RX400h

Many years ago, I noticed scratches on my car's hood. It turns out that the neighbor's cat would climb and it, and when startled by one us, opening the door, the cat would scramble off the hood, trying to get traction with its nails.

There are at least a couple of ways washing a vehicle can cause scratches.
1. If your bucket does not have a dirt strainer, granules of sand can become trapped in a microfiber towel, and subsequently result in scratched in the paint's clear coat.
Car Wash Grit Sandstone Isolation Net Insert Water Bucket Scratch Dirt Filter Cleaning Car Filter Accessories,temu

2. Insufficient car wash suds: 

Sorry to see you go, Ed. Take care and good luck.

Side note: My 2014 Mazda 3S GT's iEloop-required battery cost over $500 for the dealership to replace it. Many new batteries need to be reset at the dealership or with the right OBD II reader device.

A GR Supra battery must also be reset by the dealership, since the car's computer gradually increases the charge as the battery ages. When a new one is installed, the computer needs to know that. That battery is an AGM type. Since I am retired (sort-of), I make sure we drive each of our vehicles at least once per week. I love driving sportscars, so that is certainly not a burden. 😉

It looks like in-dash navigation is not readily available, but have you considered something like this?

Garmin DriveSmart™ 76 Portable navigator with 7" display at Crutchfield

I've been buying ours at Costco for years. Their Interstate batteries are very good. By the way, if you are not going to drive your car for a month, I recommend keeping the battery charged with a battery tender.

Hello, Robert.

It's sad to say, but you may consider thinking your NX to a different dealership.

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The battery light on your 2013 Lexus ES350 might still be on after replacing the battery due to several reasons:

1. Faulty Alternator: The most common reason for the battery light to illuminate is a faulty alternator. The alternator converts mechanical energy from the engine into electricity that powers all the on-board accessories and charges the battery. If the alternator develops a fault and stops generating electricity, the entire electrical load of the vehicle will shift to the battery¹. You can test the alternator by measuring the voltage at the battery terminals when the engine is running¹.

2. Damaged Wire or Bad Electrical Connection: A damaged wire or bad electrical connection can stop or degrade the flow of current from the alternator, causing the battery light to come on¹.

3. Corrosion on Electrical Connectors or Battery Terminals: Corrosion on the electrical connectors or battery terminals can also cause the battery light to illuminate.

4. Bad Ground Connection: A bad ground connection can cause the battery light to come on¹.

5. Slipping Serpentine Belt: A slipping serpentine belt can cause the battery light to come on¹.

6. System Reset Needed: After replacing the battery, certain systems in the vehicle may need to be reset. For example, each window has to be reset by starting the vehicle and rolling each window down and holding for 1 second.

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The popping sound you’re hearing from your 2014 RX350 could be due to a few different issues:

1. Timing Chain Cover: There have been instances where the timing chain cover needed to be replaced due to oil leakage. If the replacement was not done properly, it could potentially cause a popping sound.

2. Front Suspension: Some Lexus RX models have been reported to make unusual sounds (like a knocking noise) when driven over small humps or potholes at low speeds². This could be due to issues with the shock absorbers or other suspension components.

3. High-Pressure Fuel Pump: Some models have exhibited a chirping noise from the high-pressure fuel pump at idle. While this is typically described as a chirping sound, it’s possible that it could be perceived as a popping sound.

4. HVAC System Fan: There have been cases where the HVAC system fan made a noise due to wear or debris coming into contact with the fan blades

Hello, Kathryn. Almost all or all Lexus hybrids have very good reliability ratings. The key when looking at used ones is knowing the maintenance schedule and verifying that all maintenance had been completed by the previous owner(s). Our RX400h is going on 19 years of age without any drivability issues during all those years. 
You should be able to find the maintenance schedules by doing a search. I would make an Excel spreadsheet with these (or similar) column or row headings:
Maintenance item
Mileage or time required
Actual date of completion
Shop or owner completing the service

You should also have the vehicle checked by a dealership or trusted independent shop.

Good luck with your search.

There are some companies that sully used and rebuilt engines, such as this company:

EngineNexus | Find your engines

If you know the size of the threads, you can get an oversize oil drain plug self-tapping kit at an auto parts store or amazon.com.

Are you certain that this vehicle was never in an accident? Did you call the dealership to question the results of the alignment? If so, what was their explanation?

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The 2024 RX500 F-sport has a fuel tank capacity of 17.2 gallons¹²³. When your display indicates that there is only 17 miles worth of fuel remaining, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your tank is completely empty. Most vehicles have a fuel reserve when the fuel gauge reads empty, to prevent the vehicle from running out of fuel and to protect the engine. This reserve can typically range from 1 to 3 gallons.

So, if you’re only able to put 12.8 gallons of fuel into the tank, it’s likely because there was still some fuel in the tank. The remaining 4.4 gallons (17.2 total capacity - 12.8 gallons you added) would be a combination of this reserve and the fuel left when your car indicated 17 miles remaining. This is a common feature in many vehicles to give drivers a buffer to reach a gas station after the fuel warning light comes on.

Please note that it’s generally not a good practice to frequently run your vehicle close to or on this reserve fuel, as it can cause the fuel pump to overheat and wear prematurely. The fuel pump relies on fuel for cooling and lubrication. So, it’s usually recommended to refill the tank when it’s about 1/4 full.

The key is in the owner's manual wording. Is 91 octane fuel recommended or required? If it is required, you should not use anything else. If a safeguard like a knock sensor malfunctions, the result could be engine damage. Costco has good fuel prices for premium. That's what I use in two of my cars that require that grade.

The cat(s) may have been wiped out by the bad O2 sensor(s), since an engine running rich can easily shorten the life of the cat(s). I've sold three cars using craigslist.com. 

What have you checked, thus far?

Battery? You may want to have it load-tested at your local auto parts store.

This is a video of a slightly older RX350, but at 1:09 the instructor shows where the BSM button is.

Great writeup, Dean! Thanks for taking the time to do this. I'm sure it will be very helpful to our members.👍

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1. Contact Lexus directly: Reach out to Lexus customer service to discuss the issue. They may be able to provide more information or assistance, especially if this is a known issue with the model.

2. Second opinion: Consider getting a second opinion from another mechanic or dealership. They might have a different assessment of the rust issue.

3. Rust treatment: Some car owners have reported success in managing rust by applying rust-resistant coatings²³. This could potentially extend the life of your vehicle’s frame if it can be repaired.

4. Legal advice: If you believe the rust issue is due to a manufacturing defect and it’s causing you significant financial burden, you might want to seek legal advice.

Remember, safety should always be your top priority. If the vehicle is deemed unsafe to drive, it’s important to consider that advice seriously. 

Hi, Karen. Is the other one defective? If so, I'd think that the dealership can replace it under warranty.

!6 years? That's exceptional. Our lab mix made it to just under 12 years when he got stomach cancer. We haven't replaced him yet.

You're welcome, Irene.👍

Did the vehicle come with the maintenance manual? If not, you should be able to do a search for one. Certainly some of the requirements require action due to length of time vs. mileage. 

That must be a high-pitched beep. I can't hear it.

Hello, Bob.

How many miles are on your odometer? Typically, mileage goes up after the first 1000-2000 miles.