- #2028 of 2334
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wider armrest?
by eschw999
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Oct 01, 2005 (4:09 pm)
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I am thinking about the lexus rx400h. I just drove one today, and really liked it. I was wondering if anyone has problems with the armrest connected to the driver's seat - i thought it was kind of narrow. Has anyone gotten an aftermarkedt armrest, or modified the current one in any way???
thanks, evan
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- #2029 of 2334
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5000 Mile Maintenance Check
by andyux2
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Oct 06, 2005 (8:43 pm)
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We just got back from our free 5000 mile maintenance check and were very pleased with the service. We asked questions about our subsequent oil changes and maintenance checks. Our dealer told us $70 for the oil change and probably $800 for our next maintenance check. We left wondering if there are any reasons we couldn't take our 400h to our trusted local mechanic for the oil change. We go to him for our other non-Lexus vehicles. Anyone have any answers for this? We still love our hybrid and with the weather getting cooler we're still averaging 29 - 30 MPG on 50/50 city/highway driving. We are getting EPA numbers - fewer on the highway and more in the city. We have never used premium grade and our oil is Castrol 5W30. Whatta great vehicle!
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- #2030 of 2334
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Re: wider armrest? [eschw999]
by falconone
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Oct 07, 2005 (3:13 am)
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Replying to: eschw999 (Oct 01, 2005 4:09 pm)
I too found the narrow armrest annoying. I used to have a 99 RX and it appears they still have not changed that foolish design. Without a passenger it's fine as you can use both.
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- #2031 of 2334
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Re: 5000 Mile Maintenance Check [andyux2]
by mkkid
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Oct 08, 2005 (5:39 am)
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Replying to: andyux2 (Oct 06, 2005 8:43 pm)
Oil change and maintenance numbers sound high, but I'm checking with my dealer next week. Would think that Toyota Hybrid dealer (new SUV) would beat those charges.
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- #2032 of 2334
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pricing
by katzjamr
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Oct 08, 2005 (11:18 am)
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Replying to: mkkid (Oct 08, 2005 5:39 am)
$70 is the going rate in seattle for an oil and filter change using Castrol synthetic blend, at the Lexus dealer, and would include a tire rotation and a traction battery load check. I have no idea what is included in your $800 'maintenance' service. As much as you trust your local service guy i would make sure you dont do anyting to void the vehicle warranty. We are basically trusting that the HSD and the other Toyota parts are going to last, and the toyota hybrid, and bumper to bumper warranties could come in handy. Service at a dealership documents what was done in their national computer system. Many Lexus owners go to Toyota dealerships for service as their rates may be cheaper. They have mechanics that are hybrid trained to work on the Highlander and will be familiar with the 400h system. Our local Toyota dealerships frequently have oil change specials. Out of warranty period i would be less married to a dealership as there are much better repair values to be found at a service center you trust.
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- #2033 of 2334
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Strange/Weird...
by wwest
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Oct 12, 2005 (3:45 pm)
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The maximum output from the hybrid battery is stated (by Lexus) as being 45KW. The front A/C motor is capable of 167HP, 123KW, and the rear 68HP, 50KW.
The total, net, for the ICE & electrics is stated as only 268HP.
Why would they put a 167HP(123KW) AC motor in the RX400h if the most it can ever produce is ~60HP(45KW)?
Is there a reasonable/logical explanation?
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- #2034 of 2334
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Re: Strange/Weird... [wwest]
by rx400hfan
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Oct 13, 2005 (5:10 am)
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Replying to: wwest (Oct 12, 2005 3:45 pm)
It is not really strange if you look at the planetary gear cvt as the power split device that it is. You will see that for the ICE to get any power to the road a percentage of power will be delivered to MG1 in generating electricity. This generated electricity can be directed directly to MG2 in addition to the 45KW from the battery to produce maximum power.
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- #2035 of 2334
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Re: Strange/Weird... [rx400hfan]
by wwest
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Oct 13, 2005 (9:09 am)
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Replying to: rx400hfan (Oct 13, 2005 5:10 am)
But that still doesn't explain why MG1 is rated so high, far above anything that can ever be produced.
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- #2036 of 2334
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Re: Strange/Weird... [wwest]
by rx400hfan
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Oct 13, 2005 (10:32 am)
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Replying to: wwest (Oct 13, 2005 9:09 am)
In all of the technical presentations of the HSD I have seen, MG1 is the Motor/Generator connected to the sun gear of the PSD and functions as a generator most of the time that the ICE is producing power. MG2 is the larger Motor/Generator connected to the ring gear of the PSD and through reductions gears to the front axle. Therefore MG2 in this example is the motor for which we are given the HP rating. Since the ICE is attached to the planetary gear carrier, anytime it is producing power a fixed percentage of torque will be provided to MG1 (Primarily a generator when the ICE is running) with the remaining percentage of torque applied to the front axle in parallel with MG2. I am not familiar with the gear ratios of the PSD used in the Lexus but the ratio was 28% to MG1 vs. 72% to MG2/Drivetrain on the Prius. Here is where it get rather complicated. Power is not a function of only torque but of torque & RPM so when we stomp the accelorator at low speed the engine power & rpm rise dramatically yet our road speed has not yet risen nearly as much. Therefore even though the axle is receiving 72% of the torque from the ICE it is receiving a much lower percentage of the power output of the engine. The only way the engine rpm & power can rise is for MG1 to spin up to a very high rpm and absorb all the remaing output power of the ICE by acting as a generator. So at low speed/high throttle a large portion of the power output of the ICE is in the form of electrical power from MG1, all this power is added to the power coming from the battary and fed into the large MG2 Traction motor.
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- #2037 of 2334
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But....
by wwest
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Oct 13, 2005 (12:27 pm)
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Lexus states that the TOTAL, net HP is 268.....
That's basically 208 from the ICE and 60 (45KW) from the "hybrid" aspect.
Is it possible that Lexus initially planned to have a ~140KW hybrid battery set and then things went awry for some reason before it entered production?
That would also account for the "400" in RX400h.
208HP ICE, 192HP (140KW) electrics.
And remember, keep in mind, the city/hwy MPG being reported by owners is completely out of whack, opposite, with the EPA estimates and what is being reported for the Prius.
Would a more robust battery pack had produced a more appropreate city MPG?
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