Hi all!

I'm planning to buy an RX450h later this year so ive been scouring this forum to pick up some of your wisdoms. Maybe yall can help me with this question:

Background: I want to be able to tow (up to 1500kg). I've learned about to towing package and the oil cooler ruptures and I've read what yall have said about how to work out if your RX has the the towing package. But my problem is that i live a decent distance from the RX's for sale - so i have to ask sellers if the car has the package but they mostly dont have a clue, but i still have to trust their answer.

• I know that some people who don't have a hitch do have the tow package and vise versa.
• I know that the pre 2012 models had a rubber component to the oil cooler that occasionally ruptured and there was a recall/extended warrenty situation in North America but i dont know the situation is Australia.
• I know that I should be able to look in the drivers foot area to see some aluminium grills, but i havent been able to see any in pictures, even in cars that have hitches.
• And i know that in Canada there was a period where all RXs had tow packages and a period where some did and some didnt - but i dont know what the situation was in Australia.

So my question is: what is the easiest way for me to work out if an RX has the towing package from the pictures a seller uploads or through simple questions/instructions to the seller?

Alternatively, are there any features of the Aussie RX i might be able to deduct from the VIN or other model features that could help me answer this question?

I tried to download a maintiance manual to work it out, but was unsuccessful.

Thanks for any help!

JP

 

Welcome to club Lexus.

I love my 2011 450-H, but I always recommend that folks should know what they are purchasing.

I would steer you away from the hybrid, if you do little to no stop and go city driving. The advantage of rebate does not apply on used hybrids and as the vehicle ages, the risk [albeit small] starts growing with time.

Next is pre-purchase inspection. Please have the inspector document the things that are important to you, even if the seller knows the answers.

You can use the vin-decoder in ClubLexus to get some information or ask the seller to provide you a copy of the build sheet. You can always ask Lexus to send you a copy too. Armed with the Vin number you get the vehicle service history with Lexus as well.

Printed service manuals are not available. You can get paid subscription service TIS.

Salim

 

So If i get the VIN I can ask lexus for the build sheet? Thats helpful, thanks!

 

I agree with Salim, an RX450h may not be the best choice. These are not robust tow vehicles. Also the Toyota Highlander (don't know what name they use in AUS) is a mechanical twin to the RX.

In the US we have access to the Lexus Drivers Site where you can join for free, enter the VIN and see the build sheet and dealer service history (under the vehicle health listing). However you are in Australia. Your VIN may be different. Lexus may have a different such drivers site down under. You need to find this out yourself. Here is a link to the US site. https://www.lexus.com/My-Lexus/account/create-account

Update, because I cannot stop searching stuff. Here is a link to Lexus Australia https://www.lexus.com.au/

It looks like it has a join feature and a used car search feature.

 

Not sure if any of this will work for your search in Australia, but this is what I did with my used 2013 purchase in US:

For only $10, I think it is well worth it to get a copy of the "original" window sticker at https://monroneylabels.com/. I bought a used 2013 RX450h and was very pleased with the Monroney Label (close enough) I purchased. Probably the same information you can get elsewhere for free, but I like the way it is laid out, easy to read. It shows me all the standard equipment and optional packages with the package codes and retail prices. FYI, even this Monroney label does not show that the car has remote start. I figured that out by going to www.lexus.com and entering the VIN to see all the Lexus service records. The very first record at 10 miles had the towing hitch and remote start installed. Apparently, the towing prep package was done at the factory, but the hitch is installed along with the remote start, I think, at the port.

 

My priority is fuel efficiency over towing. I've been getting a good idea of how to tow safely with the 450.

Last time I put a VIN in the Aussie Lexus site it didnt show me the build sheet, it only showed me basic model details and if there have been any recalls.

It looks I'll have to pay for the build sheet, which I don't love. I won't buy for a few months, so access that lasts a while would be best rather than car by car...

Anyone know of good options in Aust?

 

I wrote a note to Lexus of NA with my VIN and they were kind enough to reply with the build sheet.

Try contacting your local Lexus dealer and ask for assistance.

I have come across some posts where Lexus wanted to ensure you are the owner to share vehicle history.

I am going to harp on the fuel economy part ... it is only in your favor with hybrid in city stop and go traffic. Yes we can get into efficiency discussion but hybrid comes with dual system [regrettably it is not independent*] and if you are focused on $&cents, think harder.

Salim
* If either the electric or ICE is non-functional the vehicle is non-functional.

 

Yeah, ill contact them. Itll just mean i have to be selective instead of just scanning all 450s for sale, which is a shame because i know the hitch was after maket so surely there are some towing packages hiding in plane sight without a hitch.

 

Given the push back im getting for wanting the 450h, ill walk yall through my thought process.

I want a Toyota
Thats long enough for me to sleep in on road trips
That gets better than about 8L per 100km
That can tow
AWD or 4WD
Under 140kms
That cost less than 30-35k (aud)
I enjoy my current 6 cylinder, 267 torq.

Based on this ive got two options, the 450h or the rav4 (we dont have a hybrid kluger/hilander).

The rav4 has advantages (common vehicle, newer models) but i like the power of the 450 and on paper its more efficient than a non-hybrid rav4. Also it seems that luxury models have a high quality build.

 

Please let me clarify ... 450H is a wonderful vehicle [I own one and am perfectly satisfied]. My comments were to encourage you to think through your reasoning.

Reading your requirements I would steer you to
GX or 4Runner. The only drawback will be the mpg specially in-city driving. If you drive a lot then look at other options.

If you go with 450H [or 350], only look at 4WD for regular towing. Also test drive a 450H as some folks do not like the eCVT feel. [Technologically the eCVT is the best transmission [imho for multiple power sources], but many do not like the motorboat sounding engine.]

If the price pushes you to look at older models, start discounting the hybrids/ev as the original traction battery is getting past 10yrs of life. Or start saving for a potential repair [cant ignore this fact]. To be fair, non-hybrids should also be discounted due to age, but I would discount the hybrids a bit more.

Final word would be don't be locked into one and keep looking at what is available. Maintenance history and condition should be the deciding factor along with a "must have" in your list. You should be ready to seriously look at trade offs as one vehicle fits all will be a challenge.

Salim

 

Ive been looking at the hybrid Rav4 but it looks like the cars with tow ***** are about 5-10 grand more expensive than the 450h without tow ***** (i guess because those owners got other bells an whistles).
I know i can add an after market tow ball for about 1500, but then i get a base model and have still paid about 5k more than the lexus.

The older rav4 diesel is good too but in Australia can only tow 1200kgs because toyota was scared it would over heat in our warm condition. Theres an 'adventure model' with a towing package but i havent seen any for sale.

And so i come back to the 450h which has everything i want (or at least, some of them do). I am worried about stressing out my mechanic with and an old hybrid but from what ive read the batteries dont cause too much trouble, no more than any other part delicate part in any car. Just something to be aware of, careful of, rather than avoid.

I know i could look at other brands but the Toyota ive got now is just so solid and reliable. Shes at 406,000ks and im only planning the new car because im moving to Darwin (the other end of the continent with a more challanging terrain).

 

Sounds great. Just make sure you look at AWD model for towing. Although you can add a hitch [or previous owner could have done that], but Lexus does not recommend towing with FWD.

Salim

 

For sure the AWD.

Thanks for your help

 

I’ve owned my 2015 450h for 4 mos now and have recently done 2 camping trips towing our small pop up. It probably weighs 2000 lbs fully loaded. It towed with no problems and I averaged 10-11 l/100kms depending on if I had my Thule box on the roof or not. My last car was a 4-cyl Subaru Outback and I got 13-14 l/100kms towing the same trailer.

It’s my understanding that in Canada all 450h’s are AWD and come with

the factory tow pkg. At least that was true for the 2015 model year.