lemon

I agree with the above. If you're losing sleep over it, take it back to Lexus and ask them to have a look. I'd trust the dealership before the tire place. The dealership recommended new tires, so isn't it likely that if all that other stuff was worn out, they'd have noticed that as well?

Hmmm. All I can offer is suggestions. To start with, disconnect the battery (negative terminal) for about 15mins before you do the ISC reset. This way you know you're starting from scratch. Make sure the vehicle is warmed up before you do the ISC reset. Make sure the A/C is off. Follow the directions - they are straight forward -. Reset your mileage computer after doing the reset. Don't expect it to immediately show 27mpg. Initially it will be high as the average MPG is only averaging a small amount of driving. You don't need the battery gauge to show full ticks, or even green ticks for this to work. It just a side effect from mashing down the gas pedal while the brakes are applied. On a cold start the engine will kick in anyway as the catalytic converters need to be warmed up for emissions. What you shouldn't find after doing the ISC reset is the engine starting up at the slightest touch of the gas pedal as you drive.

I know I'm a lot more website savvy than most, being "in the biz", but can't imagine what you guys are doing on Sewell's website to not find the diagrams and see the prices. Select your model and year and then click on the OEM parts category you need instead of Accessories. This will lead you to further categories down the left side of the page which you can explode, pick, and then see diagrams and parts prices. Register with your forum member name for the best prices. Yes, Sewell is a Lexus dealership with at least two locations in Texas. They are a sponsor on Clublexus and I think you can get the same discounts if you register with your member name of this forum although I registered with my Clublexus member name. I can usually find the parts I need on Sewell's website without the part numbers but if part numbers are needed you can get them from http://www.toyodiy.com/ where you have to register to see diagrams. You can view the part numbers on toyodiy.com without registering. If you don't see the parts you need on Sewell's website, call their toll free number and talk to one of the guys in their parts department. It's fine with me if you would rather buy from Lexuspartsnow.com but based on the extensive price comparisons I've done, it looks like you will pay substantially more. 2006 RX400h. Maybe I'm missing something, but all I see is "2006 RX400H" in bold with Exterior, Interior, Keys, Service and View All links. Under that I see in bold "2006 RX400h OEM Parts", but there's nothing listed under it, and it's not a link I can click on either.

Sewell used to be just like that. You could see exploded parts diagrams etc. I, similar to Rey's experience, cannot figure out how to get to that again. All I can find are accessories, not replacement parts. Does someone have the actual link to the Sewell parts catologue, like it used to be?

Consumer reports reviewing vehicles is like Car and Driver reviewing appliances, except Car and Driver has the sense to not review appliances.

Not as far as I know. I read of someone who did a bleed using traditional method and got warning lights on dash and squishy pedal. Makes sense, since the brake pedal is not mechanically connected to a booster a la a conventional non hybrid vehicle, since braking is sometimes needed when the engine is off, so there would be no vacuum assist. Now, I 'suppose' you might be able to bleed if you left the vehicle in the 'on' position and pumped the brakes, as this would conceivably run the pump that creates pressure for the braking system. However, this is not the procedure laid out in the service manual. The manual instructs one to cycle the pump using the Lexus computer (the handheld one that plugs into the OBDii port) to properly bleed the system (it's still bled via the individual wheel bleed bolts, but the pump must be run to push the fluid out).

Coolant (engine and inverter) need changing at some point. You might hold off on the engine coolant, as it will have to drained if you need a new water pump when you do the timing belt. Brake fluid should be changed every two years, regardless of mileage - you can't do this yourself as you need to be able to cycle the pump that makes brake pressure (since we don't have brake booster like on a non hybrid, you can't simply pump the brakes to get fluid out at the wheel bleeder bolt). Air filter and cabin filter?

Yes for the locations. Just a tip, make sure you loosen the fill plugs first, so you know you'll be able to refill. Wouldn't want to drain, then find the fill plugs too tight to refill. ATF-WS is the right fluid. I can't remember the capacities from when I did mine (and I'm not at home to check my service manual, but that sounds right (capacities might be listed in the owner's manual, maybe?) The service manual procedure includes the step of running the ATF electric pump for a short time after replacing the fluid. I just filled mine to the bottom of the fill hole, drove it for a very short distance (it's supposed to be checked not too hot, not too cold IIRC) then pulled the plug and double checked the level. Can't remember if I had to top up or not. When I get home I can post the actual procedure per the service manual. There is another drain plug on the bottom of the CVT - this drains the coolant (for the inverter and electric motors) - be sure not to remove this one - unless you're planning on changing the inverter coolant, which also has a replacement schedule.

I know the residue you're talking about is oilish. I'm just suggesting you check the spot I'm talking about to see if you're leaking hybrid coolant there. Just to be sure....

The car will still run fine whether the ISC reset is done or not. You'll just suffer worse gas mileage and may hear a rattling from the transaxle. Apparently (per the TSB) if it's disconnected or run below 7.2 volts the ISC reset should be done. If you hear a rattling from the tranny at idle (also per the TSB) (usually on the first cold start of the day) or notice the gas engine runs too often or kicks in at the slightest touch of the gas pedal when driving, then you probably need it.

Possibly oil spill from the last oil change from missing the oil fill hole. You'll notice the oil fill hole is hard to get at because of the air filter housing (i.e. it's low down) - without a funnel, you're almost guaranteed to spill. The other thing I would check (because my 2006 is currently leaking inverter fluid from this location) is just past the rad hose in your picture, you can see a bolt with blue paint on it. There is another smaller coolant hose there. This is part of the hybrid cooling system (the inverter and electric motors are cooled using coolant), which is separate from the engine cooling system. Anyway, just below that bolt you'll notice a seam where the transaxle and engine mate. I know of two vehicles (mine and one other person who posted here or clublexus.com (I can't remember)) that had a leak of hybrid coolant at that seam (the exact same). I'm sure I have pics posted - just search for my posts and you'll see the location. Anyway, the Toyota pink coolant dries to a nice noticeable pink crust when it leaks and dries. Just have a quick peek there for pink coolant residue - you may need a flashlight to see the area.

Maybe you'll get even better mileage than before if you do the ISC reset? (maybe your ISC needed to be reset even prior to you replacing the battery?)

Don't forget the hybrid warranty is longer than the bumper to bumper warranty as well. If you can buy an extended warranty down the road, that might make more sense after you see how the vehicle is holding up. Others have had a problem free ownership - myself on my 2006 I have needed the inverter replaced (it was leaking coolant (and there have been several cases of inverters needing to be replaced - seems to me to be on early production models - Google to your heart's content), and the transaxle (which also uses inverter coolant to cool the electric motors in the transaxle) is currently leaking coolant. Other minor complaints are headlamp washers that don't wash anymore (washer pump is shot) and a lumbar support in driver's seat that doesn't inflate. A bad passenger rear wheel bearing is a wear item in my mind, like brakes/tires and not indicative of poor workmanship/design. All these things will be covered under an extended (extra care) warranty on my vehicle, which is why you may want to buy one later into ownership (if you can) when you get an idea of what's breaking on the car. Having said all that, I still like the vehicle, and would gladly buy a 450h if I had the cash (lol).

That's just it. I almost 'didn't' have the extended warranty. Only an excellent service manager at the Lexus dealership and someone at Lexus Canada turned this into a happy ending.

Just checked my account at lexus.ca and the extended warranty is now active on my vehicle. Good till May this year or 180 000KM. I'm going to see if I can buy the extension good till 200 000km or 8 years. So, in the end, I'm a happy customer. First and foremost I have to thank the new service manager at my Lexus dealership, and secondly, whoever he contacted at Lexus Canada regarding this. Yesterday, I almost became the owner of an Infiniti, and swore I would never buy another Lexus/Toyota (nor any of my descendants for at least four, maybe five generations). It's amazing the power of good customer service. Bear in mind that this is not just me happy that this repair is not going to cost me money. To get into the Infiniti was going to cost me almost as much as the new tranny, so I was prepared to spend money - it was just a matter of WHERE I was going to spend it. I was just so peeved with Lexus and the whole leak situation, that I would rather have spent the money on a new (used) vehicle rather than fixing the 400h and be done with Lexus entirely. Now, if I can buy the warranty extension, Lexus will be getting some of my money. The dealership will be getting some of my money in the future (I do oil and brakes myself - the dealer can do brake fluid flush, rad fluid change, inverter fluid change etc), and I can tell my family and friends a feel good story regarding Toyota/Lexus which may influence them towards buying a Toyota/Lexus vehicle. Seems like a win-win situation for all involved, no?

Sorry, it was the M35x, not the FX I drove. Hence, the problem with my snowboard not fitting in the trunk. The ride was firm, which I like, but not unbearably so. The FX (especially the FX45 vs the FX35) was notorious for it's stiff ride (19" or 20" wheels - maybe 22"?)

Yes, I like it. Especially the mileage, and the fact that I can throw my snowboard in the back (i.e. I like the cargo space). Also, while others may disagree, it's snow performance was more than acceptable (keep in mind that I have winter tires, though). That's why I was so torn about buying the M35x, and after looking at the numbers, I thought I'd call Lexus and price out a new tranny. That led to the discussion with the service manager and the extended warranty fiasco coming to light. Keep in mind regarding the 400h, that the majority of owner's are either not as anal as me about checking the vehicle for problems or truly the 400h is overall a dependable vehicle. There have been inverter failures, but my research seems to link them to early production models (like mine). My current problem (leaking inverter coolant from tranny) I have only seen with one other vehicle (exact leak in exact spot as mine). His dealer told him he needed a new transaxle ($5000). My dealer says they won't know till they take it apart.

So, my RX400h has been leaking inverter coolant (but not from the inverter - from the "transaxle" (transmission)- which has inverter coolant running through it to cool the electric motors). Having had the inverter replaced under warranty last year because it was leaking coolant, this has left me with somewhat of a low opinion of Lexus, so low in fact, that I test drove an Infiniti M35X yesterday (also a 2006). First let me say that the Infiniti is much nicer looking inside than my Lexus. Google some interior shots and you'll see what I mean. Voice commands worked, Bluetooth worked flawlessly (which it doesn't on my RX). It's a big heavy vehicle, but surprisingly nimble. It's AWD, but geared for RWD performance (i.e. it's 100% RWD unless slippage is detected in which case it can vary up to 50/50. I drove it on a snow covered parking lot for kicks and it was easy to get the back end to slide before the AWD kicked in, but it had crappy tires on it and I have winter tires on my RX, so not an easy comparison for snow performance. Mileage was nowhere close to the current (winter gas and cold weather) 8.9 l/100km the RX gives me. In the summer I'm closer to 8 l/100km. This was a BIG drawback to me, and also my snowboard wouldn't fit anywhere but the back seat in the M35X, meaning I'd need to cough up about $700 for a roof rack with snowboard attachments. Anyway, before I 'almost' bought it, I thought I would call my Lexus dealership and price out a new transmission. Even though the dealership hasn't been able to diagnose my leak, another RX400h owner had a leak the same as mine and his dealership told him he needed a new transmission. The price was $4500 CDN, which was a lot less than I was expecting. I asked for the service department to get a labour quote. I was told that they had NEVER replaced a tranny in a hybrid. I said I was glad I could offer them the training - maybe we could make a video, and then I went in to my usual rant about this stupid leak. The service advisor had to check with the service manager. Eventually the service manager came on the phone. This was not the 'assistant' service manager I had been dealing with, but a new head manager. He let me know that he had seen the pictures of my leak that I had sent and could understand why I was not happy (I was told the only way to diagnose the leak would be to take the inverter out and take the tranny off - at that point I'd be looking at $1000 in labour just for the DIAGNOSIS). So he asked if I had the extended warranty. I gave him that sad story as well - in a nutshell, bought the vehicle used, previous owner had extended warranty, Lexus Canada told me they'd contact her to transfer it, never heard back, after two months finally called the owner myself (her number was still in the car phone book), she said she got a message from Lexus but never really listened to it because she didn't own car anymore, asked her myself to transfer the warranty, she was quite willing (and very pleasant I might add), I told her that, as per Lexus, the paperwork should be waiting at the dealership she bought the car just needing her signature, I called Lexus back and they told me warranty had to be transferred within 30 days, so I gave up in frustration, after pointing out that the delay was their fault for not following up on their first phone message. The service manager said he'd call me back. A couple hours later, he called but I was out so he left a message stating he had the extended warranty paperwork in his office, he'd be sorting it out with Lexus Canada and by today I 'should' have the extended warranty in effect. Key word is 'should'. If it happens, the tranny (or whatever needs fixing for this leak) is under warranty. So is my headlight washer pump that doesn't work and my lumbar inflatable support in the driver's seat that doesn't inflate anymore. If it works out for me, Lexus Canada and especially the dealership have cemented me as a customer.

Did you smell/check the carpets? Maybe they've gotten wet at some point in the past (clogged evaporator drain tube, clogged sunroof drain tubes, and...someone else on here had water leaking in the back (forget the reason - roof rack or something?) Other possibility - check engine compartment carefully (I would also check air cleaner housing) and make sure some critter hasn't made a nest somewhere and conveniently expired. It's been known to happen.

It's making the noise while it's in PARK, so the vehicle is not even moving. I think this would rule out ball joints/tie rods etc, and vibration of the pad since the rotors are not turning. My guess is still with the brake actuator or some related part.

The rear electric motor will activate upon rapid acceleration, when making a turn, or when slippage is detected (snow covered roads, rain slicked streets, etc.). It will not operate just to add a little extra power while cruising along. The display sounds normal to me. There are times, if you feather the gas pedal just right, where you can get all the arrows to blank out. Google 'pulse and glide' and you might find this explained. If you are going downhill, gravity is doing a lot of the work for you and you will either have no arrows at all or only regenerative (green colour) arrows.

You'd think (hope? pray?) that Toyota would have considered all the geographical areas that the vehicle was intended to be sold in and done their due diligence in properly testing the vehicle in cold conditions. Southern Ontario (where I live) is actually further south than many of the northern parts of the northen states, by the way. That's a big chunk of potential owners that might have bought a Toyota hybrid that live where it gets cold.

Or, the lack of response could indicate that nobody knows. Having had my inverter replaced (it was leaking coolant), and currently suffering a leak of inverter coolant (not from the inverter, but from the tranny area (the electric motors are cooled by the same coolant that cools the inverter), I can say that, yes there were problems. I also know someone personally (i.e. not someone via the internet, but someone I work with) who suffered an inverter failure while driving on the highway. Have they been fixed? Only Toyota knows for sure. My 400h is an early model - on the road in early 2005 - hopefully, my replacement inverter is a new one that had any internal redesign in it.

Dear Logostar: Please turn off your CAP LOCK. Thank you. Regarding your problem - possibly a bad solder connection, especially since you say it happens when colder out. Things shrink when cold...human and mechanical... *edit* I really should read the whole post before answering..I see you already solved the problem..

It sounds like you're farting in that last video. Anyway, is that noise coming from inside the vehicle, or outside? Since there is no traditional vacuum booster in the hybrid, there is some sort of mechanism that senses the stroke of the brake pedal and converts that into braking force etc. etc. Maybe that is what is creaking, but you would hear that inside the vehicle I think. **edit** yes..the TSB refers to this...