Facebook marketplace Lexus RX400h SE-L, what could go wrong?

[Hoofy]

LincolnLovin said:

No idea, from a brief search I am not seeing anything unusual - you might get dash error if the piston has been wound back too far when installing the pads. The RX measures the time to resistance, but thats just a code you can clear.

So basically, any competent mechanic can do this? I wouldn't need to take it back to Lexus?

A bit of an aside: I've decided to hold off on buying an RX400H for a couple of years. I think my next car is going to have a V8 in it as this will probably be the last time I will be able to enjoy one in the south east.

[LincolnLovin]

I'd think so? I am not seeing anything unusual but I am not a qualified mechanic, so I would ask them if you have concerns.

[Hoofy]

LincolnLovin said:

I'd think so? I am not seeing anything unusual but I am not a qualified mechanic, so I would ask them if you have concerns.

Be interesting to see if things work fine when it's time for you to replace your brakes.

[LincolnLovin]

They were replaced before I purchased but even if they needed doing, hybrid brakes are a known quantity these days.

[Hoofy]

LincolnLovin said:

They were replaced before I purchased but even if they needed doing, hybrid brakes are a known quantity these days.

I mean by a random backstreet non-Lexus mechanic.

[LincolnLovin]

That’s what I mean, hybrids have been on the market now since 2003? And they have only grown in popularity since then.

I would be very surprised if proved to be difficult these days.

[ooid]

so tempted to buy one of these really. Keep popping up at approved used Lexus, around 10 grand with proper warranty.

Can't decide to go one of these or just get a cheaper jimny for transporting family + dog duties.

[Hoofy]

LincolnLovin said:

That’s what I mean, hybrids have been on the market now since 2003? And they have only grown in popularity since then.

I would be very surprised if proved to be difficult these days.

Good point!

[LincolnLovin]

Not much exciting to report over the last few months, however as we’re doing a weekend away in Devon in the next month or so I’ve booked the car in for an oil change and to check the brakes as it seems to be a lot of brake dust on the O/S wheel compared to the rest.

I had not driven the car for a few weeks, there’s a common issue with this era of RX400h that the battery will drain and when I tried to start the car it was well and truly dead.

Luckily I had wanted to replace the battery anyway as it was clearly the wrong size:



The copper rings to make it fit the battery terminals is something I have not seen before.

A quick trip to Eurocaparts and a new Bosch silver battery was acquired for just £80. Here’s it in comparison to the old battery:



Quite the difference!

The new battery fitted perfectly, the space allocated to the battery is small and requires that any replacement battery does not have a wide base:



Finally, I tracked down the missing bit of engine tray trim which finishes up the engine bay nicely:




Now it needs a good clean!

[J50N WA]

I had not driven the car for a few weeks, there’s a common issue with this era of RX400h that the battery will drain and when I tried to start the car it was well and truly dead.


turn auto lights off if leaving the car for a while....

[LincolnLovin]

I don’t think it has that feature anyway

[IanA2]

J50N WA said:

I had not driven the car for a few weeks, there’s a common issue with this era of RX400h that the battery will drain and when I tried to start the car it was well and truly dead.


turn auto lights off if leaving the car for a while....

This works very well indeed:

[Hoofy]

IanA2 said:

J50N WA said:

I had not driven the car for a few weeks, there’s a common issue with this era of RX400h that the battery will drain and when I tried to start the car it was well and truly dead.


turn auto lights off if leaving the car for a while....

This works very well indeed:

Does that black connector link directly to the battery bypassing the key/accessories position?

[ALawson]

Can I ask what the economy is on these (and 450) if anyone knows. Ta.

[LincolnLovin]

Depends on your driving and how much you can stick on battery. On a run 31 is possible.

[Hoofy]

LincolnLovin said:

Depends on your driving and how much you can stick on battery. On a run 31 is possible.

And about town?

I've hit 30mpg in my RX300 on a motorway.

[IanA2]

Hoofy said:

IanA2 said:

J50N WA said:

I had not driven the car for a few weeks, there’s a common issue with this era of RX400h that the battery will drain and when I tried to start the car it was well and truly dead.


turn auto lights off if leaving the car for a while....

This works very well indeed:

Does that black connector link directly to the battery bypassing the key/accessories position?

It plugs into the OBD port. Lots of Lexus hybrid owners use it. It works well.

[Hoofy]

IanA2 said:

Hoofy said:

IanA2 said:

J50N WA said:

I had not driven the car for a few weeks, there’s a common issue with this era of RX400h that the battery will drain and when I tried to start the car it was well and truly dead.


turn auto lights off if leaving the car for a while....

This works very well indeed:

Does that black connector link directly to the battery bypassing the key/accessories position?

It plugs into the OBD port. Lots of Lexus hybrid owners use it. It works well.

Oh that is handy. Wonder if the same principle works for other cars? Hang on, I'm being thick, aren't I?

[IanA2]

Hoofy said:

IanA2 said:

Hoofy said:

IanA2 said:

J50N WA said:

I had not driven the car for a few weeks, there’s a common issue with this era of RX400h that the battery will drain and when I tried to start the car it was well and truly dead.


turn auto lights off if leaving the car for a while....

This works very well indeed:

Does that black connector link directly to the battery bypassing the key/accessories position?

It plugs into the OBD port. Lots of Lexus hybrid owners use it. It works well.

Oh that is handy. Wonder if the same principle works for other cars? Hang on, I'm being thick, aren't I?

I mention the hybrid folks because the small batteries. It was a hybrid owner that alerted me. It works on our non-hybrid.

[J50N WA]

I would have thought all the RX400h have the Auto lights on sensor.. on the left 'lights' column, is there a Auto setting? This switches the headlights on as the day gets dark, but its also known to drain the battery if the car is left for a couple of weeks.

as for MPG I get 31-33 depending..