very interesting but above my skill level

 

Actually IME that is brake pad material transfer. Can be prevented by stopping a car-length back, and creeping to the intersection.

Me too, acts as heat sink paste! Needed during our race/HPDE days. Too much and it files all over the place. <---Don't ask me how I learned that!

 

Great thread and I have something else to add; changing the brake fluid. From what I have seen over the decades, this is an often overlooked maintenance procedure which is quite easy to do if you have at least a fair amount of mechanical ability and some very basic tools.

In addition to my Lexus I have a Ram 3500 and a Volvo XC60. The RAM recommended change interval is 2 years while the Volvo is 4 years. So I change out the brake fluid in these vehicles every 3-4 years. There are plenty of Youtube tutorials on how to do this and I use the two person method; my wife works the brake peddle while I work the bleed nipple at the calipers. There is no need to jack up either vehicle and the whole process goes so easy that my wife and I are still speaking to each other when done!

I plan on changing the brake fluid in my Lexus in another 2-3 years.

 

Another tip for everyone, especially for those living in the rust belt or where vehicles frequently encounter salt and water.

Spray or apply your vehicle's undercarriage and rust-prone areas with marine anti-seize lubricant spray. Avoid spraying on the sensors. Most of the antiseize will not harm the rubber, but oil-based rust proof spray will harm rubber.

Another reason I don't like to use rust-proof spray is because some rubberized sprays don't adhere to metal well. Some sprays last only a few months to a year, and rust and corrosion will still attack the metal under the coating.

My prefer method of applying antiseize is with a brush for the areas where I can reach.

Cheers

 

Hey, great tip I'll try that one myself.

Nice thead to start Ascho with these good tips.

 

This tip is very important and it's a safety matter.

In more and more hybrid vehicles, the 12V battery is located in the passenger compartment. Periodically, you need to check the battery vent hose for cracks, tears or restrictions. The vent hose must be connected at all times.

Attached is an incident that happened about 8 years ago in Florida. See under Car Battery.

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/20...ld-be-aware-of

Thank you @TheCDN for the picture of the vent hose.

 

Thanks for highlighting this venting issue. In the 12 V battery failure thread and other related threads, there has been discussion about replacing Lexus’ stock or dealer provided battery (which need venting) with an AGM battery. While researching AGMs, I had found that while the Walmart-sold cheaper AGMs also need venting, the Odyssey AGMs are fully sealed and dont actually need to be vented. Given the RX hybrids have the batteries in the passenger compartment, Odyssey AGMs make sense from that additional perspective of not needing to be vented.