RX400h

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

I agree. Even in warm weather conditions, your oil won't get up to temperature for at least 8-10 miles, depending upon how many of those are highway miles. At 40 degrees F, it takes my Corvette's oil at least 12 -15 miles to reach 200F and that includes stretches of 80 MPH "cruising".

Do you have the maintenance log book that came with all RX400hs from the factory? If not, you should get ahold of one. It contains what you are looking for. Much depends upon what has been done, previously and at what mileage.

Perhaps a tie with a camera "pin" wouldn't be noticed? But, yes, I would expect secrecy when it comes to manufacturing methods of some vehicles. The Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky has no such restrictions (from what I've heard).

Where're the pics? That would definitely make for an interesting tour. I've toured many interesting plants, like Sony, Olhausen Billiards, Taylor Guitar, Edelbrock and others, but never a car manufacturing plant.

We now have 77,000 miles on our RX and I have not seen any leaks. Why did you get your timing belt replaced at that mileage? Do you live in a northern region where temps dip very low?

Thanks, Gary, Often, procedures by the manufacturers have few or no photos and any they do include are typically very small black and white photos or crude drawings. It looks like Fram is one step ahead of most others, as I believe the boxes containing filters I've used contain no instructions at all. Zapopaz, I check at 10,000 miles and almost always replace before the 15,000 mile mark. How quickly your filters get dirty is dependant upon the ambient conditions in your area. Dryer areas tend to dirty the filters more quickly than wet areas. Dave

Cans of moisture-sensitive liquids are often topped off with moisture-free nitrogen. If you could ensure that the gas inside the headlight assembly is moisture free and sealed, you shouldn't have a condensation issue. In fact, I believe double-pane windows are vacuum-sealed for the same reason.

Keep in mind that when a Toyota service bulletin states that the 0W-20 is "superior", it is comparing that oil to the original non-synthetic oil used as factory fill. I really doubt that their 0W-20 oil is superior to Mobil 1, Amsoil, and other top-name full-synthetic oils.

My Costco battery was installed 2.5 years ago and is working, perfectly. I think it's safe to say that you need to have your RX tested. Something is not right.

You might want to include your location in your member profile. That often helps others to answer questions that are related to not only country, but also state and even, city. We went through the same calculations before we ordered our new 400h. Our payback was a bit shorter than yours, as the federal tax break for hybrids was still active at the time. And like you, we tend to keep our vehicles at least 8-10 years. So yes, I agree that the 450h is the better choice, especially if you live in a populated area that produces medium to heavy traffic on a regular basis. Gas prices in the $2-$3 range are long gone, making many hybrids smart choices.

The question is how many miles is a standard filter good for? There are some filters out there that have "extended mileage" printed on the box, but what about those that don't? Personally, I would not go more than 7000 miles on a standard filter. I use K&N filters for 5000 miles, along with Mobile 1 5W-30 oil.

As a general rule of thumb, the PCV valve should be changed when the spark plugs are replaced, although I don't recall seeing that (PCV valve) replacement requirement in the owners manual.

This is what Mobil recommends for your RX if you want their best: http://www.mobiloil....ance_5W-30.aspx They have a selection "wizard" to guide you to their recommendation, here: http://www.mobiloil....r.aspx?option=2 Again, no vehicle engine consumes NO oil, but some use more than others.

No vehicle uses no oil. When you read the dipstick, you are reading an oil level that represents oil, fuel, and water, so a "full" reading does not mean that no oil was consumed by the engine. Our RX has 75,000 miles on it and I believe if I check the oil level before the 5000 mile oil change, it is approx. 1/2 quart below a full reading. If you look at your owner's manual, you'll see notation that a quart every 800-900 miles is "normal". However, my guess is that standard build tolerances would never allow that much oil to be consumed. My Corvette consumes 1 quart every 2500 miles.

Keep in mind that Lemon lives in an area of the world that sees extremely cold temperatures. Most of us (and our vehicles) will never experience such drastic changes in temps.

Apparently, store owners in other countries have heard of this issue as well: http://www.oemxenons...eplacement.html

I have to admit that my Corvette's HVAC system is better than any I've ever experienced. On a cold morning (Yes, on occasion, temps can get down to 40F, here in San Diego), the interior of my car is toasty warm and not because I crank up the air velocity and fiddle with the controls - I do nothing at all. The 70 degree setting remains the same, year-round. Indeed, Lexus could learn something from GM when it comes to HVAC systems. Ofcourse, GM could learn much more from Lexus, especially when it comes to reliable electronics!