shrewsburyite

We have a 2006 RX400h that was the second hybrid delivered here in Dallas by our dealer. Overall, we've been satisfied except for mileage. We currently have 167 spreadsheet entries regarding gasoline. The lifetime rating has 22.56 MPG. The indicated MPG on the display is usually around 5% higher than actual. The most interesting experience is our performance in Colorado in the Denver area. Our consumption rate improves dramatically by around 15%... I can't get any dealership (Dallas or Colorado) to give me an explanation. My conclusion per a friends suggestion is that the computer does a more efficient job in that mountain's higher altitude. I always 'Reset' the mileage indicator when I refill the tank. My refills are usually done in the same manner. I am a strong 'cruise control' user and hope that properly applies the accelerator when needed up and down the road.

The air is a bit thinner, so there's a lower partial pressure of oxygen. Thus, there's less fuel (osygen) to burn, so it burns less fuel (gas). The difference is probably made up with the battery, so you won't see a change in performance. [i'm gunna get it for this]: The 400h does have a TAD more power than it needs! The barometric pressure is around 30 inches.

Anyway, as a half-baked chemist, that would be my answer. (I still deal with pressures on a frequent basis)

I bought my 2006 Bamboo Pearl the second week that the Hybrids were on sale, in April 2005. It took me until the following August to take delivery! I was the 84th hybrid they sold, and they said that only 5% of the vehicles were in bamboo pearl, even though it's a very popular color. LIT is an odd colour, and there are days I love it, and days I hate it.

After 10,000 miles the center console lights went out. The car was in the shop for 2 days and they coulod not find the problem. Then they called and told me that "apparently" a mose chewed through the wiring harness. This would not be covered by warranty and it would cost "thousands" and I should call my insurance company. It strikes me odd. To me it seems like they did not know what was wrong and decided that the easiest thing to do was replace the entire wiring harness and not cover it under warranty. Any thoughts? They said this kind of thing happens alot. I drive the car all the time and I don't exactly live in the sticks. When I asked how they could get into my console, they told me "through the tail pipe"!

Any help or info would be appreciated.

Thaks in advance.

G

My 2006 RX400h (bamboo pearl) was in Valet Parking 5/13/08 to 5/18/08. When I picked it up, the power steering was bad. Gone. Took it to the dealer on 5/19/08. After the dealer replaced the rack and pinion AND the computer, they discovered that the fault was somewhere between the rear power supply and the power steering. New cable. No good. Then they discovered the eaten wiring in the wiring harness. Again, "not under warranty", and my insurance has to cover it.

How, I ask, HOW do varmits get into a rather high-end luxury vehicle and eat the wiring? Today is June 11, and I have not received my vehicle back.

How do we contact LEXUS of US and tell them that, since this seems to be a recurring problem, they need to fix it? My car is normally parked at home, where I've never seen ANY evidence of a varmit in or near anything; and at work, it's in a covered but open-sided garage. The Hotel is also investigating what might have gotten into the car, as it was parked in the Boston Commons garage for that time.

Seems to me it's an engineering fault ... error by design ... call it what you will. Not properly built/designed. I might go back to my other car - 1991 Mazda Miata, Special Edition, British Racing Green. In the meantime, the insurance adjuster has gone to look / photograph the wiring. I can't wait to see what it looks like! I'll post the photos if I can ever get them.