Pete, looks like both of us are going to eat some of that tasty crow today. I did not need to be so defensive. In a way, you put me in my place with your sincere apology. It's all good, buddy. I thought I had the subject of oil down pretty well, but did not know that the second set of numbers was the rating of the oil at 210 degrees. I even looked it up for clarity, and could only say to myself, "well, I'll be darned".

We all have our moments, Pete, and yesterday, we both did.

Thanks for your comments.

Jim

 

It's definitely all good, Jim. Thanks for your understanding.

 

I take my cue from my RXh when it comes to warm up.

a) After starting, the RXh will emphasize electric power over engine power for non-jack rabbit starts for the first 10 or 15 seconds (engine stays at idle for a gentle to moderate pull away). After that, it returns to a more typical decision process for electric/engine output.

b) The RXh will give itself a few extra seconds of warmup when it's brutally cold simply noted because the engine will start immediately upon pressing the power button. Normally, the engine starts several seconds after the car signals ready to drive.

From witnessing this system control, I take it that the Lexus people think sitting in the driveway warming up is only needed under the most brutal temps (otherwise if warmup is always such a good idea, why not always immediately start a cold engine), and for the first 15 seconds gentle use of the gas pedal applies (if it needed longer gentle use, why not just do so with more electric use).

I don't see why this wouldn't equally apply to the RX350 even without the option of the electric assist.

 

Andy, I always assumed the RXh stays in electric mode for the first few seconds of start-up to keep the garage from filling with exhaust fumes.
This gives the RXh a chance to get out in the open before starting the gasoline engine. It's pretty cool that it does that, whatever reasoning may be.