DferBfer

Thanks, Dan D: as I said I couldn't find anything in the Menus but I did twiddle the rotational switch you mentioned & found a position where the display started to Dim as light level fell. Thanks for the prompt !

Thanks NemesisUK: I'd looked to see if that was the case but couldn't see any such option in the Display Menu....

The Display on my 2009 Reg RX400h has ceased dimming when the ambient light level is low e.g at night. Can anyone advise if there are any checks worth performing and/or if there are any simple DIY fixes possible ? (I can reduce the brightness manually to some extent but it's still too bright at night).

Thanks, Jeff: sounds like a plan. I'll try it !

DanD: thanks for your interest but I'm not refering to the rear-most compartment which does have Open & Close buttons but to the other smaller one forward of that which should pop up when the lid itself is pressed.

The lid is stuck in the closed position: it should spring open when pressed down but no longer does so. Is there a non-destructive way to release it ?

Hi Cachaciero, Mirror indexing works on my 2009 RX400h: I assume it's an option one can select in one of the settings menus.

Crowtree, I can now answer the question I put to ColinB in my earlier response to you, having since found the Forum thread at www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/83673-remote-auto-folding-side-mirrors-for-lexus-rx300400h-anyone-had-excperience/ . Regards D

Crowtree, This is one of the areas in which I think Lexus have fallen short compared to e.g. Mercedes. Other than a 3rd party product (do you have more info available on the options, ColinB ?) all one can do is to fold the mirrors, turn the key to "off" and then press the mirror button again: at least this ensures that the mirrors open up when you next start the car. However,it's difficult to find the button - and the others in the same area - in the dark and I've been wondering if anyone has located a suitable substance that can be applied to the buttons to make them luminous. Another area in which Lexus can't match Mercedes - I have a CLS 320 CDI - is in the quality of the Cruise control. Not only does the CC stalk rotate with the wheel - which makes it difficult to locate when turning - but the speed does not remain at that selected when travelling downhill, unlike the Merc Finally, there does not appear to be a manual method of closing the Moonroof in case of failure of its normal electrical system. Again, my Mercedes comes with a metal winder for the purpose. I'd be interested in others' views and in particular what aftermarket products can help to improve the overall 400h experience.

I have realised that I'd dived in to the forum with my 'newbie' questions without researching other threads that cover the same or similar issues. ( My excuse is that having taken the plunge & gone for the car this issue suddenly loomed much larger as it's clearly a very practical and potentially annoying one especially for someone like me who has been spoiled by having cars - at least in the last few years - which basically just work without me having to do or think about anything ! Colin's last posting is a case in point - I need to stop being lazy & pay a bit more attention to the car !) Having belatedly checked through the other threads I've found a few issues in particular which I think worth highlighting (see http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/43199-battery-failure which dates from 2007): 1. The rxh_driving_performance_guide at http://www.lexus.com...mance_guide.pdf contains the following guidance: " ....to help keep your vehicle’s 12-volt battery fully charged: Drive vehicle at least weekly. Operate accessories with vehicle in “READY” mode. When parking, make sure all doors are closed and lights are turned off." Long-term parking. If the vehicle has been parked for two weeks or longer, do not operate the power rear door until you have turned the key to “START” and the “READY” light stays on. If the vehicle has been parked for a long time, the 12-volt and the hybrid battery will discharge gradually. For parking longer than about 30 days, charging of the 12-volt battery may be required. See your dealership for details. To keep the hybrid battery in good condition, drive the vehicle at least once every several months for at least 30 minutes or ten miles." 2. The same doc says "If the hybrid battery becomes fully discharged and the vehicle will not start, even with a jump start to the 12-volt battery,, contact your Lexus dealership". However, the Honest John website review of the 400h says "11-5-2011: DO NOT JUMP START. Hybrids should be trickled charged, not jump started (bulletin from Toyota how to do it correctly). If a recovery agent connects jump leads directly to either hybrid battery and than to his battery the sudden charge can damage circuits with in the hybrid system (not necessarily the ECU). It seems that not all recovery companies are familiar with the correct jump start process . Damage can be caused which will not be apparent at the time." Am I correct in thinking that the latter statement does not mean that the former is wrong as they are talking about the traction and 12v auxilliary batteries respectively - so a solution to the flat 12v battery problem is to seek a jump start from another (any other ?) car. But if this is OK and bearing in mind the small amount of current required to be able to start the 400h, is such a jump start better done without the donor car's engine running to minimise the risk of any voltage spikes ? Another solution suggested is to carry a small 'spare' 12v battery that can be connected across the original one if that is flat just long enough to start the car (although other posts suggest that you have to keep the revs going in the 400h for about 20 mins until the regular 12v battery has been recharged). There's also an interesting calculation in the referenced thread which seems to explain why batteries go flat after around 10 days.

Thanks, Colin. Yes we have 16 double sockets - the previous owner ran his engraving business from the garage !. I had heard about trickle chargers via the Toyota Auris Owners Club Forum - my wife's car is a T4 Hybrid - but don't know what sort would be suitable. However, your earlier suggestion of disconnection seems less worrying to me ! Incidentally, I've been pondering Stevet's response (the 1st in this thread) about not all Lexus hybrids being affected: presumably the reason batteries do drain is because of the demand from things such as the Alarm system so presumably if one knows what all the 'culprits' are and turns them off there should not be a problem at all .

Thanks again, Colin. Good to know about the Solar Charger option, folks, but in my case the car will likely be in our garage so.........

Thanks for the further comments. Colin: I have coincidentally in the meantime become aware of Deep Cycle Batteries and am wondering whether investing in one, although more expensive than the usual 12v car battery, would be worthwhile for the peace of mind. However, disconnection as you suggest, is cleary a cheaper option: where do I find the little b-----d & in what order should one perform the disconnection & reconnection ?

Thanks for the prompt responses, Chaps. If the battery problem doesn't affect all Lexus Hybrids they do seem to affect some from what Steve & John say. Do we know what the cause of the problem is when it does occur ?

Hello folks ! I've just acquired a 2009-plate ELE and I'd be grateful for views on a couple of issues. 1. The car has some smart Aluminium interior trim: is there any polish or protective 'coating' that can be applied to help keep this in good condition and anything that can be done to restore such surfaces that do get worn/scratched ? 2. I understand the 12v battery can fail to start the car after a couple of weeks without it being driven. How can one minimise the problem if the car cannot be driven for a while and what to do (i.e. how to re-charge the battery and with what type of charger) should the problem nonetheless occur (I've seen references on Honest John's site to the need to be careful with Hybrids in connection with battery charging). Thanks to Steve for his welcoming e-mail & message.