SAD69

Hi,

We have just bought an '08 RX400h at the beginning of Jan. Since then on urban driving we are getting average MPG figures of somewhere between 14 and 21 mpg. We have owned the RX 300 and we used to get 21-23mpg so we are really baffled by this. I took a note of the mileage just to check back and we did 280 miles on a full tank till the fuel light came on. Using my calculations, a full tank is 17 gallons so maybe a 2 of that is in reserve. So that would be 280 miles on 15 gallons which is 18.6 average which checks back to the figures the car is giving me. I understand that when it is cold (as it has been recently) then it can use more, and that we live up a steep hill, but surely the braking on the way down should regenerate enough power to help.

Is anyone else getting such poor MPG on their car, I'm just worried that there is a fault with the hybrid system and we only have 2 more months on the warranty.

You are using US measurement of 17 gallons = 65 litres. UK conversion factor is 0.21997. Therefore 60 litres (less reserve 5 litres) will be 13.2 gallons or 21.2mpg for 280 miles. Still not good though. I had RX400H before and mostly used in the city. I had around 25mpg for 5 years I owned it (never reset the counter).

You can buy one at Lexus. It costs around £35. I had one replaced on 400H after someone at a carwash had an awkward climb to reach the roof. They actually refunded me the cost, which was very nice of them. You can fit the part yourself - it has a clip-on feature.

I had this noise on 400H and have it now on 450H. This must be a "trademark" feature :). It does come when you break sharply and quickly release the pedal. If you release the pedal smoothly, it shouldn't be heard.