Lexus ES300h: with 143,000 miles: how it's holding up

Follow-up video on my 2015 Lexus to go over how the car has been aging

[@alexandercouter5571]

Bought a 2015 ES300h with 104k on it from a Lexus dealer. I use this vehicle for Uber and now have 248k on it. Still running smooth with only regular maint. (brakes, tires, oil changes etc.) Best car I have ever owned.

[@caraddict829]

Wow! That's amazing. I really feel that way about mine, too. It's probably the best vehicle I've owned from a reliability standpoint.

[@azizulhuq2983]

Did you change the transmission fluid at any time? I wonder if it is necessary if you buy at over 100k used.

[@caraddict829]

My transmission is a sealed unit with no dipstick. There is NO regualr interval for trans. fluid changes on my car in the Lexus maintenance manual. I checked with my Lexus dealer and they confirmed there is no need to change the fluid unless there is a bad leak. There is a LOT of bad information out there on the web about this. I've even seen Lexus dealers online mentioning transmission fluid changes. Don't trust everything you see on this. Ask a local Lexus dealer to confirm, but if i's a 2015 ES300h you don't need to change it.@@azizulhuq2983

[@caraddict829]

And, not for nothing, I have 149K miles on the original trans. fluid with no issues at all.

[@azizulhuq2983]

Thank you very much for the info. Its good to get the information from an actual user.@@caraddict829

[@MisterCee41510]

I just bought a 2014 ES300h, 170k on the clock. 1 owner incredibly well maintained. I love it

[@beastmode_0n665]

how much?

[@ORION2180]

she's a beauty. i bought a 2015 ES300h two years ago with 40K miles, now has 77K. mine is holding up very well, i get about 500 miles per full gas tank, I usually fill up every other week.

[@caraddict829]

Yeah, the range with the bigger tank these have is fantastic! The new ones have a much smaller tank and don't have the same range.

[@mauricegarcia3209]

Can you let us know the price you paid for it? Thanks

[@alisonmolyneux2600]

I’ve had a 2007, ES350, then an 2011 ES350, and have been driving my 2015 ES300h, since 2019. I’ve never had any mechanical issues with any of my cars, tires, brakes, oil changes, just regular maintenance. I’ve also bought each of the vehicles at 4yrs old. I’m averaging about 5.9-6.9 litres/100km.

[@joelohse6036]

Which has been your favorite to own?

[@alisonmolyneux2600]

The hybrid has been my favourite to date. I’m not set on having a full electric vehicle, but will most definitely buy another hybrid.

[@joelohse6036]

Awesome thank you for your quick reply, looking to buy a 2016-2018 low mileage ES300H and replace my 2011 GS350 AWD

[@rodcros]

If you wish to improve your fuel mileage, if the weather allows it, go into the control panel and shut off the A/C compressor. It makes quite a difference and the automatic temperature functions will still work.

[@rauserbegins5850]

Great video!! I just bought a 2017 NX 200 Turbo with 60,000 miles on it. Can't wait to see how it holds up! 🙂

[@alanhumphrey4198]

I have a 2017 ES and it has been a fantastic ride..mine is regular 3.5 V6; not hybrid. Just had 50 M mile service done..no problems.

[@whatitisnt.]

You could add a apple car play module to the infotainment system which enables apple car play such as google maps etc. Also what caused the battery degradation? Do you usually idle in the car? Is the AC on while idling if idling? Also what state was the car driven? Thanks in advance.

[@joseCalderon1976]

34 or 35 MPG for that sizes vehicle is very good IMHO. I just bought a 2015 GS 350 with 186k miles and the engine, transmission and interior are mint. The outside is not too bad either. Lexus is an amazing vehicle. Thanks for the update.

[@caraddict829]

Agreed!

[@Metaobserver]

How much is it worth now? I am looking to buy one

[@spralwers]

The lack of fold down rear seat is an intentional design choice on the es. I had a 2010 es350 and it was the same way

[@Kodiak727]

Interesting. I have the same model year but only the basic trim. I get 43mpg all the time. Recent I put a cloth filter in front of the hybrid battery cooling inlet hose(by rear door driver side).

[@caraddict829]

It depends on how you drive. I drive mostly highway, so I'm not using the electric motor as much. If you have a much heavier mix of city driving your mileage would be higher than mine. I track my mileage on Fuelly.com. That can show how your mix of driving affects fuel mileage.

[@NiveshSharma-zi8pu]

I am currently looking at a 2015 es300h with 133k miles on it. Loved the car and its drive. Since it is the first time I’ll be going for a hybrid, I’m not too sure about the battery. The dealer said that battery usually don’t give any issue as long as you drive the car regularly.

[@caraddict829]

My Lexus dealer told me the same thing when I asked because my car was approaching 150K at the time. There are multiple sensors that would light up if there was any issue with the battery pack or hybrid system.

[@poodeehoo]

You are correct. If you drive more aggressively you won't achieve the advertised mpg. Although, it is an estimate, it is not a limit on mpg. You can definitely achieve greater mpg than advertised, which is relevant to all Toyota and Lexus hybrids, but it is directly linked to how you drive it.

[@zeamp]

What are the common engine problems with this setup? Head gasket? Timing chain guides? Any reason to be afraid of buying one close to 200,000 miles as-is with a basic mechanic inspection? What happens when the hybrid battery goes? -- What can leave me stranded?

[@gomusicproduction1]

Does hybrid system (fans) make some additional annoying noise when you accelerate to hard ? And where is a hybrid fan is located ?

[@caraddict829]

I don't notice any extra noise from the fan. It's located behind the wall in the trunk that is at the back seat. If you remove that the fan is on the left side with a duct attached to it.v That duct goes to the vent in the driver's side rear door jamb. the fan can be removed for cleaning.

[@gomusicproduction1]

@@caraddict829 yes! The fan (filter) should get cleaning frequently cause it directly impacts the battery lifetime and performance as well. Thanks

[@vassildoudov9064]

Have you had the chance to clean the hybrid fan? Any maintaince on the hybrid system? I have a2014 es300h with 65 thousand miles

[@caraddict829]

The hybrid system does not have required maintenance, according to Lexus. I have serviced mine only at a Lexus dealer and they have never told me I need to service the hybrid system, including the fan. The books do not show any service for that system either. I have 148K on mine and have never had a mechanical or electrical failure ever. It's the best car I've ever owned for reliability and low cost of ownership.

[@thomasv1363]

You need your hybrid inverter coolant changed every 100,000 And to vacuum the dust filter by the hybrid fan inlet on rear driver side

[@caraddict829]

This is a closed system and there is no Lexus service for the hybrid battery pack. Literally none. That coolant is fine. No need to change it. These cars really are very low maintenance vehicles. @@thomasv1363

[@aliciaslattery1252]

Hi there ! I just found a 2014 lexus 300h with 60k miles one owner service records consistent. It’s gorgeous I love it but I am concerned about buying this vehicle and having to replace the battery so how can I know if the battery will last ? Or what signs should I look for? Any input helps these are new waters for me. I currently have a Tacoma but with my new business I will be doing a lot of driving. I went in for a Corolla hybrid 2019 but saw that beauty and now I’m deep diving to the internet for help and guidance lol thank you

[@caraddict829]

My car has more than double that mileage, so I started worrying about the battery life too. My Lexus dealer told me there are a number of sensors in the battery pack that would light up my dashboard if one of those sensors indicated a problem with the battery. They monitor the battery all the time. Lexus also hasn’t, according to my dealer, issued any kind of guidance on how long those batteries will last. Just so you know, if the worst case scenario came up, which would be needing to replace the battery pack, they quoted me around $4300 to do that. While that isn’t a small amount of money it would be a one-time repair that would ensure many more years of use. I would not be afraid of that car. They are well built and very reliable. Good luck to you!

[@caraddict829]

And for the record, my battery pack is working fine.

[@Kerolosabdo2]

Firstly I would like to thank you for this amazing video.. and I couldn’t agree more for every single word you said.. 👌 however I would applaud your support if there any suggestion you did to replace the infotainment system with another supporting the apple carplay because this is the only thing I need for this amazing car

[@hc3550]

if your battery fan is clogged with dust it could mean your battery wont last as long. you could have a tech check that before you buy

[@heatherschandera8403]

use in side cabin ac it uses less energy gives you better mpg

[@charlesaloha9232]

Have you changed the transmission fluid? Care Care Nut says change every 60-90k miles. I brought mine to the Lexus dealer and they said I had no transmission, only differential fluid that needed changing at 100K

[@caraddict829]

If you're talking about a ES300h then the Car Care guy you mentioned, or Car Care, whatever the name is, is very wrong. The ES300h has a sealed transmission. It requires no normal maintenance ever. There's no dipstick, so you can't even check the fluid level. The only thing Lexus does is check the seals for leaks or seepage. That's it. There's no differential fluid to change either. There's no differential, for that matter. This car has a transaxle. It's front-wheel-drive and there's no differential. I Googled changing trans. fluid on a 2015 Es300h and I cannot believe the bad information that is out there on the internet! This is one reason you should only take the car to a Lexus dealer. They know that fluid can't be changed. They won't rob you as badly as other shops. I' sorry you're getting bad info out there. trust me, if it's a 2015 ES300h (not sure if this changed in later years, though I doubt it) you don't need to change trans. fluid or differential fluid. These cars actually require VERY MINIMAL servicing. Thanks for the question!

[@charlesaloha9232]

@@caraddict829 thank you for the quick reply, that puts my mind at ease. This is my first hybrid. I had contemplated trading it in on a regular ES350 with regular motor and transmission combo, something I'm more familiar with. I really do like this ES300h. The newer ones from 2019 on somehow have a smaller gas tank and range.

[@thomasv1363]

​@@caraddict829you are correct there is no differential and it's a sealed transmission. Although it is very easy to change the fluid yourself you just drain and fill with the exact amount of fluid you drained. You must use Toyota ATF only My 2014 es300h has 247,000 mi on it. 130,000 of that I put on in 2 years. I just changed the fluid by myself and it was black and dirty. If you want your car to last more than 300,000 MI then it's a good idea to change it after the first hundred thousand and then every 75-100k for preventive maintenance. The CVT doesn't have the clutch wear of a normal automatic but still is subjected to a lot of heat and obvious breakdown of the fluid once you see it drained. I owned a 2009 Prius with the same transmission, I changed it once at 150,000 MI then it was still going fine at 350,000 I think it needs at least one good change and it's life The dealer and manufacture only measure their life expectancy of the cars to about 150,000. So yes the fluid will last the life of the car in their eyes but not if you want more than 300,000 miles.

[@michaelharold3960]

Hi there!! I have the same car. Two things. Does the car have a running sound after it is off for a few minutes. Kinda of a rubbing sound. And I notice that it shook once after I turned it off. I have 64000 miles on it. Might need a tune up. Let me know your thoughts.

[@caraddict829]

I do get a sound periodically from the hybrid system, while the engine is off, so that might be what you're hearing. I would check with your Lexus dealer just to be sure, though. The plugs should not need to be replaced until 120,000 miles. It should not need a tune up at that mileage. If it keeps doing it consistently you should have Lexus look at it. Could even be a motor mount, though that is doubtful.

[@googoo-gjoob]

its been a year now, have you changed the hybrid battery yet?

[@caraddict829]

No, still nothing wrong with it.

[@9Crow]

i have got 253 thousand on my 2013 es 300h no issues yet i had the fluids changed all of them the brake caliper bolt was rusted and it broke off when they drained the brake fluid so i had one caliper replaced. my drivers side mirror only goes up and down not left or right. can't complain it's a lovely car. i have never taken it to a mechanic it goes to the dealer for everything. great service and it is real close by. mine does not have the mark levinson stereo so i never listen to music. no way to upgrade to another stereo i already looked into it. it is basically impossible. mine has remote start i had it installed so my MPG is less than average alot but i don't care. i still do ok.

[@caraddict829]

More proof these cars really hold up!

[@DeJuanLeBrayOfficalMusic]

How to jumpstart this car

[@jeffzhan548]

Have you had to replace the 12V battery yet?

[@caraddict829]

Shockingly, no I haven't. I realize it's supposedly beyond its useful life at this point, but it's not showing any signs of needing replaced yet. I'll replace it soon just from an age standpoint, but that's another thing that makes me think this particular car is special. It just refuses to be a problem in any way.

[@jeffzhan548]

@@caraddict829 Cool. Thanks for letting me know, I have the 2020 ES300h and its been completely trouble free. Only 45k right now but your video gives me excitement on the engineering and quality of the product will last me a while.

[@hayden93]

@@caraddict829my Camry 4 cylinder 2010 original battery lasted 11 years

[@rodcros]

My 2014 es300h turned into a brick at a service station in -35 F weather last week. I bought a new Panasonic at Lexus as soon as possible, but kept the old one. It seems to have charged up properly after the momentary (but highly significant) lapse. My car has 165,000 km, but the battery is more likely an age/temperature thing.

[@caraddict829]

@@rodcros Are you willing to share what that cost to replace?

[@highway9patrol]

I have 2013 es300h. mine is also ultra luxury and it has lane departure warning on top of that. Now it has 235k miles on it. only problem that i have got, hybrid battery warning 2k miles ago. now i have to replace the battery. dealer gave me $6000 estimated price for whole battery replacement. I am still thinking about it. other than that it is in pristine condition. (I am very picky person)

[@caraddict829]

For what it’s worth, I checked with my local dealer about replacement battery cost and it was a lot less. $4400 or so. I think you should shop that around with some other Lexus dealers to see if you can get a better price. Even if you have to do some driving it might be worth it if you can save yourself $1000 or more.

[@highway9patrol]

@@caraddict829 Wow. It is huge difference. I will definitely check it. 👍

[@meyowind5743]

How often do you have to change the hybrid battery for your car?

[@caraddict829]

I haven't changed it yet.@@meyowind5743

[@jerrycarter1928]

You have over 143K miles! You need to replace the spark plugs, that will return the engine to running more efficiently - get the same OEM plugs or better. Also, check you front wheel bearings. Both of these things are cheap fixes and you will see an improvement in your MPG.

[@caraddict829]

This car is fully serviced. The plugs are part of the 120K service Lexus recommends, which has been done.

[@jerrycarter1928]

@@caraddict829 k, you now only have to check the front bearings.

[@hbbcgkky6086]

What’s the price if u ever wanna sell it?

[@mmarciniak]

What, in the video, makes you think this guy wants to sell it? That is not at all why he posted the video.

[@hbbcgkky6086]

@@mmarciniak i just wanna knoq the market price of this car mate

[@caraddict829]

@@hbbcgkky6086 This is a rough guess, but I think the car would still bring $13,000-$14,000 because of the condition. Hope that helps.

[@hbbcgkky6086]

@@caraddict829 that’s actually cheap.

[@alexf9183]

I bought 2015 es300h for $26,500 in 3/2022 with 29k miles ultra luxury got everything except rear side shades, heated steering wheel and ml audio. No accidents with 1 owner. I love it. Now has 50k miles. Really wanted gs 450h but couldn't find a good deal

[@brianphamtv6916]

I have a 2013 Lexus a hybrid model and I keep getting this leaking noise around my tires. I just can’t figure out what it is. I’m taking it to the shop and they can’t even tell me anything so I was thinking if I can send you serve a clip or a little audio file but this sounds like see if you know what I’m talking about it’s really every time I stop and go, it does a clicking noise

[@caraddict829]

I'm not a mechanic but I'm happy to listen to it and see if I can offer any suggestions. Did you take it to your Lexus dealership to diagnose?

[@RansomAhanmisi]

Anyone selling?

[@jsperez240]

2013 es350 112k miles in excellent condition $15,000 for sale in Michigan

[@alexanderg117]

Beautiful car, but I had to turn the volume to zero. If you’d consider eliminating the words, “um…” and “uh…” your feedback and LIKES will go way up. Try it as an experiment for even one video, and see a HUGE improvement in views… Quite an incredible (used) car, though! Many folks prefer this body style to lower, wider, and more “spaceship” looking new ones.

[@caraddict829]

Thank you for the feedback. I'll work on that.

[@aliciaslattery1252]

Every corner of the internet has a hater that has nothing Better to do but say something negative. Get a life dude. This video is a great help for at least a few. Thanks !! Helping me out for sure

[@kiuderx]

Ummm, I’m a big “uh” and “um” person and so, uh, your delivery is perfect in my book :)

[@georgep995]

It’s nothing bro ,my friend works for Uber 2013 year with 300 000 miles and customers still asking what car is that it’s so smooth and nice car 😁 especially these models bulletproof .made in Japan 🇯🇵🫡

[@gheorghecatalin9700]

replaced the hybrid battery??