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Hybrid TechnologyUnique topics related to the 2010 - 2015 RX450H model hybrid drivetrain and other features/options found only on the RX450H. Please use the main forum for discussion about shared components with other third generation RX models.
The battery is OE group size S55D23L, OE CCA Rating 360
Battery is vented to outside of vehicle.
Battery has sensor vehicle computer system. Must be reset by service specialist.
AGM Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) is required.
If anyone finds a better replacement version, please post.
I went through hell today, because my 2013 Lexus RX450h that I bought from the previous owner never changed the battery. It's 2012! Still working but is dying. Need a new one! The battery is a Panasonic battery, and is only available through the dealer. However, I wanted to respond to the above post by NateJG, because I think he spreaded fear a bit on the "reset by a service specialist." NOT TRUE! There is a sensor to the left side of the battery, but it is NOT part of the battery. You don't need a specialist! Just buy the recommended battery, which MUST BE an AGM battery with the right group (35 for my car) and crank ampere (650 for my car) and RIGHT dimensions. Unfortunately, effing Lexus uses the Panasonic battery, whose vent hole only fits with the vent hose in your car! So, if you buy a 3rd party one, make sure the vent hole fits. You MUST vent the hydrogen gas generated by the battery, because the battery is in closed space! That's why the car has the vent tube assembly!
Here is a Youtube video that I found on changing the battery! VERY easy in my opinions, once you have gotten the right battery! Don't let fear scares you!
Remember that your battery must have at least 12-12.5V to start your car. If there is a local O'Reilly Auto Parts or Auto Zone in your area, they can charge your battery for FREE! Let them charge as far as possible to reach 12V. Then put the battery back, per the manual's instructions. Then jump start your car, per the manual's instructions. And drive around to make sure the battery is charged up!
Last edited by unebonnevi; Mar 7, 2021 at 07:07 PM.
Hopefully his posting can save some members some time and money when you need to replace the 12v battery in your Rx450h
The Panasonic Lexus/Toyota OEM part number is 28800-31291. When I called the local Toyota dealership they said they have one in stock for $376. I asked what is the deal with the intent price from them for only $241? They said if you order from the web site the price is different because it comes to the directly from Toyota to the dealership and I could pick it up there in a day or 2.
The web site showed MSRP at $291 but when I selected "Shop Now" button for my local dealer the price was discounted 17% to $241.
So at 8:30 AM I ordered a 28800-31291 online at the web site above choosing my local dealership to pick it up from. About 30 minutes later I get an email that it is ready for pickup at the local dealership. I went by and picked it up for “only” $241 plus tax. That is $135 less than what I was quoted on the phone directly from the parts department. I had the battery installed by 11 am.
So here goes the replacement process. Look at the video about 4 posts up for how that guy did it. The only thing I would comment on is that you should always remove the negative post first and install the negative post last. Less chance of arcing and sparking.
1- I opened up the hood and measured the voltage at the jumper positive lead on the fuse box. It was 9.76 volts and I could not open the rear hatch. I put jumper cables on the positive jumper lug and ground attaching hem to my ford ruck battery,, and I was able to open the hatch with the remote fob button. I then removed the jumper cables.
2-I replaced the battery under the rear cargo area by removing the 10mm nuts on the hold down bracket. I removed the ground connector at the battery, removed the positive connector from the battery and unplugged the vent tube. I then pulled the battery out and replaced it with the new battery.
3- I replaced the hold down bracket and the 2 bolts/nuts holding it down. I reinstalled the positive cable then reinstalled the negative able and the vent tube.
4- I got in the car and started it. It showed loading on the nav screen for about 20 seconds.
5- I pushed the hatch button and the car beeped and the hatch didn’t move from its open position. I was worried. I then shut the hatch manually and then pushed the hatch button and the hatch opened up fine.
The only memory I seem to have lost was the folding side mirrors when the car is locked. I had the set the button to "auto" on the driver's door arm rest to get the mirrors to automatically fold when the car was locked.
Hopefully his posting can save some members some time and money when you need to replace the 12v battery in your Rx450h
The Panasonic Lexus/Toyota OEM part number is 28800-31291. When I called the local Toyota dealership they said they have one in stock for $376. I asked what is the deal with the intent price from them for only $241? They said if you order from the web site the price is different because it comes to the directly from Toyota to the dealership and I could pick it up there in a day or 2.
The web site showed MSRP at $291 but when I selected "Shop Now" button for my local dealer the price was discounted 17% to $241.
So at 8:30 AM I ordered a 28800-31291 online at the web site above choosing my local dealership to pick it up from. About 30 minutes later I get an email that it is ready for pickup at the local dealership. I went by and picked it up for “only” $241 plus tax. That is $135 less than what I was quoted on the phone directly from the parts department. I had the battery installed by 11 am.
So here goes the replacement process. Look at the video about 4 posts up for how that guy did it. The only thing I would comment on is that you should always remove the negative post first and install the negative post last. Less chance of arcing and sparking.
1- I opened up the hood and measured the voltage at the jumper positive lead on the fuse box. It was 9.76 volts and I could not open the rear hatch. I put jumper cables on the positive jumper lug and ground attaching hem to my ford ruck battery,, and I was able to open the hatch with the remote fob button. I then removed the jumper cables.
2-I replaced the battery under the rear cargo area by removing the 10mm nuts on the hold down bracket. I removed the ground connector at the battery, removed the positive connector from the battery and unplugged the vent tube. I then pulled the battery out and replaced it with the new battery.
3- I replaced the hold down bracket and the 2 bolts/nuts holding it down. I reinstalled the positive cable then reinstalled the negative able and the vent tube.
4- I got in the car and started it. It showed loading on the nav screen for about 20 seconds.
5- I pushed the hatch button and the car beeped and the hatch didn’t move from its open position. I was worried. I then shut the hatch manually and then pushed the hatch button and the hatch opened up fine.
The only memory I seem to have lost was the folding side mirrors when the car is locked. I had the set the button to "auto" on the driver's door arm rest to get the mirrors to automatically fold when the car was locked.
FINISHED!
Step 6: Drive your car for 1/2 hr. after the new 12V battery is put in to make sure it gets charged up!
I had the battery replaced at Pepboys. It's a Champion AGM 35. On phone someone said 48 months warranty but the invoice says batteries are excluded from even limited warranty. Anyone else get a battery from Pepboys. Thoughts?
The sticker on the battery said 48 month free replacement warranty. I am gonna buy this battery for my 2013 RXh.
I had the battery replaced at Pepboys. It's a Champion AGM 35. On phone someone said 48 months warranty but the invoice says batteries are excluded from even limited warranty. Anyone else get a battery from Pepboys. Thoughts?
Hi, could you tell us how much you paid for the above Champion AGM 35 battery at Pepboys!
I used the hidden diagnostics menu to check the voltage on my mid-2009 vintage battery. 7 1/2 years and still no issues so far. Measured 11.9V in accessory mode (not sure you can call it resting voltage considering all the electronics and display screen powered up in accessory mode, can't remember if seat warmer was on and if it's active in Acc mode). I think resting test would have to be done at the battery with everything off. Anyway, with headlights and brake lights on too, it dropped to 11.1V. In ready mode, back up to 13.9V. I haven't had any issues with it yet, but it is making it's way up on my to-do list. My Sienna original battery lasted 11 years, but the last two winters it was pretty slow to crank.
Finished the battery replacement today. Everything went smooth except the vent tube connection. The original tube elbow is too big to fit the vent hole of Champion battery.
Connect to a battery charger to maintain 12v voltage.
The original Panasonic battery (the battery bracket does not quite fit the edge of Panasonic battery)
Only need 10 mm wrench
Panasonic (up) & Champion (down)
The width of battery bracket
The length and width of battery tray
I used the sticker ripped from Panasonic battery to seal Champion vent hole.
Champion vent hole
The original vent tube elbow
The elbow is too big.
Finished. But the vent tube has not connected to the battery yet.
Update:
I saw a review wrote by a 2010 RX450h owner on pepboy website said the elbow of "Dorman 924-254 Battery Vent Tube" will work. I will update after I receive it from Amazon.
Update:
Finally had time to finish the job, the elbow of "Dorman 924-254 Battery Vent Tube" works fine, and I also bought the vent plug from VW dealer, it costs $1 and maybe wait for a couple days to arrive. VW Battery Vent Plug. Part Number: 000915506.
A few things when I replaced our 2013 RX450h battery in 2020.
Symptoms of problem. The car would click like mad and would not start. It's quite disconcerting. Lights and stuff will flash and I think some dashboard lights went on. Without knowing much else my first though was bad hybrid battery or related issue. So if you experience that, start with the 12V battery.
What was in the car was a Panasonic S55D23L From what the battery place told me, they did not think it was an AGM battery. We did confirm it says it is supposed to be an AGM but when we shook the battery it was watery sounding. It tested as being dead. As others have said, getting the same battery is expensive and not only that, there were few dealers that had 'em.
I ended up with an Odyssey Battery 96R-600, which is also quite expensive but IMO a very premium product and still about half of what the dealer wanted. Assuming the battery is AGM as specified with at least the same CCA rating and FITS you are good to go. The rest you can engineer around.
The vent on many of these batteries comes with a nozzle, just get some rubber or clear plastic tubing and make it fit with the existing tubing. Note if you are going to run into a car parts store and grab a AGM battery with a vent make sure you check to see if it has multiple vents. There's a plastic covers on the terminals of most new batteries and on this one there was an odd "plug" looking thing that seemed out of place. It was meant to be twisted off and then one of the two vents was to be plugged up. You can see this in the photos. It's on the positive side next to the label. You'll see a plastic cap looking thing. Look at the opposite side with the factory vent and you'll find it on the opposite side.
The factory battery comes with a plastic cover that may or may not fit. It's not important and I believe is there for spills but really what would that matter if the terminals are exposed anyway. As you can see in the photos you can get creative with foam rubber insulation to make batteries fit. I confirmed this approach with Odyssey and they thought it was cool. What you don't want is a battery moving around or rattling around.
If you are going to DIY you may as well also get those felt battery post covers and spray on the battery corrosion inhibitors.
Lastly in case you are wondering the eyelet (black and red cable not part of the car's connectors) goes to a NOCO charging port.. That way to charge and tender the battery is just an easy plug connection from the trunk.
Original Panasonic S55D23L battery Note the low ratings: 51Ah and 355A CCA's. It's nothing special at all. Use a paint marker or blue painters tape and make a note of the install date. The date of mfg is on the battery but it's nice to know when YOU put it into service
I ended up with an Odyssey Battery 96R-600, which is also quite expensive but IMO a very premium product and still about half of what the dealer wanted. Assuming the battery is AGM as specified with at least the same CCA rating and FITS you are good to go. The rest you can engineer around.
I installed the same Odyssey 96R-600 battery as a replacement for the OEM Panasonic S55D23L on a 2013 RX450h, a few days ago. The battery sizes are comparable, with the 96R-600 slightly shorter, requiring padding to be added between it and the top clamp. The 96R-600 footprint fit into the OEM battery tray snugly. The OEM battery label listed 51Ah 20HR, while the 96R-600 label showed 50Ah (and their website shows 52 Ah). The 96R-600 MSRP is $283.24, while an OEM replacement is $first-born-child.
I think that the slightly taller 64 Ah Odyssey ODP-AGM47 H5 L2 (47-650 (LN2-H5)) would also fit well. It's MSRP is $277.06.
Note that CCA probably doesn't matter, since the battery isn't used to start an engine, as I understand. More important is the Reserve Capacity (RC) or Amp Hours (Ah) to run electronics (while the engine is off), e.g., audio, lights, AC, heater, fans. Depending on how the vehicle and electronics are used, some folks are also concerned with how fast the battery can be recharged. (More info about RC vs Ah at https://www.sailnet.com/threads/batt...apacity.63682/ )
During install, I had a battery charger connected to the vehicle, to avoid possible issues with the vehicle computer forgetting itself. Not that I expected that would be a problem, but others have expressed concern.
Photos attached for the interested.
Last edited by BruceIAm; Dec 12, 2021 at 01:05 PM.
