The Lexus RX 400h falls into the midsize luxury SUV category. Launched in 2004, additional cosmetic options and the ability to switch off the stability and traction control systems are the only changes for 2008 over last year's model.
The RX 400h underscores Toyota's prowess as a pioneer in hybrid automotive power systems. Its hybrid powertrain - two powerful electric motors on the all-wheel-drive version and 30 battery modules - adds less than 300 pounds. The Toyota system configures electric motors assisted by a gas engine. Other hybrid systems usually focus on a gas engine with electric-motor assistance. As a full-hybrid system, the RX 400h can operate in gas or electric mode or combine both.
The front-wheel-drive RX 400h has a single electric motor in front, while the all-wheel-drive model has one up front and one in back to power the rear wheels, as the front and rear axles don't have a connecting driveshaft. Driving the RX 400h is an unusual aural experience. Turn the key and you'll hear silence. Reviewers found it a bit strange moving the gear lever into Drive without any engine sound. Gliding through parking lots and through the city, drivers will need to look out for pedestrians, who will not hear you coming. The EPA estimates reflect this driving experience, with a 28/25 mpg city/highway rating; most of the time - up to 40 mph - you'll run off the 30 battery modules packed under the rear seats in the city.
When an extra surge of power becomes necessary, step on the gas and the aluminum 3.3-liter V6 kicks in quickly and seamlessly with plenty of thrust. Combined with the 12,000-rpm-capable high-torque electric motors, you'll have a total of 268 hp available. The transmission is a planetary gear transaxle, which acts like a conventional CVT transmission. 0-60 in the front-wheel-drive model comes up in 7.5 seconds, while the all-wheel-drive version takes 7.3 seconds. The RX 400h handles beautifully, being responsive and firm as it corners, with less lean than its non-hybrid sibling, the RX 350. The cabin is quiet at all speeds - Lexus engineers even aerodynamically shaped the roof rack.
Inside, you'll find Lexus quality. The RX 400h is easy to enter and exit due to comfortable seat heights. On the dash, a power level meter that displays the power output of the hybrid system replaces the tachometer. Switches and controls are Lexus-quality, and while the rear seats are most comfortable for two, there are seatbelts for three. Folding the rear seats provides 84.7 cubic feet of cargo space - more than the BMW X5, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, or the Infiniti FX.
Standard safety features include front airbags along with a driver knee airbag. Front side-impact airbags with curtain-style head protection airbags that cover both rows will deploy in the event of a rollover. Advanced ABS and electronic stability and traction control are also standard.
For 2 days now, every time I start the car, this message appears "Check VSC System". What does it mean? Today, the car failed to start at all. The "Ready" light will not come on. Is the starting battery dead. Its been 30 months since I replaced it. This is a 2008 RX 400h with 75,200 miles on it.
lexus 2008 rx400h battery drain
carfax can it be free for one time check ? my vin is JTJHW31U182062296 Can you kindly check for me? I like to know if this is a salvage title.
I have a 2008 lexus rx 400 h and it will not start. it says check hybrid system and vsc system. what does that mean?
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Wireless headphones · 6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Mark Levinson · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 11 · 210 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: cloth · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: wood · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Power outlet(s): 115V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: storage organizer · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 165 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 123 · Electric Motor Torque: 247 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 208 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5600 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 212 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4400
Exterior Features
Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Video monitor location: rear · Video system: DVD player
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlight cleaners: high pressure washers · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: driver · Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: mulitlevel · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: underbody
Spare Wheel
Rim type: aluminum alloy
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all terrain
Tires and Rims
Spare tire size: full-size matching · Wheels: aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Wireless headphones · 6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Mark Levinson · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 210 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: cloth · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: storage organizer · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 165 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 123 · Electric Motor Torque: 247 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 208 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5600 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 212 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4400
Exterior Features
Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Video monitor location: rear · Video system: DVD player
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlight cleaners: high pressure washers · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated driver mirror
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: driver · Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: mulitlevel · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: underbody
Spare Wheel
Rim type: aluminum alloy
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all terrain
Tires and Rims
Spare tire size: full-size matching · Wheels: aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: with washer