Don't turn OFF hybrid system ("READY" sign) if you are planning to sit in the car. Just park your car and shift gear to "P". ICE (engine) will be started with hybrid battery if needed (to charge the hybrid battery), but not with 12v battery (there is no starter, as well no alternator). 12v battery is needed to activate hybrid system ("READY" is ON), radio and lights. You should turn OFF the system only to leave and lock the car.

 

In this case I would shut the vents when car is parked, but not while driving.

 

 

Yes, I had been sitting in my car during those photos and was on READY

 

What about disconnecting and reconnecting the negative terminal only for at least 11 seconds and then starting the car and letting it recalibrate while in Park. The center console screen (also GPS) will show loading and when done the car can be driven?

 

These cars are not designed to "camp" in. The batteries aren't that big. The hybrid system was designed for a bump in MPG in city driving (optimized for 17 mile range IIRC) and performance. If you are looking for a car to park and not have a running ICE, you need a plug-in electric or plug-in electric hybrid.

 

Unfortunately, I'm far from being able to afford a plug-in vehicle. When I get rid of my Rx400h, I'll be going back to a regular gas-only. May not be good for the environment, and will have to depend on fossil fuel, but 🤷‍♀️😏

 

Just to clarify some things on the RX400h (which can be confusing):

1. There are two separate batteries. There is a normal (small) 12v battery. There is a larger "hybrid", also called a "traction", battery.

2. All driver's displays show the hybrid (or traction) battery level whether on the infotainment center or the center of the dash. There are no 12v battery indicators I know of.
3. Unless there is a catastrophic fault, the hybrid battery never fully charges, nor discharges. When you see it full on the displays, it is only really at 70% of battery capacity. When it shows empty and the ICE starts, it is really around 30% capacity. Toyota did this for longevity.

4. There are no displays for the 12v battery to show you its charge. When you first turn on your key, on the left of the instrument cluster you'll see two batteries displayed in red. The one label "main" is the hybrid battery warning light. The one with no label is your 12v battery charging system warning light (think alternator). This does not indicate the condition of your 12v battery.
5. The 12v battery capacity has always been considered by their owners to be too small in these cars. Toyota/Lexus put a larger capacity 12v battery in the RX450h. Since it is so small, it will drain very fast if anything is left on in the car (interior lights, seat heaters) with the ICE off. You do not want to sit in the car with the ICE off and key ON for any length of time (ie no READY light).
6. As a result of its small capacity, the 12v battery needs to be changed every few years. You'll have no warning lights to tell you this other than it won't start or other "odd" faults.

7. When you turn the key to the ON position (but not START), everything is running off that little 12v battery. Once you turn it to START, the hybrid battery then takes over starting the ICE and running everything. With the ICE running, the small 12v battery is charged.
8. An easy way to tell how your hybrid battery is doing is to just watch your mileage. If it stays the same (and is in the "that's good for this car" range) then the hybrid battery is fine. Anything around town over 24 mpg is doing fine. I get 21-22 mpg on the highway (where the hybrid battery has no benefit).

Hope that long posts helps clarify how the RX400h works...

 

Why did you use the rear window and mirrors heater?

PS: I would recommend using AUTO mode (+ A/C ON if hot outside) for best in-cabin climate and optimal energy consumption.

 

Bc it was 5:45am, I had just gotten off work, it was around 50° outside, and I needed to use the rear & front defogger?
It's Fall in the PacNW and temps are btwn 50-30° here now.

What's the weather like where you are?

 

Ps @XRX , I tried what you suggested the last 2 days w using AUTO and it turned it on to 70° AC with Foot vent... It's 45° and raining 😂

 

I had this vehicle since 2012. I has similar concerns at first. Best not to look or worry about the charging and discharging of the batteries. You do not need to, just drive it like a regular car. I parked and idled the car for 2+ hours before. The car runs the engine when its needs to, will try to maximize fuel efficiency by running things off the traction battery when it can and turn the engine onnas needed to "charge it back up" I used to worry about seeing the indicator drop to the 1-2 bar zone while idle as well as in driving. In short. The screen is meaningless and more for show so owners can see how fancy the system is. I had my share of bad 12v batteries where it failed in 1 yr. Optima batteries are not worth the price tag. Costco/Walmart has easy swaps if it fails early. I still expect 5 years lifespan on them.
There was a recall/update on the inverter/pm module. Make sure that was done.

 

Man.. I didn’t know owning a hybrid can get so complicated.

people buying $5,000/15+ year old hybrids: “hybrids are junk, I’m going back to gas.”
… buys 15+ year old Kia.

haha

 

I live in a desert (low humidity), so I use defogger/defroster only if it's snow outside.
PS: Climate control is in AUTO mode always + AC ON if 70+F outside.

 

AC ON is the best option if it's rain outside (antifog).