cduluk

Hey guys! I finished a new project recently on my Rx400h and wanted to see if you could spot it! It's only a small exterior change, not really sure if anyone will notice the difference. :whistles: I took some Spring shots of the car, so try and see if you can find what's different- i'll give you a hint, it's "hybrid" related. Enjoy the pictures and please comment! :)

Will your insurance cover the cost of an OEM replacement? If so, then go OEM. If you don't specify they'll probably try to replace it with an aftermarket brand due to the cost savings. An OEM windshield is in the $1500 range while an aftermarket windshield is in the $300 range. In my experience the aftermarket brands have waviness and don't clean as easily with the wipers...

That's really odd, but it definitely sounds like it has to do with the way your dealer specifically programmed the keyfob feature on your ES. It's weird that by holding down the unlock button on the key fob it will only let the windows go down 100% on your ES. On other Lexus models this handy feature is set as default and you can control how far down they roll based on how long you hold down the unlock button on the remote. This difference tells me that there's a different program built into your cars computer than the one most other Lexus models have. I don't think there's any way to justify what you experienced on the ES350 using prior knowledge of this Lexus feature, since it's a different program than that used in older models. There's no reason to assume it should behave the same way as some of the older Lexus models. For all we know, the program Lexus uses for the ES350 is the same one used in an Acura... Maybe there's more to this new program we don't know about, maybe new inputs that will result in the windows opening like interior temperature reaching a certain point, or who knows! I'd definitely let your dealer know about this. My guess is that there's a programming error. Let them "disable" the feature and re-enable it again. I bet that will clear any errors and get it working right again.

The headlight moisture issue is actually covered under warranty if you're within the warranty period- your dealer is wrong. The headlights are vented (like all Lexus headlights) but the location of the vents and filtering device proved inadequate for the 04-06 RX headlights. They were redesigned for the 2007 model year. They are direct replacements to each other, so if your RX was under warranty Lexus would simply replace your headlights with the ones for the 07+ model. I suggest you look on ebay for a used set of RX350/400h headlights from an 07-09 model. You should be able to get a set for less than $400 if yours are HID and even cheaper if they're halogen.

I have to say you're probably the most educated pre-owned RX300 shopper that's posted on here about a possible purchase. It sounds like you have a good chance of finding the right one if you search well enough! I would simply check the current condition of the transmission fluid- if it seems dark then avoid a fluid flush. If it's nice and pink then performing a flush probably wont hurt. However if it's really dirty (especially since it's already been changed), i agree with everyone else, only do a drain and fill a couple of times until the fluid remains pink for a while. At that point, check the fluid regularly and you should be OK. When i had my RX300 i had the transmission fluid flushed at around 60k miles at a nearby Toyota dealer (as they work on the same engine/transmission in the Highlander) and they did use a machine. If i remember correctly it was in the $200 range and took about an hour. It's the rear planetary gear that fails in the RX300 transmissions. Apparently it's made of a metal that's too soft to take heavy loads. If it's done a lot of towing, you may want to avoid it. And unfortunately there's no way of knowing the condition of the planetary gear without extensive work... Good luck if you decide to purchase this one! Make sure to keep us updated!

It charged pretty quickly, definitely didn't take 40 seconds. I've done the reset before but never noticed the fans coming on afterwards. The engine was running when i had it sitting in the driveway afterwards, everything seemed normal except for the fan speed.

Yeah, i would definitely have Lexus take a look... If it's something simple they probably won't charge you, and if it's something more complicated they'll replace the broken part free of charge. <_<

Probably a loose connection within the drivers control panel. Any chance your RX is still under warranty?

Do you want them in chrome or with the factory silver painted finish? Either way, ebay's your best bet.

Can these functions be controlled if you use the switches on each door's own panel? Can the drivers window and lock be controlled via the panel on the drivers door? What about the lock switch on the front passenger door, does that work?

Hey guys, I recently had to disconnect the battery in my RX400h after removing the steering wheel for some polishing, so i decided to perform the ISC reset (even though i personally don't think it does anything, at least for the '08 model). But nevertheless i did it this evening. I had just driven a good 20 miles on the highway so the engine temp was nice and warm (per the instructions of the ISC reset). I did the reset in my garage- held the car in D with my foot on both the brake and the gas until the battery (per the info screen) was completely charged with the 8 green bars. I then turned the car off, and turned it back on and pressed the gas to start the engine, and waited a couple of minutes for the engine to turn off, then turned the ignition off and went inside my house. About 5 hours later, i had to make a short trip. Right after i started it up, i instantly heard this "running" sound, like a fan or small electric motor, coming from the back seat area. I turned the AC off, but the sound was still there. I got out and realized it was coming from below the rear seats, behind the small grates near the floor. Apparently the fans that circulate the air around the battery (the hybrid battery is under the rear seats) were running at FULL capacity as i could literally feel the air rushing past those grates. After feeling around i also noticed that the floor below the rear seats was HOT, just about as hot as if the car were sitting in the sun on an 80 degree day (even though this was nighttime with an air temp of about 60 degrees). So i let the car sit running in the driveway for about 5 minutes but the fans didn't slow down at all (it sounded like a jet engine was running down there). I checked the energy monitor and the battery was still fully charged, so i drove the car around for about a mile and the battery level QUICKLY dropped to only 2 bars, and the fan noise mysteriously terminated. Drove the car around for another good half hour, and everything seems to be back to normal, the battery level back up to the 5 or 6 blue bar level. My guess is that leaving the hybrid battery fully charged creates too much heat in that compartment. I've NEVER heard those fans running so quickly, i had no idea what was going on! But i guess the Rx400h did a good job cooling it down once the car was started. My only concern is why they couldn't be cooled while the car was off. What if i hadn't turned the car on tonight? Could that heat have built up and caused damage to either the battery or the car, or both? So moral of the story? Don't do the ISC reset and leave the hybrid battery fully charged! What are your thoughts about this?

Oh i didn't catch the fact that you're looking at the FWD model... It's true that the FWD Rx400h is more sluggish than the AWD version as there's one less electric motor in the back. The AWD models have that extra electric motor for the rear wheels which definitely adds to the torque and acceleration...

All of what you described (the sluggishness and on/off feel of the braking) is normal for the Rx400h due to the hybrid computer and regenerative braking system. Make sure to check autotrader.com for deals in your area, as location matters! Also note the repair costs for the dings and scratches you'll need to have repaired... Don't buy it with the damage just because the price is lower, as repair costs might make it more expensive. The Rx400h is an amazing vehicle and i'm sure you'll love it! Even if it feels slow from a start, it's the quickest SUV Lexus has ever made! Its passing power from ~25MPH is exceptionable. And have you looked at the 07 model? Several exterior and interior trim changes that you may like, including better (and i mean BETTER) nav screen quality and interior wood trim (replacing the 1970's looking silver trim).

Here they call it the "distracted driver" law. Consisting of activities from putting makeup on to eating, etc...

That's the first '03 i've heard of having a failing transmission... :( Kinda glad i don't have mine anymore.

In that case, when you left the car and tried to lock it, you should have gotten that long "BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP" indicating a door was ajar.

I've noticed this same issue on some 2004 Rx330 models as well, as the dash of the RX and GS use the same material. And of course, the 04-09 RX's use the same dash, so i guess i'll be in the same boat as you guys in a few years!

The only thing i would be worried about is the longevity of the repair. And from your description it doesn't sound too promising! What if this issue only surfaced the day after your warranty were up? Then you'd really be on your own... It's a good thing you caught this now- make sure they give you an extended warranty!

I just recently learned that eating behind the wheel is also illegal here in my state as well. I'm guilty of this... every so often i'll have a McDonald's fry (or two) while driving, just put the bag in my lap and feel around and shove my face! The texting issue is very real however... Some of my friends are REALLY bad. They'll legitimately text conversations for minutes at a time while driving at or above the speed limit, it's very scary. I'll admit i'll read a quick text, or text a quick "yes" or "no", but i'll always wait for a lull in traffic. But then there are others that just don't use ANY common sense...

I am on both sites and sorely miss you on the Club Lexus site, there is so much info to share, and I use both sites for that forum...Still totally enjoy your projects...Glad you are here. I'm glad i'm here too, i really enjoy the people on this forum. I also like sharing my projects and techniques with others who share the same passions for cars. It's a shame clublexus chose to ban me over there, it's their loss i guess.

It's gotta happen someday, eventually fuel WILL run out. But not yet!

...what's wrong with it? Apparently it is hanging down and blocking Gene's keyboard. haha, apparently!

Seriously!? They seriously tried to sell it as a NEW car?? I've never heard this one before, definitely a new low for Lexus! Who would think to inspect for body work on a new car...

I've had the same issues with wipers for my Rx (same as yours). Best ones i've found are the "thick" ones from Rain-X. Not sure about the name, but you know them when you see them. I think they're the "Latitude" type.

Aren't they LED's? Are they all out? Or just a few of them?