RX400h

Have you tried any of the online Lexus dealership parts sites? Perhaps you can get a more accurate manufacturer's part number. Some of these sites ask you to enter your vehicle's VIN number to make sure the part will fit.

While the Audi is highly rated by Consumer Reports, I have noticed that most models show increasing reliability issues after 4 years or so. The Lexus F-sport versions do bump up the handling performance, so that may be an option as well. The most compelling reason I would have to upgrade would be the safety features - especially the back up proximity warning and the convenience of laser-cruise.

Very nice!

Thanks for the tip!

You should have the AC refrigerant checked. If there is a leak somewhere in the AC system, your air conditioner will not blow cold air.

How much is the repair? It is said that if the repair amount is 50% or more of the vehicle value, it's time to get rid of the vehicle. However, this may not apply, given the brand and mileage of your Lexus. So if you plan to keep it for many years, the repair cost on a per year basis may be relatively little.

Check out my reply to your other post about the coil packs. I'd stay away from Chinese packs. I learned this the hard way with oxygen sensors.

MIL stands for Malfunction Indicator Lamp. The tech may be saying that the OBD II connection is not being established. This can sometimes happen because the connector itself is very infrequently plugged into a scan gauge connector. Sometimes plugging and unplugging a few times will re-establish a good connection. I've seen this happen on a 2004 Honda Civic. I had replaced the upstream oxygen sensor and had to plug and unplug my scanner a few times before making a connection that would allow me to reset the check engine light.

$52.79 at rockauto.com If coilpacks/sparkplugs are easily accessible, changing them is very easy. I helped a coworker change his Avalon plugs and coil packs and the rears were a bit more time-consuming than the fronts. If you don't want to do this, yourself, any mechanic at a repair shop should be able to do it. Sometimes dealerships have service specials. Check your local Toyota dealerships for current specials.

How old is your 12 volt battery? If it is near or beyond 5 years old, it's time to replace it.

...sorry, there are so many vehicles in our household that I sometimes forget which ones have belts and which have chains.

How many miles are on the odometer? If piston rings are broken or a valve stem is bent, you either have over 300,000 miles on the odometer or there is a factory component defect. Remember that not all dealerships offer equivalent technical expertise. You might consider taking your vehicle to the largest dealership in your area. By the way, if your PCV valve is stuck. crankcase pressure may build up enough to cause issues, although I would think that it is uncommon for most vehicles with under 150,000 miles.

The first thing I would do is to see if I could rotate either battery cable clamp/connector on its battery post. A loose clamp may result in a nonstart condition. If the connections are tight, the next thing I would do is to remove the battery and take it to an auto parts store to have them run a load test, where a simulated starter load current draw is applied to the battery after they ensure that it is fully charged. If the battery is good but needed a lengthy charge, there could be something that is draining the battery, And yes, a bad alternator, by not charging the battery, would cause the same condition. Lastly, a bad ignition switch or Park/Neutral safety switch could also result in a no-start situation. Try wiggling your ignition key and shifting your car into neutral while trying to start the engine. If all else fails, having your vehicle towed to a mechanic or auto electric shop will be necessary. Good luck.

There appears to be a gap in your chronology of events. When you had the vehicle towed, to where was it taken? What was the code that caused the check engine light to illuminate? Did the code indicate a problem with the water pump? A bad water pump would probably not cause the engine to die. Water pumps are often replaced when the timing belt is replaced. Do you have maintenance receipts that would indicate if these services were done? Coolant leakage into the engine is often due to a cylinder head gasket leak. As long as the engine hadn't overheated long enough to damage the cylinder head, the gasket(s) can be replaced at far less cost than an engine rebuild/replacement. Sometimes the size of the coolant leak would determine how prevalent the coolant smell is. A coolant test can be performed to see if combustion gasses are present. First, determine for certain whether you have a head gasket leak. If you don't, what is causing the drop in coolant level. Second, if one or more coils are bad, have them all replaced. If you delay this too long, your catalytic converter may be damaged from unburned fuel.

I guess that if the roads are less than smooth, they could cause the shocks to fail early.

A coolant check should reveal whether a head gasket is leaking and subsequently superheating the coolant.

You're welcome. Typically, rubber strip is held in place by one of two means - adhesive or built-in push pins. You can ask the Lexus parts person how the strip is held in place. He or she should have access to an exploded view drawing that should reveal this information.

The previous owner of your RX must've lived near multiple sets of train tracks. Our 2006 RX400h now has 115,000 miles on it and the shocks and suspension components are fine.

I think that's referred to as a Rear Bumper Guard. Most likely it is similar to the one on the newer RXs. That one has adhesive tape under it. On this page is a link to installation instructions for a 2016 RX: https://www.lexuspartsnow.com/accessories/lexus~rear-bumper-protector.html

Ambient temperature differences can change fuel mileage. When we hung around Mt Laguna, our mileage dipped. There could be a 30-40 degree temperature drop at that elevation compared to sea level, so the change in mileage doesn't surprise me.

I did have my car inspected (which took all of 5 minutes) before we were "qualified" to be on the list of those waiting for a replacement. We did wait a bit over a year and were notified when the dash was in. I believe the replacement took many hours to do but I am very happy with the results. Keep in mind that very few car companies would replace a dash after 10+ years of use. I see many Honda Civics on the road with sun-damaged paint after only 5 years. As far as I know the dealerships are not repainting the damage areas. However, if they tell you that you are eligible, they should follow through.

Well, it is currently 70 degrees F, here in San Diego. Our gas mileage is A-Okay during this time of season.

If you would rather not troubleshoot, yourself, take your car to an AUTO-Electric shop. They are typically more experienced with electrical issues than your average mechanic.

You can get Brembo (Manufacturer Part #: 25861) rotors at tirerack.com for $40 each. These will NOT rust like the rotors in the photo you posted.

The parts person at your dealership can show you (and maybe print out) an exploded view of that assembly. Some online dealership websites contain the same thing, but with lower resolution images.