Leaderboard

Bath day 😉

You don't want to routinely run it this low. The fuel in the tank cools the fuel pump and also the more fuel there is the more head pressure there is on the pump meaning it doesn't have to work as hard. If you routinely run your car down to where the light is going to come on you will be putting a lot of strain on the pump. Fill up when you get to the halfway point and your fuel pump will last a lot longer.

Don't forget that sealed AGM and Gel batteries have low charge rates (to avoid gassing) and need regular long runs to recharge them, or the occasional recharge at low charge rates to bring them back to their best. Lots of use of accessories and short journeys coupled with a miniscule charge rate can significantly reduce the amount of charge in a battery over time until its on its knees so to speak. Some sealed AGM and Gel batteries can take up to 7 days to fully recharge from fully discharged because the charge rate (by design) is so low. I used to design and test power supplies that used such batteries and in automotive applications they have their limitations. Which is why car manufacturers in general have gone back to wet lead acid or are looking at lithium based batteries (but lithium batteries have their own set of issues).

Following yet another Keyless Car Fob theft in my street this week, I tried the Fob Disabling Method given by another reader to this site. (You can just switch off your key fob. If you press and hold the lock button and in the same time press quickly twice the unlock button the key fob stops the transmitting. So no one is able to catch the signal. Of course, it is not very convenient to do it every time but you can decide whether to do it or not. There is one more benefit - in this way you will safe your Battery life for long time), for the first time. The little lights on the key fob flashed to acknowledge buttons have been depressed. AND IT WORKS TOTALLY, PERFECTLY, SIMPLY (and hopefully) EVERY TIME. I stood next to the car, waived the fob in every direction - even tried to open the car door with the same hand that held the fob - NOTHING OPENED!!!!! And to activate the fob, just push any button - and it returns to normal!!!! Dont take my word for it .................try it! Good luck and safe car retention

While my wifes car is in the garage, for a 2nd week now, we have been given a hire car, Skoda Octavia! So at the moment my wife drives my Lexus and loves it I got stuck with Skoda, which has 1.6 diesel engine and manual gearbox, not a problem to me but my wife prefers automatic hence driving my Lexus! Well, Skoda not even close to Lexus luxuries and refinement (of course) but has a massive boot and Adjustable Cruise Control which I really wish I had on my Lexus! Also driving on my normal route (home-work-home) I get high 60 miles per gallon, at one point I saw 70, well, thanks to Lexus hybrid who taught me to drive economically but 70mpg!!!, I have never seen anything like this before, really impressed! Of course, the car is noisy (compared to Lexus) and that engine noise is horrific but you get used to it and for what it cost I think as a package is a terrific car! One big plus also is an infotainment system! Well done Czech Republic!

http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/61 This dude knows what he’s talking about.

If you're local to me then I would only go to the main dealer as a last hope. Go to Ribble View Garage, 2A Rough Hey Rd, (that industrial estate opposite the Crematorium) Preston PR2 5AR - phone 01772 798856. It's run by a guy called John Barton who really knows his stuff. He's a great worker, very fairly priced and highly recommended.

Fuses rarely blow for no reason. Check the socket for damage/debris and always keep the socket cover closed when not in use.

I saw this in my local garage - it's a novel use of an IS200 block isn't it! Put together by a young apprentice at the time. Nice chaps too at Sywell Garage - Enjoy!

Don’t think my Mrs F would be too keen either!! Women!

Yeah I've found it thanks. Ordered a few 15a fuses to replace it later this week. Thabks again.

I would get quotes from a couple of independent toyota/lexus specialists and see where you're at. If it's just a seal that needs replacing then it's a very cheap part but intensive labour. However, it may still be less money than buying another RX. How many miles are on it and when was the gearbox last serviced? Be careful running it with a leak, if the transmission gets low on fluid it can cause a lot of damage and turn a £500 (I'm totally guessing here) repair into a need-a-new-transmission repair.

Sage advice. I live by the coast so it would only get worse. I was thinking the suspension would push the total cost of buying over my limit - As someone who used to do a lot of budget work, I like to plan these things and I've even calculated overall running costs for a few years. As I want an LPG powered car, it can sometimes work out cheaper to buy a bargain basement one (usually with less mileage) and convert it rather than some of the converted ones that cost a bit more. This is the ad, and I'm wary of the 0 feedback as well https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-Ls430-2005-LPG/113705952861?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 The hunt continues...

Very cool, well found Richard. I'd love an engine table but mrsF ain't as keen [emoji3525]

That sounds like a car that has lived near the coast and will be rotten throughout, if rust has got to the stage of being on an advisory then it will be everywhere... My advice.. walk away... Mine has no visible rust anywhere underneath...

Good question. I'll build a model of a stealth bomber, give it a coat of Klear and then see if it shows up on radar

Also used to open up a Forecourt as a Teenager and squirt the odd red-ex into customers tanks. I use a half bottle of Wynns Injector cleaner on our 600 mile trip to France based on the fact that otherwise I'm only using the Car to go a mile or so to the Supermarket regularly. (must soot it up) Especially necessary just before the MOT I've found. Bought of the Bay for under a fiver. ps. One day Brian Poole and the Tremeloes appeared on the forecourt in a fancy Yankee job. Made my day, to serve him.

New battery, identical to the 12 year old one it replaced. The red cover on the positive terminal was not in place, so, that tells me that someone has had problems before. Also, the nuts on the terminals have spanner marks on them and can only assume the battery has been taken off to charge it in the past.

Did a couple of thousand km in the outgoing RAV4, and while I know it shares the front part of its platform with the current NX, I was surprised how obvious the Lexus differences were. While the RAV4 was a perfectly good rental car, overall refinement was significantly worse than the NX, with a harsher ride and poor noise suppression, and I would have found it hard to live with the more utilitarian cabin. So I'd be wary about thinking a RAV4 is an NX with a big discount; with the old RAV4/NX the Lexus added value was well worth the price difference in my view. Will be interesting to see if the same added value is apparent in the gen 2 NX whenever it appears.

On the plus side, maybe you can wangle cheap insurance from LV. It's their colour..

Cataclean twice a year or before a mot.any time I buy a new care a bottle goes in I find it great

It certainly seems a vast improvement looks wise than the old model, mpg looks very interesting compared to the NX and the sat nav looks simpler. It's a very interesting alternative as people search wider to avoid the £40K tax barrier.

Not posted for a while as nothings gone wrong with it !!! but this is my car and what it looks like with the G Spider wheels on....

Rare opportunity and price is not too bad: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223469708412?ul_noapp=true

Fairly positive 🙂 Not soon until we get a new NX then 😋

Finally took delivery yesterday! IS300H with Premium Pack - Sonic White with Sandstone Leather and 18" Alloys - Those triple-LED headlights are fantastic... Can't believe what a difference there is between the car I remember test driving and this new 2019 MY version... Now to learn what all the bits do!

On a positive note, you'll never forget where you parked that at Asda!

I recently fitted these - 17" Konig Ultraform Gloss Graphite from Wheelbase, fitted with Continental PremiumContact 6 tyres. I chose the wider rear wheel option but Wheelbase rang me and suggested they send 4 wheels same width (ie 8J) as the wider rear ones sit too far outside the wheel arch. They did, however supply wider rear tyres (245). This combination isn't actually offered on the website - you could get 245 with 9J wheels or 225 tyres all round with 8J wheels. But I ended up with 225 front and 245 rear on 8J. (Don't bother to criticize, Linas - I know you don't like Continental tyres). 🙂 They are brilliant - substantially lighter than the originals - they have vastly improved the ride (I suspect down to wheel weight) and steering sharpness (I think due to the tyres and the slightly wider track - they sit slightly nearer the outside edge of the wheel arch - slightly smaller offset than standard). Somewhat understated in appearance I know, but they somehow make the car look more aggressive without being in your face. I love 'em!

Later model wheels are less prone to corrosion, only the original 2005, 16, 17 and especially 18 inch designs had issues (I believe something to do with aluminium primer Toyota used at the time, same applies to aluminium bonnet) . Obviously, if you kerb them they can still bubble-up around damaged areas over time. Refurbishment is good option as well, if the job done properly, wheels acid stripped and powder coated they will last forever - my understanding is that you don't like the style? I personally, think that later model year wheels are good option e.g. 2009+ or even mk3 e.g. They improve how the cat looks and makes it appear more modern... well at least in the eyes of the others. If you don't want to go for 18" because be sure ride quality will suffer, then there is an option of 17" what I call "Advance wheels": In the right colour, they look kind of "LF-A inspired" in terms of design: Going up from 17", there are options of IS-F and GS F-sport wheels which are 19", but I would not suggest fitting them unless you are planning to lower the car as well - on stock suspension height 19" looks little bit silly on IS250. IS-F fits with slightly different tyre sizes in the front, in rear they do fit but in theory you woudl need spacer (offset is like 10mm in), GS I believe are direct bolt on. So in short, I feel like the best bet are the Lexus wheels - obviously perfect fit, but as well kind of make sense in terms of design, improves car look without becoming key aspect of it (don't look too much out of place). In terms of aftermarket wheels - the only ones which I feel looks right are USA F-Sport wheels which are not Lexus, but sold via dealership, but in UK good luck finding them.

Yeah the USB ports I agree with, however I do like the dual hinged arm rest and the abundance of tech Lexus throw at the ES! It is almost like an LS but cut price in that regard 🙂No worries, happy to share a video with a like minded Lexus fan! I just can't wait til march to drive my long awaited IS300h

Update getting 48.5mpg around town and motorway better than NX which was 35mpg the lane departure is brill gets some getting used to as it actuals drags the car back into lane love how it picks up car in front on mway and follows it in lane auto heat seats great idea as switching on and off for you same with steering wheel the ride is like on air you get out of car feeling relaxed and chilled You sit slightly higher up than a normal saloon so good position dont feel cramped especially in back with bags of room and my back seats recline which is fab Everyone that as been in it says it is a luxury limo way better than the germans and jags and these are people who own these type of cars will update further vince

I had the 300h GS F Sport. The ES feels like it’s quieter than the GS and feels every bit as quick (someone will moan it’s not quick) on full throttle load. Where the GS excelled (al least over the ES I drove) was when pushing the car through the twisties as the GS had adaptive suspension and was generally firmer and more planted when rushed.

Getting the wife’s Mazda serviced today I went into the adjoining Kia dealership and settled into the Stinger GTS. 3.3 litre V6 bi-turbo. The fit and finish was very good indeed and, like Lexus, every conceivable gadget and toy fitted as standard. Plus Apple CarPlay.😗 The nav was excellent too. Very intuitive to use and clear instructions and visuals. Plus top spec GTS is £41k so a decent saving over the ES Takumi but I still really like the ES.😫

In some ways I prefer the interior compared to the ES. Doesn't have the stupid stuck on Nav screen, nor the horns at the top of the instrument cluster.

I use the Archoil 6200/6400 product and find it makes my 400 smoother and with better pick up at low-mid rpm.m; some low speed hesitation has also been removed. I don’t do many miles a year, so I’m thinking it improves combustion qualities of the fuel, which may off whilst sitting in the tank. As long as you stick to the dosage I don’t think you’ll go wrong; too strong a dosage can cause oil dilution, ie thinning of the oil - with a 5w/30 oil you can’t afford much thinning.

Fifth Gear on TV - Jason Plato did some comparative tests on "cheap" things to improve performance on an old-ish Golf VR6. He started by putting a bottle of fuel cleaning additive in a tankful of gas, after running it for a week it gave him 6 bhp on the dyno, which was more than he subsequently got from oil/filter change, then plug/leads change. I do this on my LS400 Mk 1 about every 8/10 tankfuls and it seems to wake the motor up a bit each time. Can't do any harm, anyway . . . . .

I've only ever used regular unleaded and zero additives .............. now 215k miles young .............. if in another 215k miles summat fails I'll just know I'm not doing it right I'll let you all know Malc

I was putting one squeeze of redex in for every gallon I dispensed as a forecourt attendant some 50 years ago when I was a lad ............... never did me any harm but that was into simply leaded petrol, I've no idea what the intricacies of it all are with hardened " heads " and lead removed from fuel just to what benefits there might be . apart from the obvious it sells more product for the oil majors. My V8 has never had redex nor much other than supermarket fuel for decades ............. she runs well on that and is 214k miles young Malc

Yes. I missed it - if you press a button, it doesn’t matter which one, the device wakes up.

Sounds good. Does it just wake up again once you press a button?

Hi, I would like to share how I handle with this issue. You can just switch off your key fob. If you press and hold the lock button and in the same time press quickly twice the unlock button the key fob stops the transmitting. So no one is able to catch the signal. Of course, it is not very convenient to do it every time but you can decide whether to do it or not. There is one more benefit - in this way you will safe your battery life for long time.

Firstly I would like to say that I don't no the person or have anything to do with the company selling this product i don't, no do any of my friends or family make this product I just thought I would let you all no of a cheep product that would help keep you pride and joy safer. after reading on this form about potential theft of our loved Lexus cars, and how they can now use a detector from out side your house and scan for your keys anywhere in your house I decided do give this product a go, and can say that it works perfectly, once the keys were in the pouch I stood next to the car and the boot and doors would not open, I took the keys out of the pouch, got in the car, put the keys back in the pouch and the car would not start, ( a message saying " Keys not detected ). I brought 2 of this , one for my spare set of keys and one for my general use keys. At less then £3 each I think it was a very good buy. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Keyless-Key-Entry-Fob-Guard-Signal-Blocker-Faraday-Bag-Version-for-Phone/232535957664?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

If you are in any doubt take a look at that VIN Plate on the passenger side. It will look a bit like this Except this is from a USA vehicle, but yours will be similar. You'l find your part vertically on the rhs of the plate indicated against C/TR. The highlighted part shows the colour code, in this case 1GO. The paint code is 3 digits and can contain both numbers and letters. The LA04 refers to trim. Logically then, the C is the code for paint and the TR is the trim choice(fabric/leather etc) NB....Mods...if you feel the need to delete the pic then go ahead ...not wishing to tread on any toes...its only informative after all.