Just jumped from EX300 to RX400H
06-20-17, 08:04 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Just jumped from EX300 to RX400H
What a difference an H makes! We fell in love with Lexus and decided we needed more room and towing ability. We found a 2006 RX400H at an amazing price in great condition and we are falling in love all over again. Does anyone else here have this model and if so, is there any advice on quirks or things to look for? The battery warranty has expired. There is about a 15 second lag from start to engine engage. The hubby has read replacing the battery pack will lengthen that and improve mileage. Is it worth it? Thinking next year for possible replacement. No other problems other than front driver back window buttons do not work. Hubby is looking into the reasons why. Initially the rear door power button on the key fob didn't work but he found the switch in the glove box to turn it back on so that's fixed. I am impressed with the power this hybrid has. Much different and more responsive than a Prius or hybrid Camry. Thanks for responding.
06-20-17, 09:00 AM
#2
Sounds like a good find, personally I would not replace the battery until absolutely necessary...
if the battery functions normally besides small quirks, best to wait as long as possible, battery technology is advancing with more 3rd party options & lower prices.
if the battery functions normally besides small quirks, best to wait as long as possible, battery technology is advancing with more 3rd party options & lower prices.
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SandyDT (06-20-17)
06-20-17, 04:21 PM
#3
We have owned our 2006 for 9 years and love it. Just watch out for coolant leaks from the inverter, transmission, water pump(s) and radiator. And there are a few extended warranties for dash boards, headlights, and brake modules. Not much else goes wrong with these.
Even when new, these things did not run on battery for long. This is by design to limit stress on the system. The main purpose of the hybrid system was to get V8 power from a V6 while maintaining V6 fuel economy. I would not replace the battery until it gave an error. Even then, the battery re builders test all the cells and just replace the bad ones. Rebuild batteries are mostly original cells.
Even when new, these things did not run on battery for long. This is by design to limit stress on the system. The main purpose of the hybrid system was to get V8 power from a V6 while maintaining V6 fuel economy. I would not replace the battery until it gave an error. Even then, the battery re builders test all the cells and just replace the bad ones. Rebuild batteries are mostly original cells.
Last edited by smassey321; 06-20-17 at 04:25 PM.
06-20-17, 07:20 PM
#4
Racer
Welcome to the world of RX. Go to http://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home You can get get all kinds of information. If you register your car (you will need the VIN), you will be able to see (and download) the service history of what was done to it. This history will be mostly service done by the dealers as very few independents take the time to enter the info.
One important piece of maintenance is the timing belt in the engine that runs the camshafts. It is recommended to change the belt every 100,000 miles. These belts are not made out of metal and stretch with time and the engine performance will suffer.
One important piece of maintenance is the timing belt in the engine that runs the camshafts. It is recommended to change the belt every 100,000 miles. These belts are not made out of metal and stretch with time and the engine performance will suffer.
06-20-17, 08:07 PM
#5
Pole Position
Look up ISC reset for improving mileage. Yup leave battery alone. I have a 2008 RX400h. Suggest changing the transmission/CVT fluid. Easy as a drain and fill. USE only Toyota WS fluid. Have had ours since 2010 and now have 205k miles.
06-21-17, 06:31 AM
#6
Quite a few do. Note that there is a hybrid subforum (Hybrid Technology) with a link at the top of the main page for the 2nd Gen Subforum.
I'm usually able to drive into and out of our parking garage and parking spaces fully on electric power only but the engine does kick in sometimes. How quickly the engine starts from vehicle start is going to depend on the specifics of the given situation. 15 seconds isn't outside of the realm of reasonable. Now that we're in summer here in Houston it's much more common for the engine to kick in faster on start.
Track your mileage and see how it's doing before assuming there is a problem. It's probably not worthwhile unless you're having significant problems with the traction battery but I haven't seen anything yet that indicates such problems in your case.
Hybrids aren't necessarily all designed with the same focus. I can't speak to the Camry but the Prius is designed with fuel economy in mind. While the RX 400h has slightly better fuel economy than the RX 330 it is designed with performance as its focus. The Accord Hybrid was another example of a performance oriented hybrid.
The numerical part of a Lexus model name is generally tied to engine displacement. E.g. the RX 350 has a 3.5L, the GX 460 has a 4.6L, etc. However, the reason why the RX 400h is named 400h while it still uses the same 3.3 liter engine found in the RX 330 -- aside from needing a different name to differentiate the two -- is that Lexus claims that with the hybrid assist, the 400h provides "smooth yet powerful acceleration on par with 4.0 liter V8 gas engines".
I'm usually able to drive into and out of our parking garage and parking spaces fully on electric power only but the engine does kick in sometimes. How quickly the engine starts from vehicle start is going to depend on the specifics of the given situation. 15 seconds isn't outside of the realm of reasonable. Now that we're in summer here in Houston it's much more common for the engine to kick in faster on start.
The numerical part of a Lexus model name is generally tied to engine displacement. E.g. the RX 350 has a 3.5L, the GX 460 has a 4.6L, etc. However, the reason why the RX 400h is named 400h while it still uses the same 3.3 liter engine found in the RX 330 -- aside from needing a different name to differentiate the two -- is that Lexus claims that with the hybrid assist, the 400h provides "smooth yet powerful acceleration on par with 4.0 liter V8 gas engines".
Last edited by takeshi74; 06-21-17 at 06:59 AM.
06-22-17, 12:31 PM
#7
New to me 2008 RX400h
Wonder what ISC is? Also what tires and psi are your picks.
Thanks
Trending Topics
06-24-17, 05:49 AM
#10
2 questions.
1. Do the fill and drain plugs need crush washers?
2. In your experience what tire/ psi combo works best for you?
2008 RX400h bought on 6-17-17 with 121,310 on clock. In pristine condition. Has 18" wheels with Michelin Premier AS tires with 39 psi.
1. Do the fill and drain plugs need crush washers?
2. In your experience what tire/ psi combo works best for you?
2008 RX400h bought on 6-17-17 with 121,310 on clock. In pristine condition. Has 18" wheels with Michelin Premier AS tires with 39 psi.
Last edited by TommyTT; 06-24-17 at 05:52 AM. Reason: need to put in my model info
06-24-17, 06:19 AM
#11
Pole Position
The fill and drain plugs do have crush washers. Yes use them. I run my tires at 35 PSI. By the way there is a write up on CVT/transmission fluid change with pictures, just do a search under the hybrid forum for the RX400h. The fluid is not lifetime like the Lexus dealerships try to tell you. USE Toyota Type WS fluid only. As for the engine 0-20weight full synthetic is the recommended and works well. I have 205k miles on ours and does not use a drop of oil. I am running Michelin Defender tires on the RX and they are working out great.
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TommyTT (06-24-17)
06-27-17, 10:02 AM
#12
The fill and drain plugs do have crush washers. Yes use them. I run my tires at 35 PSI. By the way there is a write up on CVT/transmission fluid change with pictures, just do a search under the hybrid forum for the RX400h. The fluid is not lifetime like the Lexus dealerships try to tell you. USE Toyota Type WS fluid only. As for the engine 0-20weight full synthetic is the recommended and works well. I have 205k miles on ours and does not use a drop of oil. I am running Michelin Defender tires on the RX and they are working out great.
Sorry to bother you but which do you use? TIA
Tire Rack has :Highway All-Season: Defender LTX M/S
Standard Touring All-Season: Defender
Defender T+H
06-27-17, 10:30 AM
#13
Answered my own ?? on Tire Rack site
Sorry to bother you but which do you use? TIA
Tire Rack has :Highway All-Season: Defender LTX M/S
Standard Touring All-Season: Defender
Defender T+H
Tire Rack has :Highway All-Season: Defender LTX M/S
Standard Touring All-Season: Defender
Defender T+H
07-06-17, 12:30 AM
#14
crush washers & Toyota WS fluid
The fill and drain plugs do have crush washers. Yes use them. I run my tires at 35 PSI. By the way there is a write up on CVT/transmission fluid change with pictures, just do a search under the hybrid forum for the RX400h. The fluid is not lifetime like the Lexus dealerships try to tell you. USE Toyota Type WS fluid only. As for the engine 0-20weight full synthetic is the recommended and works well. I have 205k miles on ours and does not use a drop of oil. I am running Michelin Defender tires on the RX and they are working out great.
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