Brad Ched

Hi Bart, Do you have a link to the phone holder? I also have the same phone and reckon it will fit best (and cheapest) to use it for navigation. But am strugling with finding a good holder. Yours seems quite spot on. Thanks in advance!

Hi All, With everything that was said in this thread for the last 3 years, I'm getting more and more confused, especially with regards to the Start / Stop functionality of the 2009 RX 450h. I certainly don't want to sponsor the millionaires' owners of Lexus dealerships in their quest for one more house in Portsmouth harbour, by paying for a needlessly expensive 12V battery. I understand that: - it is Not compulsory for the battery to be gel, the VRLA one does the trick just as well. - it seems that an even cheaper 12v battery Panasonic, Varta or even the Bosch one (in Anton's post above) also might work. (Risks of acid leak on body if involved in an accident accepted at owners risk). - pay particular attention to the battery size as the space in the boot is rahter small and the batteries vary in size. - connect another power source to the underhood terminals to keep all sorts of dahsboard settings. In light of all this, I wonder shall I not go for this allegedly genuine part: https://lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/product/lexus-rx-phase-3-auxiliary-12v-starter-battery/ I went on Amazon, but only these two show as compatible... And the Bosch one says in the description - not compatible with Start / Stop vehicles. In my mind, the 2009 RX 450h is a start/stop vehicle, or is it not?

Hi @Barry14UK, Just when I thought that I cracked what oil I need for my 2009 RX 450h, eBay states that it is not compatible :( Previously I had bought the below one, but Paul from ToyotaTech (Guildford) said it is not that good for aged hybrids: So I'm at a crossroads here, wondering which one to choose... Would you or anyone else have any up-to-date recommendations, please? Kind regards, Brad

Can't believe I read this message thread up to here, just for the tyre thread...

Much obliged for your response @Vicmeldrew. I Dont Believe It! I just read it 2 minutes after @Herbie's and have already ordered the one he linked. Your proposition seems somewhat nicer and doesn't purport to jump-start cruise ships LOL! But Thanks!

Thank you @Herbie - I simply ordered it this seco9nd after reading your response! LOL - the 6th picture in the listing - the one surrounded by all the vehicles / gadgets this can charge - one of them is a cruise ship LOL!!!

Hi All, Just having a similar conundrum with the 12V battery -was unable to start my 2009 RX 450h, even though I am convinced I had stopped everything (pressed the Stop button after I parked, but remained in the car for some 30-odd minutes in the recent cold wather). Had to call AA who came with on of those huge jump-start booster devices, connected it to the terminals under the front (not in the boot) and voila. Really grateful for all the knowledable responses from @Herbie @ColinBarber and others, but can I ask, please: - which model CTEK booster is suitable to keep in the car (and possibly charge it at home from time to time) to be able to jump-start my car if a similar flat 12V occurs again for whatever reason? Would it be MXS 10? I don't see anything as a jump-starting in the descriptoin, just charger / maintainer. - if Ctek are not suitable as a jump-start devices, what do you recommend specifically for this 3.5 litre engine on the 2009 RX 450h? Thank you all in advance. Brad

If anyone is interested - I got a response from the seller (who btw has 100% positive feedback on eBay) - currently doesn't have blanks, can purchase retail price blanks if I'm in rush, but the total will be £250, with trade price blanks - £170 Sounds genuine. I'm not in rush, so awaiting cheaper blanks. (for other models Lexus the blanks might be different, so he might have them - best contact them directly)

Count me in as +1 for RX450h - if Herbie fits mine (well, count me in even if he doesn't)

Thanks Herbie! Wow, I'm somewhat horrified to even look for a second time at the pics of your dismantling the car... LOL! I'm exceptionally reluctant to dismantle anything that has clips, as I have plenty of laptop spare parts to prove how fickle those can be ;-) Great job you've done though! I'll get in touch with the local dealer and await the precise model for 2009 RX 450h (as Sergeigto remarks he posted a link for 400h)

I presume you're talking about the VL2. And wow - apart from bluetooth music, it has the potential to replace the utterly outdated navigation on my 2009 RX 450h with modern google maps, it seems... can anyone confirm, please? Also - are there dealers / installers in the UK, does anyhone know, please? Oh, out of stock... the UK site...

Hi all, As my car is sufficiently old and high mileage (2009 RX 450h at 175k miles) (all Lexus dealer service, except the last two - indie) What is the prevailing opinion - is the Hybrid Health Check worth it? Would I really get another year of battery warranty? Also, should I book a free vehicle health check - wonder if this is shameless plug for mildly unnecessary repair recommendations... Or, should I go for a an intermediate service, by one of the indies listed here? Thanks in advance for any opinion! Brad

Wow, very impressive work. Does anyone know whether the same (or other) coating is applied to the windows as well - to reduce chip damage and especially to ease the sliding off of the raindrops, especially on the side windows (which reduces visibility quite dramatically, when raining at dusk for example)?

Thank you ever so much Bluemarlin!!!

Hi Bluemarlin, Thank you for your response. I'll be very interested if you could dig an email (or lookup your eBay purchase history) for that eBay seller - I could not dig anything out on eBay for a seller with such name and there is currently nothing much related to key cutting for Lexus, apart from Chinese or US blanks, which I don't want to order. If it is of interest to others, I found this here, but it is still EWE... Much less cheereful today... Brad P.S. I guess all here know what EWE stand for... I'm gearing up to tattoo it on my forehead...

Hi, I'm in a similar position - I purchased a 2009 RX 450h (2 weeks ago) with one transponder key only (the black, master one, I believe). A new key is £502, accroding to Lexus Edgware. After quite a bit of reading here and elsewhere, I understand that: - I might be able to purchase a blank key (possibly eBay or Amazon, as Lexus didn't want to discuss it) (a good explanation here) - get a reputable cutter to cut the metal mechanical key - again from LOC forums I found this one, but still quite pricey - And then somehow find someone to program the transponder. There is this very interesting comment, but I have no ignition, just a button (unless I've gone mad and have managed to not notice it in the last two weeks) So - could someone recommends 'someone who knows what they are doing' to help with my conundrum, please? And if that someone turns out to be in the Greater London / Home Counties area - this would be a massive joy all around the house! Cheerio in advance!

Wow, would this work for a 2009 RX 450h? I have the master key - the black one. But I have no ignition, just a 'Power' switch button... (sadly, I believed the second-hand car dealer when he said Lexus charges £40-£50 for another key... what a lie that was - Edgware Lexus are quoting £502 for a replacement key. £40 is the price of the replacement windshield blade on the drivers side...)

Lexus Edgware just quoted me £502 for 2009 RX 450h and they were reluctant to even talk about selling me a 'blank' one.