Thanks IM for the links. I had seen one of them before. Given it is pretty much 7 years old and my first hybrid, I just wanted to make sure everything was operating normally. I really like this car. Now trading in a 15 year old Saturn Vue is not much comparison, but it makes driving enjoyable again. Have not been able to get her over 55 yet though. Sorry, do not drive highways much on a semi regular basis. Commute is not any highways. That is what the stereo is for I guess. Pass away the time at stoplights.

 

What, never over 55!!!! I love the access ramps to the interstates. Punch it and it will climb to 100 very quickly. Then you slow down to 75 and proceed normally.

 

Really Tom. It gets to 100 quickly. Never been in a car that does it quickly. Have probably only been tot 100 a couple of times in my life, and it has been a very long time since. Guess this is the car to do it with the summer tires and all. Right now, it is the commuter car. No highways - 45 mph roads with lots of lights. I find myself driving like a Prius driver. Seeing how long I can coast before I have to hit the brakes to stop at the next light. People behind me must hate me now. I should wear one of those old man Buick hats when I drive.

I have two questions. The regenerative braking. I can't really tell if the car is slowing down when I am coasting from regenerative breaking, or just from road friction. When I test drove a Tesla, it was like a golf cart. You either had your foot on the gas, or you were coming to a stop. No in between. Second question. I filled up with gas today, only a little over six gallons. But my total range shows something like 440 miles. Shouldn't a 17.4 gallon gas tank, at an average of 30 mpg be at a range of 520+ miles? Or are they telling you the range they want you to go before you should consider getting more gas, not the maximum range of the vehicle before you run out of gas?

And a bonus question. How accurate is the vehicle average gas calculation? I showed 30 mpg since last fill up, but have not gone 180 to 200 miles yet. I actually don't know how far I have gone, maybe 150 or so, which would equate to mpg of closer to 23 to 25. I can't believe the vehicle mpg display would be that inaccurate though as it showed 30 mpg since last fill up. Part of the reason I filled the gas up so soon. Going to do the ole' total mileage driven divided by gallons put in calculation by hand (actually Siri). I really like this car. Not justifying buying it either. I just like the way it invites me in when I sit down, the seat comfort, and everything so far.

 

The regenerative braking is set to be light when just coasting so that it matches the average car. The rest of it is tied to the brake pedal (usually it'll apply regen first then add in friction braking as you request more stopping power). Interestingly enough, most EV's can be set that way too but many people like the single-pedal feel.


As for the range, I find that it's pretty inaccurate. It's smart enough to not use the instantaneous MPG but it doesn't use the total average either. Unless you exited right into a highway after fueling up, it's likely you're doing a bit of stop and go right out of the gas station so it's not surprising the MPG is a tad low for a bit. I find it's most accurate when you're at around a half tank of gas since for me it once hit zero and I still had some range left.


The MPG calculation itself isn't terribly accurate either but it does give a good idea of how you're doing relatively. I find that when I'm above 33MPG then it starts to get pessimistic (i.e., I'm doing better than it reads) while when I'm below 26MPG, then it starts to read optimistic (i.e., I'm doing worse than it says).

 

Thanks for the information ChronoR. One day I will have all the answers if another newbie joins I know the sales were dismal for this model, but I really like it. I wonder why Lexus they discontinued it but still makes the GS 350. I do not see any downsides to having the Hybrid system. I know, the CVT (EVT) transmission supposedly stinks, but I kind of like not having gear shifts. It sounds like this car would be a great highway cruiser. Quiet but powerful when you need it. I have no regrets buying a 2013 CPO model, even without Apple Car play and the like. I just drive and listen to the stereo folks. Oh, and I like to watch my MPG bar graph display.

 

So I did something so corny this weekend, I just had to share. Me and the significant other dressed up to go do a "photo shoot" with the new ride. Now, the photo shoot was on my iphone, but I had not taken any pictures yet of it. It was actually fun, though about 95 in Orlando Florida. So did not last too long in the heat. So here she is.

The side profile of "Lexi".

 

Beautiful ride. Congrats again Hues10 on owning such a rare vehicle - I hardly doubt you'll see many around you in Florida.

Which options does your vehicle have? Would love to see some interior pictures if you ever get a chance.

Keep enjoying Lexi and thanks for sharing some glimpses of her

~ Im2bz2p345

 

Thanks IM. Lexi is the premium model with the cold weather package. I live in Florida, so I may use the heated steering wheel like 5 days a year. However the cooled seats are wonderful. It has been 95 in the shade down here for a week now, and it is fun to feel them help cool the seat down. I absolutely am enjoying this car. My GF thinks I am in love with it. It is so quiet and refined. Not a squeak or rattle or window noise or any complaints. Still haven’t taken it on highway. May not be until Father’s Day for that. I have not read of anyone replacing anything of significance on these yet. Which is great to hear. More to come.

 

A quick question regarding the brake hold button, does it latch in ie can you see or feel if it's on by the button alone? Or is it a normal button that is latched in software?

 

It's just a button. I just leave it on automatic.

 

For being such a unicorn car, I now see two of them on Carmax. A 2013 and a 2015 450H. Who is turning these cars in now since Lexus does not make sell them anymore Since I have the very first 2013 model year, there are probably only a couple of things I think I would have wanted on mine if available during that model year. The automatic cool/heat seats function (though I read that this option may be available through a hidden setting), the power folding mirrors, and maybe the power trunk. None of these items were deal breakers, but more of to complete the luxury aspect of the car. Though I did read in the main forum that the radio has a potential flaw in it where the power/volume button could get stuck in the pushed in position, and the dealer solution is to install a brand new radio, at a price of over $9K. Yes, $9K is what the person on the forum was saying. Actually, $10k installed. I read the radio is the same between the ML version and the non-ML version as well. Cmon. No radio costs $10k. Thus, even though I am covered for 2 years under LCPO warranty, I am not turning the radio off. I figure just my luck, I turn it on and off so many times over the next two years, then three months after, I get the dreaded stuck position. Figured there is a wear limit on it. Anyone encounter this from the radio?

 

I've been lucky enough so far that it's never pushed in despite me using it fairly often. I wonder if it could be manually fixed somehow.

 

It may be such a small incident rate that it is very unlikely to happen. However, from what I read, there is a way to pull it out with Gorilla tape, popsicle sticks and piers, and super glue. I still don't quite understand it what really happens. I kind of like the classic two **** radio look, though I have never used the tuning dial. In fact, I don't really know what the right radio **** does for non AM/FM stations. Have been listening to XM radio for my work commutes. Haven't even bothered to tune the radio yet to the HD stations I normally would listen to. I just sit down, push the button once for my seat, once to start, put it in gear and go. One problem I have, does anyone know why I can't ask the system to call Speed dial 1 by voice command. What is the purpose of having speed dial, if you can't quickly dial it? My two cents.

 

In the MP3 playback, the tuning dial just changes tracks.

As for speed dial, no idea. I use the native Google speed dial though (the phone is connected to the car but Google's voice commands are always listening and smarter).

 

My ML radio button got stuck under warranty. The dealer replaced the radio. I now just use the mute button to turn off the music rather than pressing the on/off button. Hopefully the new radio has corrected this issue.