Barry14UK

I suppose it might be that if one or all the thieves manage to get away say by breaking window(s), the police have film for future identification. A report of this on TV showed in USA some thieves even looked for camera(s) before driving off, but not always well enough as some were caught. It makes little difference to owner whether his/her car was stolen to order or severely trashed by joy riders. However, appreciate many of the high value cars stolen cars in the UK are stolen to order but we know a high proportion of these are Range Rovers and top Mercs. Maybe Police could come to arrangements with some owners to specially fit out some of these and attend at short notice if device activated.

Some of the measures here might be developed to deter thieves from stealing a particular car so they would try ones less well protected. But that is still not a satisfactory situation because insurance losses on those stolen are still going to be spread among all drivers. What is needed is for some/more 'bait cars' like they have in the USA where after driving a short distance the cars can be remotely stopped, the doors locked and pictures taken of the thieves who would be tracked and arrested. Certainly, this would take Police resources and at a time when they have become involved in a lot of other areas. However, if these guys are caught and locked up, it minimises the incidence of the crime and if those caught are given heavy sentences which are well publicised, it may deter others from attempting this crime.

There is a surprisingly high amount of stripping down to reach the rear bank to change s/plugs. This process should ideally be done in a garage where you areaway from wind and rain. There are videos on u tube showing the process and I suggest you look at these and then decide if you want to do the job or farm it out. If the brake fluid service is due and is the same as on the RCX450h, you will need 'techstream' for bleeding the rear brakes. The front ones can be bled as normal. These two items apart, servicing is pretty straight forward. Am aware these cars had a cambelt rather than chain fitted to later models so you may find this involved when the belt is due for replacement at recommended mileage.

Very disappointing case. Arrangement for getting warrants or enabling Police to enter premises if there is high chance of recovery/apprehension needs sorting urgently. Apprehend those responsible for one theft and chances are you stop further cars being stolen by the gang. However, Tracker reported 95% cars fitted with tracker in UK were recovered so may be worth considering. https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/fleet-management/case-studies/industry-profiles/tracker-uk-spotlight The figures are a little behind times and the Police, whose cooperation is needed have been saddled with additional duties so maybe recovery figures are not quite as high now.

You would have thought that the UX as a fairly recent model would not have been one of the failures here, again some interesting detail if you follow it right through :- https://www.thatcham.org/what-we-do/security/consumer-rating/

This conflicts with all I have read. Also, if the car was transmitting a signal it should be possible to use a devise to read that signal without needing to be able to relay a signal from the key fob. 'Signal Blocking pouches can stop access to your vehicle by blocking your car key fob from transmitting its code to the vehicle, as the pouches are lined with layers of metallic material.' from interesting report by Auto Locksmiths as detailed here. https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/faq/keyless-car-theft/

I have had 2 cars where there was a hidden switch which to cut out the ignition but don't know whether more sophisticated electrical systems in modern cars would allow this to be easily achieved. In the past there were also gear lever locks and even manual locks to cut off fuel supply from within the cabin. Yes, a number of devices available in the past, supposedly replaced by modern more convenient locking systems. Commiserations to Lukas, who I hope gets his car back soon and undamaged.

Should be easy enough to set toe to manufacturers spec but then there is castor. Maybe worth seeing if you can get full alignment done occasionally or if tyre wear suggests, at reasonable cost on a Hunter machine. I had this done at Lexus Cheltenham when they fitted my Cross Climates and had just installed an expensive alignment machine, although I am not sure it was a Hunter.

Well that's not so bad if needed then. Strange pricing difference for basically unit serving same purpose.

If it turns out that the compressor is faulty, if it is the expensive one fitted to the 3rd gen RX450h, I would see what alternative you can get outside of Lexus. Following the return of my car from being rear ended, I noticed that the compressor was very noisy. It was returned to the repairer who agreed it had been damaged in accident. I was told that that would add about 2K with fitting to the repair bill for a new Lexus one but I think this was an upper figure.

Consider a tracker? In cases where the key fob sends out a signal that can be cloned, a really good box is required, also not forgetting the spare. Although relatively expensive, a little bulky and holding only one fob, I have found this Vonetti one very durable and effective. It's made of strong aluminium and I added a very small amount of foam to stop the Lexus fob from rattling within. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpha-Shield-Premium-Keyless-Aluminium-Schwarz/dp/B077JCQFXQ/ref=pd_lpo_23_t_0/260-0222312-1434958?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B077JCQFXQ&pd_rd_r=6f844b87-5a05-4f44-b09a-c58aa009bb37&pd_rd_w=3jUyn&pd_rd_wg=HEOzF&pf_rd_p=da0677f5-a47b-4543-8b54-10be576b8f26&pf_rd_r=VEY0K566EDJPQVX1M11Z&psc=1&refRID=VEY0K566EDJPQVX1M11Z

Here is a video on this by the 'colourful' and 'charismatic' Fay Hadley, one of several she has done on various servicing aspects. I believe the official recommendation for the RX450h is always that the oil should be changed whilst within specified temperature range as she shows in part two of this video.

Welcome to the club Philip and pleased you are very happy with your new steed. You are by no way alone in moving to an SUV because among other things it is more comfortable and provides easier access and egress. Lexus experience goes back a long way with this type of vehicle and has built up an enviable reputation as surveys show for reliability and satisfaction by owners and by and large of it's dealership. I think there are more attractive SUVs than the RX available but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this aspect becomes less important as one becomes older and that other aspects become more important. Don't forget to post some pics!

I remember when lead was removed from petrol. A number of products were submitted to an official research centre claiming to boost octane and or alter the fuel proving better combustion etc. The result was all failed except for a couple where a liquid incorporating lead substitute and octane boost was added at each fill to provide the cushioning of lead for some classic cars previously run on high octane leaded fuel.

True Julian, I have new front struts now but when I asked about the rears, I was told that they were OK for the moment - which didn't sound very encouraging and it was suggested by Lexus that I take out the two year for the one price warranty, which I did. Only thing is one is faced with same dilemma every two years thereafter, regardless of possibility of only a few miles having been covered in the interim. The high cost of some parts and of fitting them due to involved access is of particular concern to those who only cover low miles pa.

That's interesting as I find the air suspension on my car to be rather more firm than I like and on another thread it said standard shocks were longer and the ride softer than with air. I run my tyres just slightly below recommended pressure to compensate but there is normally only my wife and me and I think the MPG suffers a little. Comfort trumps with advancing years though! Things are difficult with pandemic restrictions now but if possible I would recommend testing models with and without air suspension before buying, which I wish I had done, as apart from the difference in ride which is subjective, the cost of replacing air struts is definitely very high, as I found to my cost.

Yes, I don't hand hold a phone while driving and pay a bit extra for Premium tyres too as well as keeping to Lexus spec - definitely makes me too safety conscious to be driving! Only wish the guy who rear ended me last November had been more safety conscious. Fortunately, I was moving at the time. Had I been stationary, damage to the rear would have been much worse with the battery quite possibly broken free and propelled forward. Although battery acid is diluted with water in a flooded level battery, it would be nasty if splashed in eyes or you were trapped and soaked in it. Regardless of the foregoing, there are other advantages the AGM battery has over a flooded acid one as confirmed by battery manufacturers and stated by Professor John Kelly in the video I linked to. As I have said before on this forum, it doesn't concern me what people fit to their cars but this forum is read by members and non members on the net, so people giving advice to deviate from spec should be prepared to stand by changes if followed by others who experience problems.

Safety aspect is when car is overturned and battery case is broken in crash acid is contained within the glass mat and does not spill on occupants - long odds but has happened. The point is made here:- https://www.torquenews.com/8113/best-12v-battery-option-toyota-prius. Also see what Professor John Kelly, an instructor, says says here in the early part of this video, (which I have previously posted for those who have already seen it). |He used Prius as an example but RX with battery under hatch works in same way and note AGM batteries take greater discharge than standard lead acid :-

That looks almost the same inscription as on top of my 2015 RX450 battery with S55D23 stamped on the case but with info on CCA and 51 Ah in different position. It doesn't say AGM although it is.

Thank you. I will not be doing enough mileage in mind to encounter this problem I think but for owners who may do so might bookmark or note this fix to avoid premature sale or high cost of fixing at some point.

AGM battery manufacturers say batteries will operate even if up side down and that the acid is absorbed by the glass mat so will not spew out everywhere in the event of casing fracturing in an accident. Yuasa say elsewhere as do others in the industry that where an AGM battery was originally fitted it should be replaced with the same. This provides general information on batteries and differences and alludes to the Prius (which works in the same way as for the AGM battery fitted in the RX models with battery below rear hatch). https://www.yuasa.co.uk/info/technical/agm-efb-explained/ NB. Even the 9000 AGM range Yuasa battery is not quite the same type as the RX the latter of which is more comparable with the HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) range provided by some manufacturers such as I have detailed under other threads.

Useful to know - thanks for posting. How quickly this may be needed will vary due to several things but would be interested to know approximate mileage need for this mod was noticed on your car.

This works to a degree but is not the AGM VRLA type deep discharge battery Lexus fit in the rear of the RX450h, mainly for safety reasons.

25K should enable you to buy any 3rd Generation model and this figure is approaching the price for an early 4th generation one. There is a cheaper less common version of the 4th generation of only 2L and I have seen one of these advertised for 24K though by a large outfit I would not buy from. However, the RX200t is not a hybrid . Buying from a forum member could be mutually advantageous and the chances are you would be buying from somebody who looked after their car, although you might have quite a wait!

Rust is often more widespread than is immediately obvious. Would you be permitted to have the car inspected underneath to establish extent of rust and obtain an estimate for dealing with all that needs doing before making a purchase decision? The cost of replacing a clutch should be more easily obtained through the model.