400h08

Thanks for your advice.  I am still following the 8km 6 month rule.

Much thanks for your info.  I'll take my car to another lube and oil place instead of going to the dealer.

I have 2008 400H purchased new in 2008.  It only has about 80,000 km or 48,000 miles on it.  My dealer insisted on using normal oil and change every 6 months or 8k km.  If I use synthetic oil, will I be able to extend the interval to more than 6 months (e.g., 12 months) (since I have very low usage)?  

The Lexus dealer (collision center) said I need to replace the skin of the door (left front and back door) at a cost of $3800CAD.  Just repair of rust is $2800CAD.  The black book value is about $10k - 13kCAD.   I don't mind trading it in, but this is bad timing.  If I do nothing, it will rust more after this coming winter (it is bearely visble now on the front door, the back door is just starting to rust inside bottom of the door).  By the way, a second body shop say casually about $3000CAD.  

After much thought, I think I should not spend the money for just one or two years.  What do you think?

Just found out to my horror that I my passenger side door is rusting on the bottom and also under the inside door panel.  I admit that I have been neglecting it without much car wash in past winter.  So, is it worth the price of repairing it or is it time to trade in?  I only have 70k kilometer on it. Serviced by dealer every 6 months according to their schedule.

Thanks for the detailed explanation.  Only the B1S2 is replaced back in June.  It is working ok.  Mileage is like normal.  So do I have to replace B1S1 now or wait till the light comes on again?

Thanks for your detailed explanation.  I am not doing the work myself.  Just want to understand it.  It has been 4 months since the dealer replaced B1S2 only.  I'll leave it at that until the light comes on again.  The dealer first recommended to replace B1S2 and B1S1 together, but after I hesitated, they say I can just replace B1S2.  

What happens if I did not replace the defective sensor at all.  The dealer said doing so will eventually increase my mileage.  This thing id very expensive to replace, increase mileage is cheaper option.  What do you think?

Thanks for the info.  What is B1 S1?

So my engine light came on again after 2 months of driving since its first occurrence. I had it replaced last June. The dealer tried to make me replace B1 S1 as well and I refused.  

No, not the actual code, and I did not know enough to ask for it.  What is said on the invoice is:

"Checked for codes B1 S2 not working, Rec to replace both B1 S2 and B1 S1"

I guess I'll have to ask them if I still need to replace it.

3 weeks ago, the engine light comes on (2008 RX400h).  I took it to the dealer for diagnosis.  The service advisor said one of the 2 senors are defective and needs to be replaced.  They do not have the parts, so I said to delay it until June when my normal checkup is due.  After a couple of weeks, the engine light goes off by itself, and everything seems fine now.  

I am thinking of not replacing the senor because it is quite an expensive repair/replace.  What do you owners think?

Thanks for all your help.  Dave, it is reassuring to know there is a lot more life to my battery.  I looked at the new Lexus SUV (on-line), and my goodness, are they ever expensive.  Besides I do not like the front grill of the new Lexus.  It looks to me like an angry animal with mouth wide open and head lights like ferocious eyes.  I'll keep mine for now, and make better use of my money somewhere else.  

Thanks for your advice.  I do have a bit of new car itch, but I really want an all electric car which may be here in 2-3 years (hopefully).  My wife wants a smaller suv (she always want small cars), so which of the Lexus model is there?  I have been out of touch with new cars since my 400H is so realiable.  

I own 2008 RX400H, with about 65000km.  Yes, no mistake here, 2008 model bought new in summer of 2008.  I only use it to drive around town, and I live in town, so mileage is very low indeed.  Here is my question. It is pushing 10 years, and the lithium battery is warranted for 10 years.  I service it in my dealer, who has been very good.  I asked how much to replace the lithium battery should it go bad, and he answered about $5000.    How long will the battery last? Should I consider trading it in while the battery still has a year of warranty?

This is the first time I've seen this. I was at a local store (Mountain Equipment Co-op) that is geared to an outdoor lifestyle and the environmentally conscious. Anyway, I pulled into the parking lot and there beside the handicap parking spots were two spots reserved for "hybrid, electric and other low emission vehicles" (or something along those lines).

Just a little perk for driving a hybrid (my car insurance company also offers a discount for hybrids).

Hi lemon, I am your fellow canuck from the great white north. Yes, I have been to the parking lot in MEC, and what a treat.

Got into an accident few days ago. So the car got towed to a body shop and they told me around $5000-6000 to fix it up.

Today the insurance company told me its a total loss and to take my belongings out of the car.

So my question is what amount should I accept from my insurance company?

Go to toyota.ca where you can get an estimate of your trade in value based on the black book.

Info:

Im in Toronto, Canada and I bought the SUV in May 2009 for $39,138.68 total balance now is $28163.50

I've attached pics of the damage as well

-side air bag on the passenger side

-front passenger rim and tire

-dents above passenger rear rim

-rear bumper passenger side only

Thanks

You can go to toyota.ca and get an estimate of your trade-in value which is based on the black book.

I have to say that I have never experienced this feeling when traveling at 60km.h or under. I suggest you have it checked out by your dealer since it is still under warranty. The only surging forward feel I have is at very slow speed (under 10 km.h) going over a slight bump.

I've complained about this since the first year. They do have that explanation but no solution. The worst is hitting a pothole at the bottom of a hill with a Stop Sign and you can't stop. However, dare I say you get used to it and brake in advance! The only scary time is during snow/sleet because then you have less control afterwards.

I don't think we're second class citizens but they didn't make as many RX hybrids as Priuses. It's numbers and Toyota is generally under closer scrutiny. I'm going to wait and see what they come up with because if its what has been going on in the RX400h since 2005 think about how many cars it must affect.

Well, it is in the news again, and quite confusng and conflicting news:

A Toyota spokeswoman said there was no decision yet on whether to recall the Prius but said the company is investigating possible brake problems with its luxury Lexus hybrid, which uses the same brake system as the Prius. Toyota has not received any complaints about the Lexus HS250h and the probe is to ensure safety, spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi said.

Quoted from this article:

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100204/...s_toyota_recall

But, it did not mention RX400h or Rx450h, only HS250h.

Yes, these are the perfect explanations. But, it does not solve the problem. No other cars behave like that. If I do not want this kind of behavior, do I have to abandon buying hybrids? I think it is a design fault. Hopefully, with more complaints from Prius owners, Toyota will come up with a fix.

This has been discussed many times before, and I haved asked my dealer about it, but their answer was they could not find anything wrong. But now, Prius owners are making the same complaint, and Toyota is investigating. Does it mean Lexus owners are second class citizens (or owners)?

http://www.bnn.ca/news/15500.html

Reuters

February 03, 2010

Toyota Motor Corp. said on Wednesday its North American and Japanese dealers had received several dozen complaints concerning what drivers characterized as insufficient braking on its new Prius hybrid car when driving over bumpy or frozen roads.

Toyota received the first reports of the Prius complaints last December, a spokeswoman in Tokyo said, adding that it was investigating the issue. She said there had been no reports to Toyota about any accidents related to the matter.

The third-generation Prius has become a core volume-seller for the world's biggest automaker, and is now Japan's top-selling model. Including second-generation models, Toyota sold 404,000 Prius cars globally last year.

In Europe, where the automaker has sold 29,000 new generation Prius cars since its launch last summer, Toyota Motor Europe has not had any complaints, a spokeswoman for Toyota Motor Europe said.

I wonder if shifting to neutral as well as using the brake will stop the car?

Since all RX are based on Toyota Camry, is RX going to be recalled as well? Anyone who knows the parts used in Camry and RX, please enlighten me. TIA

I loved the spelling bee! Thanks for the chuckle you guys...oh, and for the braking info. I only noticed that when I first bought the car and if it happens now, I simply don't notice it any longer. Their, There, They're.....

Rey... (yes, this is the way I spell my name so please, do not correct me!)....

I know "lung" is wrong, but did not look it up. :P

Anyway, my ability to spell is getting worse with age, and spell check makes it even worse. I'll try better next time.

It is indeed funny. :D

This happens to me also. Here is a thread discussing this. They might be right that it is actually a loosening of the braking and not an actual surge forward. It gets your attention though when it happens.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1c574a/0

Thnaks for the link. It does explain it quite well. Do other RX400h owners have this intermittent problem, or are there just a few of us?

You will notice that this happens only after traversing a bump in the road while the brakes are "regenerating". I believe the slight kickback and resulting lower compression of foot on brake pedal gives the impression of lurching or increasing speed. This is absolutely normal for our generation RX.

No, this is cruising towards a stop light or stop sign. The road is smooth, no bump, and there is no lower compression on brake. Happened again today, my foot is just touching brake sightly to control an easy stop, and it lurched forward, as if some force give the car a push.

I have seen this discussed before, but cannot find the thread, but do not recall if there is a good explanation.

I noticed recently (not as much when the card was brand new it is now about 9000 Km or 6000 miles), that while coasting along towards a red light or stop sign, and I want to stop, and put my foot on the brake, medium force, and all of a sudden, the car would lung forward which gave me a big surprise, and I have to react by adding more braking force, jerking the passenger forward. This only happens occasionally, and cannot be re-created at will.

I tried to pay attention to what is happening, is it because the ICE is suddenly turned off, hence no engine braking power? But, at coasting speed, ICE is already off. The generator was in re-gen mode, but, when I put my food on the brake pedal, it should not cause it to release? Or is the battery full so the re-gen is suddenly turned off?

Anyway it is intriguing. Anyone has a good explanation?