioned before - according to Car & Driver magazine, Toyota is stockpiling parts and assemblies so that Dealerships will have a decent supply. My guess is that my dealership will get 5 RXs per month. With regular gas hovering at $2.40 per gallon here in San Diego, the RX400h won't get here a minute TOO soon!

I agree. My salesman told me that he expected brochures during the Fall, so we may be close!

I haven't heard of anyone paying the whole price and I don't see how they can, since a detailed options list is not available. I put down $1000 to hold my spot and that amount is fully refundable for any reason whatsoever. Dealers that have long waiting lists are asking for $500 only, but I'd rather be near the top of a list than have to wait one year or more.

"New birthing system Lexus this week said it will provide wait-list customers with detailed information on manufacturing and shipment schedules. Customers will even get to take part in the birth of their car, Lexus said, as dealers will be able to assign a customer's name to a specific 400h before production and then track it through delivery." GM has had this opportunity for future Corvette owners for quite some time. I was able to track mine from the factory to the dealership and finally to my front driveway. It's a great experience! Thanks for the link; the day grows closer....