Lexus Owners (To share driving experience and advise)

[Toeknee_33]

I don't have any check engine light so far.

 

I actually called HEVshop and they quoted me around 5000 for a complete battery pack replacement!!!

 

But I googled and checked youtube and apparently there are DIYs for just replacing individual cells of the battery pack since the Lexus GS shares the same Ni-Cad battery cells as the Prius and these cells are plentiful and relatively cheap. Also, lots of times, the battery doesn't need replacing , just that the terminal and metal parts get oxidized and a simple removal of the rust and oxidation may significantly improve the performance of the old battery cells.

 

Of course it's not realistic for me to DIY such a thing but that made me check if there are WS in SG that do such things :

 

Soooo...... apparently there is this hybrid car workshop in SG, Hybrid Automotive that does battery reconditioning and selective cell replacement.

 

I wonder whether going that route is better and cheaper but I also read that if 1 cell goes, the other cells are also close to failing so it might be more labor and cost effective to replace the entire battery pack.

 

 

Aiyoh, headaches....

It depends on how much is the re-conditioning cost. If it's a small amount, give Hybrid Automotive a try. I have read that it's no point replacing individual cells too.

 

I definitely saw that it's not $5k at HEVS. Pay them a visit and understand the options available. First of all, you need to verify the condition of your battery pack also.

[steveluv]

Aren't Toyota hybrid cars' battery warranty for 10 years in Singapore. If it is same time COE finish so no worries. Here in Thailand it is 10 years warranty so no need to worry. 

[Bozo88]

With BM, it isn;t a straight 10 years warranty on Lexus hybrid battery. Unlimited warranty on the the 1st 5 years. 6th-10th year, only ONE change allowed.

[Reo]

While I'm aware 3GS is not using Lithium-ion Polymer yet, I thought it should be NiMH.  

 

If it's LiPo cells, I'd swap out individual cells that are dead.  Considering that it's got another 10 years to go, I'll replace the entire pack.

 

 

But I googled and checked youtube and apparently there are DIYs for just replacing individual cells of the battery pack since the Lexus GS shares the same Ni-Cad battery cells as the Prius and these cells are plentiful and relatively cheap. 

 

[Toeknee_33]

Aren't Toyota hybrid cars' battery warranty for 10 years in Singapore. If it is same time COE finish so no worries. Here in Thailand it is 10 years warranty so no need to worry. 

 

10 year battery warranty only started in July 2012 after the launch of the 4GS, and only 1 change after the 5th year. From 2018, its unlimited change all the way to the 10th year.

While I'm aware 3GS is not using Lithium-ion Polymer yet, I thought it should be NiMH.  

 

If it's LiPo cells, I'd swap out individual cells that are dead.  Considering that it's got another 10 years to go, I'll replace the entire pack.

 

All SG Lexus/Toyota hybrids are using Ni-MH as far as I know.

Edited August 5, 2019 by Toeknee_33

[Melody288]

10 year battery warranty only started in July 2012 after the launch of the 4GS, and only 1 change after the 5th year. From 2018, its unlimited change all the way to the 10th year.

 

All SG Lexus/Toyota hybrids are using Ni-MH as far as I know.

 

The current BM Prius+ is using Lithium Ion Battery (56 cells - as shown in the catalogue).

 

Edited August 5, 2019 by Melody288

[Hybrids]

With BM, it isn;t a straight 10 years warranty on Lexus hybrid battery. Unlimited warranty on the the 1st 5 years. 6th-10th year, only ONE change allowed.

That applied to my Hybrid where the Hybrid battery failed at exactly 4 years old and Borneo recommended replacement. It took a month to arrive from Japan and two days to replace. During the wait the car was still very drivable, but FC dropped from around 16/17 to 11/12 liter per Km. Quite big power difference without the hybrid support.

[Toeknee_33]

That applied to my Hybrid where the Hybrid battery failed at exactly 4 years old and Borneo recommended replacement. It took a month to arrive from Japan and two days to replace. During the wait the car was still very drivable, but FC dropped from around 16/17 to 11/12 liter per Km. Quite big power difference without the hybrid support.

I reckon you mean to say km/litre. It's an IS300h or ES300h?

[Hybrids]

I reckon you mean to say km/litre. It's an IS300h or ES300h?

Yes, I meant km/l. It’s a IS300h.

Fine car but previous gen Prius derived hybrid system now very antiquated.

[Seaquest]

Has anyone changed brake pads at Lexus workshop before?

Wondering how much are the brake pads for ES250. 

Thinking if should just change them at outside workshop

[JX83]

Has anyone changed brake pads at Lexus workshop before?

Wondering how much are the brake pads for ES250.

Thinking if should just change them at outside workshop

Hi I suppose ES pricing should be around there as mine is an IS200t. That time AD quoted me $400+ for front brake pads including installation everything. I bought from stockist around $110 and go back to my own workshop to change around $30-$40 labour. Total less than $150. Hope it helps.

[Natnut]

It depends on how much is the re-conditioning cost. If it's a small amount, give Hybrid Automotive a try. I have read that it's no point replacing individual cells too.

 

I definitely saw that it's not $5k at HEVS. Pay them a visit and understand the options available. First of all, you need to verify the condition of your battery pack also.

Should I go back to Borneo to troubleshoot the issue with the high FC since they probably have the most experience with the GS450h or should I go with the external WS that specializes in hybrids?

 

Currently I have no idea where in the engine/drivetrain lies the cause of the high FC. It may not even be the hybrid portion for all I know.

 

I worry that BM kneejerk reaction is to replace wholesale while the hybrid specialist has vested interest to diagnose a hybrid problem and then try to sell me on an expensive hybrid battery change.

[Toeknee_33]

Should I go back to Borneo to troubleshoot the issue with the high FC since they probably have the most experience with the GS450h or should I go with the external WS that specializes in hybrids?

 

Currently I have no idea where in the engine/drivetrain lies the cause of the high FC. It may not even be the hybrid portion for all I know.

 

I worry that BM kneejerk reaction is to replace wholesale while the hybrid specialist has vested interest to diagnose a hybrid problem and then try to sell me on an expensive hybrid battery change.

Bro, since you have decided to renew the COE, you have a lot of time to tackle this high FC issue.

 

I see that your annual mileage is only 10k km. Do you do a lot of stop/start trips with a lot of idling? Not enough long trips? Does the car spent of a lot of time using the engine to charge its batteries? Do you park up the car and not use if for a few days in a row? All this could account for high FC. Did you always have this high FC or you only noticed it recently? Or you don't know?

 

Do you feel a deterioration in performance? Does the battery deplete overnight? Does the battery go low after a bout of acceleration, and gets charged up very quickly? These are signs of a bad battery pack.

 

I suggest you do this:

 

1) Drive the car more frequently. Determine your true FC by measuring each tank. Divide km travelled by the number of litres pumped every full tank. Do not rely on the onboard FC meter. Do this for 2-3 tanks.

2) Get the car serviced with change of spark plugs and de-carbonisation as necessary. Also get the workshop to run diagnostics to see if the oxygen/airflow sensors are working well. If not, get them changed. Ensure your tyre pressures are correct.

3) Continue to measure and monitor FC to see if it improves to about 10L/100km. If it doesn't...

4) Pay $120 to HEVS to run a test of your battery pack. The results of the report are unlikely to be faked and the numbers in the report don't lie. It will tell the condition of your battery pack. You can then decide if you want to change the battery pack.

 

This is as thorough an advice I can think of already. Focus and follow the steps if you can. Don't go round and round liao. Let us know.

Edited August 7, 2019 by Toeknee_33

[Seaquest]

Hi I suppose ES pricing should be around there as mine is an IS200t. That time AD quoted me $400+ for front brake pads including installation everything. I bought from stockist around $110 and go back to my own workshop to change around $30-$40 labour. Total less than $150. Hope it helps.

Was quoted also around the same price. Guessed it is a standard premium price. Thanks.

[Jt0909]

Hi Natnut, I am driving an ‘09 GS450h. I bought the car since new. From day1, my FC has been avg between 12L~13L per 100KM as indicated on the Consumption Display in the centre console of the car. I am not a heavy footer but occasionally I do like to clear some carbon. So, unless you are a Super light footer and very cautious about stepping on the gas paddle, In my opinion, an FC of 12L per 100KM is quite normal for a 3.5L V6 GS450h even though it is a hybrid. It is of course possible to bring it down to 10L per 100KM. I had tried it but then it is tough to maintain the FC at that level because Singapore is such a fast pace environment..

[Jt0909]

Hi Toeknee_33, I saw your comments on your FC (8L to 100KM) for your 4GS. Ok, I need to clarify firstly that my FC of 12L to 100KM is specific to the “Consumption” displayed on the centre screen console. I did not calculate the exact FC based on KM travelled per full tank of petrol pumped. I suspect the actual result may be better than 12L per 100KM. The other difference could be that mine is the older 3GS..

[Privacy]

Stock 7â screen

0F309B10-E4BE-46C9-953F-7E00EF33B550.jpeg

 

10.25â Android screen installed and Booting up

728DABFE-2C81-4A62-9FA6-303764EE559F.jpeg

 

Apple CarPlay

AA18AEB1-9952-4FF0-94E9-DE39B21B7A75.jpeg

 

Waze in action

6D57A92A-285E-4CF2-B277-66D180EE67BF.jpeg

 

Spotify - can display Chinese characters! Yes!

C05707B7-8EDC-4095-A960-A086CE45F1DD.jpeg

the iu unit reminds me of taxi.... haa

[Toeknee_33]

Hi Toeknee_33, I saw your comments on your FC (8L to 100KM) for your 4GS. Ok, I need to clarify firstly that my FC of 12L to 100KM is specific to the “Consumption” displayed on the centre screen console. I did not calculate the exact FC based on KM travelled per full tank of petrol pumped. I suspect the actual result may be better than 12L per 100KM. The other difference could be that mine is the older 3GS..

 

HI, thanks for your reply to my PM. My experience with Toyota onboard FC meter tells me that they are usually optimistic by 5 - 8% 

 

You may be right. I checked the stated FC of the 3GS and 4GS and its 12.6km/L (7.9L/100km) and 16.4km/L (6.1L/100km). So indeed the 4GS drinks less than the 3GS. Perhaps it is due to the switch from Otto to Atkinson Cycle for the ICE.