1st Service - RX350h Lesson Learned!
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Pit Crew
Joined: May 2023
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From: CA
1st Service - RX350h Lesson Learned!
Hello members, I am only sharing my personal experience with my 1st service (5000 mile / 6 month) and responses to the issues that many of us have mentioned in various postings here:
- I asked not to scratch the rims during the tire rotation - They hand torqued each tire. It also takes care of the issue with warping the brake discs.
- I asked if I need to change the oil now due to breaking period / metal shavings- He said they do not do that as all of these new engines have already been through that process at the factory and due to new material it does not need it. They have not done any early oil changes for any of the new Lexus cars. This guy has been at this Lexus for many years. (by the way - I only have 3800 miles on it and the oil still looks clear and clean.
- I asked to raise my headlight low beam level - He said it is to the factory spec and if they move it it will lose calibration.
- I asked the oil dipstick smells like gasoline - He said this is normal with Hybrids.
- I asked my Hybrid battery often gets to max and it revs up to 4000 RPM, he said there is nothing to adjust as it is computer managed and controlled.
- Got my 2nd key programmed. A message still pops up saying "New key linked, call Lexus"- I finally learned that is only a warning message for a few days to alert me in case someone else has linked a key to my car to steal it.
- I got a RX350h loaner which had roof cross bars - Oh My God - that creates so much wind noise. I am glad I did not install one. Also the constant low speed pedestrian alert sound was more pronounced that mine. I can't hear mine when my windows are up but this one was too loud. I guess there is way to lower the volume.
- While waiting I test drove the new 2024 RX450h+ Plugin (Remember I have been an owner of 2023 RX350h for 6 months now and very sound conscious):
- The drive felt heavier as if I have 3 passengers in the back seat - Due to much larger battery weight.
- This one was sitting on the lot and probably not charged, so it completely behaved like my regular RX350h. the engine kept coming on and off and that loud engine noise when you go above 2000 RPM was still there. So, if you do not charge the plugin every day, you basically have a RX350h which you paid $20,000 more for. I get that the luxury has more stuff on it. It did not drive smoother than my regular RX350h.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 1,242
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From: CA
The RX450h+ has substantially more power than the RX350h, even when not charged. That said, I don't see the point of a PHEV that one doesn't keep charged. We keep ours around 65% except when we plan to be going for a drive, and then set the schedule to fully charge it right before the drive.
The price difference is about $10k, if looking at like-equipped vehicles. That's quite reasonable, in my opinion. We've gone entire months without putting gas in it.
The price difference is about $10k, if looking at like-equipped vehicles. That's quite reasonable, in my opinion. We've gone entire months without putting gas in it.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 970
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From: California
Yes, if one has no plan or inclination to charging a PHEV - then there isn't much point in considering a PHEV. The cost consideration of not using gas isn't a big rationale - but the rest I posted there were - and noise and performance were big ones for me.
That noted, all good points.
On a related note - are any of you in the California Bay Area ? I'm going to be looking for a servicing dealer for my 5K, 10K service that is different from my purchasing dealer - and wondering about recommendations for a knowledgeable and well-managed servicing dealership in the Bay Area for my 450h+. Any thoughts or recommendations for a great Lexus servicing dealer in the Bay Area from experience (assuming posting positive reviews isn't forum rules) ?
That noted, all good points.
On a related note - are any of you in the California Bay Area ? I'm going to be looking for a servicing dealer for my 5K, 10K service that is different from my purchasing dealer - and wondering about recommendations for a knowledgeable and well-managed servicing dealership in the Bay Area for my 450h+. Any thoughts or recommendations for a great Lexus servicing dealer in the Bay Area from experience (assuming posting positive reviews isn't forum rules) ?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 1,053
From: CA
We purchased our 2013 RX350 from and had the service done by Freeman Lexus. We were impressed enough that we purchased our RX450h+ from them, and just had the 5k service done there, even though they are not the closest dealer to us. I had no issues with the 5k service and will be taking it back for the 10k service.
The performance was a factor in our decision to spring for the 450h+ It's roughly a second faster in 0-60 than the 350h.
The performance was a factor in our decision to spring for the 450h+ It's roughly a second faster in 0-60 than the 350h.
Last edited by WellsB; Jan 12, 2024 at 08:25 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 928
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From: NJ
I asked to raise my headlight low beam level - He said it is to the factory spec and if they move it it will lose calibration.
We finally adjusted our headlight aim higher because it wasn't illuminating more than 2 car lengths down the road.
Now, it is MUCH better. The light-pattern beam still 'drops' the farther it goes, so no one is blinded.The instructions are in the Owners Manual, Section 6-3, Do-It-Yourself maintenance, page 505. You need a Philips screwdriver.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 928
Likes: 496
From: NJ
Just the U<-->D ones (up-down).
I was messing around for a while, measuring the amount of 'lift' of the beam on my garage wall, so I didn't note the exact number of turns. But others here (was it you?) mentioned 3 turns of the screwdriver as a starting point.
How many full turns did you do?
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 438
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From: CA
The RX450h+ has substantially more power than the RX350h, even when not charged. That said, I don't see the point of a PHEV that one doesn't keep charged. We keep ours around 65% except when we plan to be going for a drive, and then set the schedule to fully charge it right before the drive.
The price difference is about $10k, if looking at like-equipped vehicles. That's quite reasonable, in my opinion. We've gone entire months without putting gas in it.
The price difference is about $10k, if looking at like-equipped vehicles. That's quite reasonable, in my opinion. We've gone entire months without putting gas in it.
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