Glover

Result! Lexus Nottingham did the diagnosis, identified a loose negative terminal connection and tightened it. The video health check explained that because it was loose it would intermittently lose contact hence the randomness of the fault. Not sure why it came loose but it may be that they disconnect the battery when carrying out some of the 6 year service items and haven't nipped the bolt up enough. Anyway courtesy car, cleaned and vacuumed and nil charge:-) Really can't fault them for that; the service side has been excellent so far. There was one slight problem though but not related to the fault. My courtesy car was a CT200. They apologised that they didn't have anything bigger but as I was only travelling 5 miles it wasn't a problem; or so I thought. I don't know what spec it was but I've sat on more comfortable park benches! I had to phone them and ask if they could deliver my car back to me, which they did. The rest of the car was fine; it was nippy enough, suspension and steering seemed fine and apart from trying to get used to a completely different screen interface and switch locations there were no problems. But those seats definitely made me appreciate my big comfy RX armchairs!

Thanks Herbs that's very useful. It is a battery tester but not deep discharge. But it might be an idea for me to ask Lexus to check the battery before doing the diagnosis.

Thanks Luigi. I suppose because my Yaris battery lasted 15 years and that is the first Japanese car that I've ever had to replace the battery in I've got used to Japanese batteries lasting for ever! I've got a battery tester so I'll try that but just strange that it happened after a service.

Hi all. I took my RX in for its 6 year service in May at my dealership (it had done approx. 45,000 miles). I can't remember how quickly after this (but within days) I was parked up, having a cuppa, listening to the radio with the car in EV mode when suddenly the System Loading ……… message appeared on the screen. Everything went dead apart from the screen displaying a loading bar. After a couple of seconds the Lexus logo appeared and I pressed the start button and switched the radio back on. All of the trip info e.g. average mpg, mpg since refuelling, average mph etc had zeroed. I thought it was just a one off so didn't pay much attention. It's happened at least twice since so I checked on the internet and apparently it could be a software issue. It doesn't seem to be triggered by any particular event; I've had it on first start up, parked up in EV mode after a short journey and stopping after a longish journey. It always restarts after the message has gone. I phoned the dealership today and they said they'd need to run a diagnostic £110 per hour but pro-rata if it takes less than an hour. If it's occurring as a result of the service they'll refund any charges for the diagnostic work and repairs. So three questions: Has anybody else had this happen? If so what was the outcome? How do I know if the dealership is being honest with me if they say it's nothing to do with the service? I found someone on the US site with the same issue see https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/666704-system-loading-message.html. Strange mine should happen after a service! Thanks in anticipation.

That looks absolutely amazing; what a brilliant finish. You've done a brilliant job with the polisher and your spray shop has done really well to fix the blemishes and blend everything in. I'm not sure if it's allowed by the forum but if it is are you able to provide details of who you use? My RX is fine but the Yaris could do with some TLC!

Had this done on my RX for free shortly after I got it having noticed it in the handbook as a dealer enabled option. It was washed at the same time. Took about 30 minutes including the wash.

John. I suspect the ICE starts up because it's not warm and the system needs a warm engine so that it can respond quickly to throttle inputs, charge the batteries etc. I understand your frustration; yesterday (and I don't know how I did it) I filled up and because the car was warm it started up in EV mode and recorded mpg of 99.9. Usually that drops fairly quickly to high 30s but for some reason when I got home having travelled approx. 10 miles in stop, start city traffic and with a few hills thrown in my mpg showed 59.4, which is the highest I've ever had by a country mile. I've checked the readout from time to time against my brim to brim calculation and the readout is accurate within .1 or 2 of a mpg so I know the 59.4 was there or thereabouts. This is the first car I've had with such an accurate readout although my trusty 17 year old Yaris although not quite so close is also within 2 to 3% so maybe it's a Toyota thing!. Anyway this morning I thought great, I wonder if I can keep it in the high 50s. Switched on with 7 bars showing drove off our short drive ( a couple of car lengths) and the ICE kicked in. Our drive slopes downhill and at one end of our road (50 yards) is a long downhill slope followed by a level stretch approx. half a mile. Display showed that after the initial firing of the ICE it quickly switched off and I coasted most of the half mile down the slope and on the flat maintaining 30mph. Result 44.5mpg! Where did I lose 15mpg!!! This evening I took it out for a short run. It showed 44.1mpg after the morning journey; the ICE fired up immediately (7 out of 8 bars on the battery level indicator) but by the time I got to the other end of our road (approx. 300 yards and dead level ) the ICE had switched off and I was in EV mode and quickly regained the mpg I lost when the ICE initially fired up and maintained 44.1 for the 2 mile journey I did. The point of the above is I have absolutely no idea why my mpg was so good and I've come to realise that there are so many variables with the hybrid system that there's no point worrying about other people's mpg unless the mpg is wildly out . Today it was 30C, I'd taken the car out for a 20 mile run this morning then left it outside in the sun so the car and engine bay were warm, which is ideal for the ICE and batteries; on other days and especially in the winter I may drive well over a mile before the EV kicks in and I may be pushed to get 30mpg. On Thursday I did a 300 mile round trip mainly on the motorway with a lot of 70mph cruising and the occasional blast to get into the outside lane. My mpg was 32.6 but on the same motorway journey the week before I averaged 37mpg and I don't think I drove too differently. Why? Heaven knows! This is also my first hybrid and as others have said getting used to a different driving style e.g. quick acceleration up to desired speed then lift off and maintain speed, takes time but in the meantime do what you're already doing and enjoy your wonderful RX:-) Finally one tip, which somebody mentioned on the forum recently is that if you're parked up listening to the radio etc. switch to EV mode. I also turn off all other electrics e.g. air con, fan etc I've found this does have a real impact on mpg.

Off the top of my head in the handbook there is a page which shows options that can be toggled on or off by the owner or require Lexus to do it. One is closing/opening all of the windows and sun (moon!) roof with the fob, which wasn't enabled on mine and I had set by Lexus at no charge. Automatic locking might be in the options. Incidentally if by auto locking you mean that the doors lock when you reach a certain speed then my 2012 advance does have that function enabled. And I think the EV light shows when it goes on to EV; can't be certain but I'll check it tomorrow

Rayaans you have the legal right to choose your own repairer. See https://www.motorclaimguru.co.uk/your-rights-as-a-consumer.html for details. You can also look at the VBRA website or go to any VBRA registered repairer and they will be happy to advise. See also https://www.nonfaultcaraccidents.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/know_your_rights.pdf isn't Google wonderful. It's a few years since I've used one but in the past if I haven't liked the insurer's approved repairer I've chosen my own VBRA approved repairer. Incidentally Lexus Nottingham have a shared (with Toyota and Jaguar) bodyshop on site so if distance isn't an issue (Nottingham to Leeds is about 90 minutes) that's an option. When you renew get a quote from NFU Mutual; they come top of the Which ratings and are a pleasure to deal with. They also give discounts to loyal customers; now that's different!

Enjoy your RX they are wonderful cars and like Steve I get a smile on my face each time I drive it. You got exactly the same mpg I got for a 300 mile round trip yesterday on motorway/dual carriageway for all but 10 miles and cruising at a steady indicated 75mph (actual 70mph). Got home fresh as a daisy; these cars eat the miles in supreme comfort.

Saw a blue 4RX with pan roof and ivory interior parked in a supermarket car park today. Absolutely stunning; gleaming in the sun. For me nothing else in the car park had anything like the same impact. I spoke to the owner, he wasn't sure about the styling, he'd switched to Lexus after three new Range Rovers/Land Rovers, which he said had been very unreliable and on top of this when he'd raised issues with Land Rover Head Office they weren't interested even though he was a loyal customer so he switched to Lexus because of the reputation for excellent reliability and hybrid technology. I'm not ready to switch yet but the 4RX is a definite maybe when I do. One things for certain it will be Lexus or Toyota (Toyota if I decide to downsize!)

It does have a sliding armrest but even with it slid back the switches are still out of direct line of sight. To view them you have to look down and back; not a great idea when you're travelling down the road, even slowly!

I must admit I found it a bit Marmite when I first saw the spindle grill but now I think it looks amazing on all of the cars from the CT to the LS and the LC is probably one of the most original and beautiful designs in a long time from any manufacturer. Indeed wish I had the facelift 3RX just for the grill! Since owning the Lexus I look at German cars and think how boring. The Lexus styling can be challenging but it's never boring whereas BMW, Audi, Merc etc. saloons often look very similar and the SUVs are just bland. And don't forget Rollers have huge grills! The only things that lets Lexus down is the switch layout and storage. Why oh why are my heated seat controls hidden under the centre armrest out of sight? Now I could understand if the control was one that you only adjusted whilst stationary but not when it's one that you might want to adjust at any time. And storage can be problematic. The boot is a good size but what are those little cubbyholes with the beautifully crafted covers for? And looking at the newer models they still haven't quite got there; they need somebody who can make the most of the space and who understands ergonomics

Thanks Derek. They're less than 15 miles from me in Derby so I'll take a run out to look at them in the flesh.

Thanks Derek. Where did you get your steps from? Have you got any photos?

Thanks both; very useful. Are the plates metal? If so I assume they would need to be cut by a professional with the correct tools.

I've looked on line but can't find OEM side steps (the sill height is getting a bit difficult for my wife hence the need for steps) and they're not in the copy of the original sales brochure that I have so I assume they weren't produced for this car. Has anybody fitted aftermarket steps and if so three questions: If OEM aren't available can anybody recommend an after market brand? I've seen some after market steps on US sites. Has anybody purchased from a US site and if so what's your experience? Are they a DIY fit or is it best to leave it to my friendly independent? Thanks in advance

Brimmed the tank today and got 36.4mpg (computer showed 36.3). Just done a 50 mile round trip; first leg 39.5, second leg 38.3. Bit of dual carriageway and remainder single carriageway A roads with approx. 5 miles suburban 30mph limit. The computer on mine appears to be very accurate so those figures are probably within a couple of percentage points + or - of the real mpg.

Couldn't agree more. If I get good mpg that's a bonus but if I don't I'm not concerned. The sheer pleasure of being in a Lexus is enough for me; just wish I'd been able to afford one years ago. I use mine at weekends and holidays (although on work days every time I walk past it on the drive I think should I! I have a 17 year old Yaris for my day to day journeys. I do round trips of 150 miles plus some days with no problems; it passed it's MoT first time again today. It's only failed once and that was a cracked rear spring (curse those speed bumps and potholes!). Sorry to go off topic and mark but it's got the same parent as the Lexus!

First time I've disagreed with Rayaans on any subject but my 3RX will go into EV mode (or stay in EV mode) to well over 40. Not sure exactly what speed it cuts out at but definitely not 70:-)

This time of year I get anywhere between 36 and 41 with a combination of city, country A and B roads and dual carriageway/motorway. City only in the summer months will return low to mid 30s. I'd say at a very rough estimate that mpg in the winter is 10 or so lower than summer. In the winter I've gone as low as 24 and rarely get above 33. Last week and this is the first time for ages I had 8 bars on two occasions but it wasn't on a particularly long downhill stretch or braking a lot so heaven knows why that happened. I used to drive like Miss Daisy but now I just keep up with the traffic and drive at the maximum speed limit where it's safe to do so with a bit of loud pedal to overtake slower traffic. That does increase fuel consumption but it picks up again fairly quickly. I also stick in Eco mode most of the time. I'm in the East Mids and it's mainly rolling countryside although Nottingham itself has some excellent hills! so it's rare for me to get a perfectly flat stretch of road but I find that what I lose going up hills is usually recouped going down the other side. Mine will sometimes go into EV mode above 40 but it is very sensitive; a slight dab on the pedal will often fire up the ICE On the motorway in the summer consumption usually evens out at 36 with the cruise set at 77mph but on long uphill stretches it will fall to low to mid 20s; picking up again on the flat or downhill. Recently I've been turning the air con off for short periods and it does seem to make a difference. With regards to tyres I have been running Cross Climates for about 18 months now; I can't fault them excellent handling, quiet and after a quite rapid loss of the first 1mm they have evened out and have lost 2mm in approx. 15,000miles. I run 36psi all round. After saying all of the above I must admit that now although I like to get good mpg I'm realistic that it's a big engine and the car is there to be enjoyed. And very enjoyable it is too. The best car I've driven by a country mile; a superb relaxing place to be and still puts a smile on my face when I get in it. Hope this helps and above all enjoy your RX:-)

I can't understand the obsession with 0-60 acceleration times. The important figures are acceleration whilst the car is moving e.g. 30-50, 40-60 etc. I hope I'm not misquoting Rayaans here and it is a different car but I'm sure he provided figures that the RX450h although slower than a Porsche Cayenne to 60 beats it in the important real life overtaking speeds. Personally I couldn't care less if my car wins the traffic light Grand Prix but on a single carriageway A road I like to spend as little time as possible on the opposite side of the road. The beauty of the hybrid is the added punch given by the electric motor and the seamless way the car uses it when required so I'm out and back in as quickly and safely as possible. I admit I haven't driven a IS300h but I had a short test drive in the GS300h, which I assume is a similar engine and motor and it certainly wasn't lacking punch. Finally I really can't understand the comments about CVT drone. Accelerating it's a different but not unpleasant noise (certainly not from the 3.5V6!) but cruising it is exceptionally quiet, regardless of speed.

Just watched it; brilliant!

Seems the lack of knowledge is fairly common; I enquired about the headlight washers on my 3RX and how to switch them on. The Lexus salesman said, yours hasn't got them it's just got blanking plates on the bumper! Did he really think that a car that was almost £50,000 new had blanking plates? There were other functions I enquired about; he said we can learn together! Must admit I've only used the post code search function a few times but I thought it allowed the full post code to be entered. Must check tomorrow morning!

My fuel consumption improved with new OEM wipers:-) And the sun started to shine!