hoser
SILVER Star
Is has a backup alternator and starter in case hybrid system fails.
LX700h announcement (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Smitty512
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For me maintenance on a hybrid is not the issue. Oil, coolant, brakes, transmission, transfer case, diffs etc I am sure I can all do. Even changing the battery pack.
It is when things fail the trouble shooting and DIY fixing can become real complex. For now with Techstream and ISTA+ for my 535d I can do almost everything myself. I prefer that as I have bad experience with the dealer level of skill and commitment to do it right.
Now with a hybrid I can quickly see no other way then a shop working on it by definition at significant expense. That is a major step away from what I want. Now there will be many here who can easily afford the purchase and shop maintenance of an LX hybrid. Then by all means as a Lexus will be amongst the best out there. For me a LX600 non hybrid gets back to the DIY repair category.
Anyways, long way of explaining why the LX600 is in for me at some point and the LX700h will not. As such like to see a LX600 OT variant. Fingers crossed.
hoser
SILVER Star
I have maintained my 535i (N54) for 250k miles. Toyota Hybrids don’t scare me! Certainly a different animals but less involved, I’m sure.
Nice, hope to stretch my N57 535d legs as well which is otherwise a great driving machine.
We have a 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid for our youngest 26y old daughter. I am doing the maintenance. Been trouble free, noting we are only at 40k miles. I am dreading any issues though with the hybrid system to the point it is probably not a Honda we keep for over 150k miles. Honestly I regret not getting the 1.5 or 2.0 turbo even with known head gasket issues. Time will tell, fingers crossed.
*Delete
We have a Highlander Hybrid. Toyota has been the leader in hybrids for 20 years, no one makes them better. Granted ours is a N/A 2.5, but the under hood area is huge with tons of room to reach any part. The battery pack is under the 2nd row seats. They are connected with some thick/heavy wire. I've worked on all my own vehicles for 25+ years and will also work on our hybrid after it's OEM warranty expires. Frankly, it looks significantly easier to work on that the 2UZ-FE that is stuffed between the frame rails of my GX. It's about as simple as our previous Subaru Outback was (and Subarus are the easiest cars to work on out there).
Now - the twin-turbo stuff - that does scare me a little bit. LOTS of things going on and I can't imagine having to replace a starter or an exhaust manifold on a VA35F in 15 years.
How old and what mileage does your hybrid Highlander have?
Once you get to 150k and it needs a repair would you feel confident to keep in another 100 to 200k mikes?
I mean the fact that Toyota is great does not mean their hybrids are advisable for the DIY community over 150 to 200k. I do think it is a different value proposition.
An argument in favor could be to calculate the additional money spend on a new hybrid and subtract the fuel savings over 150k to see what additional repair money one would have. Is that a couple of thousand or tens of thousand?
Pretty cool that you’re that savvy with your maintenance. I’ll be the owner a VA35F soon (GX) and am considering going back to doing my own PM’ing. I haven’t changed my own oil or rotated tires since my early years of driving but would like to send some oil samples to Blackstone for testing and am not sure I want to pay Lexus shop prices
Expanding on the value of DIY I have three experiences I like to share which is driving me to do it all myself:Pretty cool that you’re that savvy with your maintenance. I’ll be the owner a VA35F soon (GX) and am considering going back to doing my own PM’ing. I haven’t changed my own oil or rotated tires since my early years of driving but would like to send some oil samples to Blackstone for testing and am not sure I want to pay Lexus shop prices
1) Signs of damage/cross threading of the oil drain plug on my 2021 LC200 having oil changes done for the first 36k miles at the Toyota dealer. I noticed this when I wanted to switch to 5W30 and did myself. Was able to get it back in and closed up. Did immediately buy a Valvomax drain plug which I plan to install next change allowing me not to mess with that thread anymore. It does piss me off that an otherwise brand new vehicle was damaged by the monkeys at the dealer. New oil pan at around $200 may still be required.
2) As part of the above the dealer does not remove the under engine cover and ended up spilling oil onto the cover. Together with rain this caused a spill onto my garage floor and me going under and removing the same to check for a drain plug leak. After cleaning up with degreaser and shop towels it was brought to clean new condition again. Second evidence of sloppy work.
3) Several years back at BMW having an oxygen sensor replaced on my 535d diesel emission system. For some reason it took a couple of days, cannot recall why. They let it idle on the lot from a near full tank to empty. That was probably two days of idling which ended plugging up the DPF. I had no proof as this time I did not take a picture of the dashboard when I dropped it off. These dealer criminals then wanted to replace the DPF for $3500 part “discounted” + labor. Already had ISTA+ and decided if ever the DPF would plug I would go for a DPF delete. Did that successful myself including reflashing from the tuner linked to myeuro the DDE digital diesel electronics motor management system. Been a great diesel vehicle since without ad blue and the rediculous heat cycles and diesel in oil dilution of the DPF regens. Getting over 40mpg on the highway from previous 38 as part of the bargain. System well tuned and does not emit visible smoke. Horse power up from 258 to around 325 and torque from around 450 to 550 ft lbs. ZF gearbox rated for these numbers (can handle upto 750 Nm or 553 ft lbs). It drives and picks up even better than from factory. Can hear the turbo form the exhaust when you stand outside. Awesome mod and a great driving machine for daily use.
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Electric components are more reliable than ICE components. Just wires, sensors, batteries, motors. Again, our Highlander is drastically less complicated that my GX. We plan to keep it to at least 200k. At that point we'll be ready for something else. And I really doubt anything on it will be harder than the this was.
We are aligned on dreading electrical stuff as presented in your picture.
It wasn't complicated, just took 3X longer than expected. I custom designed and built the aux electrical system from scratch with OE Toyota style switches and two relay boxes....hardwired the GMRS and external speaker....replaced the HVAC servos.....hid the wireless Android Auto dongle.....relocated a CANBUS module to get stuff to fit....added a speedometer correction device....and put in a new OEM dash. In hindsight, I should have just bought a Switchpros! But, this system has the ditch lights on a high-beam trigger, a ATRAC/VSC off button, and some other goodies that don't really exist in a off-the-shelf system.
Maybe not a good idea admitting to violating a federal law on a public forum
Yes.
Ok I admit, in spite of the grill that thing still looks awesome.
Does that front bumper look like it has a little more approach?
I see what you mean but I’m not sure. My guess is that they just had the AHC in a higher setting.
