New RX400h owner with questions

[locinsys]

I've just picked up my first Lexus.  A 2006 RX400h SE-L.  153k but full Lexus main dealer service history.  In great condition.

My first question is this - The car was last serviced in June 2019 and a further 3500 miles was added before the owner became unwell and not used again until it was MOT'd in July 2021.  It went through with no issues.  What do members think I should do in relation to servicing after being laid up for nearly 2 years?

The car drives as expected, no lights or messages.  I'm not too concerned about there being a gap in the service history as I can show why the car was not used.

Will I be taking any risks by waiting until I have added several thousand more miles?

Question 2 - Do any owners ever use the parking brake?

Thanks in advance

[royoftherovers]

Welcome Andy. I`ve no experience of the RX, but there are plenty on here who will be along shortly I`ve no doubt.

I never use/ apply the Parking Brake except on sloping ground and then I turn the front wheels so as to meet the kerb in the event of the Brake failing.

[Spacewagon52]

On a safety issue I would have brakes checked and a full service as it has not been serviced for 2 years. Probably nothing amiss if the MOT showed no advisories.

Advice on the forum suggests it is good to use the parking brake, as it keeps it moving. Mine was adjusted at the service. As John above explains, on hills the P (gearbox) function may fail, so it is wise to use the parking brake. I did not use mine for a while and had to have it refurbished. Like old bones and joints - keep them moving!

The 400h is very under rated car. The hybrid technology in the car is quite old but still brilliant. You should average 30 mpg - very good for a 3.3 litre V6. They can pick up their skirts and run! Enjoy your new steed. Please post some photos! We love PHOTOS!

[Mr Vlad]

Hi Tony and welcome to Lexus ownership and the best Lexus forum there is. You need to check the services done on that car on the Lexus website under service I think. You'll need to register your car on the website before you can check what's been done. Reason I say this is because of the mileage the cam belt has had to be changed at least once. Also you can check what's been done to that car whilst it's been in Lexus all those times for example new brake caliper fitted.

I suggest you do this ASAP for 100% piece of mind.

[locinsys]

Thank you for the replies.

I shall try and get into the habit of using he parking brake regularly. 

Extras to the SE-L include front and rear parking aids (£599!), rear entertainment pack and catlock.

I have registered my car with the Lexus website and pleased to see that the service history matches the paperwork I have.

16 Lexus main dealer service stamps up to June 2019.

The Hybrid Health check on that date was a pass across the board.

4 new tyres that have now done 4k miles.

At 106k miles - Timing belt set including new water pump.

New spark plugs at 120k.

New brake pads front and rear and Air conditioning serviced and re-filled at 150k (its now 153k).

I get the impression from the history that if there were any other issues, it would have been dealt with by the previous owner?

I have noted that its had at least 2 new auxiliary batteries in the past 4 years?

I will have the car serviced again to keep the service history up to date and for the peace of mind.

 

 

 

 

[ColinBarber]

On 8/5/2021 at 8:46 PM, locinsys said:

Question 2 - Do any owners ever use the parking brake?

Personally I use it every time as I don't like the vehicle rocking about when I get in/out of it. If you don't use it then you could fail the MOT because it has seized up.

[ColinBarber]

On 8/5/2021 at 8:52 PM, royoftherovers said:

I never use/ apply the Parking Brake except on sloping ground and then I turn the front wheels so as to meet the kerb in the event of the Brake failing.

I'm quite shocked by this admission John 😉

Firstly your owners manual instructs you to set the parking brake when parking and secondly, it is a legal requirement to do so in the UK if you park on a public road as stated in the Highway Code rule 239:

Quote

you MUST apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle

 

[Mr Vlad]

Eh up Tony looks like that car of yours is a proper corker. Best colour too in my opinion. Enjoy your beast. Look after it and it'll look after you. 

Re handbrake. Definitely use it for the reasons stated but basically it's an instinctive automatic function of the left leg.

Oh more pics of it please, interior too 

[Herbie]

19 hours ago, locinsys said:

I have noted that its had at least 2 new auxiliary batteries in the past 4 years?

If the car isn't used regularly for decent runs the 12V Battery will soon go flat and if it goes too low for too long then it goes to Battery heaven.

Hybrids don't have starter motors* (or alternators) so instead of the Battery needing to supply 300A or more to crank the engine, all it has to do is to boot the computers to get the hybrid system into READY mode and a couple of other things, which is a process that takes about 20A instead of about 300A.

This was probably one of the factors that LED Toyota/Lexus to only specify small capacity 12V batteries of maybe 45Ah instead of the 75Ah and above that you'd normally see.

*When the hybrid system wants to run the petrol engine it energises MG1 to spin the engine up to 1,000rpm before applying fuel and a spark to ignite it.

[ColinBarber]

19 hours ago, locinsys said:

I have noted that its had at least 2 new auxiliary batteries in the past 4 years?

You should get 5 years out of the Battery provided it isn't repeatedly discharged heavily or left in a semi-discharged state.

I swapped out my factory fitted Battery when it was around 7.5 years old - I had flattened it a couple of times during the 5 years I had the vehicle and it was definitely down on capacity so I replaced it before it let me down.

Covid has certainly helped kill a few batteries in the last 18 months due to people using their vehicles less and batteries not being kept charged up.

[locinsys]

After only owning the car for 4 days, took it out this morning in atrocious conditions.  Flooded roads everywhere! But, never felt so safe or confident in a car.

Also decided to crank up the Mark Levinson sound system- Wow!  

Car will be going for a major service next week and once that is done I will be able to confirm whether the car is really as good as I think it is?

Thank you for the advice.

Looking forward to my next drive already!

[locinsys]

This is what I have done with my RX400h in the last few weeks.

Had a major service at a nearby specialist, the cost of which I was very pleased with.  Only thing flagged was a slightly corroded cable attached to the main Battery.

After a few issues with the previous one, changed the 12v Battery in the engine compartment which has sorted it out!

Replaced two (tiny) fuses under the passengers side dash for the cigarette lighter sockets.

Headlight dipped beams were poor and the offside one would turn itself off after several minutes.  I purchased higher output ones and fitted them this afternoon.  Not straightforward but managed to get them both done in about an hour.

Overall, very pleased with my car and so glad I took the time to find one with full Lexus history even though its done 153k miles.  Pleased to have joined this club too!

[steve2006]

Great report there Tony, I can’t believe that boot space, 3 trips to the tip for me and just one for you 😀