New Arrival RX450h Gen 3

[Cyclone]

Picked it up a few weeks ago and wanted to wait until it had a clean before posting a few pics.

It’s a 2013 F-Sport, FSH all at the same Lexus Dealership annually. It’s in very decent condition and worth the wait!

[Cyclone]

Changes since I’ve bought it:

A new rear boot rubber mat as the Lexus one didn’t provide much grip.

A pair of rear tailgate struts (Nitrolift), as the original ones were corroding, albeit they worked fine.

Next up is a cabin filter as the aircon isn’t as fresh as it could be.

[Cyclone]

Got around to changing the pollen filter today. Very simple to do. The old one looked quite dirty so begs the question if it should have been done in the service at the Dealership before I bought it. I’ll check. Also used an air con cleaner, firstly to freshen the system up and secondly to kill a few bacteria!!

 

Next job for reassurance is to check the air filter. Obviously should have been changed in the service so expecting it has….

[Spottedlaurel]

Very nice. Those relatively minor issues aside it looks to be in decent condition and it appears like that will continue in your ownership. Like I'm hoping with my 2014 model, should be plenty of life left in it yet.

[Barry14UK]

Nice looking car. I have got very fond of mine although have to admit it's not one of the prettiest.  You seem to have opted for the same boot protector as I bought, very good quality and happy with it. 

[Cyclone]

1 hour ago, Barry14UK said:

Nice looking car. I have got very fond of mine although have to admit it's not one of the prettiest.  You seem to have opted for the same boot protector as I bought, very good quality and happy with it. 

Yes the boot protectors are superb. I bought one for my previous RX300 a few years ago also. Easy to find on eBay and good value at only £35

[tayaste]

Very nice. Looks great in white.

[Cyclone]

On 7/22/2022 at 11:51 PM, Cyclone said:

Yes the boot protectors are superb. I bought one for my previous RX300 a few years ago also. Easy to find on eBay and good value at only £35

If anyone is interested this is the link for the rubber boot protector. I had one of these in my previous RX300 and it was superb, better than the OE Lexus harder plastic version that was already in the car.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303055289527?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=h6HKrgmYQc2&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=N0mjQeoMSGe&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[Cyclone]

On 7/21/2022 at 8:54 PM, Cyclone said:

Changes since I’ve bought it:

A new rear boot rubber mat as the Lexus one didn’t provide much grip.

A pair of rear tailgate struts (Nitrolift), as the original ones were corroding, albeit they worked fine.

Next up is a cabin filter as the aircon isn’t as fresh as it could be.

Link below to the rear tailgate / boot struts, they are plenty of cheaper ones about if you shop around, but have used these previously on my Maserati and old Fiat and they have been excellent;

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/gsc2953-lexus-rx450h-boot-strut

[Cyclone]

So here is the air filter, it certainly hasn’t been changed as part of the “full” service carried out by the Dealer prior to sale. They’ll be getting a call tomorrow….

 

 

 

[ColinBarber]

3 hours ago, Cyclone said:

So here is the air filter, it certainly hasn’t been changed as part of the “full” service carried out by the Dealer prior to sale.

The air filter isn't changed at every full service. Only every 40k miles/4 years, although you should expect them to take it out and inspect/blow it out with an airline.

[Cyclone]

18 minutes ago, ColinBarber said:

The air filter isn't changed at every full service. Only every 40k miles/4 years, although you should expect them to take it out and inspect/blow it out with an airline.

I didn’t know that. 4 years or 40k for a filter is poor. They are relatively inexpensive and do an important job. I’ll order a new one and get it fitted. 
 

Are cabin / pollen filters also every 4 years?

I’d better start reading the the handbook / user guide to check what is done on each service.

[Barry14UK]

30 minutes ago, ColinBarber said:

The air filter isn't changed at every full service. Only every 40k miles/4 years, although you should expect them to take it out and inspect/blow it out with an airline.

This seems to me to be insufficient in some instances/situations.  For example where I lived in Kent, if the wind was blowing hard in a certain direction, a fine layer of cement dust coated everything very occasionally or drive through airborne autumn leaves that can be sucked into the filter.  Before buying my Lexus I always changed or brush vacuumed my air filter annually.  In view of what you say Colin, I will be examining it annually regardless of Lexus doing the servicing.

[ColinBarber]

20 hours ago, Cyclone said:

I didn’t know that. 4 years or 40k for a filter is poor. They are relatively inexpensive and do an important job. I’ll order a new one and get it fitted. 
 

Are cabin / pollen filters also every 4 years?

The air filters are designed with enough surface area to only need changing every 40k miles in a normal environment.

I believe the pollen filter is meant to be changed every 2 years/20k miles.

 

20 hours ago, Barry14UK said:

For example where I lived in Kent, if the wind was blowing hard in a certain direction, a fine layer of cement dust coated everything very occasionally

Normally it should be inspected every 2 years, so would be replaced (for additional cost) if it was needed.

In an actual dusty environment you should be following the severe service schedule and the filter should be inspected every 1 year/10k miles.

[Cyclone]

1 hour ago, ColinBarber said:

The air filters are designed with enough surface area to only need changing every 40k miles in a normal environment.

I believe the pollen filter is meant to be changed every 2 years/20k miles.

 

Normally it should be inspected every 2 years, so would be replaced (for additional cost) if it was needed.

In an actual dusty environment you should be following the severe service schedule and the filter should be inspected every 1 year/10k miles.

Hi Colin, the surface area is not a factor for the longevity of the filter. The surface area is a fixed parameter that allows the engine to function efficiently “all” of the time. As it gets dirty it becomes less efficient and with this the ECU will have to adapt to compensate. I’m happy that I’ve learned about the 4 yearly change. I will ignore this and change it yearly, it takes a minute to change and a filter can be picked up for £15-£35. 
 

Thanks for the info on the service intervals on both the air and pollen filters. Lexus called me today to say the air filter doesn’t need changing for another 2 years (it was done 2 years / services ago), but they told me they had changed the pollen filter. I disputed this and have sent them a pic of the old one (that was apparently changed 3 weeks ago!). I am awaiting feedback.

 

I’m sure it won’t bother many people but there is no way an air filter that dirty stay in any car of mine. If it’s like that after 2 years what will it be like at 4. The inefficiencies it causes have to be worth replacing it annually. 

[Spock66]

29 minutes ago, Cyclone said:

Thanks for the info on the service intervals on both the air and pollen filters.

So service costs continue to rise whilst the actual work and components replaced goes down

[ColinBarber]

On 7/25/2022 at 9:12 PM, Cyclone said:

Hi Colin, the surface area is not a factor for the longevity of the filter.

Sure it is. The amount of dirt that can be trapped before engine efficiency is affected is directly related to how big the filter is. It has been designed to last 4 years/40k miles in normal circumstances.

However I agree with you that I'd be replacing your one - mine certainly don't look like that after 2 years (although I don't get near to the 20k miles limit). Replacing yearly is excessive, every two years should be a good compromise.

 

WRT the cabin filter - cannot see clearly from the photos but the Toyota ones looks new(ish) - just not overly bleached. However I'm concerned that the cheaper filter has been used - I would expect the RX filter to be an active charcoal one.

[Cyclone]

23 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

Sure it is. The amount of dirt that can be trapped before engine efficiency is affected is directly related to how big the filter is. It has been designed to last 4 years/40k miles in normal circumstances.

However I agree with you that I'd be replacing your one - mine certainly don't look like that after 2 years (although I don't get near to the 20k miles limit). Replacing yearly is excessive, every two years should be a good compromise.

 

WRT the cabin filter - cannot see clearly from the photos but the Toyota ones looks new(ish) - just not overly bleached. However I'm concerned that the cheaper filter has been used - I would expect the RX filter to be an active charcoal one.

We’ll have to agree to disagree on the air filter. When new they are most optimal and as they collect dust the become less efficient. I am not disputing that Lexus are incorrect on the 4 yearly change, but my personal preference based on the state of my filter after 2 years means it’ll inspected yearly with a view to being changed. Checking US and other forums indicates poor performance (inc mpg) noted by owners and a step change once the air filter is changed.

On checking the service history the car has done 11.5k miles since the service 2 years ago where the air filter according to Lexus was changed. Not a lot of miles.

With the cabin filter they say they fitted part number LE87139-YZZ16 which checks out as the white coloured filter I removed. It’s been replaced with a Crossland filter which is identical dimensionally and looks pretty much identical with regards to number of pleats and the pp rating if the foam cover. I’d happily fit the correct Toyota / Lexus one which looks the same. 
 

I am awaiting feedback from the Dealer 

[ps2403]

On 7/24/2022 at 11:39 AM, Cyclone said:

Link below to the rear tailgate / boot struts, they are plenty of cheaper ones about if you shop around, but have used these previously on my Maserati and old Fiat and they have been excellent;

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/gsc2953-lexus-rx450h-boot-strut

Hi, was just wondering on how difficult it was to fit the struts. Mine are on their way out I think, seems like a cheap enough investment. Is it simply a case of pop off, pop on? Thanks 

[Cyclone]

22 hours ago, ps2403 said:

Hi, was just wondering on how difficult it was to fit the struts. Mine are on their way out I think, seems like a cheap enough investment. Is it simply a case of pop off, pop on? Thanks 

Hi,

Yes it is pretty much pop off and pop on. It’s worth getting a piece of wood or similar to take the weight of the boot / tailgate as you remove the first strut.