Battery problem

[kevinc23]

Is there a way we could all sign a group email or letter and pressure Lexus into changing the batteries asap?

[ColinBarber]

1 hour ago, kevinc23 said:

Is there a way we could all sign a group email or letter and pressure Lexus into changing the batteries asap?

I'm not sure there is physical space for anything meaningfully larger in capacity that could fit.

[Expatma]

I test drove an LBX in June, one short and one long (2hr) drive. Loved the car but my wife found the passenger seat uncomfortable so in the end decided not to buy. Eventually bought a new Mini Countryman instead for less than the price of the LBX but comfortable seats and a more comfortable drive. Often thought about the LBX but reading the problems people are having with the 12V batteries of many small hybrids I am glad I passed on the LBX. This was brought home to me by a neighbour who bought an LBX in the summer complaining that he has to keep trickle charging the Battery or else he can’t start the car. He freely admits he only uses the car for short journeys and not every day but thought a hybrid would be ideal for that use with minimal running costs. Advice he got from Lexus dealer and AA was to make sure he did a longish drive weekly to keep the Battery in good condition OR use a trickle charger. He is a bit upset because inn his late 70’s he could do without this hassle and thought he was buying a car suitable for his needs. I got the impression he would be swapping his LBX for something else as soon as his wife lets him!

[Briar]

The 12v Battery can be maintained by leaving the car in Ready Mode for an hour each week.  It doesn't have to be driven.  The hybrid Battery will then charge the  12v Battery.  If this causes the hybrid Battery to get low the ICE will start in order to charge the hybrid Battery.  In one hour of Ready Mode the engine will start two or three times and run for about three minutes each time.  I usually leave my car in Ready Mode when I am giving it a wash.  On other occasions when I leave it in Ready Mode I lock the drivers door mechanically with the key for security.  I have a Corolla so I don't know if the LBX has a mechanical lock.

[NemesisUK]

Turning the climate control off when leaving the car in Ready mode will reduce the number of times the ICE kicks in as it won't need to heat the cabin

[Briar]

Further to my previous post; I should have said turn off the climate control and radio when in Ready Mode.  In addition I have permanently turned off the interior lights to reduce the drain on the Battery.

[Pauly C]

As others have alluded to...what's with this thing about making current/future motoring much more complicated that it needs to be?  It's ridiculous, reading through all these little tips /hints/tricks people have kindly provided, just to try and ensure we can all drive our cars without thinking too hard, or worrying about it.  It shouldn't be like this....manufacturers take note....people just want to get in their cars and drive...so sort it out🤔

[Iain24]

Tel comments that testing a VW Battery for comparison (in the video above) is odd as it is not for a hybrid car, but I think the point is that all three batteries are similar in format so each could fit in an LBX - so the test suggests Lexus could fit a better Battery despite the design limitations on Battery size.

Shufman reports that Lexus are indeed now providing better batteries but not clear if it refers to all LBX, only new buys, or only ones where the Battery fails. I haven’t seen any official info on this - anyone aware?