RX400h

On a side note, the 2006 RX400h is actually a bit faster than the RX450h, according to each being tested by Car & Driver. The 400h accelerated to 60 MPH in 6.6 seconds and the 450h in 6.8 seconds. Also, the 450h weighs in at 157 lbs more than the 400h.

I recommend that you get a custom-fit cover that has side mirror pockets. Are you saying that when you travel, you leave your car outdoors at home or at the airport? I'd be a bit reluctant to leave a car cover on a car that is far away from sight.

Consumer Reports agrees with the majority of this article, concerning whether the dealership fuel injector cleaning service is necessary: http://www.kbb.com/car-advice/articles/do-you-need-an-injector-flush/ I pour a can of concentrated Techron in the tank, every 6 months or so and my gas mileage has stayed rock-steady throughout the years. Of course, I replace my air filters every 12,000 miles, also.

How can you possibly explain the massive change in fuel economy? If you believe the spark plug change could do this, you would have to assume that the plug gap were substantially larger, but even if this were true, wouldn't the input voltage increase to compensate? It is obvious to me that a computer controlled engine cannot fully compensate for extreme changes, including those of air flow and spark plug electrode degradation. That being said, I must also add that my experience with late model spark plugs and conversations with dealership service managers has prompted me to believe that many modern spark plugs reach 100,000 miles or more before fuel efficiency is significantly affected. Back a few years ago, there was a heated discussion about aftermarket (oiled) filters. This was posted by an automotive engineer. See his last paragraph:

That article is deceptive. As your intake air flow decreases due to an air filter that is getting more and more clogged, engine power decreases. To accelerate as briskly as you are accustomed to and assuming you did not somehow decrease the weight of your vehicle, a steeper throttle tip-in is required, resulting in GREATER fuel consumption. A good example is an air compressor. If you slowly restrict intake air flow, output pressure is reduced. Now, if you could increase the motor speed to compensate for the diminished output, power consumption would increase. Anyone who tells you it would not needs to retake physics. Cduluk, knowing your driving style, I'd say it's a sure thing that replacing your air filter restored power, allowing you to ease up on the gas pedal, thus reducing your gas consumption. A dirty air filter only affects performance at wide open throttle. Before that, the engine doesn't care where the air flow restriction is, be it the throttle valve or the air filter- in this case a summation of each. The mass air flow value determines fuel flow, not the position of the throttle vavle. Try this experiment: Restrict your air intake flow by 75% and then regularly drive aggressively, as does Cduluk. Continue this type of driving for one tankful and don't forget those occasional but brief full-throttle runs on hills and on the highway. Now measure your fuel consumption and report back to us. I think it's safe to say that you will experience what Cduluk had when his air filter was severely restricted.

That article is deceptive. As your intake air flow decreases due to an air filter that is getting more and more clogged, engine power decreases. To accelerate as briskly as you are accustomed to and assuming you did not somehow decrease the weight of your vehicle, a steeper throttle tip-in is required, resulting in GREATER fuel consumption. A good example is an air compressor. If you slowly restrict intake air flow, output pressure is reduced. Now, if you could increase the motor speed to compensate for the diminished output, power consumption would increase. Anyone who tells you it would not needs to retake physics. Cduluk, knowing your driving style, I'd say it's a sure thing that replacing your air filter restored power, allowing you to ease up on the gas pedal, thus reducing your gas consumption.

I normally go to Discount Tire, although I have ordered tires from Tirerack.com and had them installed at one of their recommended installers. I have Yokohama Parada-X and they have been stellar tires for many thousands of miles, so far. Brake squeaking can sometimes be fixed by disassembling the pads and applying anti-squealing grease to the back of each pad. Regarding the disconnected leads: I'd have the dealership tow your car back to reconnect the leads. After they do, try to find a more competent dealership or repair shop.

A filthy air filter will destroy mileage. You should check the filter after 10,000 miles of use. Your plugs were probably okay.

I believe the key is in the back where the tire-changing tools are. The manual that is linked in one of the stickies, above should contain info about this.

Congratulations! I tell people all the time that in most cases regarding Japanese vehicles, it is never truly cost effective to keep a new car less than 10 years. However, the many advancements that are bound to be included with your new purchase cannot be measured in dollars. I our case, we are still very happy with our RX400h (also purchased in April of 2005). I am fairly certain, though that our next vehicle will be far lighter and more efficient - perhaps a Mazda 6 or Lexus ES300h. The consistent $4/gallon gas prices are the motivating factor.

Good advice! Perhaps a neighbor can help?

....not bad! However, we do expect you to buy a hybrid, the next time you are shopping for a new car. ^_^

The latest IE is actually very good. I run Win 8 Professional at work, which comes with IE 10. Page loads are lightning quick and safety features are abundant. As an aside, my son tells me that a program called "Wine" can be used with Linux. Once Wine is installed, "Chrome" can be installed. Chrome has an IE mode, which may work to view programs that can be viewed only with IE.

According to our 2006 RX400h owner's manual: What fools many people about this statement is that our gasolene pumps do NOT display Research Octane Number (RON). Rather, they display an average of RON and Motor Octane Number (MON) [(RON+MON)/2]. Essentially, then, you do NOT need to use 91 octane as stated on the pumps. Your 2006 RX400h will "potentially" produce more power with higher octane, but only if you accelerate aggressively. Otherwise, you are wasting your money. I would, however use 91 octane in a very warm environment, such as Arizona or Nevada when Summer temps can climb to 100 degrees F. Conversely, during very cold temps, I'm sure any grade would provide more than adequate performance.

Try using midgrade. We average 25-26 without being ultra-conservative with our driving. During Winter months, I often run with regular and get the same mileage.

I'm not sure if this is the case with our cars, but some Toyotas' dimmer switch provides ground for the high beams. If so, a bad dimmer switch may be the problem. Other possibilities are the relay and column swtch, itself.

That's good to know. Thanks, Randy.

Consumer Reports gets 26 MPG with the RX450h. We average 25 in our 400h. This is about the same das mileage as a VW GTI gets and that car weighs 3000 lbs. As Bob mentioned, a 4500 lb vehicle is a 4500 lb vehicle. The fact that it can accelerate to 60 MPH in under 7 seconds is remarkable! By the way, Bob, I test-drove a 2014 Mazda 6 (2500 cc SkyActive engine that runs on regular fuel), last Saturday. The route that this dealership (and Mazda engineers, according to the salesperson) have mapped out, includes rough roads, tight curves, and a few highway miles. The EPA numbers are 26 city and 38 highway for the automatic tranny that features paddle shifters on the steering wheel. HP output is about 180 and the car weighs 3200 lbs. Yes, our Lexus is faster but the Mazda 6 is not exactly a slouch. Its handling is very impressive and the ride, firm but comfortable. The Grand Touring version I drove was loaded with everything, including lasers that work with the cruise control, warnings for when a car is in your blind spot (audible and visual in side view mirror) and the blinkers are on, and a warning if you are backing out of a parking spot and a car behind you is approaching. My cost would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $28K - tempting but at 16 ft in length, it will not fit where my current Mazda resides. I also drove a 2600 lb MX5 which gets lower gas mileage than the much larger and heavier 6. The difference, apparently, is new vs. old technology.

rc, Have you seen this: http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2008/lexus/rx350/air_bags/problem.aspx I realize it probably won't help but it does show that this is happening to non-hybrid RXs as well.

This is not very common, but it has happened to a couple of RX owners in the past: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/66896-passanger-air-bag-ligt-on-all-the-time/ I believe that if you place an object that weighs in between a certain range, the airbag for that position will deactivate, since a small child could be injured by the airbag. It could also be that the airbag deplyment force is variable, depending on the weight of the passenger. Is there anything on that seat when the light is illuminated?

Now when I was your age :whistles: (all the way up to the present, to some extent), I had two cars and a motorcycle. The convertible sportscar was for hysterical-laughing fun (and to show off a bit). The practical car (starting with a 68 Mercury Cougar) was for going places where I didn't want to take the sportscar. The motorcycle was for white-knuckle riding with similar, no-fear friends. Cduluk, it may be time to get yourself a BRZ or MX5. Don't get rid of the RX, but enjoy the warmer months with something lighter and "tossable". You're young only once, at least in age!

I agree; specifically ask to see all tsbs and check to see if all recalled were performed, as well.

An Optima battery won't prevent the no-start condition, although a yellow top version can take deep discharges without permanent damage. You CAN extend the life of your present battery by using a battery tender when not starting the vehicle for an extended length of time.

Excellent job, atn! It could be that this has not happened to our RX400h because it seldoms rains, here in San Diego. Only big leaks get noticed. It looks like cduluk was correct about the ballast.

This may be of help: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-second-generation/510689-rx350-antenna.html