Linehill

This all relates to the small auxillary battery. It is too small for the Lexus and does not have enough residual power reserve. See the previous forum I put up a few months ago about leaving the parking lights on. We all agree this is a serious design fault, but Lexus don't agree, and the tray for the battery is so small you cannot install a larger,more powerful battery. The best solution is to buy an engine starter/tyre compressor unit. Mine is a Blackspur and cost about £25 from The Range hardware store. There are many advertised on google. they consist of a built in dry battery/jump leads/compressor. A useful piece of kit. If you flatten the aux: battery this will kick the ready system in to life. Regards Linehill (RX400h owner)

Hi, Malcolm, Yes I had a jammed CD in my 300, actually it was caused while loading the 6 CDs. I took the unit to my local car hi-fi shop in Worcester. He opened the unit, just a few screws, took out the offending disc, put it back together and everything worked fine. Total bill £45. If you are handy with socket sets it is not that difficult to take the entire audio system out from the dashboard. Everything is on simple multi socket connectors. Good luck.

Anyone had trouble with the manual opening lever by the number plate lights? The power system works fine, but the manual system is not releasing. I did have a flat auxiliary battery and have had to reset windows and moonroof systems. Could the tailgate also be affected? Regards Linehill

I did experience jerky braking, especially on a downhill slope when on snow or ice. It seemed as though the ABS was locking on and off very quickly and the front wheels did lock up completely. Instant release on the brake pedal slopped any further slide. On today's BBC news Toyota admit there is a software problem on KERS battery recharge system on the Prius. I wonder if the RX 400h uses the same software? Anyone asked their dealer?

How can the carpet jam the accelerator pedal? My 400h has clips on the driver's carpet to stop it moving? I wonder if these had not been fixed or maybe broken in the USA incident. I fail to understand why any half competent person on an open freeway/motorway would not immediately go into neutral, this would maintain power steering and servo brake systems, steer to the hard shoulder and stand on the brakes, apply the hand/foot brake and switch the ignition off. Not rocket science, isn't it!!

Having had the RX300 and now RX400h my comments are: The ride in the 400 is more comfortable, less bouncy, probaly due to the lithium battery pack under the rear seats. The fuel consumption is much better. Av 32-36 mpg if driven carefully with a light right foot, against 22-25 mpg. The CVT gearbox is incredibly smooth and the automatic 4 wheel drive electric motor on the back axle has been fantastic in the snow and ice. I was told by my dealer the hybrid batteries have never failed and would be replaced free if they did. I am also advised the 400 will hold a better residual value than the 300 or 350 when trade in time comes round. I suggest you buy the latest technology. Up to 35 mph on the flat I have driven for 15 minutes just on the battery drive to the front axle. and when the battery power drops too low the petrol engine system recharges the pack in no time at all. Unless you watch the on-dash guage you do not know if the petrol engine is working! Amazing system. Happy driving regards Linehill.

Top Gear have never been fans of Lexus! I think they are annoyed they can never find any faults in the build quality and performance of all Lexus models. All they seem to gripe about is the non image of Lexus, i.e an inverted snobbery. Who cares about badges these days? Quality and value and reliability are surely much more important. Why does Lexus top the JD Power reports year after year? The new supercar has attracted rave reviews in the motor press, but I do agree with Hammond, who will spend £340,000 on a set of fancy wheels!! But then Bugatti can sell the Veyron at close to £1million, so there is hope.

I bought my 400h with 18k on the clock at a very good price from Lexus Cheltenham in August 2009. They could not have been more helpful and cooperative as I needed to trade in a RX300 navigator I had bought 5 weeks earlier, which I found very uncomfortable and impossible for my wife to drive as it did not have the telescopic steering column.(she either had the steering wheel under her chin or could not reach the pedals!) I wonder if you have just been unlucky with a poor salesman, who needs to be taken to task by his General Manager. Have you raised the matter with the GM? Yes, I do carry a Blackspur battery starter pack in case of battery failure to be on the safe side. But on the whole I think the RX400h is a splendid vehicle and "does all it says on the tin!" Don't be put off with one bad experience. Keep looking and shop around. Have you been on the Lexus web site and have a look at Autotrader on line. Usually good cars and many from Lexus showrooms. Regards Linehill

Roy, The starter device is called a Blackspur. Go to Ebay or Google search "engine starters with air compressor" and you will find pages of offers! Linehill

Roy, The gadget is called an "Engine Starter with air compressor" No branded name. It is a yellow plastic case which has a built in 12 volt battery with a live and negative heavy duty jump leads attached. It is charged either by a mains transformer supplied, or via the 12 v socket through a type of cigarette connection, also supplied. It has an air compressor built in and a good lamp. Mine cast about £25 from The Range in Kidderminster, and I think Halfords, HomeBase etc also stock these. On the 400h it kicked the "Ready" system in, and I have also used to jump start my SL320 and garden tractor. Happy new year and trust this will give you peace of mind! Linehill

Hello to Billy and Roy and Editor. Very interested to hear about your opinions on this problem, although there does not seem to be a simple solution like fitting a more powerful battery, I have now got a rechargable jump battery device which I have connected to the 12 volt socket in the luggage area. I now should not be left stranded at 1.a.m. as before! However I hope Lexus feel ashamed that such a superb vehicle has to carry a £25 product to keep it running! By the way have Lexus got the same problem on the RX450h?

I bought a 55 plate RX400h in June 09. Fantastic in the recent snow and ice. The rear motor came in as and when needed. Very sure footed all the electronic gadgets worked fine. See my forum about the auxilliary battery. This is apparantly only to prime the electric system, and has limited life span to run any of the electrical systems, i.e Sat/Nav, a/con, radio if the engine is not running. I now carry a rechargable battery starter pack in case of a flat battery again. Otherwise a beautiful, comfortable car. I can average 35 mpg with a light right foot!

Why has the RX400h such a tiny battery? I learned the hard way over Christmas not to be a good citizen and put the parking lights on. The owners hand book does not tell you it will flatten the battery in less than 1 hour and you will not be able to start the car! Brilliant!! My Lexus dealer in Cheltenham told me I should have been warned about this when I purchased the car. Also don't run the Air Con, Sat Nav, Radio/CD etc for long if the engine is not running. Why on earth did Lexus not fit a decent battery with adequate back up power? Otherwise the RX400h is a fantastic car and in over 50 years of driving the best car I have ever had.

My recently acquired RX300 navigator only has the tilt adjustment. Is it possible to have the optional tilt/telescopic adjustment fitted retro? Having changed to Lexus from C class Mercedes also miss the automatic door locking after starting journey. Is this on RX but I have not found it? Has anyone tried to retro fit the drivers memory seat? Update 14th August. Confirmed by Lexus retro fitting telescopic steering column is not possible. Therefore I have traded the RX300 in for a 2005 RX400HSE. After a good test drive this seems to be a far better car in both comfort, ride, fuel economy.

for 2005 RX300 L-E the rear slide out cover in black to cover the parcel area. update on 14th August. I no longer need the above as I have traded in the 300 for a 4000hSE. Thanks for your views.

New member recently bought a 2005 RX300 L-E navigator, great car, very pleased. New tyres needed. Conti Cross UHP seem to be unavailable just now, my tyre fitters recommend either Yokohama or General UHP (claim to be manufactured by Continental). Having studied the forum all day consus appears to be against Dunlop and Potenza. Has anyone had experience of Yokohama or General?