LittleSand

I am not certain if it actually speed up. But if I have to pick a choice. I say Yes, it speed up. It is same as or feel as I press the clutch of a standard transmission car and shift into netural. The car go a bit faster as the wheel is not engaged to the transmission/engine. But I am not sure about the RX400. It doesn't happened to my other auto transmission cars. That is why I asked. In fact, it happens more often than when it was brand new (20,000 KM now). I say, it happens over 50% of time when I brake under slow speed condition, especially when I easy on the brake at first. Thanks,

Do people in Ottawa speak English? Thanks for you comment. And exactly which part of my question you don't understand? I suggest you add an auto grammar corrector and spell check in all the forum site. It will add a few billion dollars in your current income. :o

You are correct. Brought it in 2009 and always thinking it is a 2009. It is a 2008.

Hi, I have couple questions due to the current recall and would like to have some confirmation. I don't know much about car. So an insight knowlege are apprecated. I have the 2009 RX400 and here is my 2 questions. 1) When I am driving at a speed that is not too fast, like under 60 KM, I notice when I start braking, it speed up a little bit. All this time, I was thinking it is because the transmission is disengaged and put into netural, so the car speed up a little due to no engine load. It is similar to when I manually shift a non-hybrid car into neutral, it speed up a little. At least it feel that way. Is it a problem or is it normal with the RX400? Are all other owners have a similar experience? 2) I read other article, they mention to shift the gear into netural to control the unintend speed up. So my question is, is the shift mechanical or eletronic control? Since the shifting is just a tap, I feel it is more like an electronic control or at least semi control by electronic. Is it? Any advise of what to do if for some reason we can't shift? I know it is kind of very very low probability, but it is still kind of worry and not getting a peace of mind. Thanks,

I was having trouble to decide whether to pick the 400H or the 350 couple months back, see the link listed on the other reply. I decided to go for the 400H. I am glad that I made that decision. I will not go thru the advantage and disadvantage between the two, which you can find them on other posts. But I will tell you one of the top reasons that I am glad I got the 400H, which I didn't know when I decided to buy the 400H at that time..... If you get the 350, you are getting a nice SUV, but if you get the 400H, you are getting a nice SUV plus a TOY. The reason I say getting a toy as an extra, it is because when I drive the 400H, I am playing the game of try to engage/use the battery to power the SUV as often as possible. You will need to drive it in a certian way so that the battery power be engaged more often. I am not trying to safe some gas, may be just a side benefit for me, but I find it is fun to do that. So it is like I am playing a game. Hope this help, Getting a SUV and a game regards,

Earth is often referred to as the big blue marble or the blue planet. The 400h is earth friendly. Ahhhh :chairshot: it is the earth ! Got it :)

I am more wondering about why the emblem is in blue and in not green. I know it may be just a color design, so it can be any color. But I always ask myself including my kids, why it is in blue and not green? After all it is a green car, right? Anyone know or can explain? May be it is an advertising technique, it keeps reminding me about it... Just wondering regards,

Ok, since I am the one who caused all your anger. I will support you. Let's all demand a full refund together ! Demanding a full refund and am not going to wait for the next big snow storm challenge regards, <_<

I went and look again. The heating element is in fact all along under the black stripe. The part that I thought it is a few inches apart is the connector of some sort and the Vehicle VIN number is around it, so I thought they are apart. I actually count it this time, it has 12 wires running along the width of the windshield. Where the position you can see the VIN plate is, there is only have 2 wires at the top and at the bottom of the plate window. The wire is in brown color. I am surprised the U.S. Vehicle don't have it with the heat mirror feature. It is like what I complaint about it in the first place, as some areas in U.S. the weather is as bad as in Canada. Now, I have more reasons to keep my RX400. Are you guys just trying to make me happy by saying I have the heating element and you don't? Regards,

Yes, I guess it is. A dumb user problem, isn't it? As for the heated windshield, did you try and see where the wiper sit at? Try with a flash light and look at a 45 degree angle, you will see if you have it that is. Yes, I guess I am happily keeping the RX400 :) To answer Gryplon comment. the heated wiper/windshield works really well. I say at least on my old Highlander for now. When it is parked outside and if the blade got ice on, after I turn it on, the ice just goes away. Yes, you still need the front defoger blower on to clear the moist/ice inside. But the key is this, the heated blade/windshield melt the ice off the blade, so that the blade/rubber can clear the snow with proper fit. Otherwise, the rubber can't touch the windshield because the ice deform the shape of the blade. Regards,

Yes, there are some flat heating element/wire under where the bottom of the windshield. It is at where the black stripe is. The wire is not all along the black stripe. But they are 2~3 inches apart and thru out. The heating elment is about 4 inches in lenght and 2~3 wide. You will have to use a flash light to see it, may be bright light will do too. I was checking it in my garage, without the flash light, I can't see it there. I also test the heat.... Since it is in my garage this time versus outside the dealer, I feel the heat right the way after I switch on the heated mirror button. I say after about 3 minutes, it may be at its highest. I didn't have a temperture gauge to measure it, I would say the heat is hotter than a normal hot shower that you would normally take. It may be as high as to a point that it is a bit too hot for shower. I was touching it on my finger which should not be as senitive as on the body. but for sure it is not too hot to touch. Regards,

Thanks for the info 1990LS400. I agree with you, it doesn't say on the spec. In fact, if you check the Highlander spec, it did mention. That is why I was kind of upset yesterday. But when I test it with my dealer this morning, the heat does come on, I can feel the heat. So the dealer didn't pull my leg on this regard. But I didn't stay long enough to see how hot it can get as we went on and talk about something else. But for sure it is hot and not because I touch long enough of transfering my body heat. I will test again and see how hot it can get. Yes, the first link of your was what I like and found on the internet last night too. It does look promising. In fact I already e-mail them with some questions last night, listed below. But I haven't got a reply from them yet. As you can tell from my e-mail to them, I am not much of a handy man. I don't even know where I can tap in the power. So, the chance of getting one is not high, unless they sell it in local dealer. ================================================================================ ======= I am interested in your heated windshield wiper. And I would like to know a bit more. Hopefully you can answer some of the questions. 1) Do you have a service dealer in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada that sell and install the product? 2) I have the 2008 Lexus RX400H. What parts do I need? As I am not clear of what part I need based on the web site. 3) Does detail installation guide come with it. How easy to have it install for someone who is not so handy? 4) If installation guide does come it with, does it show where we can connect and get the power from? Feel free to add more comment that is important and I didn't ask. ================================================================================ ======

See my message after yours. It is part of an user problem, but we will see how well it works. <_< When I search the internet yesterday, I saw the wiper blade with heater element for sell in a range of $100. And yes that is what I refering to. That was my solution trying to counter the problem I had last night. And I thought that is what I have on my highlander, as I never have ice problem on my blade before. Yesterday was the first snow storm since I have my 3 weeks old Rx400H. But after talking to the dealer, I will try the procedure he mention first to see it will help. I hope it will. What he told me does make sense. But we will need a REAL test drive. Still waiting for the next snow storm challenge regards,

I just came back from Lexus dealer. Nice service, can't complaint about it. They took the time to explain it to me. They don't recommend that I install the heated windshield blade even the cost is not an issue. Because there is chance that it may crack the windshield when it is very cold. They told me that the RX400H has the heated windshield that sold in Canada, and may be on the U.S. one too. May be depending on the region but he is not 100% sure. The heating part of the windshield is located at the bottom of the windshield where the blade is normally seated. So, I told him, I never have just a problem on my old Highlander like yesterday I had. Is the heater not working? So, we test by turning on the heated mirror button. And heat does start to come on after a mintue or so. And he told me Highlander works the same way. The heating area just heat up the blade and melt the ice. In fact Lexus blade is a bit better according to him. He explain it but it come in from my right ear and gone out from the left. In any case, he told me with such a bad snow storm yesterday, ice accumulation on the blade can happen. But he told me the followings should improve it.. - First, clean off the snow/ice of where the heater and the blade seat. Which I didn't do last night. So that heat can have a better chance to heat up the blade versus the ice already around there. Make sense. - Turn on the heated windshield right the way and let it heat up the blade before wipe the snow off so that it has less chance the snow/ice attached to the blade. - And lastly, try to use the blade with intermit speed for the reason of letting the blade have a chance to be heated up at the seat position. And I was kept the wiper in full speed and try to clean the snow off. Learning everyday, I guess. So, I hope it is just an user problem. :P And I will keep that in mind on the next snow storm. So pour more snow and coming down, I am ready for the challenge. For those who is lucky enough of never drive in a snow storm. This is what happen. The snow and dirt come onto your windshield, and you need the blade to wipe it off for obvious reason. But eventually with some moist/water, ice form on the blade and on the arm. So that the blade is no long flexible and doesn't seat fit on the windshield. One of the blade was not even touching on the windshield last night. It is like you have a really bad windshield blade need to be replaced. Driving in that condition in a highway is fun to say the least. It is much worst than having heavy rain without full wiper speed on. With intermit wiping, you at least see a full view when it did the wipe. So, think twice before you move to somewhere that snow.... <_< Waiting for the next snow storm regards,

No problem Rxrey and I understand. Yes, I was a bit over aggressive on my first post. And being playful on the refund statement. As we all know, car is not refundable. Anyway, on the serious side, I was a bit stun about missing the heated wiper from my own experience, as I previously own the Highlander and expecting the RX400H should have everything Highlander have. As I said, my estimate of having one install should be around $300, U hope. Which is a small faction of the total cost. I just have to go thru some trouble to have it install. If anyone have one of these after market heated wiper install. Please share. Regards,

By all means...return the RX and get the car with heated windshield. Now, I almost feel silly for looking for a vehicle with high MPG, lots of power and torque, safe, comfortable and reasonably priced with a high build quality and low maintenance requirements. I think it is safe to say you am the definition of over reacted. I went and search on Google. Luckly, there are a few after market heated windshield blade, for only about $100. So with installation, I assume may be $300 top? So for sure I will have one installed. Just need to find out which one is the best or may be the Lexus dealer have one available. I hope they do. In winter with snow storm coming down, like in Ottawa, Ontario tonight, without heated wiper, it is like when you drive in a heavy rain with only intermit timer wiper on only. You just can't see and drive safely. All I can say now is, I highly highly recommend to have one install if snow storm does happen in your area. My previous highlander heated blade work as if there is no ice issue on the blade. I get so used to it, I didn't even think of it any more. It is why I was so upset when I came home today with the big snow storm that we are having now. I just can't see, half of the blades were not even touching the windshield to clean the snow/ice.

I guess you don't drive in the area that snow. Lucky you.

My previous Highlander is an example of having this feature. I didn't even think about it when I buy the RX400H. Snow storm without the heated windshield wiper is almost not drivable. Heated mirror without heated wiper... It is almost too funny to be a joke. I am wondering if there is a after market to have one install. :(

I can't believe it. May be it is my fault. I just found out there is no heated windshield wiper on my new RX400H! I have been driving cheaper car that has heated windshield wiper car for the last 10 years. Why they bother to sell it in a cold weather region like Canada. Very very disappointed. Almost feel like to refund it. I hope I am over reacted. And just hope I don't know how to turn it on only Please tell me it is a dumb user error. :( Sigh.

Thanks everyboday, I got it. My mistake was I simply do a drag and drop like copy it to another folder. I should have drag it into the Window Media Player and then burn it on the CD. So it is working now. :D Thanks

I just got my RX400. :D . Thanks to some of you who help of my decision. Very happy. Now I have another question. I am trying to put MP3 music on a CD. I can put about 175 songs on one 700MB recordable CD using the Vista OS. But the RX400 system would play the music. I burned on two CDs, but no luck. When I play the CD from the PC, the Window Media Player is able to play the songs. What did I do wrong? When I play it on the Rx400, the unit read the CD and at the end it shows, No music. Basically, after I insert the blank CD and then drag and drop the music on the CD folder, it is how it works? Thanks in advance for the help. Greg

I do notice the braking noise but it doesn't bother me. It sound like a plane come to a stop, at the end of the test drive, I don't notice it any more. Do you remember the vibration vibrates more or less compare to when you first have the RX400h?

Hi all, New to this site. I am looking into buy either the 2009 RX350 or the 2008 RX400h. I read a lot of posts here and hoping to swing my decision one way or the other. There are good opinions here but not quite address to my two concerns for the RX400h VS RX350. I test drive both new RX400h and RX350. I am hoping the existing owners or someone has driven them before can give me their valuable opinion. Here are some of my test drive observation comparing with the two SUV and my questions. 1) I love the RX400h when it is stop at traffic. It is dead silence. I don't like car vibrate when aged. But I notice about 10%-15% of the time, the engine engaged. So I hear/feel small hum and the steering wheel vibrate a bit like the RX350. Does this increase in percentage after awhile? May be because the battery get deteriorated and not get fully charge so to occur more often? 2) I notice when it speed up to 40KM to 50KM, there is a vibration when the gas engine engages. Does this go away or more noticable when the car get break-in/older? Because of the vibration, do you still feel it is as luxury compare to RX350? Or just get used to? Will it go away or get worst? 3) I like the CVT How do you rate between the two? I am not concern about the price or the fuel consumption between the two. I just want to get one that I will be more happy with. Thanks in advance