Lexus RX 400h: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

202 messages, Last post on Oct 25, 2006 at 6:35 AM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 400h, Hybrid Cars, SUV

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#51 of 202 Re: Lexus Factory Rep Useless to fix low gas milage [edman3] by stevedebi Sep 08, 2005 (1:55 pm)
Replying to: edman3 (Sep 08, 2005 12:35 pm) "What's really going on here? Any thoughts? " Two issues: 1. Driving style. With a hybrid, you can drive very conservatively and get much better mileage. 2. Short trips are very bad on MPG for hybrids. If your use is mostly in town on short trips of less than 10 miles or so, your MPG may suffer. If you are considering the RX400 for just MPG, know what you are getting into. If you drive it like a 330, you will most likely not achieve more than mid 20's MPG. But you will have the latest technology and more power than the 330. Don't buy it expecting really good MPG; it is still a 4000+ lb boxy vehicle with a V6 engine. Most drivers appear to be able to achieve 27-28 MPG, which is better than the 330 by 15 % or so. But one has to drive for MPG, not "spirited driving".
#52 of 202 mkkid gas problem by katzjamr Sep 08, 2005 (5:09 pm)
when this happens i pull the nozzel back from the gas filler opening about an inch and that usually takes care of it. or a slower fill rate. dont have the problem on my 400h, but has happened on my other trucks. I think its more the variability of the pumps you go to .
#53 of 202 RX400h....MPG... by wwest Sep 08, 2005 (9:36 pm)
If you drive mostly highway (not heavy traffic stop, slow, go) or freeway miles you will be very pleased with an RX400h. Reports seem to be that it gets 28 MPG or better in those circumstances. No one seems to know why, no explanation forthcoming from Toyota or Lexus, but unlike the Prius, the best city, stop and go traffic, mileage appears to be 24 MPG or less. Note that neither of these are "bad" numbers, just not what Lexus and Toyota led the buying public to expect. My best guess is that the ICE must be kept running, or run more often, just to keep the catalytic converter up to optimum operating temperature. With the Lexus there is also the possible issue of the need to keep the engine water jacket temperature elevated to a level that will best accomodate the optimum operation of the climate control system's reheat/remix air conditioning cycle. The Prius, being a Toyota, cares not so very much about discomforting the passengers slightly so it has a c-best setting to allow the climate control to operate in economy mode, bypassing the reheat/remix cycle altogether. I was recently informed by Lexus that the C-best option will not be made available for the RX400h, but maybe the HL will have it. Additionally the Prius has an extra catalyst stage which traps the unburned hydrocarbons until the catalyst is up to temperature and then opens a flapvalve in the exhaust path so those can be burned. My guess is that upscaling the Prius' catalyst technique from an I4 of ~1 liter to a V6 of 3.3 liters didn't work out. So since the engine must typically run continuously for highway duty and sometimes (often??)"uselessly" in the city insofar as motive force is concerned the city fuel economy suffers.
#54 of 202 Re: gas filler [mkkid] by dadcat Sep 09, 2005 (6:47 am)
Replying to: mkkid (Sep 08, 2005 6:11 am) A similar thing happened to me, coincidently while at Costco in NJ, while the gas attendant was filling it a few weeks ago.This resulted in a spill of fuel onto the ground and a very difficult time filling the tank. At that time, I had opened the fuel door with the engine running, while waiting a few minutes for the car in front to complete its fill-up. I later read the owner's manual (p.153) and the yellow CAUTION label on the inside of the fuel door, that completing the refueling of the vehicle within 30 minutes of opening the fuel door is necessary, otherwise an overflow of fuel will result. An internal valve closes after 30 minutes causing the fuel to backup. The manual says to replace the gas cap and close the fuel door to reset the internal valve. I suspect the internal valve helps to minimize the internal pressure whoosh when opening the gas cap and achieve the SULEV rating. I did not have the fuel door open for anywhere near 30 minutes, but the Lexus timing might have been changed to something shorter (10 minutes?). Since that time I haven't had any refueling problems at Costco, because I do not open the fuel door until I am ready to refuel and the engine is shut off.
#55 of 202 Re: Lexus Factory Rep Useless to fix low gas milage [edman3] by mirex Sep 09, 2005 (3:17 pm)
Replying to: edman3 (Sep 08, 2005 12:35 pm) I just returned from my 3rd round trip in my 400h between Seattle and Portland and once again got 30.0 mpg per my navigation screen. On my return this morning the temperature was in the low 60's so I had my AC off. Still got the same mpg. The more in city driving I do lowers my average mpg. My calculated mileage through 6000 mile is just under 27 mpg. All of the above is between 5 and 6 mpg better than in my 2003 RX300 and this car weighs more and the power increase is quite noticible. We stayed with a friend in Vancouver, WA who lives 5 minutes from work. He bought the RX330 which is the right car for him. I would buy my 400h again as would he buy the RX330. Determine what your driving pattern will be and buy accordingly.
#56 of 202 Re: Ignition switch loose? [dmbflorida] by roycrawf Sep 23, 2005 (10:00 am)
Replying to: dmbflorida (Jul 06, 2005 3:49 pm) Just found your message and, yes, our ignition switch also locked up. Car was about 1 month old with about 1000 miles. Tried everything to get it to turn. Wiggled steering wheel, wiggled shift lever, foot on brake, prayed, etc. Nothing. Called local dealer. They asked us to go thru the same routine. Sill locked up. They finally said we would have to call Lexus roadside service. Road side service had us go thru the same routine and said they had never heard of this problem before. They finally said they would send someone to check it out. When the truck came, the two of us tried for another 1/2 hour, still with no success. He was about to tow the car to a repair facility when I mentioned that the roadside service person had mentioned something about jumping the battery. Neither of us could figure out what that would have to do with it but figured why not. He jumpered the battery and still nothing. Just as he was about to disconnect his battery I tried one more time and the ignition switch worked absolutely normally. This is after probably 1 hour of trying to turn the key. Lexus (dealer) claims there is no electrical lockout on the ignition so there cannot be any reason why jumpering the battery would have made any difference. Ignition switch has worked normally since (about 1 month, 800 miles). Since it is an "intermittent" problem we will have to wait until it happens again, then they will haul the car in and try and figure out the problem. Just hope it doesn't happen in some dark, lonely location. ANYBODY ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM?? Love the car, 27 mpg (calculated) commuting and trips (to Tahoe - 6000 ft climb). Our 2002 Highlander was getting 18/21 so am pleased with the mileage. Replies to this message: lexrexblue (Nov 30, 2005 7:51 pm) roycrawf (Dec 01, 2005 12:13 pm)
#57 of 202 Re: Lexus Factory Rep Useless to fix low gas milage [edman3] by mydquin Sep 23, 2005 (12:19 pm)
Replying to: edman3 (Sep 08, 2005 12:35 pm) The gas mileage issue is not a problem with the car. It is a problem with people not understanding how the EPA ratings work. Cars don't get the numbers published by EPA. My 400h has been getting in the 22-24mpg range in city. However, I make frequent 1-3 mile trips. I got about 26mpg on the highway, much of that driving faster than 70mph. When I drive 45mph for extended periods, I get closer to 30mpg. Thus I am averaging around 25-26mpg. On the other hand, look at consumer reports' real world mpg ratings for the Rx330. Making those same in-town 1-3 mile trips, I could expect somewhere around 12mpg. On the highway, I could expect somewhere around 26mpg for an average of 18mpg. The bottom line is that you can expect significantly more power with the 400h with about 30-40% better gas mileage. Depending on the cost of gas, that will add up to somewhere around $6K and $12K in gas savings & significantly less air pollution over the life of the car.
#58 of 202 arm rest issues??? by eschw999 Oct 02, 2005 (10:50 am)
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,
#60 of 202 Early Failure by rzurek Oct 10, 2005 (9:13 am)
Purchased Lexus 400h 10/9/05, less than 90 miles that same day and "Check Engine" light came on. Also, sensed some missing (may be due to the fact engine fuel mixture was running lean or rich). Drove to dealer this morning, they said bad oxygen sensor and will need to order replacement part. Gave loaner and part should be delivered tomorrow. Replies to this message: m2inor (Nov 19, 2005 4:01 pm)