lemon

Lol...I was going to take a picture of mine just for you cduluk, but you beat me to it..

Thanks. I know Honda/Acura had their share of bad trannies, but that was in earlier models. Mine is a 2006 and by that time they had upgraded the tranny to the four shaft unit from the Ridgeline and failures decreased dramatically. 2006 was the last model year before the 2nd generation style....hopefully they had the bugs ironed out by then. There have been only two recalls - one to correct the nhtsa phone number in the owner's manual and the other for a hitch mounted bike rack that had an exposed hinge that could crush your fingers. I'm happy about the lack of recalls.

OK..I took these with my camera phone just after I finished waxing this sucker (and cleaning and treating the leather - mmm - does it ever smell nice inside (like new leather...thank you Zaino Brothers). Sorry about the crappy camera phone pics, but I was in a hurry. The picture of the roof is just to show the shine/reflection after all my hard work waxing. The black dot that seems to be in all the pictures must be something on the camera lens... It's dark now, or I'd take a few interior shots..

You have to pull the cap off at the base of the wiper. It helps if you pry it apart with your fingers as you pull it up. Once the cap is off, the wiper can lift right up just like the front wipers.

I noticed the same thing with the tires on my 400h but in the rear only. The oustide edge was wearing more than the middle. I recently had a four wheel alignment done as well, so that shouldn't be a factor. Is it under or over inflation that will cause this? Suspension design? Or maybe just my excessive highway exit ramp speeds?

Thanks for the comments. You know, I think I mentioned in another post that it's not so much the vehicle that angered me, It was the Lexus Canada response. The 400h in 2006 was Lexus' first hybrid and I had a low VIN number as well (on the road in March 2005). Being Lexus' first attempt at a hybrid (and an SUV to boot) and having a low VIN number, I'm actually quite impressed at the lack of small problems. The two large ones I had, however, were well....large - a replacement inverter and two leaking transmissions. Despite all that, I could see myself in a 450h a few years down the road when the kids are grown and the need for a seven seater is not so pressing. Regarding the MDX - being able to input destinations in the NAV while driving is ALMOST making up for the worse fuel economy of the 400h...lol.

Thanks guys - Like I said, I'll still drop in. The seven seater I really wanted was an LX470 (or 570). Who knows, I might return one day as an owner of one of those. I just need a lottery win to afford the gas.

AT 185000km on my 2006, the hybrid battery was still fine, and surprisingly, the struts and front end stuff (tie rods, bushings etc.) were working trouble free. That impressed me because usually on other vehicles I've owned by that many KM, tie rod, ball joints or something in the front end usually needed work. On the other hand, I did need my inverter replaced at 125000km ($7000 part, covered under the hybrid warranty) because it was leaking coolant. The transmission, was replaced once, and the new one year old transmission was leaking again in the same spot as the first leak. However, I would gladly have kept the 400h, if Lexus had covered the replacement tranny under warranty. I was planning for somewhere around 300 000 KM before retiring the vehicle. In the three years and 70 000 KM I had mine, I thoroughly enjoyed it. My displeasure with Lexus at this time has less to do with the vehicle, than the treatment I received from Lexus Canada regarding my transmission. If you're considering a 400h, make sure to have it very well checked out, paying attention to the inverter and hybrid transaxle especially. I would consider an extended warranty if one is available.

Well, if you've seen my semi recent posts here, you'll know that Lexus replaced my original transaxle with a new one in March 2011, as it was leaking coolant. That was covered under an extended Lexus warranty. One year later, I noticed transmission fluid leaking from the exact spot that the original tranny was leaking coolant (there is a seam in the tranny at that point, and I can only assume a gasket or sealant to separate the cooling circuit from the transmission fluid circuit). Unfortunately, I was within the time frame (one year) for the warranty on the tranny, but 5000km over the 20000km limit for the warranty. I contacted my dealer, who diagnosed the new leak, and sent the information to Lexus requesting a warranty replacement. A few weeks later, I got the answer (NO!!) from Lexus Canada. I have a friend who worked eight years in the automotive business, and he suggested that they would always say 'no' first and hope the customer goes away, but if I pursued the matter, writing and calling Lexus Canada, eventually they would do a 'goodwill' warranty, be it 100% coverage, or some other %, or something like they cover the part ($5000) and I cover the labour (~$1000). However, he worked for BMW, so who knows what the outcome MIGHT have been in my case. In the end I couldn't be bothered. First of all, I had been looking for a seven seater to replace the RX400 (though I was in no rush, as I really liked the 400h and the stellar gas mileage it provided). Secondly, the whole matter left a bad taste in mouth. I wouldn't expect a CHRYSLER transmission to start leaking within 25000 KM, never mind a tranny from the company that coined the term "Pursuit of Perfection". For this second tranny to leak again in the exact same spot as the first tranny (and I'm aware of several other owner's who have had a leak in the same spot as well - not many mind you, but enough for this not to be an isolated incident) would indicate some sort of manufacturing defect and Lexus should have been quick to step up to the plate and deal with it. At the least, I would have thought a company that spends millions on research and development, would have been interested to diagnose why the tranny leaked again in the same spot. I was quite prepared to pay SOME money for a new tranny, although I firmly believe, based on the amount of leaking oil, that this leak started well within the warranty period. However the simple, "Sorry, not covered under the scope of the warranty" has really soured me to the point that I would seriously have to think long and hard before I purchase another vehicle from Lexus. If the tranny had been many many kilometres over the 20000 KM warranty, I wouldn't have expected any help at all, but 5000KM and one year is really unacceptable to me. In the end, I replaced the RX400h with an Acura MDX with the technology package (NAV, DVD, bluetooth etc.) So far, I'm enjoying the MDX, but I do miss the silent running of the RX400h. One thing I have to point out that I really like about the MDX is that the voice commands actually work (I'm not exaggerating when I say the voice command in my RX400h didn't work 90% of the time - the only command I could get to work with any realiability was 'increase temperature' for the climate control) and I can enter destinations on the NAV system while the vehicle is in motion. Anyway, I really enjoyed my time here, and seeing everyone help each other with their vehicles, whether solutions to problems, or modifications, suggestions etc. was rewarding. I still may pop in the odd time to see if I can contribute (I know a fair amount about the 400h). In parting, I would just encourage all the 400h owners to read my posts and carefully and diligently check your inverter and your transmissions to see if they are leaking as mine did.

I believe the fuel filter is integral to the fuel pump, which is located in the fuel tank. Unless it's plugged up for some reason, no need to change it and I don't think there is a specified change interval either. A lot of manufacturers are doing this - The last car I had with an external fuel filter was a 2001 Outback with the H6, and I think the newer Subaru H6's have gone internal as well.

I'm partial to Zaino Brother's. I've also used Autoglym with good results.

5w30, 5w20 or 0w20. Seeing as you're in Canada, I would highly recommend the Toyota brand 0w20. Assuming the price is similar across the country, this oil can be obtained relatively cheap (cheaper than in the States, which is rare) and is highly regarded.

Interesting thread here on tires... http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-second-generation/586118-lexus-rx-models-best-all-season-tire-choices.html

My wife's Equinox came with Michelin Latitude Tour and they have been very good in dry and wet and the treadwear has been outstanding. Close to 90 000 KM on it and can probably go 110 000 KM at least before they hit the wear bar. For reference, 100 000 KM is roughly 60 000 miles. Also available in a Latitude Tour HP, which I believe is higher speed rated, and likely different sizes.

I don't think the brake light switch would have any control over when power is sent to the electric motors. I'm thinking it could be the stroke sensor, speed sensor, throttle position sensor, transmission range sensor etc. - likely some combination of all of that and more. In this particular case, since stepping harder on the brake pedal makes the power stop, maybe it's related to the stroke sensor in the brake pedal? It's funny you should mention that because I'm still having an issue with that "farting" noise when I depress the brake pedal all the way. It seems to happen more when the outside temperatures are low, but I'm not sure what's causing it. I wonder if these issues are related? Do you guys think this is worth showing the dealer? If it's happening to some of you too then it might be "normal", but still, it's odd. If you're still within warranty, the brake actuator TSB should be performed under warranty. I don't know if it has anything to do with the power to electric motor thing, but you might as well have it done if you're hearing that weird 'honking', 'squawking' noise.

I don't think the brake light switch would have any control over when power is sent to the electric motors. I'm thinking it could be the stroke sensor, speed sensor, throttle position sensor, transmission range sensor etc. - likely some combination of all of that and more. In this particular case, since stepping harder on the brake pedal makes the power stop, maybe it's related to the stroke sensor in the brake pedal?

I've noticed this before on mine, but every single time, pushing harder on the brake pedal makes it stop. I guess there's a point there where there's enough pressure on the brake pedal to hold the vehicle at a stop, but not enough for the computer to realize that no motive power is needed to the electric motors?? The ES350 is nice.. but tell Mom to get an IS, or better yet, the new GS.

Look in your owner's manual for the instructions on resetting the window switches. If you've disconnected or run down your battery you will need to do this. You will also likely have to reset your sunroof switch as well if it doesn't open/close with the one touch, or if you find it doesn't close precisely by itself and you have to fiddle with the switch to get a good seal. If you don't have an owner's manual, you can see the online version at www.lexus.com There is no need to take your car apart, it's an easy fix. I could tell you how to do it, but there's lots of good info in the owner's manual and it should be required reading for all owners.

Better to do it now, so if something else gets damaged it will be under warranty. However, the inverter and the tranny (aside from sharing coolant) are not directly connected. The inverter just sits on top of the tranny on a support. Removing and replacing it shouldn't have any effect on your tranny...and if it does...see first line above. The other thing to consider (and I'm not 100% sure on this, since the dealer is telling me one thing and Lexus Canada is telling me another), is if the replacement part has a one year and XX mile warranty (Lexus Canada tells me replacement parts do), you might be better to wait. However, if the replacment part is only covered under what's left of the warranty that it's replaced under (this is what the dealership is telling me), then you'd be better to do it now.

Why don't you just boost it? If it's a relatively new battery, one discharge should not cause irreversible damage. If it's older, a boost may start it, but maybe it won't hold it's charge and then you'll need to look into replacing it.

First of all...you have now checked for the inverter leak that I suffered way back in 2009. See here... http://us.lexusowner...showtopic=60231 (interestingly, on page two of that thread another owner posted pics of his leaking transaxle, which is what led to me checking mine last year and having my tranny replaced (my recent thread is about the replacement tranny leaking again) The leak or seepage is NOT normal. My replacement inverter is bone dry and has not leaked in that area in just over two years now. Please be aware that this leak IS COMPLETELY different than the leaking transaxle that I have been talking about in the other post. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK FOR BOTH LEAKS...one is the inverter, the other is the transmission (transaxle). If they are pulling the inverter off anyway, and the transaxle is also leaking, it would be MUCH easier to replace them both at the same time. ***edit*** ooops. I see you already checked the other area... Interestingly, my inverter leaked after four years and 115000km....very similar to yours in regards to time/mileage. I can't stress enough for all you 400h owners to check the two areas for leaks. All the leaks I've seen have been in the same place on the inverter (front) and transaxle (that seam between the two halves of the transaxle. ***edit*** The level in your inverter coolant reservoir is low, but not dangerously low (not below the lower marking). Why wait..take it to Lexus now and get a new inverter while you're under the hybrid warranty. One benefit is you'll get all new coolant in the inverter cooling system and won't have to pay for that bit of maintenance.

Thanks. That seam where it has leaked twice now is not actually where the tranny mates to the engine. It's still part of the transmission. Since I leaked coolant last time, and tranny fluid this time (I've been calling it oil...since that's what it is, just not engine oil), I can only assume that one half is the electric motors side (coolant for cooling) and the other side is the mechanical CVT side (tranny fluid for lubrication). There must be a gasket to prevent the two parts from leaking and from contaminating each other and it's leaked twice for me on two separate trannys. In fact, if you look at the bottom left of the picture where the oil has been cleaned off, you can just see the top of a shiny stainless angled tube leading into the tranny. This tube is a coolant tube for the inverter and electric motors. It leads to the part of the tranny to the LEFT of the same, lending some weight to my guess that coolant is on one side and tranny fluid is on the other. Have any of you 400h owners had a look at this spot in your own vehicles?

What really irked me was that I was very specific in showing the service advisor the leak and telling him he 'would have to show the technician, because if you don't know where to look, this leak is hard to see', and then getting a call four hours later that nothing was found. Then when picked up the car and I specifically asked for the technician that had looked at my car and pointed out the leak to him he admitted he hadn't seen the leak, and told me that the service advisor had not pointed it out to him. So not only was my time wasted (without a vehicle) but a service bay and a technican were tied up looking for something that could have been pointed out by the service advisor in less than two minutes. The other large bit of ineptness by a different service advisor was regarding warranty on the replacement tranny. I asked if I didn't indeed have a one year / 20000km warranty and the answer I got was - "no, because it was replaced under warranty, it only has warranty for the amount of time that was left on the warranty that it was replaced under." So I asked if I had a 160 000km warranty and the tranny was replaced at 159 000km, are you telling me that I would have a 1000km warranty on the replacement part. They insisted that that was the case. If I had paid for the replacement tranny, however, then it would have the 1 year / 20000km warranty. So of course, when I got home I called Lexus Canada gave them the ridiculous answer that the dealership had given me, and even the employee at Lexus Canada was shocked at the completely wrong answer I had been given. He then confirmed that yes, replacement parts have a one year / 20000km warranty regardless of whether they were installed under warranty or paid for by the customer. Now, I don't expect perfection (though it would be nice), but the service advisor that gave me the wrong warranty information is one of the senior advisors and has been at that Lexus dealership for quite a long time. I don't expect a service advisor to know every bit of minutiae regarding every Lexus vehicle, but something as major as warranty coverage I would expect them to be well informed. Yes, I will be nice. And it's Monday I take it in. Don't forget to let us know what was wrong with your 400h.

The 400h from 2006 to 2008 was somewhat different than the regular RX.

Where that leak is, it's part of the NEW transmission. Not sure what they could have knocked out, when it was a complete swap out of the old and in with the new. Regardless, I've already sent an email to the service manager at the Lexus dealership regarding this (and my displeasure for having to diagnose this FOR THEM, when I already know it's the tranny leaking (especially since my first tranny leaked in the same spot)). He has responded that he will deal with my vehicle himself when I take it in on Monday morning. It was quite funny on the phone when the service advisor kept telling me that they would have to put the vehicle up on the hoist to diagnose it, and I had to keep telling him that the leak can only be seen from above and it could be diagnosed right in the parking lot, so don't bother tying up a spot on the service schedule, I'll just show up and take 3 minutes to point out the leak.