Had an RX400H for almost two months - nice car, fun to watch the hybrid control stuff do its business etc. we're getting around 25-26 MPG around town which I believe is about what we should be getting.
We're also noticing some quirky behaviour:
1. the instantaneous MPG readout seems to need a warmed-up engine. We can be totally on battery or totally regenerating (according to the display) but it is sometime before the MPG shows 99.9
2. when braking, display shows regeneration, and as we get to almost stopping we get the low 'whining' noise of the system doing its stuff, and the display on the left of the speedometer is down in the blue - but not always! Not infrequently the central LCD display will show regeneration, but the left hand dial does not go into the blue at all, and there is no low 'whining' as we approach the stop...infers no regeneration even though the battery is nowhere near the top (it can be 3 or more bars down).
3. On at least one occasion I have been stationary, brakes full on, not moving and the central LCD display shows engine running and not only recharging battery (which I can understand), but also applying power to the wheels!

Is this functioning as it should? Are there possible sensor problems, or maybe software issues?

 

Mine does similar things, so my guess is that this is normal operation. There are times the ICE is running for reasons other than required by the hybrid system so you won't see it on the display as providing power or charging but it is still using gasoline. Two reasons that I know of are to provide cabin heat and to heat up the catalytic converter for emissions rules. As far as power to the wheels indicated when you are stopped, try pressing harder on the brake pedal. Mine has the same indication and that shuts off the indication of power. I virtually never look at the "Power Gauge" or whatever that thing left of the speedometer is, so I can't comment on its functioning.
Steve

 

Steve

what you say about the ICE working to heat up stuff makes sense!

Pressing the brake pedal harder - did that, no difference on that, admittedly, one occasion.

Still left with the battery apparently not recharging when it says it should be and the battery is at least three bars below full. Happens quite often.

Thanks for the input.

Cheers,

Tony

 

You will not see it run the ICE to recharge until the battery graphic gets quite low. Others with a more schooled technical knowledge here have posted that the characteristics of the battery life are best served by a cycle about 20% up to 70 or 80%. I have only ever seen a "full" battery one time, not sure why, but it will typically top out near the top but not full (non-NAV). The pedal sometimes has to be pressed harder to stop the display of generator to wheels; just a characteristic. The mpg does produce some less than 99.9 numbers during warm-up, I just figure it's ICE on for cat converter or heat, and affecting the calculation. It's good to understand, but I try not to overthink it. They spent a lot of time on the software to make it all as seamless as it is, but there are some occasions that I can't figure it out. If you stay on this list many questions will ultimately be answered, or you'll realize you know more than the poster!