sylm_2000

I swear by the ultimate bp - miles extra on my RX450H. I wouldn't change it for the world.

My house is net zero using renewable electricity for years, with solar panels on the roof, V2G with my Nissan Leaf, EV driver for over 6+ years, Hybrid for 13+ years and recently replaced gas boiler to air source heat pump + offsetting. One child. It is still not making any difference at all - damm!

1 hour ago, Steve_S said:

I'd be interested in your recommendation for the jump starter battery pack, thanks. A bit tired of having to bother my otherwise helpful neighbour.

I had the car serviced in the summer and discussed the problem with Lexus. They advised the same as your dealer. 

I bought both from amazon - this is the link for the trickle charger https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07ZNL3MC4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and the Battery jump starter was from Yaber (newer model to what I purchased) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/YABER-Starter-20000mAh-Portable-Flashlights/dp/B08V5JX44J/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=battery+booster+jump+starter+yaber&qid=1611856451&s=automotive&sr=1-5

I also tried 10W Solar Charger connected via the OBD port, not very helpful as the discharge rate exceeds the charge rate of the solar panel.

Hope this helps.

So I have invested in AA solar Battery, followed by 10W Solar Battery Charger and then an expensive jump starter Battery and a trickle charger during lockdown. 

My view is that solar panel chargers less than 20w (combined with decent sun availability) are pretty much useless and will not be able to sustain average 2w of discharge each day by RX450.

I found the jump starter Battery packs the most helpful. A small amount of charge is required for a flat Battery. A decent choice on amazon, I can recommend if you're interested. Lastly the most trusted solution remains keeping a trickle charger connected to the Battery as that would ensure health and safe charge level for the AGM Battery. See if you can buy a charger which has setting for AGM Battery (most don't).

I was advised by the AA man to replace Battery, visited the Lexus dealership for a replacement and was advised against it. It was only a flat Battery and hence maintaining charge was recommended given the limited use of car these days. Any new Battery would end in the same situation if the charge is not maintained.

49 minutes ago, welland said:

Let us know how you get on.

So a quick update. After six weeks (no drive), I measured the Battery with a multimeter and it was 11.46 so I was rightly furious as it was clear that the solar PV has not worked at all. However the car started without any hesitation, the boot door (powered) opened seamlessly and managed to have sufficient charge after 6 weeks. I had two hours of drive and connected the solar panel via OBD back to the car. It is 2.4w charger and whilst I can't see Battery improvements, it is doing the job. 

My RX450H is 2015 reg (from new) so might be the Battery needs replacement anyway. For the upcoming season with less sun I am wondering if the solar charger will keep the Battery alive. It does work very well for my bike which I have tested for two winters so there's hope as science has proved otherwise. 

6 minutes ago, Britprius said:

I was going to give this a "like", but felt I would be saying I like the fact that you got stung by the advertising of the item bought, and that is not my intent. 
I would return the panel as being not fit for purpose.

John.

I use a solar trickle charger for my (yamaha) bike and it has worked reasonably well so I thought the same should okay for the car Battery. I should have looked into the amperage a bit more consideration. I relied on the advert and less on my electronics engineering degree 😞  

Agree and yes I learnt that the hard way! I checked using the multi meter and today it was 11.46v - not pleased with the charger and performance.

On 7/23/2020 at 3:50 PM, Herbie said:

Then this chart may help you decide:

thank you - this is great! I will check and update the post as I have my Lexus on the driveway with Solar OBD connected for over 5 weeks. Hope it starts 🙂

And BTW - £21.99 free delivery https://bars4cars.co.uk/collections/chargers/products/aa-essentials-12v-solar-powered-car-battery-charger-solar-panel-obd-version

Thanks bought one this week and using it with my RX450H 2015 reg. I hope this would keep the Battery cozy during the lockdown and limited use period.

I have a similar (Oxford) solar panel for my bike to keep it topped up during the winter months as I am a fair weather rider.

I am using the OBD port so has anyone managed to check if the Battery is actually getting charged? I am looking for evidence :)

Sorry to hear ! Brazen theft ....

By any chance you had a set of keys next to the front door and you assume your keys were cloned by the thief?

Following advice from this forum I have now developed a habit of keeping keys in a secure wallet when at home.

Finally caved in to the earlier decision and stayed with Perilli all season. Got the tracking, wheel balancing and alignment sorted when at the garage.

What a difference it makes! Car is just over an year old but difference in driving is immediately noticeable. Got a trouble of getting rid of four Dunlop almost new but very happy with the choice of tyres. Weather testing in Europe for Christmas !

Search for below in amazon, 3 packs for  £10

Mengshen® Cell Phone RF signal blocker Jammer pouch Shielding Bag Case Double Layer MS-PX01

Does the job, one for spare set of keys at home.

Absolutely correct. I have bought pack of three cases from amazon and they are perfect to prevent RFID signal leakage even when standing next to the door.

That's my peace of mind. Have a secure driveway, will think about getting a steering wheel lock.

You can only create deterance not prevent 100%

Likewise keep us posted, planning to get replacement next week on RX450 for Perilli Scorpion Verde All Season.

Didn't check Michelin as they are close in £ range.

Shocked at the news that RX450 can be so easily cheated with a simple hack!

Can we get the discussion back on how best to avoid this hack? 

Will keeping keys in tin foils help? Can the keyless access blocked allowing only manual key entry in case you're traveling in high risk area?

Any response from Lexus or dealership?

Good to back on the forum after a while.

Looking at getting all weather upgrade to my RX450. Booked for Perilli AS Scorpion Verde next week - any verdict in favour or against?

I hope they are better than OEM Dunlop 270 ....

You can't go wrong with any RX450 - take a pick!

I looked around and given I was confused, went for the Premier range for couple of reasons. Aniline leather, heated and cooled seats, woodpack finish, ML system, air suspension, ACC/PCS as standard, sun roof standard got me hooked....

Enjoy the ride.

I opted for for ACC/PCS option in the configuration I ordered last year.

ACC is more straight forward as allows cruise control to dynamically adjust the speed and tracking tracking the vehicle in front of the car. This is such an amazing feature specially if you're driving miles on motorway. Life saver and huge stress release from averaging speed.

The PCS is more subtle and always ON. Light comes on suggesting "brake brake" in case the car senses driver is too close to other vehicle and is not braking where he/she should. This is a safety feature and I have found useful in slow moving traffic or accelerating out of busy traffic lights. Hope you don't get to see much of that as that tells you driver is not paying attention to road. In last 18 months I have seen two-three times and is a good reminder to slow down.

On 03/12/2016 at 3:42 PM, stafford said:

Interested in the Avon zx7 and Michelin cross climate.Only need back  tyres as 400h came with new Dunlop sp270 on front.

I`m assuming cross climate wont be suitable with the front summer tyres.

Do you guys have any advice? 

Agree - have been looking into quite some articles on winter/summer/all season. Advice is "not to mix and match"!

Safety comes first - call me a victim of "premium tyre = safety on road" campaign. I'll pay a little extra for peace of mind. 

Good thing I checked your post. 

I am planning a road trip to Germany so have invested in all season Perili Verde even though had only 12k from the original OEM Dunlop that came with the RX450H, 2015 specs.

I would welcome your feedback as I have paid and booked for next week, can change if you have looked into both and believe Michelin is better.

Booked for Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season 105V XL 235/55VR19

6 hours ago, Assa1974 said:

I'm not sure how this would work? The App seems to be a way to tether devices for to your phone using BT for data connection where they don't have WiFi, not to allow something like BT music streaming. It might work well on a later model like your 2015 450H but on a 400H I doubt there'd be any use.

BT DUN Works with music, navigation, contacts, messages, email and google search. 

As I commented above my config is 450H (2015) so worth checking for compatibility. 

On 15 March 2016 at 0:02 PM, maurice1 said:

Hi sylm_2000

i have S5 too.

Did your bluedun stream to an 2008 RX400H SE-L with the Mark Levinson hifi

 

Sorry I have 2015 RX450H so not sure if the DUN (Dial-up-networking) feature is active on 400H.

In my case it was simply a question of installing DUN protocol which is not normally installed on Samsung on Android phones. TBH this is really primitive technology which should have been discarded years ago however continues to be used my car companies.

New owner of RX450H and have been driving Prius for over 6+ years, so very familiar with the Hybrid efficiency. I used to get over 55 mpg in summer and around 44 mpg in winter with Toyota Prius however irrespective of driving style I am averaging around 32 - 33 with Lexus.

I think enjoy the ride as the marginal efficiency you achieve is not worth the effort!

I am not a racer but drive a mixed traffic profile everyday including motorway and urban start stop traffic jams.

Samsung Galaxy (i have S5) can be connected as a Bluetooth device using BlueDUN app from play store. It is a paid app but works like magic with the ML music system. This app also enables internet search feature if you have google search on my car.

All you need is Bluetooth enabled (set auto start app with Bluetooth settings) and you can connect every time you step in.

Haven't cracked with Iphone as apple doesn't support DUN interface required to connect.

Thanks Chris - the challenge is that any new car takes 3-4 years from design to delivery and it is getting impossible to keep pace with fast change in technology. By the time engineers are integrating or testing Iphone 4/5 Iphone 6/7 would be out by the time of car being launched.

Anyway I have good news for users who want to use the online search feature (think I have cracked it without using 6310!). Thanks for the tip, a nostalgic reminder of my days in telecom industry :)

I have downloaded BlueDUN app from android play store, removed existing pair connection from navigation and phone (Samsung S5 in my case) and then repaired again.

I have now Google search working with Samsung S5 using the portal account. Iphone Bluetooth stack is pathetic so there is no hope with Iphone 4/5 however I think Iphone 6 has DUN protocol working so if anyone can check that, would be great.

Another neat benefit of Android phone is that messages are read as they arrive and emails can be read as well. Very useful and clever feature with full protocol stack working (under detailed Bluetooth setting).

Having testing the online search it is not the smartest feature as it might be quicker checking on phone and then entering the destination.

Any questions, will try to help.