[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

The battery needed in this case has been ordered by Ms Nidhi Sharma. It comes from Bangalore and will be here in 7 days.

Thanks for helping a fellow member, Mr. Narayan.

The cost inclusive of taxes is around Rs 104,000.

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

Dang! That is one expensive battery. Out of curiosity I checked the pricing here since I drive the same car and it's $350 for OEM Panasonic, which is exactly what comes with car.

That's a shocker. Hope it's an error somewhere, as Toyota/ Lexus parts cannot (should not) be so expensive . I still remember changing brake pads on my older LC, though, in Lexus packing, these used to be cheaper over Fortuner for some reason (2018).

Toyota always collects their profits at the time of sales, so they cannot overcharge like other Europeans. It has something to do with the higher overheads of the Lexus India network more than anything else. Dealerships, Company cannot operate on such low numbers forever.

I will suggest OP go with the suggestions of Androdev and pick something in AGM sealed battery. There won't be any need for vent pipes in that case. As long as the Amperage matches and it fits without changing anything, it will be a better option over that special Panasonic 1 Lac battery.


This thread will also be helpful to prospective buyers of Lexus to be mindful of the high expenses of the CBU Lexus models.

[extreme_torque]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

I will suggest OP go with the suggestions of Androdev and pick something in AGM sealed battery. There won't be any need for vent pipes in that case. As long as the Amperage matches and it fits without changing anything, it will be a better option over that special Panasonic 1 Lac battery.

I wonder if there would be issues though because there is a battery sensor on the positive terminal of the battery and i wonder if it will error out. No harm in trying though.

[sgmuser]

Originally Posted by Rahul Lal

Hello, team-bhpians!

Though I became a member quite a long time back and have been reading threads almost every day, I am posting this first time, in fact, looking for expert advice on battery issues. My friend's 2019 model Lexus RX450hL (registered in Jan 2020) recently failed to start the hybrid system. On contacting Toyota Lexus service, a technician was deputed to check the problem. He checked & informed us that the 12v battery voltage had dropped to 9.8 volts & needs replacement. Mod Note - Please proofread before posting.

Just to confirm, just because the battery warranty expired and your friend is asked to find this on his own? I had a battery fail in my new Landcruiser Prado (less than a year IIRC) and Toyota sent a new battery with the technician to change it free of cost at my home! For Lexus, I would have expect a lot more service attitude and not asking the customer to source the spare/do jugaad mods in such a costly and sophisticated car! Simply unacceptable. They should procure it for you and you should not touch the car to modify it to just fit in a battery. Not in a Hybrid like that of Lexus for sure. Worst case scenario, purchase the Globatt battery and meanwhile try to order the OEM one and fix it. Again, this is simply unacceptable for me if I own a Lexus.

[Rahul Lal]

Sure. I am waiting reply from Toyota Lexus workshop regarding alternate brand as price they are quoting for a Panasonic battery is shocking. Turbanator has very well said that one can look for a AGM battery with same specs rather going for a 1 lac 12v battery.

Meanwhile as you have correctly suggested, we can think of putting Globatt temporarily.

[Hayek]

I presume this is the normal lead acid battery (since you mention 12V) and not some kind of high voltage battery used in hybrids. Amazed at how expensive these have become. The replacement battery for my BMW cost ~ ₹50k - which I thought was insane. This is twice that. But as my wife keeps saying, if you buy a white elephant, you have to feed it. And guess the driving pleasure is worth it as well

[rkv_2401]

Originally Posted by Hayek

I presume this is the normal lead acid battery (since you mention 12V) and not some kind of high voltage battery used in hybrids. Amazed at how expensive these have become.

Somehow the price didn't strike me until I read this. 1 lakh for a normal lead-acid (doesn't seem to be AGM) 12V battery? That's more than a premium laptop with a GPU and large amounts of storage (and it's own, albeit much smaller, battery) would cost!! And I thought I had it bad when VW insisted I pay 7k for their fancy, low-quality 12V battery!

[TorqueIndia]

Isn't this 55D23L a pretty common battery right ? Also found this online by exide.



Indiamart

[Rahul Lal]

Yes Exide, as you have mentioned, as well as Amaron are making batteries with the required specs. However only issue is that since battery is placed in boot area of car, it requires to be connected with a vent tube to release gases out of the chamber whereas both these batteries do not have provision (side vent hole) to connect the vent pipe.

[Sankar]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

I will suggest OP go with the suggestions of Androdev and pick something in AGM sealed battery. There won't be any need for vent pipes in that case. As long as the Amperage matches and it fits without changing anything, it will be a better option over that special Panasonic 1 Lac battery.

Originally Posted by rkv_2401

Somehow the price didn't strike me until I read this. 1 lakh for a normal lead-acid (doesn't seem to be AGM) 12V battery?

Originally Posted by Rahul Lal

Sure. I am waiting reply from Toyota Lexus workshop regarding alternate brand as price they are quoting for a Panasonic battery is shocking. Turbanator has very well said that one can look for a AGM battery with same specs rather going for a 1 lac 12v battery.

Meanwhile as you have correctly suggested, we can think of putting Globatt temporarily.

To the best of my knowledge the OEM panasonic battery is a VRLA AGM battery and not a flooded lead acid battery. So you could use a BMW/Merc compatible AGM battery if specs match.

[Raghu M]

Man, this is quite surprising to read. First Lexus response to the issue and proposing a work around by welding the battery case altogether. If that was not shocking to read, then the cost of the battery. My goodness, you get a Dell executive laptop for that price. Like a member mentioned, a white elephant needs the diet it prefers. Starts the debate again - why are these cars so expensive to maintain when you already shell out a fortune to own them?

[spgv]

Originally Posted by Sankar

To the best of my knowledge the OEM panasonic battery is a VRLA AGM battery.

Since the original Panasonic battery was AGM, i think the non OEM AGM battery will still need ventilation.

[extreme_torque]

Originally Posted by Sankar

To the best of my knowledge the OEM panasonic battery is a VRLA AGM battery and not a flooded lead acid battery. So you could use a BMW/Merc compatible AGM battery if specs match.

You are right. A BMW/Merc battery would work as well and you should be able to use the BMW/Merc vent pipe as well to vent the battery.

Referring the relevant thread from the clublexus forum --> https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hyb...rx450h-14.html

[ameet_pv]

Try to get the battery specified by Lexus. In the future if any hybrid battery issues crop up, Lexus will first blame it on the non standard 12v battery even if it meets the specs. From personal experience of putting 185K miles on a Prius. With the type of tech advice your friend is getting keeping an eye on the 12v battery health is advisable.

[Rahul Lal]

Still MGF Toyota Lexus w/s is unable to suggest alternate battery brand. Insisting to buy their OEM 1 lac+ 12v battery. Meanwhile looking for options with vent pipe provision.

[androdev]

Originally Posted by Rahul Lal

Still MGF Toyota Lexus w/s is unable to suggest alternate battery brand. Insisting to buy their OEM 1 lac+ 12v battery. Meanwhile looking for options with vent pipe provision.

Camry Hybrid (2011-2017) uses the exact same battery. The battery is located in the trunk behind the driver-side tail lamp and the vent pipe marked with red box is located right behind the tail-lamp housing.



If RX battery has the same layout for vent tube, just call Toyota dealers asking for Camry Hybrid battery. I am certain it will be in stock with one of the Toyota dealers and would cost much less.

For an expensive car like this, I would suggest you stick to OEM battery even if you have to pay 1L for it. Here is some explanation (minute 4 onwards):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M53Hbh5wpRQ&t=257s

Battery charger is highly recommended for sparingly used luxury cars - something like Bosch C7 costs just Rs 7K.

A note about costs:

Indian retail price that is 2.5x of USD price is the norm for Mercedes, BMW, etc. brands. Importing individually costs 1.75 to 2x - carries many risks like getting stuck in customs, receiving wrong or damaged part (return is near impossible), lacks any warranty, genuineness could be suspect. I feel the extra cost charged by the manufacturer is justified. It's a different thing if you can carry the part in person from abroad but not always possible/practical.

Lexus seems to be charging 4x of USD price, which is a bit much. I guess it may have something to do with Japanese Yen and importing a single item - thus passing on the entire cost of S&H to the customer.