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Lexus RX 400h: Driving Tips & Tricks

110 messages,  Last post on Sep 10, 2007 at 8:21 AM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 400h, Hybrid Cars, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV

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#102 of 110 Re: anyone in Buffalo, NY with a 400h? [wwest] by falconone Nov 29, 2005 (2:35 am)
Replying to: wwest (Nov 28, 2005 5:03 pm) Driving downhill in a FWD car with skid control will have the SAME results as a RWD or AWD car. Replies to this message: wwest (Nov 29, 2005 10:02 am) falconone (Nov 29, 2005 4:15 pm)
#103 of 110 Re: anyone in Buffalo, NY with a 400h? [falconone] by wwest Nov 29, 2005 (10:02 am)
Replying to: falconone (Nov 29, 2005 2:35 am) Just as long as you don't downshift it (as one might do safely in a RWD vehicle) to slow your descent. And don't put that AWD vehicle in the same category as the RWD unless you know for sure that it's rear torque biased, most aren't.   Think about, compare, a FWD vehicle with a tractor-trailer rig going down an incline, very slippery slope, without drag chains on the rear wheels of the trailer.   Invitation to disaster. Replies to this message: falconone (Nov 29, 2005 4:15 pm)
#104 of 110 Re: anyone in Buffalo, NY with a 400h? [wwest] by falconone Nov 29, 2005 (4:15 pm)
Replying to: wwest (Nov 29, 2005 10:02 am) I've driven FWD cars with skid control down snowy hills with no issues whatsoever. AWD is good for acceleration. How would AWD assist in going down a hill??
#105 of 110 snow and the 400 by calidave Nov 29, 2005 (6:48 pm)
I don't think any of us expect and AWD 400H to perform in the snow/ice as well as a Volvo XC90 AWD.   The question was "how will it do?" and someone commented that the recent snow in Buffalo will be a good test. I think you guys took his comments too literally.   I would like to know how a stock 400H will do in the snow, though I suspect it will be terrible. Gotta put some decent tires on it for it to have any chance. But with some good m/s tires, I wonder if the 400H is adequate in snow country. I'm worried about spinning those tiny motors, as is Toyota: The RX 400h was not designed for serious off-road use. The regular RX 330 isn't exactly an off-road vehicle, either, but it handles gravel roads just fine. RX 400h drivers, on the other hand, should stick to the pavement or risk damaging the hybrid drivetrain. http://www.lexus.com/models/rx_hybrid/road_test.html   I take that comment as a caution wrt icy driving conditions, as well, but maybe it only applies to gravel (and sand?).   I'm not interested in it as a mountain climber. I'm interested in it as the most environmentally-conscious fun driving experience out there. (I do wish the colors were "sportier," however.) Replies to this message: falconone (Nov 29, 2005 9:05 pm) stevedebi (May 02, 2007 5:12 pm)
#106 of 110 Re: snow and the 400 [calidave] by falconone Nov 29, 2005 (9:05 pm)
Replying to: calidave (Nov 29, 2005 6:48 pm) I wouldn't be too concerned. The gas engine gets you underway with FWD and the electric motor (rear) merely provides assist upon initial acceleration. Hardly heavy duty at all. Replies to this message: stevedebi (May 02, 2007 5:12 pm)
#107 of 110 Lexus RX400h in snow and mountains by breckbound May 01, 2007 (5:40 pm)
I am considering either a RX350 AWD, or 400h AWD, and am wondering if anyone has had practical experience in the mountains and in snow with the 400h. Two questions: 1) how well does the brake function on the 400h work on downgrades, switchbacks, where it is desireable to maintain speed at 10mph without using brakes? Can it be used similar to low gear/engine braking on a standard AWD?   2) how does the 400h AWD behave on snowy roads, for example during storms? does it deliver "real" AWD traction?
#108 of 110 Re: snow and the 400 [falconone] by stevedebi May 02, 2007 (5:12 pm)
Replying to: falconone (Nov 29, 2005 9:05 pm) "I wouldn't be too concerned. The gas engine gets you underway with FWD and the electric motor (rear) merely provides assist upon initial acceleration. Hardly heavy duty at all."   There have been a lot of complaints that the system is not always proactive enough, but the 400h is capable of using only electric energy and electric motors for initial acceleration.   If Toyota themselves publish a "no off-road warning", it would be wise to obey. Especially if the same statement is in the owner's manual, or in the warranty statement.
#109 of 110 headless mileage improvements? by chadx Sep 10, 2007 (8:09 am)
In the beginning of this thread (in 2005), a poster by the name of Headless was concerned with low mileage with their non-broken in 400h. After a couple weeks of mileage concerns, no follow up postings came (after break-in period). If you are still out there and still have your 400h, did you mileage improve?
#110 of 110 mileage by chadx Sep 10, 2007 (8:21 am)
It seems a lot of people are getting mileage close to the EPA rating, which is great. Besides many of the reasons given for high and low mileage, I'll also mention altitude. Vehicles (even a hybrids gas engine) get much better mileage at higher altitudes. Say 5,000 above sea level versus sea level. The offset being a lower hp rating. One of my vehicles, a 2003 Chevy Avalanche, has a 5.3 liter V8 and used to get 18mpg at 65mph in Illinois. Now in Montana (5,000f.a.s.l.) I get 20 - 21mpg at 65mph.   Also, to address those that complain that Lexus (or any Make) don't put accurate mileage numbers on the sticker, you are complaining about the wrong entity. It is not the manufactures that do the rating. Though they may tailor a car to get high ratings for the specific EPA test, it is the EPA and it's rating system you see. Put the rating blame where it belongs. Has anyone ever read the 'city' and 'highway' testing method? VERY non-real-world testing. Hopefully new testing methods will align the ratings to more realistic numbers. That being said, I always think it amusing when people say "I should not have to baby this vehicle to get great mileage." Or "It's a sporty car. It should get that mileage even when driven that way." That is just silly talk. Like people complaining about gas prices and then driving 10mpg vehicles, or driving 85mph. Of course you use a lot of gas.   Hybrids are not immune to wasteful driving habits. If you choose to drive 'spirited' or 75mph, so be it, but don't complain you are not getting 40mpg. We all have to take responsibility for our driving habits and choices and be realistic on how those choices impact actual mileage. Those ratings are mainly there as a form of comparison at this point. You may likely not get those same numbers, but at least we have a form of comparing one vehicle to another, so that is better than nothing.

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