MickeyGS

Thanks guys! Your info that my 2005 GS300 has a timing chain, not belt, has set my mind at rest on the servicing / replacing question. Regards

Am I right in thinking that although the timing belt should be replaced on some Lexus models at 100,000 miles or 10 years, this does not apply to the 2005 onwards Mk3 GS300? If it doesn't apply, why is that? I'm asking because my 2005 GS is now of course coming up for 10 years old. Thanks.

Hi Roger Incredible! I did as your friend did with yours. I took the car for a spin on a quiet, dry day - and "gave it some welly", foot to floor and holding it until rev counter showed just this side of the red. I did this five or six times over a period of about twenty minutes. Result: no more rasping sound. The lesson seems to be to give the car a bit of a work out occasionally - to keep the oil ways, valves etc properly lubricated. I guess the old adage "Use it or Lose it" applies. Thanks again Roger Mickey

Hi Roger Thanks for the latest on the "noise on kick-down". It's really helpful that you've explored the routes with Lexus etc that I've been contemplating. Regarding the action your friend took: I can really believe this to be a worthwhile option to explore. I now only do around 4000 miles per annum, and those are mainly short local trips which hardly extend the car at all. This has given me a couple of problems (for example seized brake calipers and cracked tyre walls) which I''m convinced would not have happened if I'd been using the car regularly (and and with a bit verve). I'm going to try what your friend did with yours, though obviously this will be totally at my own risk. Thanks again Roger, I'll let you know how I get on in due course. Regards Mickey

Hi Roger I get exactly the short rasping sound on kickdown you describe. Been wanting to get it checked out at Lexus Poole but haven't yet as I rarely use kickdown. Have you had any light shed on this occurrence since you first posted this issue? Regards Mickey

I've got a GS300 2005; Here's what I do: Inflate all tyres to correct pressure, then turn on ignition and start the car. Leave the engine running and sitting in the driver's seat put your right hand under the dashboard just to the right of your right knee. Lean forward and feel around and you'll locate the little black button. Press the button in and keep it pressed in for about five seconds until you hear a beep and the display shows "tyre pressure initialized". The system will have recorded the current tyre pressures and will subsequently warn you via the display if the tyre pressure on one or more tyres drops below about 15% of the recorded pressure. This procedure only works if the engine is running when you press and hold the black button. I've found the system works very accurately. Cheers Mickey

Hi John I leave the air-conditioning on permanently, and I became aware that it was no longer blowing cold air. Regards Mickey

The air-conditioning on my 2005 GS300SE stopped working just recently. Fearing the worse (pumps, condensers etc) I took it to Durringtons on the Granby Estate at Weymouth, Dorset. Turns out it just needed "re-gassing" (topping up with condensing fluid etc). The level was at 28g rather than 450g, even though I've always had the complete service programme at a main Lexus dealer. Durringtons used a specialist piece of equipment which did the whole job in a hour, including removing the existing fluid, doing a pressure test for leaks, and refilling with 450g of fluid together with 13g of oil for lubrication and 7g of UV fluid (to help in locating any future leaks). The cost was £45 plus vat, and my air-con system now works better than ever. I was well pleased, and I guess I'll probably have this done every couple of years in future.

The alloy wheels on my 2005 GS300 had become corroded, and were flaking. I had them refurbished at Autowheels in Colehill (near Wimborne, Dorset). They had the car for a few days in which time they removed the wheels, removed the tyres, acid dipped the wheels, buffed and grind-ed the "kerbing", then powder coated the wheels, and finally balanced and refitted the tyres. I took the opportunity to change from silver wheels to grey graphite (just for a change). The cost was £300 cash (£85 per wheel), no vat. I'm extremely pleased with the results, and with the price. I've attached a photo of the finished job.

I need to replace the battery on my GS300 SE 2005 (July). What specification should I be looking for (Amphere-Hour Capacity; Cold Cranking Performance)? Naturally, size dimensions will be critical. I couldn't find any specification info in the handbook. The AA will supply and fit a Unipart Battery (75amp, 520CCP). Is this likely to be okay? Anyone had experience of these batteries? Thanks Mickey GS

I'd say keep. But budget for £1600 a year (£130 a month) for repairs. My GS 300 SE MkIII (2005) cost me in repairs £810 in 2011 (inc water pump / front shocks / front brakes discs - pads), and £2100 in 2012 (inc hid unit / 4 tyres (Dunlop Sport) / rear shocks / rear brakes pads-discs / rear calipers). Maybe I'll pay out nothing in 2013, but I'll be budgeting £1600 anyway. I guess its unlikely to cost you less than a couple of thousand to change your car, and unless you buy a motor still under manufacturers warranty you'll still be at risk of sudden repair bills. MickeyGS

Thanks guys! I bought the latest Satnav disc from Lexus when I bought the car in Feb 2011, and this provided updated road information - but still only 4 digit postcode (which seems is a feature of the unit, not the discs). Thanks again Mickey

Yes, useful feature......................but beware! On one occasion I'd been working in garden with keyfob in pocket of jeans. Had a phone call later that evening from neighbour saying, "Its starting to rain - and your car roof and windows are wide open." So feature had actioned without me knowing it (tight jeans syndrome?). Okay; so my own fault - but something to be wary of. Reagrds Mickey

Had my GS300 SE 2005 for 18 months now and delighted. Only niggles are i) Sat-Nav is 4 character postcode only and ii) No MP3 Player connection or MP3 CD Play Facility. Is Full Postcode and MP3 Connectivity and Playback included on later GS300 models? If so which was first model year with them? If not, is there a way of upgrading the current system econonomically? Thanks

Thanks Tigerfish - not cheap, but I reckon worth it for what they look like on.