Barry14UK

Seems to me that you need to haggle and shop around for servicing. If you look at the so called fixed price for a RX450h shown here, OP has only rounded up by £5 from what is shown here at £500 for the 40K mile service and it is the 60K one (with the spark plugs) similarly rounded up to £750. https://www.motorline.co.uk/lexus/service-parts-offers/pricing/

I have always changed the s/plugs on my cars which has mostly been a doddle. However, this looks a major job on an RX450h and I am not sure I want to do this on my RX450h. Have a look at this vid and see whether you will tackle it.

Another video here

Hi, It seems that even if you could electronically weld the plastic on the radiator you would need to do a lot of stripping out and remove it and then replace. Then in this situation where the plastic has already split over an area would you be happy to trust it further. Would it not make sense to replace the rad with a new one and avoid the possibility of having to do the job again, with perhaps the rad failing at a very inconvenient time. I believe a lot of the £600 would be attributable to the work involved in removing and refitting the rad. A new but aftermarket one could be had for about £96 assuming that model correct for your car https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151379995581 So not a great saving over electronically welding existing one. There are several videos on u tube showing what is involved which I suggest you watch first to see whether you fancy the job .

The Lexus Satnav is poor in a number of respects and Toyota/Lexus know this from the criticism of owners. But they just tweek it and will not abandon it for a better system. BMW are the same in respect of persisting with 'run flat tyres', whereas the vast majority of owners dislike them as forums show. One one journey the Lexus took me miles out of my way and I resorted to getting my wife to hold my TomTom (to come to my aid) as I have not yet got round to making a bracket for it. Also, I find that at times there is a plethora of detail leaving only a small section of map showing on the Lexus Satnav which can be distracting when briefly glancing towards the screen. However, I do think on the older models the screen is better placed and shielded than on the fashionable afterthought like set up on the 4th generation and on a lot of other cars. As regards locating the TomTom and this would apply to a Garmin too, I have concluded like another member, that the best place on my 3rd Generation RX 450h would be to the extreme right of the dash.

More realistic MPG figures for many cars as they are based on drivers experience, can be found on the 'Honest John' site. When I bought my RX 450 it was showing 32.6 MPG. Very short runs produce about 26 MPG and on a run I get about about 34. driven up to speed limits. So overall getting about 30. However, North Devon is very hilly so I think this affects detrimentally. The regeneration does not entirely offset the extra fuel to climb the hills. As regards the CVT transmission, I have got used to the extra noise this makes on heavy acceleration although prefer a conventional auto box.but this was not a deal breaker.

Well the 'Toyota' so called branded oil filter did pretty well in the comparative tests on canister type filters in the 2008 link. (There are many people in the USA who have done this opening up of filters of many makes and examined them more intensely and put videos on U Tube). One important aspect concerns how many microns they will filter down to and not clog. Maybe it's because our friends across the pond clock up greater annual mileages on average and therefore more oil and filter changes but if you read their forums,quite a number have a sample of their car's oil lab tested to establish what is in filters and oil and rate it. Oil filters of the replaceable cartridge kind, do at least enable an easy visual inspection and comparison to be made. That is what enabled me to determine that one so described suitable filter by a leading brand for my BMW was too long and crushed up when the carrier top was screwed down. Interested to read comments on German and Swedish, now German Swedish and French (GSF). Another factor who sells various brands and qualities is Euro Car Parts. Some of their stuff I have found to be good but their discounted parts are not always the bargain price they try to convey. I doubt they will do much for Lexus cars. It's also true that aftermarket hoses can be substandard, Some years ago this happened with brake hoses failing within 2 years on VW's. Also, with brake hoses they can look fine outside but the bore can be closed down by expansion of the rubber. This happened with my Fiat 3200130 coupe quite awhile back. There was no movement on rear caliper which when disassembled was found to be OK. I then cut the hose to caliper in half and it was so swollen that no fluid was passing through. I would only fit manufacturer branded hoses or Goodridge or Hel high performance ones which are better quality and more durable. As I said earlier, some parts are more vital than others when going aftermarket and it's useful to learn from the experience of others

I have yet to learn how significant it is to fit parts supplied by others than Lexus. When it comes to pollen filters for my BMW, you can buy the better and more expensive ones sold by BMW or aftermarket ones that are white or grey being different qualities and many people opt for the cheaper ones, perhaps because it's a less vital component. You can even buy identical spark plugs to originals cheaper as after market, although these will not have the BMW insignia printed on them. However, there are aftermarket components that are known to be inferior to the BMW supplied product. I have to learn the relative advantage of buying from Lexus rather than use aftermarket parts, although I suspect there are fewer aftermarket alternatives available for Lexus than for the premium German brands anyway. Incidentally, I have bought oil filters of a well respected brand described as being suitable for my car but on fitting found to be too long. So I think it's always worth seeking views of others when contemplating using other than manufacturer supplied parts.

I read reviews on various Faraday pouches and containers. Many are cheap and also will take a credit card but usually these rely on some inner foil lining which in many cases was said to break up after a few weeks use, an important consideration. My 2nd key is secure. Both my father and I have had one of our cars stolen although not Lexus. With this experience and being on a BMW forum where a number of people had their cars stolen, I thought it prudent to pay for a quality Faraday cage that will outlast the car. Admittedly, the risk of a Lexus being stolen is far less due to rarity but parts are expensive and there will always be a market for used parts. Car theft is a growing problem https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/03/28/keyless-car-thefts-blamed-record-high-insurance-claims-1-million/ à chacun son goût

It's not just for overnight use! You car is vulnerable every time you leave it as one thief can hover near your car and another be sufficiently near the owner who has the key in his pocket. The signal is relayed to the person near the car and they are in. (Read some of the insurance reports). Are you suggesting deactivating key EVERY time you leave the car and reactivating it for reentry?

But the Fob does go into the case, its the chain with a separate logo connected to it you can't fit in the case.

From what I have read and my own experience, I think the sat nav doesn't do justice to the car and I don't think an update will bring about a significantly different improvement. I am intending to use my TomTom instead - it's a 6200 series with free road maps and speed camera warnings. It worked well on my BMW E39 but the layout and shape of the dash on the RX make this more difficult, particularly with a large size aftermarket unit. Herbs kindly suggested a possible way of locating it by an adaptor that fits in the CD slot but that does mean you can't use your CD player. The set up is shown if you scroll down on replies.

Yes, I am concerned about losing my car! I spent several months looking for a late Silver Premier 3 generation RX450h that had at least light coloured seats and armrests. It had to be sub 40K miles and in excellent condition but affordable. Should I lose this car, I would be very lucky to find one the same in all respects. or might have to wait months to source one. It's quite different to other SUV marques where there are numerous cars on the market to choose from. Members will doubtless be aware that thieves are increasingly using a signal relay trick to steal keyless entry cars so I have bought a purpose made case which is very well made to stop the signal from the fob being intercepted. The box is well very made and certainly does the job so doesn't fall apart like some of the foil lined pouches you see advertised. It is a little cumbersome and will only take the key/fob (not the Lexus chain and logo which I removed). I added a very small amount of sponge to stop the fob rattling inside. The case is the Alpa 'Vonetti' and is apparently made in Germany. I bought mine from Amazon for about £39 which was the cheapest price I could find it at the time and it is now available for £31.99 delivered https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpha-Shield-Premium-Keyless-Aluminium-Schwarz/dp/B077JCQFXQ I have no connection with supplier or manufacturer.

Hi I'm new to this forum too and relatively new to Lexus but Herbs is very helpful and offers good advice. As regards tyres, there is some difference of opinion on what is best and it will also depend on whether you wish to fit premium or more budget. My own experience seems to confirm what most people feel about the Dunlop's that the car started life with in that they are particularly subject to 'stepping' on the rears and should be rotated (about every 5K miles I believe) Like others say, this can make a sound that is rather like a wheel bearing that needs replacing. These Dunlops are generally not well liked and on my car at 4 years old and with circa 37000 miles on the clock show signs of perishing even though there is quite a lot of tread left. I did mention this to Lexus Cheltenham when they serviced my car recently. (I wanted to get this service done on this occasion before I decide how much of the servicing I will do in future) .you need techstream . Anyway, Lexus confirmed what I thought about the original Dunlops and said many owners had changed to Michelin crossclimates and were more happy with them. If you can't get any specific information on tow bars it could be worth seeking information from Westfalia. When not on smooth roads my RX450h rattles a bit compared to my BMW E39 but is more comfortable which has become an important consideration for me.

As well as mileage affecting the condition, how contaminated the air is can also play a part such as fine sand particles if you live in coastal ares or there is a lot of nearby demolition. I lived near a cement works for a time years ago and this required a more frequent air filter service (It was an oil bath type so the bath had to be emptied, wiped out and refilled with oil and the metal strainer cleaned and refitted.) I got my 4 year old RX450h from Lexus Cheltenham. It came with a stamped book for all the previous services but no invoices showing what had actually been done. I only hope that everything that should have been done was done.

My background is similar to yours Herbs, although I started with my Dad's help with motor cycles stripping and rebuilding engines and a gearbox on a real 'Bitza' motor cycle I put together before moving on to cars of which I have had many over the years. (I am rather older than you but arthritis is taking it's toll - the main reason I bought an SUV). I am presently breaking an E39 530i sports BMW to complete the conversion of my SE model to nearer the spec of the sports model. It's a pity the donor will be then be scrapped because there are some good parts that it's not worth the time and effort to remove and advertise for the possible return. Anyway, more to the point, I do agree with you about using recommended fluids (particularly oils). That is why I was being pedantic and asking about what engine oil members have in their cars because according to the Mobil Tec I spoke with, Lexus/Toyota don't suggest any particular brand other than what is packaged Toyota oil and Lexus Cheltenham put in Mobil Super 3000 OW 0-20 which I understand was formulated principally for Volvo cars. But is this the same oil? Maybe all Lexus dealers use the same as Cheltenham but it seems nobody who has answered knows what has been put in their cars even if its so good that it doesn't burn off or evaporate whatsoever!

There is nothing wrong with servicing your car yourself if you know what you are doing but don't go beyond your capabilities, Use good quality parts and fluids, appropriate torque settings etc. it's not just to save money but to be assured that the job has been done properly at a time of one's choosing. That means finding out detailed information about the car, it's service requirements and at least equal if not exceed them. An example of this is brake fluid where on the reservoir cap it says use only DOT 3, whereas DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 are compatible but have higher boiling points (DOT 5 is quite different and is not compatible) so car will get the DOT 5.1. During the life of a car it is also probable that refiners will further improve their oils in various respects so I feel it is worth keeping this under review. I have just had the 4 year/40,000 mile service done by Lexus with a view to keeping the value of the car as high as possible should I have to sell it ,(hopefully not for many years) and also to help support any goodwill claim that may arise. However, there will come a time when it it is no longer sensible to use even the lower price scheme Lexus have for older vehicles and at that point leave any big jobs to an independent and just do servicing myself. This is what I have been doing with my BMW.

Your not Neil Woodford by any chance!!!?

me to for my 3rd Generation 450h. Lexus Exeter have these two long rails advertised for circa £350 on the net and ebay but more than I want to pay.

Well not having to top up between services is encouraging - would be first car that I had not needing this if mine is the same and I have had many cars over the years including a 2.5 V6 Camry, albeit a long time ago. I have largely done the mechanical. work and servicing myself and may well do so on my 450h in due course. I am sure some on the forum members must do their own servicing and it would be interesting to know what they use. I had hoped to learn from Mobil Technical which of their various oils they put into the one they supply for Toyota packaged as Toyota Oil and whether as some state this has a slightly different formulation to their standard oil to meet Toyota specification but they couldn't or wouldn't say.

Hi all, This subject must surely have been raised previously but a search has not revealed anything so I am raising it in self and for perhaps some general interest. When I bought my RX450 the oil was well topped up but I wanted to have a supply at home to keep it that way. All Lexus dealers are far away so I asked my local Toyota franchise whether they had a suitable oil for my Lexus. They assured me that the Toyota 0-20 oil they stocked for hybrids was suitable but only had a large size (think it was 8L) but I left it as I only wanted a small amount and car was due to be serviced by Lexus before long. I did a bit of research on this and ascertained that this oil was produced for Toyota by Mobil. Views varied from it was the only oil you should use in your Toyota/Lexus Hybrid because it was specially formulated for the cars, to it was quite a low quality Mobil oil. Regardless, I thought that Lexus Cheltenham would be using this oil when they serviced my car but on their invoice they showed Mobil Super 3000 OW2(think they meant OW 0-20) supplied from their tanks. They told me that this was probably a better oil. than the aforementioned Toyota one and I should get this same oil for topping up. However, I have read that this oil does not measure up to Mobil 1 0-20. I spoke with Mobil UK Technical who were no help and even said their recommendation showed a 5-30 oil for the car rather than 0-20. Do you know what is put in your car at service or you add and what is your preference? Is it of real significance if you do sub 10,000 miles a year and replace oil with a good 0-20 synthetic plus filter annually?

Herbie, Just like to thank you for your reply with pics and link which has provided food for thought. I can see from your various posts that you are a very helpful member of the club. I think it best if I refer specific problems/modifications as threads under the section that includes the 450h as on reflection this is probably the way it was intended, leaving this part just for newcomers just to introduce themselves. Barry

Watched a couple of videos on this. Replacement of the plugs in the rear bank is quite involved due to need to remove parts for access. Getting the job done by an independent mechanic who has done this before would reduce overall time and labour. Worth investigating unless you can cut a deal with Lexus dealer you bought car from.

I understand that injectors sometimes work intermittently but at such times as they are not working properly apart from roughness, even in a 6 cylinder engine, there would be a loss of power. If this happened and I can't see it was mentioned, I wouldn't have thought the member affected would be looking at exhaust suspenders as the possible cause.

Thanks for welcome Nigel. I expect this is not part of the forum that many people visit so will address any 'cries for help' as separate subjects. Barry