texmex123

Hi,

New Lexus owner here. I got a 2013 ES 300h couple weeks back. When I checked my service history here is what I find

Car arrived to dealership in Nov. 2012
They replaced battery and internal trunk release lever in July 2013
Car is transferred to another dealer.
This new dealer replaces the battery again in August 2013.
I bought from this new dealer. During the test drive I noticed a slight steering wheel shudder and they rotated/balanced tires which resolved the problem.

Here is my question. I was never told about the battery and trunk lever issue. Should I be concerned? What should I expect from the dealer?

Thanks your help!

Dave Mac

I don't know that the dealer needed to tell you anything about these items. I believe the trunk release lever / handle replacement was part of a TSB last year and the battery issue if it hasn't been a problem for you might just have been that the car sat around for a while and the dealer played it safe and put in a new battery - probably at Lexus expense.

Dave Mac

SW17LS

This is all pretty typical. The trunk lever was a TSB, they just perform them to every vehicle on the lot.

Batteries get discharged on the lot/in the showroom all the time. No big deal.

texmex123

Thanks for your replies. Was the trunk release level TSB for the 2013 ES 300h? I did a search and could only see it for the older GS models.

Yes batteries discharging for cars sitting around makes sense. Should I be concerned that 2 batteries were replaced in 1 month by 2 different dealers? Why would they replace it instead of just charging it? Are you referring to the hybrid battery in the trunk or a different battery?

yardie876

The trunk lever that was replaced was the fluorescent emergency trunk lever that's used in case someone is locked on the trunk. The one equipped previously had a high chance of breaking off if pulled at a certain angle.

SW17LS

It's the starter battery, not the hybrid battery. It just got discharged, be happy they replaced it instead of charging it.

steig

As long as its starting with no problems, I would not worry about the new battery.

texmex123

Thanks you were right. It was the auxiliary battery and emergency trunk release. On the aux battery I have a question. Are these batteries prone to easier discharge than standard batteries from a regular Camry for example. In the past I have been on trips and not driven by Camry or other cars for 1 month but have not had any issues starting. Can I expect the same from my Lexus Es 300h or should I invest in a trickle charger?

pheonix72

iTrader: (6)

Trickle charger wont hurt! Your battery will greatly appreciated especially if you park the car for weeks at a time or drive short distance.

texmex123

I realize. But is this vehicle more prone to battery discharge than other cars that I have owned which didn't have much electronics? When the car is parked what electronics cause the 12-v battery to lose charge?

pheonix72

iTrader: (6)

It is hard to say without actually monitor and look for actual source of power drains! For instance, my BMW has a faulty bluetooth communication that kept "waking up" every hour and draining 3A (for 15 minutes). I hope you dont have a faulty components or short!

Arty101

I don't think the 300h is prone to battery drain anymore than other cars. That said, if a short, a bulb or switch is left on or is defective, which is known to happen there will be a drain and the battery will run down. Lexus is pretty good about their Customer Service and should replace the battery and try to find the source of the drain within the first year without a hassle. If the battery fails within the first 2-3 years, at least you have a record that they've replaced the battery before, which would support your cause.

texmex123

I agree, that is what I think. Just because a car has more electronics shouldn't make it lose battery charge faster provided of course there is no malfunction.

SW17LS

No. That was not my experience with the hybrid I had. In fact, at 7 years of age it still had the original battery.

texmex123

My question was more related to if I left my 300h in the garage for a month will it drain its battery more than say a camry or minivan with less electronics.