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Changes You'd Like To See in the Lexus RX 400h

50 messages,  Last post on Sep 24, 2010 at 8:22 AM

You are in the Lexus RX 400h Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 400h, Future Vehicle, SUV

Messages Page 5 of 5

#41 of 50 Re: Operating Manual [nmrk] by wwest

Jan 31, 2010 (9:25 am)

Replying to: nmrk (Jan 30, 2010 12:16 pm)
"..Just make the Manuals user friendly.."
 
Supply them on CD wherein I can build my OWN index or use one of a myriad of word search engines.
 
Or...GO GREEN...!!
 
Supply them ONLY on CD.

#42 of 50 Re: RX225h [wwest] by wwest

Jan 31, 2010 (9:31 am)

Replying to: wwest (Oct 30, 2008 10:50 am)
And while we're at it why not drop the separate electric rear drive motor in favor of the new Venza type F/AWD..??
 
Then those of us that wished could have a much more SAFE RWD RXh with manual 4WD capability.

#43 of 50 More things I'd like to see... by mtrs

Jul 02, 2010 (10:17 am)

Having owned my RX400h for over a year, there are a number of changes that I'd like to see, mostly on the programming end. Overall, I think Lexus did a great job with the hardware, but the software could really use some improvement.
 
1. The car already has a DVD changer, so it should be able to read MP3s from a DVD, not just from CDs.
2. If a passenger is sitting in the passenger seat, enable the additional navi controls, such as full GPS and the telephone dialpad. While on the highway, I'd like for my wife to be able to toy with the system.
3. Have a calculator in the navi system! That's a convenient extra to have while on vacation.
4. Have a notepad in the navi system. Also a convenient extra to have on hand.
5. Allow access to advanced programming features from the navigation menu-- change from miles to km, change from Fahrenheit to Celsius, change from gallons to litres. Change default lock doors when you shift from Park to no-lock, etc.
6. iPod/iPhone integration with Navi display: there's so much capability here I wish it could be used:
-Allow iPod Touch/iPhone display to be shown on Navi display.
-Allow Navi touchscreen to operate the iPhone.
-Music interface from iPhone, of course.
-Full integration of iPhone contact list with the car's telephone screen.
-Enable this functionality via an in-car WiFi network, so I can leave my iPhone in my pocket (no need to connect my iPhone with a cable every time I get in the car, and I odn't need to worry about forgetting the phone in the car when I get out).
-Or enable the functionality via a USB port so that I can recharge my phone and keep it hidden in the center console.
-Design it to allow other smartphones to be able to interface with it via USB or WiFi.

#44 of 50 Re: Changes You'd Like To See in the Lexus RX 400h [pf_flyer] by skycaptain

Aug 04, 2010 (10:03 pm)

Replying to: pf_flyer (Oct 25, 2006 7:04 am)
I would like to see many things. First I miss a Tachometer. Also I would like a 6 or 7 speed transmission instead of the constant speed trans. Also I am surprised that the electric motor doesn't kick in more to help with acceleration either off the light or on the freeway. Many times even though the battery is almost full, when I accelerate while cruising on the roadway, the gen-motor runs to charge rather than helping accelerate the vehicle for that brief acceleration period. This is when it should augment the gas engine and save some gas. It's a simple computer program redo.

#45 of 50 Rx 400 H by snavel

Aug 25, 2010 (10:52 am)

- I bought ( in Holland) th RX 400 H and was astonished to find casette player in this car and no Ipod connection.
- I was also upset that the passenger cannot use the navigation during driving
- Another frustrating issue is alle the warnings you get after starting, by using navigation, by driving backwards Due to all this warnings you have to press I dont use the backward draving camera.
Another issue is the lights, By every car you turn on the dashboard lights as soon as you turn on the front ligthing. I happend several times that I was driving without ligthing as I thought that it was on becaus of the dshboard lighting that was on.
- Integration with Iphone is terrible.
- Usb connector with car system is needed.
- music system that plays MP3 / DVD / a.s.o.
 
The car itself is a fantastic car, however If I compare it with the Toyota prius of one of my employees, I found exactely the same navigation system with much more features, at less than half of the price of lexus..

#46 of 50 Re: Changes You'd Like To See in the Lexus RX 400h [skycaptain] by wwest

Sep 21, 2010 (2:17 pm)

Replying to: skycaptain (Aug 04, 2010 10:03 pm)
"..instead of constant speed trans..."
 
Pilot's license confuse you..?
 
CVT, Continuously Variable Transmission.
 
But for the RX400h not even that is the unvarnished truth.
 
PSD, Power Split Device, the fully functional equivalent of a CVT.
 
But the Toyota HSD's CVT/PSD is highly integral, one might even go so far as to say, the very HEART of the Toyota HSD design. It cannot even be made to have gear "notches" via firmware control without sacrificing FE.

#47 of 50 Re: Changes You'd Like To See in the Lexus RX 400h [wwest] by skycaptain

Sep 22, 2010 (8:01 am)

Replying to: wwest (Sep 21, 2010 2:17 pm)
West, I understand your point. However I don't understand why the transmission can't have a lock up at freeway speeds. Moderate accelleration (1/4 throttle) causes the engine to rev to almost redline during acceleration. I'm afraid I don't see this as very fuel efficient. Surely the V6 has enough torque( not to mention the electric motor torque) for mild to moderate acceleration without major revving.
 I stopped using my cruise control in the small hills of NC as the engine revs like a blender trying to maintain speed on the small hills and rises on the highway.
 
 One thing I would like to see is a "Fuzzy Cruise" setting. In other words a cruise that normally maintains a set speed but will allow a small speed decay on climbing hills without unnexcessary revving, say 5 mph to 7 mph, and reclaim cruise speed on the other side of the hill.
  
 On a side note, My wifes 2010 Prius has a CVT and it doesn't have the sensitive over revving problem on minor acceleration. It stays locked up at cruise unless you really push the pedal down to pass etc. So obviously the programming of the computer is diffderent for the Prius, even though the 4 cyl is less powerful an engine. Why not set the Lexus up the same?

#48 of 50 Re: Changes You'd Like To See in the Lexus RX 400h [skycaptain] by wwest

Sep 22, 2010 (10:03 am)

Replying to: skycaptain (Sep 22, 2010 8:01 am)
The high engine revving might be more about FE than torque delivery. High revving does not necessarilly mean high gas consumption. All engines have a point in the rev band in specific circumstances that is most efficient and apparently that point on the V6 is consistently higher than the 4 cylinder.
 
Personally I'm hoping to soon see a F/awd(***) Venza hybrid using the new 187HP 4-cylinder but upgraded to DFI (225HP..??). If the 2012 Ford Escape hybrid doesn't get there first.
 
*** Weld the rear drive coupling SOLID and drop a front halfshaft for a more safe RWD. Or add a manual coupling to a front halfshaft and have a part-time 4WD. system.

#49 of 50 Re: Changes You'd Like To See in the Lexus RX 400h [skycaptain] by wwest

Sep 22, 2010 (10:11 am)

Replying to: skycaptain (Sep 22, 2010 8:01 am)
"...lockup at freeway speeds.."
 
In reality the PSD is a summing machine, sort of an analog computer with three input variables, if you will. Four variables, if you count the most important one, maintaining a constant speed even with so many "road" variables.
 
Think of it as a constant speed prop, if that helps, the prop automatically changes pitch continuously/constantly in reaction to "load", keeping the engine RPM constant.

#50 of 50 Re: Changes You'd Like To See in the Lexus RX 400h [wwest] by skycaptain

Sep 24, 2010 (8:22 am)

Replying to: wwest (Sep 22, 2010 10:11 am)
WWest, Thanks for the thoughtful reply. You defintely know your stuff. I'm honestly very impressed.
 Have you read about the new Pugeot Hybrid? It has all wheel drive. However the system is split with no physical connection between the front and rear wheels. The electric motor generator is on the rear wheels and the gas engiine drives the front wheels. Much simpler and the engine has a 6 speed automatic trans w/OD with no complicated power share coupling. I would love that sort of Hybrid system to appear at Toyota. It would lower costs and weight.
 
 I agree that I would prefer a rear wheel drive under dry everday driving as well with the front wheels only used on request or under slippery conditions. That used to be the basic setup for all 4WD vehicles.

Messages Page 5 of 5

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