RX400h

I have never known anyone who had good luck with an auto transmission rebuild at an independent shop. Auto transmissions are incredibly complicated and you are much more likely to have success with a factory-rebuilt (with all the latest upgrades) or new transmission. Regardless, transmissions should last past 150,000 miles.

Cdu, Yes, it's amazing what you can get by checking off the technology package. I forgot to mention the super capacitor, which bumps up MPG a bit. I believe there is also optional ultrasonic backup sensor that is integrated with the backup camera. My understanding is that it displays distance to object, but I'm not positive about that. The current Mazdaspeed version is actually part of the last generation, and as such, does not have Skyactive engine technology. Fuel mileage is far lower, but power is impressive.

It seems that every time one of their vehicles is released, it gets accolades from every car magazine. They definitely emphasize handling/economy over vault-like quietness and cushy ride, but that's why they compliment a Lexus so well.

The GS is a great car, although I'm heading in the opposite direction for a garage mate to the RX400h and Mazda MX5 PRHT. I'm thinking of selling the Corvette and buying a Mazda 3S GT (184 HP/184 lbs-ft TQ). It is not nearly as quick as the Corvette, but is very close to the RX400h in terms of acceleration. Fuel mileage and crash safety ratings are stellar and it'll handle as well as a 3-series BMW at half the price. The amazing thing is that with the technology package, the Mazda 3 is more advanced than 99% of vehicles on the road. All for $25K. How's this for high-tech features? Heads up display Blind spot monitoring Lane change (drifting) monitoring Auto low beam headlights (when vehicle is approaching) Radar cruise control that auto-slows for vehicle in front of you Auto closing grill for improved aerodynamics at highway speeds Auto rain sensing wipers Dual climate with led display in each control knob All the other amenities, like moon roof, one-touch up and down windows, etc We still love our Lexus (which averages 25-27 MPG), but variety is the spice of life!

Perhaps the damaged piece can be reverse-engineered? Do you have any photos that we can see?

We never had that problem and we've owned our RX400h since 2005.

...not the best conditions for engine gaskets, but still puzzling to some extent. I'm sure other owners have done the same under similar conditions. Your engine is virtually identical to those in so many RX models, after all.

...just curious, but what is the ambient temperature range in your area? When you drive your RX, how far do you drive before entering the highway on cold mornings?

It may be safe to say that your experience is quite rare. I have never seen mention of such an occurrence in this forum.

It may be that one of your caliper slides is sticking and needs lubrication. You may not need new rotors; only a thorough inspection will reveal if the OEM rotors are still within specifications. If you did need any, it would be the fronts. Centric makes a nice 120-series rotor for $64 each at Tirerack, Brembo does make less expensive ones, but they have no rust protection on their "hats". You have to be careful with pad selection. Many inexpensive pads are noisy. I'd stick with OEM. That temporary loss of braking feel is not really a loss of braking. It is a temporary loss of regenerative assist, making it feel as if the vehicle has lost all braling and is actually accelerating. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.

While I really like the idea of saving money by going to an independent shop, some "challenges" are best left to the dealerships. Even my 89 Mazda MX 6 GT is complicated enough so that I need an expert to troubleshoot certain issues.

There are are multiple "Pinned" posts at the top of this forum section page. Each pinned post is identified with a green button. You must exit this sub-page to get back to the 04 -09 Lexus RX330/RX350/RX400 page that contains those relevant tips.

Look above. One of my "sticky" posts explains how to change the engine and cabin air filters. If you are referring to the oil filter, I can explain that to you.

I've worked in and with Quality departments enough to know that if there is one failure of a component among 100,000 vehicles, that issue will most likely not be at the top of any priority list. There have been multiple incidences of component failures in C5 generation Corvettes in which the car would veer out of control, yet GM has yet to issue a recall. As Lenore mentioned, GM gets away with far more than Toyota, especially since the bailout and Toyota's overtaking GM as the top selling car company. The government fine is so biased, it is utterly ridiculous.

Your wife started screaming on the side of the highway? Isn't that a bit extreme? My wife had a flat tire, last year while driving on the highway. She calmly moved over to the shoulder and called me. I called the tow truck and its driver installed the spare tire. Swapping out a tire, yourself can be harrowing if cars are whizzing by you, but you are generally safe if you stand far enough away from the road. Luckily, you weren't flying a plane.

Sometimes the owner's manual lists contact information. I haven't checked ours, but you might want to check yours. Also, the Lexus UK contact person may be able to refer you to the specific number: http://www.lexus.co.uk/legal.tmex#/CTA/contact

I think a Lexus regional or national representative, along with a mechanic not associated with your dealership, should investigate the cracked engine. If it is fould to be a casting defect, a full (at no cost) replacement should be offered to you.

Yes, over-tightening some structural hardware can result in stress cracks. This type of thing would almost never happen on its own unless it were a design defect.

I've been on this forum ever since we bought our RX (new) and have never seen mention of a cracked engine. Therefore, I agree with Lenore that your dealership's previous "fix" may have been done incorrectly. If possible, take or have your vehicle towed to a different dealership for diagnonis.

If you had a tow hitch. that'd be secure enough.

...quite the downgrade: 0-60 MPG: RAV4: 8.2 sec RX400h: 6.6 sec Average MPG: RAV4: 19 RX400h: 25 Of course, if you want the best low-end all wheel drive vehicle, you might want to read this comparison test: http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2013-toyota-rav4-xle-awd-vs-2014-subaru-forester-25i-touring-2014-mazda-cx-5-grand-touring-awd-final-scoring-performance-data-and-complete-specs-page-5

Have you perused Tirerack's lighting page? (lots of options) http://www.tirerack.com/lighting/category.jsp?category=Lighting+Kits

I'm originally from CT, so I know how you feel. To what air pressure are you filling your tires? I keep ours at about 32-32 psi.

Back in the early 90s, my wife's Honda Accord's transmission died at about 60,000 miles. I had changed its fluid at 30,000 and 60,000, but the dealership told me it needed to be changed every 2 years or 30,000 miles. I then swore that I WOULD NEVER BUY A HONDA, AGAIN. Are Honda Accords of that era, shoddy/poorly designed? No, but I used that single incident to blame Honda for years. But getting back to our RX400h: We bought it in April of 2005. At the time, 2 of my coworkers were driving RX330s and while they were nice vehicles, their 17 MPG fuel mileage was just not acceptable to me. Our RX400h was immediately averaging 25 MPG and eventually climbed to 26+. Fuel prices climbed beyond $4.00/gal (mid-grade), more than once, and never went back to the $2.50 we were paying, early on. Fast forward 9 years.......Our fuel savings far surpassed any initial outlay of purchase price over what an RX330 would've cost. (which wasn't too much after the $2000 federal incentive. . The only issue we've ever had with our RX hybrid during almost 90,000 of use was an intermittent CD player error message, which is fixed by cycling the ignition a couple of times. That's it - no other issues, at all. Now if a dealership told me that a gasket leak could not be fixed by replacing the gasket, I'd go up the chain of command. Replacing the transmission makes no sense. Many gas-only vehicles are using CVT transmissions. They are simpler that the 8-speed grannies that are prevalent in many luxury vehicles, today. By the way, Consumer Reports rates the Prius as the most economical vehicle of all recommended vehicles they have tested. Taxis in New York are used these cars and Camry hybrids, many with over 200,000 miles on their original batteries and transmissions.

Lots! Consumer Reports has stated, many times that there is often no comparison between all-season and dedicated Winter tires when it comes to snow traction. The following tires have EXCELLENT traction capabilities and are rated much better than average in that regard: Starting with the best: Michelin X-Ice Xi3 Michelin X-Ice Xi2 Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow II Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI Continental Extreme Winter Contact General Altimax Artic Hankook Winter I*Pike Falken Espia EPZ The best all-season tires are slightly better than average when it comes to snow traction. None perform as well as ANY of the above tires on snow-covered roads. Not all of these tires are available in our tire sizes, so check www.tirerack.com for those that are available. And before anyone asks, "How would a guy in San Diego know about winter driving?", I will reveal that I drove in heavy snow in CT for over 10 years.