Johntechx

Hey guys, I have this problem too! My 2010 RX450 doesn't get much use these days so the 12V battery drops to 12.5 volts after a 7 days or so. I've been charging it up via a CTEK charger (from the engine bay terminals) and noticed signs of water under the battery tray. Today, I removed the battery (it is relatively new as the previous one got damaged by being fully discharged due to lack of use). Under the battery tray was full of water which does not appear to be acidic (no smell and didn't burn my fingers)! Anyway, I cleaned up all the water and rinsed it out with clean water, just in case. I was thinking that maybe the battery charger is damaging the battery (too much voltage/current) but it is designed for charging AGM batteries. I discovered this thread and the penny has dropped! My car has been rear ended TWICE in the last few years by idiots driving too close and not paying attention. In each case, the bumper cover has been replaced with the parking sensors and associated trims. A different garage did each repair. Now I am convinced that this may well be the source of the leak and I'll start checking the areas suggested. I noticed that there are two removable rubber bungs in the floor pan of the battery recess. Can these be removed to allow any future water to drain or do they need to be kept in place. When removed, the road surface below is visible so they seem to be clear for drainage purposes? Any advice appreciated.

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Well, I won't be purchasing another Panasonic AGM battery from Lexus for my RX450. Bought one in May 2020 (£195 plus post, self fitted) and it's failed, not holding a charge. Lexus only give a 1 year warranty, unlike most battery makers who give 3-5 Years. I will be taking my chances on a standard wet battery when I replace it!

Yes, had 4-wheel laser alignment done. It was down to tyres really. Each brand I tried had issues, some better than others. XClimate the best.

The only "problem" I had when I got my first (still own it) 2010 RX450 was the horrible torque steer. It could be quite frightening and almost caught me out unexpectedly a few times. I have owned several cars with front wheel drive and have never experienced torque steer before. I've had several front tyre changes since I bought it in 2014 and by far the best at "curing" this problem are the currently fitted Michelin CrossClimate tyres. They make the car feel like it's on rails and inspires total confidence in all weathers.

High Endurance SD cards are best for dashcams in my expeirence. I always had recording errors/non-recording blips until I replaced standard Sandisk SD's with the High Endurance ones.

On my 2010 RX450, it was a collapsed strut turret bearing, requiring the whole strut/air bag assembly replacing at over £1200!

Wish I knew how I could edit my post above, far too many instances of the word "Battery" irritating my OCD! Arrrgh! there's another one.

Cross climates all the way! They are quieter, the car drives like it's on rails and have reduced my torque steer to virtually zero. On the front, I've had Pirelli Scorpions (huge torque steer), Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 (improved torque steer but only lasted about a year (8k!)) and Vredestein Quartrac 5 (better but knocked out by collapsed bearing on my front strut). So I had both fronts replaced with the CC, I'd already replaced the rears (Continental) which had lasted throughout the front tyre changes and were only replaced as they were splitting and coming apart due to age and UV damage.

The 12V battery in the RX 450 is a VRLA AGM battery and for safety, should not be replaced with an alternative technology battery. It has dedicated charging and venting requirements and as it is located in the rear passenger compartment, should not be replaced with a wet-cell battery. I had this dilemma with my dying 12V battery and from research, there was conflicting information whether the original battery on my (2010) battery was a standard battery or AGM. I can now confirm that the battery is a Panasonic D23 AGM battery and I (and others) could find no UK equivalent or supplier of this battery, apart from Lexus UK. I therefore bit the bullet and ordered a new battery from Lexus direct, had it delivered and fitted it myself. It cost £195.32 + £5.99 P&P

Just for info.... The 10 year old Panasonic flooded lead/acid died on my gen3 RX450 the other day. I've replaced it with a Yuasa YBX3005 which fits the battery space perfectly - no modifications required* (see below). The battery is rated at 60 Ah (20 hour rate). It cost less than £60.00 from Amazon. *The only problem I have is the vent pipe elbow removed from the Panny is much larger than the vents on the Yuasa. I've got to find an adapter to fit the pipe securely. I've Emailed Yuasa and await their response! I couldn't find a correctly sized AGM battery but I figured that as a standard battery was factory fitted, there's no need to change that. The Yuasa is "Roll Over" sealed but that obviously that wont retain the acid if the casing splits.

I have a series 3 and yes, it does suffer torque steer. However, the severity is largely dependant on which tyres are fitted. When I first got the car, it was fitted with Pirelli Scorpions on the front and the torque steer was frightening. When these wore out, I replaced them with Goodyear Eagle F1 and the torque steer virtually disappeared. However, the wear rate of these tyres was not very good and they lasted about 16k miles. I replaced them with Vredestein Quatrac 5 which are quite good regards torque steer and are wearing much better than the Goodyear's. I plan to replace these with the Michelin Cross Climate SUV when they wear. I have recently fitted the Cross Climate to the rear of the car and the difference in grip was immediately noticeable - it feels like the back end of the car is on rails! I am quite confident that these will be perfect on the front.

I was under the impression that the battery in the RX450 is supposed to be an AGM or GEL battery. The reason is to prevent spillage of acid into the passenger compartment in the event of a rollover event? That is why the dealer price is high, as these type of batteries are a lot more expensive than standard wet cells. Does anyone have any definitive confirmation of this, as my 10 year old original battery will probably need replacing in the very near future and I want to fit the correct type!

Thanks OldTrout, already got that kit, as I used it on the missus's Astra brakes. Do you (or anyone else) know the torque settings for the caliper carrier and the caliper slider pins on the 450? Thanks!

Thanks Britprius, one less thing to worry about then!