Dead battery, a matter of time....

[X-cellent]

Well, I ve had a few of the dreaded "high Battery Discharge" warnings over the 20 months I've had this truck, but this morning got the full effect...just enough juice to light all the warning lights, turn on my stereo and headlights, but then when i tried to start it.... dead as Kelsey's nuts. Took about half an hour of charge from my wife's car to get her to roll over, then had a whole world of colors and failures flashing on my dash.

I was worreid she wouldn't start at all and the first thing I did was open the glovebox to get the manual out (brake/gear tool lives in my door pocket) as I was worried she'd have to be towed to the dealer (as was my neighbors E70).

Called the dealer (on hold for 20 minutes so I was pulling in as my SA picked up the phone)..we'll see what they say, sure I'll be scolded for not driving her enough!

Oddly enough, i also had a service notice pop up last week for brake fluid level (i know it's totally unrelated) so i guess at 18k miles I've worn the pads low enough to drop the leve, so they'll take core of it all at once...

So for now I'm in my HOT HOT HOT, Pontiac Vibe!!!! 28k miles and smells like a dirty old dog!

[rh71]

ask them if that Vibe has battery issues and if not, trade them out.

[Craig]

That's why I plug mine into a battery tender plus every night.

Good luck,

Craig

[kimg9582]

Originally Posted by Craig

That's why I plug mine into a battery tender plus every night.

Good luck,

Craig

Is your X5 a 'hybrid' ???

I make sure I lock the door which seems to minimize this issue.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by kimg9582

Is your X5 a 'hybrid' ???

I make sure I lock the door which seems to minimize this issue.

LOL! No, it's a diesel, but BMW and my local dealer say I need to plug it into a battery charger every night. I think I have the problem taken care of, my new Lexus GX 460 arrived at the dealer today. I'm waiting for the certificate or origin to show up, then I will pick up my new car and trade off my hybrid X5 diesel...

Craig

[rh71]

Originally Posted by Craig

my new Lexus GX 460 arrived at the dealer today

Lexus makes very comfortable cars with good technology, and their service is one of the tops in the industry... but you could've at least gotten a nicer looking SUV.

[ChuckG]

Originally Posted by rh71

Lexus makes very comfortable cars with good technology, and their service is one of the tops in the industry... but you could've at least gotten a nicer looking SUV.

But they weren't smart enough to put software in the computer to make braking over ride the throttle in case of a runaway. It would be a very easy software fix. BMW has had that since 2005 I believe.

Four people here died in a Lexus which went as fast as 120 mph before it crashed.

You won't ever catch me in a Lexus.

Chuck

[Craig]

Originally Posted by rh71

Lexus makes very comfortable cars with good technology, and their service is one of the tops in the industry... but you could've at least gotten a nicer looking SUV.

I agree, I don't really care for the looks of the GX 460, but the RX is a women's car and the LX is too big and doesn't have HID headlights. This
will be my 6th Lexus and I've had good reliability and durability with the Lexus
vehicles I've owned. That's why I'm buying another. I can't say the same
for the X5. I do like the way it drives, but I can't put up with the reliability
and durability issues. Waiting on parts was another concern. I've never
had to wait more than a day or two for parts on any of my Lexus vehicles.
3 months was too long to wait for a part from BMW. The battery issues
are also unacceptable for a modern vehicle.

Craig

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by Craig

I think I have the problem taken care of, my new Lexus GX 460 arrived at the dealer today.
Craig

Some people around here call their X5s 'trucks" but the GX460 really is a truck - separate-chassis construction, live axle at the back, low-range gearing. Great off road but pretty sloppy on road compared to the X. In Australia they put different engines in it (a 4.0-litre petrol six and a 3.0-litre four-cyl TD) and call it a Toyota LandCruiser Prado (150 Series). Not trying to put your new ride down as I'm sure you'll find it smooth and comfortable ... and hopefully 100% reliable. Good luck with it.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Fraser

Some people around here call their X5s 'trucks" but the GX460 really is a truck - separate-chassis construction, live axle at the back, low-range gearing. Great off road but pretty sloppy on road compared to the X. In Australia they put different engines in it (a 4.0-litre petrol six and a 3.0-litre four-cyl TD) and call it a Toyota LandCruiser Prado (150 Series). Not trying to put your new ride down as I'm sure you'll find it smooth and comfortable ... and hopefully 100% reliable. Good luck with it.

How prescient those comments on handling:

Consumer Reports Says Lexus GX 460 Is Unsafe - Wheels Blog - NYTimes.com