Update on 450h

[KayCee]

Hi all just a update on the 450 i bought a month ago but would just like a bit of advice from you seasoned 450 owners

mine is a 450h SE L 2010 i had a bit of trouble starting it if it wasnt run every day over one weekend it was not run as we were at local pub on the monday it would not start got clicking back of dash anyway i contacted Lexus who said sounds like Battery 12v one. They quoted 220 for the Battery as it was a special Battery with vents and other safety bits so i said reluctantly ok.

its now ok there but while i was looking at the boot i noticed (i may be wrong)  the struts for the boot had the piston on the body and the cylinder fixed to the boot lid im sure my 300 was opposite does any of you guys know if that is correct.

I checked on the Sat Nav update and its £130 for the key and 30 min loading it so i soppose another £50

The wiper blades look like they smearing so i will have to get a pair of those ( is there any after market ones) as these are the flat ones

Oh well the joy of 450s but in truth it will soon be sorted and is running perfectly now  it as to be perfect for me and it will be.

Robert

[AmbroseJohn]

These wipers work fine.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131700953861?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[KayCee]

Thanks John they look perfect

Robert

 

[Hangie]

I've recently bough just rubber blades from Lexus. Paid in £20 area + 10min to mount then by myself.

As for Battery I've heard it is just standard one with temperature sensor which can be moved from old one which will save you £100 easily.

Your boot mounting is correct.

Finally how is map update ? Is it worth it ? Did you lost any data stored on HDD ?

[AmbroseJohn]

I got the latest maps from eBay but it still takes me from A to B via Z. I keep a TomTom in the glove box as a backup.

It's still useless for post codes, in remote areas. When going on a photoshoot I sometimes get instructions like, "go to post code XX10 2XX and you'll see our Land Rover at the top of the hill." TomTom finds it, Lexus gets me within ten miles. 

[cruisermark]

i have an ls430 and bought michelin stealth wipers for £30 odd - they only lasted 8 months untill they started juddering badly - so i had another look on eBay and bought a set branded AP Automotive for £4 inc delivery. - been on a about 3 months and so far brilliant - quite a smooth withe missing or streaking - at that price i wouldnt mind if they lasted 8 months!

[crow1342]

I had to have a Battery a couple of months ago I went to a Battery specialist and they told me it has to be a stop start Battery because it goes through more cycles and quoted me £ 200 for one that was not the same size went to lexus notts got proper one for £215.

[AmbroseJohn]

I have a spare Battery which I removed from my old BMW, which had a two Battery set up. I may just swap it for a while, just to see if there are any problems. 12v is 12v when all is said and done.

[Hangie]

Problem with Battery is you need to move temp sensor. If you will just connect Battery without it you will finish with check hybrid system warning.

I've seen thread somewhere that you can just remove sensor from old Battery and stick it to new one. Anyway once a few year you can spend £200 so another question is - is it worth all that time and effort. As for 12V is 12V it is not 100% true as batteries are made in many different technologies. Most popular are AGM/Flooded ones but one in Lexus I believe is GEL which is more expensive.

 

Finally as for maps in 2010 Lexus upgraded system to HDD based. No more cheap upgrades from eBay but at least I cant complain for accuracy. It got full postcode database. It is as accurate as sat nav in my previous Honda Accord from 2009. Only problem is as map is from 2010 I'm missing newer streets/roundabounds/post codes

[Britprius]

3 hours ago, crow1342 said:

I had to have a battery a couple of months ago I went to a battery specialist and they told me it has to be a stop start battery because it goes through more cycles and quoted me £ 200 for one that was not the same size went to lexus notts got proper one for £215.

This so called Battery specialist knows nothing about Toyota/Lexus Hybrids.

The 12 volt Battery has nothing to do when the engine starts, and stops. It is the HV Battery that provides the power to start the engine, and also keeps the 12 volt Battery charged by an inverter. This keeps the 12 volt Battery on charge as long as the car is in ready mode there being no alternator or starter as such as in other stop start systems where the 12 volt Battery provides the engine turning power. The 12 volt Battery only has to boot the computer systems (ECU's) and turn a few pumps as you put your foot on the brake, and press start. After this it is always being charged even if the engine is not running.

There is nothing special about the 12 volt Battery. It does have a temperature sensor that can be gently prized out of the top and just taped to the top of your new chosen Battery. This is there to help regulate the charging voltage that is dependent on temperature. Some hybrids such as the Prius use an AGM Battery (absorbed glass mat) that has no free liquid acid. This is used because in the Prius, and Lexus CT (Prius clone) the Battery is in the passenger compartment, and in case of a rear end accident the Battery will not splash acid onto the occupants of the car.

Most batteries today are of the sealed type with a vent at one or both ends these can be fitted in the Lexus GS without any problems. If double ended vented one end vent is simply plugged with a cap provided.

Good quality batteries are available (Bosh, Varta, and many more) at around £65 with up to 5year guarantees.  

[AmbroseJohn]

I knew about the starter system but I didn't know that the 12v Battery was being charged by the traction Battery through an inverter.

Thanks for the info.

[Britprius]

20 minutes ago, AmbroseJohn said:

I knew about the starter system but I didn't know that the 12v battery was being charged by the traction battery through an inverter.

Thanks for the info.

The inverter charging system is common among all the Toyota/Lexus hybrids. The GS450H has another inverter running at 40 volts to provide power for the power steering. The AC also runs from the traction Battery via a variable frequency 3 phase inverter to power the compressor drive motor. This ensures the AC works when stuck in traffic with the engine not running.

[KayCee]

Thanks for all the info

my car is due service in june so i am going to have the sat nav updated then

Lexus said it had to be the Lexus Battery as it could make the traction Battery warranty obsolete if any thing went wrong so thats why i reluctantly had the Battery installed i think it should be ok for 5 years and he said its warranted for 4 years

Robert