RX400h

I would check to see if there is power at the bulb. Based upon what you have revealed, there probably isn't, in which case (as dlogvine said) the ballast may have failed.

I'll have to admit that I have never used the AM radio (just FM and CD) but what you describe is most definitely not normal. The surging also does not seem normal to me. Ours starts fairly smoothly. We now have 106,000 miles on our RX400h.

We have over 100,000 miles on our 2006 RX400h (purchased in April of 2005) and have never needed any suspension replacements or repairs. Try taking your car to a trusted alignment shop to obtain a second opinion.

I'd like to know if the device that is supposed to ensure optimum brake pressure distribution is working properly. Since this type of issue is so uncommon, it could be that most mechanics are not very experienced with troubleshooting the cause. A factory service manual may reveal how to do this but as many of us know, these manuals are very expensive.

Something is wrong with that picture. I have never seen a post in which passenger side brakes were wearing faster than the driver's side brakes. Just as some doctors make better judgement calls than others, so too do dealership mechanics. I think soliciting a different mechanic's opinion would be beneficial.

Okay, I did not see those at tire rack.com or Consumer Reports' listings.

The LTX tires are listed in Consumer Reports as truck tires and are not listed in the Tirerack website when I inputted our 2006 RX400h. As a truck tire, the LTX is rated very highly, so you may like them on your RX (seeing that you do have them on your truck). Tirerack does include the Michelin Pilot Sport AS3 tires in their list of tires for our RX, for $195 each. Those are rated even higher (for dry braking and handling) than the LTXs by CR, although the AS3s are listed in the "UHP All-Season" category.

So your steering wheel extends at every startup as per your driver-specific memory setting? Does it do this if a different memory setting is used?

I agree with Trevor. Make sure all connectors including ground connections are checked. Sometimes a not-fully-inserted connector will vibrate loose enough to throw warning lights/codes.

Does it make the same noise when your other key is inserted?

My guess would be the starter.

Thanks for the info, Fenton. With some engines you have to be careful not to over-oil K&N intake filters. Excessive oil may move far enough downstream to coat the MAF sensor, which in turn can result in drivability issues. As long as you follow their directions, this will not happen. I have been using K&N filters for many cars throughout the years. I understand that K&N also makes a dry version (similar to AEM Dryflo filters).

We have not seen this, but we WILL be getting a free replacement dash, due to softening and cracking of the material. Our RX is now over 11 years old. On the other hand, the passenger side rear corner window frame piece just fell off one day. The dealership (and Lexus) do not consider that a defect.

Almost all maintenance for the hybrid versions are exactly the same as a non-hybrid version. Hybrid brakes should (and do) last quite a bit longer than those on non-hybrid vehicles, possibly offsetting the inverter coolant change extra cost. Our RX400h has required mostly non-hybrid services like timing belt and water pump replacement, as well as cabin/air and oil filter/oil changes. Over the span of more than 11 years, our fuel savings over that of a non-hybrid has saved us a nice chunk of money - a nice dinner for 2, once per month.

I have to (once again) bring up the TED presentation that went into detail about why many presumptions (like this last post) are based upon a very tiny percentage of a much larger population of the vehicle/condition/event/issue in question. Consumer Reports receives ratings of tens of thousands of Lexus RXs, every year. Based upon this data set, they are among the most reliable vehicles. You can always find one BMW X5 that is more reliable than one particular Lexus RX, but this is most definitely NOT representative of all Lexus and BMWs. CR's data clearly shows that Lexus and most Japanese-branded vehicles have superior reliability compared to almost all German brands.

I have to admit that my Mazda3 GT lights are impressive, although the car is 9 years newer than our 400h. I had to adjust the angle of the lights after having Eibach springs and Koni shocks swapped in, however. The driver side adjustment required a shortened box end wrench but all is now good.

Yes, Scan Gauge 2 owners with hybrids, any vehicles with engines that auto-shutoff, and Mazda's with Skyactive engines need to change the Scan Gauge's default shutoff setting. The manufacturer of Scan Gauge can walk you through the steps required to do this.

That is very odd. I have never seen that issue mentioned here. Perhaps a dealership visit will be necessary.

Have you tried disconnecting and reconnecting the battery?

Typically, there is no need to do anything other than squirt some powdered graphite (available at many auto parts stores) into the key slot. Work your key in and out a few times and that's it! Our key/cylinder hasn't given us any problems for 5 years now (since I injected the graphite). By the way, the powdered graphite works great for mail key and house door lock cylinders, also.

Thanks for letting us know about what happened. It makes sense that the battery would need more than just a brief charge to allow the hybrid system to operate properly. Just about 3 months ago, I replaced our RX400h's battery, not because of any symptoms, but because it's been about 5 years since I replaced the OEM battery - no sense in getting stranded. In the event that a vehicle battery is inadvertently discharged, I have a Sears Craftsman auto-charger that can be set to slow or quick charge. Some batteries, like AGM types should not be trickle-charged at 2 or 3 amps, but most lead-acid types can be charged at 10 amps in less than a few hours. I have a Scangauge 2 in each of my MX5 and Mazda3 vehicles. Its gauge cable is always plugged into the OBD II connector. Its display normally is powered off when the ignition is turned off (as the default setting) but hybrids and Skyactive (as in my Mazda3) powertrains require the display-off setting to be tied to voltage, so that when voltage reaches 12.5, the display shuts down. I monitor voltage, intake air temperature, air/fuel ratio, and ignition timing (MX5) and the first three + coolant temperature (Mazda3). If I drove the RX400h as a daily ride, I'd have a scangauge in it, as well.

When I had my 01 Corvette, there was no way I could do a pad and fluid change without a special tool that would cycle the ABS and brake control module. Did you attempt to bleed your brakes?

Our 2006 RX400h with 100,000 miles is covered for the defective dash. It takes at least 6 months (still waiting) but we are covered.

According to tirerack.com, 20" wheels for your vehicle would require an offset of 35 - 38mm and a width of either 8 or 8.5 inches. Besides, unless your 20 inch wheels are forged, you will may end up with much heavier wheels, resulting in reduced acceleration and longer stopping distances. In addition, your ride will be punishing with the lower profile tires you would need. Tirerack has a great selection of wheels. You can probably find some that, at 18 or 19 " diameter, are lighter than the OEMs - making your RX even faster than it is now.

What a coincidence - I was born in Astoria General hospital, although most of my younger years were spent in Connecticut. I don't really like the new grills. Our next Lexus may be a GS450h that is a couple of years old. That grill looks better to me than the new ones. My wife accidentally put a crack in our front bumper when a commercial van driver braked suddenly. I wished we had the emergency braking feature that many newer vehicles have.