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Jamboo. Can you test at a lower speed. Interested to know if it is a fixed or variable difference. It's also interesting that the Lexus GPS doesn't show your speed like the handheld or PDA GPS systems.

Marjohn. Would like to know what software you used and what the file format is. i.e. DVD-Audio??? not MP3 or WMA. I don't think it is a DVD-R or DVD-RW issue, but a file type issue. I have posted a response from ML about MP3s on DVD in the last couple of weeks. Barry. As all others haev said, you haven't wasted any money on the MM system. Normal music DVDs and CDs sound fantastic. Putting the music into MP3 or WMA format is just compressing the data (music) and allows you to store a whole lot more onto one CD. On average, you may get 10 to 20 CDs on a CD-R if compressed to 128kbps. At 196kbps it will be less compressed and hence each song uses more space. If you have Windows Media player (software) and a CD Burner on your PC, it won't be too difficult for you to learn how to make MP3 or WMA CDs of your music CDs. priorypcclinic & Rich_Bee. If you want to get an early start about the "toys" in your new cars, you can get all (I think) the manuals online at the US LOC website. Happy reading. :)

Interesting comments from J.C. I wonder what he would say about the IS350 if it was available in UK. My wife (mid 30's) actually preferred for me to get the Lexus over the BMs (3 series), Audi (A3 & A4), Alpha (156) and Mercs (C200 Coupes). She like the looks (inside and out) and finish of the Lexus over the others. She didn't need to drive it as she new it would be better that the IS200 that we had previously. All her girl friends (early to mid 30s) all like the shape, look and feel of the 250 and all my friends love the shape of the car and the bulging front guards, as well as all the gadgets that come standard. I think a lot of girls have just been brought up on the fact that BMs & Mercs are "money cars" and hence want guys with them or want to be seen in them. Old fashion attitude! As stated, Lexus are only relative new name (and some say a glorified Toyota) so they don't really know how good they are. Have to tell these people who really own BMW and Mercedes.

Jamboo. The volume hack is for the Sat/Nav. Use the volume off the Menu screen for this hack.

Jamboo. The volume hack is for the GPS and not for the phone. It's the volume on the Menu screen.

Hi All. As I have mentioned in previous threads, I had a question out with ML about making DVDs with MP3 songs. They have finally responded and it looks like it is a no go. Here is the response "I was informed by the manufacturer of the H/U (DVD player) that it is not compatible with DVDR or DVDRW. I think this would explain why it does not work in your vehicle. I did try it in one of our vehicles and it did play but as soon as I tried to skip to another track it stopped working. I do appreciate your feedback it is something we are going to address with Lexus." I have also suggested to them about having a mini-USB port on the next generation of there players. Here is the response to that as well. "As for the USB interface to the vehicle it is a very good idea. USB is becoming more and more a standard interface so it is conceivable for the USB interface for the vehicle."

romaro, I have done about 4800Ks (about 3000Miles) and I am averaging about 27-28MPG. It's about the same around town, 27MPG. Have only done a couple of long trips and Tank meter tells me I am getting around 35-36MPG. Good luck.

Must be still trying to get the rattles and squeaks out of them....

Did you get that for free? Yep. Had already negotiated the final price and options and then said I needed a new golf bag to play at the Lexus Golf days. Actually, the Brisbane dealership normally throws in (I'm sure we pay for it somewhere) a basket of gooides, including a bottle of Moet, some Crabtree & Evelyn beauty products and other bit & pieces. Still got the Moet, but had to for go the beauty products.The wife was a bit peeved at that, but I got my golf bag.

1972pixie. Not sure if 2 bags would fit. There was a nice new Lexus golf bag in my boot when I picked up my car :) , and it fitted easily. Two sets should be ok, but might have a problem fitting anything else.

kinros, as the "hack" eliminates the speed sensor to the unit, has this also disabled the ASL function for the sound system?

Hi am100. I have the petrol 250, so don't know if they have the same gearbox as the Diesel 220, but I am experencing problems with first and second. Have asked the dealership (Aust) to look at it, and they keep telling me that it is the nature of the close ration gearbox. Not convinced! They are supposed to be talking to Lexus Aust about it and see if anybody else is complaining. As for the handbrake, yes, had the same issue that you had to have it almost touchingt he armrest, well, a long way up/back to get it to hold. Asked the dealership to adjust. Encounted another problem on drive after picking it up and the car actually started to vibrate around 80 kpm (50 mph), so was quickly back to the dealership and they confirmed that this could happen if adjusted too much. It is also know that if this persists, could even lead to a total lockup of rear brakes, and hence, an accident. On the ASL, the manual says in comes in around 80 kph (50 mph), but I haev noticed a difference around 60 kph. I believe it is all based on car speed and not any noise factors.

Hey Jamboo. Nice pickup trick and she was in a LS430. Must have a bit of money. But you should have picked one in a SC430. Also, and the lights and Sat-Nav night mode, when you put your lights on Auto, they will come on when the light gets down to whatever Lexus have setup in the lightmeter. At the same time, the Sat-Nav will switch to Night Mode, if you have set it up to do so. That is, have the Dimmer switch set correctly and on the "Display" screen, have setup for Night Mode.

Roonaldo. I have the ML system in my Sports and it has been written in many a press release as the BEST car sound system ever put into a car. Having said that, the press on the standard system has also been great. The Lexus developer in charge of it is an Audiophile and he wanted the same standard as he had in his home. So, I believe, it is based on a Pioneer system, built specially for Lexus and the new IS series.

Thanks guys. I used the proceedure that erol supplied and it worked. I think it is a matter of how long you hold down the ODO button before fastening the seatbelt. But is does work. Now to get rid of the alarm for when you have the door open and you have only pushed the iginition button to get up accessories. That is, if you are in the car trying to use the radio, etc and not start it, pushing the ignition button once will bring up accessories, but you can't leave the door open or you get an alarm sound. Anyone know how to de-activate that one?

I have used it a number of times and has worked everytime. Have to make sure that car is running and when you push on the "override" line, you hold your finger on it (screen) for about 5 or so seconds and when you take you finger off, the background box on "override" has changed colours. Then return to Navigation.

Hi Tony. Not a very good response from the guys in Newcastle. I got my IS from the Brisbane guys and so far no issue with smells. The Brisbane service department have been good with the new 250 help and previous 200. Keep us posted on the smells. Also, have no problems with the Encore program and getting joined. Give them a call.

Lexus Pat. There is a tempory override. Push the Menu button. Select the Volume icon. On the volume screen, touch screen Top LHS, then Botton LHS, then Top LHS, then Botton LHS. This will give you a screen of about 8 options. Press and hold the Override option (3 down LHS, from memory). Hold for about 5 seconds and it will change colour to a blue background). Go back. Go to Destination screen and you should be able to change destinations, etc. Only works for Sat-Nav and will go back to normal when you stop/re-start the car.

PeeAyre. The iPod (MP3) connection works well and fairly easy cable to get off most audio electronics stores. The only thing is that it is the iPod/MP3 player playing the music. Hopefully ML will make changes in next IS release to add a connection (e.g. mini USB) to external media and play by their system. As for MP3 on DVDs, have tried to do it and not been successful. Went to ML themselves and they were investigating, but haven't got back to me. They did respond about watching DVDs while moving was a safety thing that they had to implement. Playing Music DVDs, as you would expect, are no issue. They are, after all, DVDs and not MP3 sound.

Yep. The cooling feature would have been good and don't know why they didn't do it. Just have to turn the a/c up a bit more.

Romaro. Here in Oz, our base model and the Sports Luxury come with Leather. Our Sports model comes with Alcantara fabric. It is a suede like fabric developed by the Italians (about 30 years ago) and used in a lot of the more expensive sports cars. It is supposed to be more durable than leather and easier to clean as well as holding it's shape better. Hence the reason why Lexus is using it in the Sports model. So, if they offer it as an option over there, it may be the way to go to keep the wife happy and give you the luxury the rest of us new IS drivers have been experiencing. Good luck. :)

Kev. I have a manual 250 Sport as well. I don't get the noise, but 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears feel "clunky" and sometimes difficult getting into 1st even when stopped. Have to double clutch it sometimes. Still awaiting Lexus feedback here in Oz.

Hi Matt. It is a function of the mobile phone and not and Lexus. As Jamboo said, you will probably find most of the Sony-Ericson will send the whole phone book at one time. I have a Motorola E398 and it will do only one entry at a time and I believe this happens on all Motorola. Seems like the Nokias are the same and only one entry at a time. Put your address book on the Sim card and transfer the Sim to a phone that will send all entries, and transfer to Lexus. Again, has to be a phone with Bluetooth, of course. My Lexus dealer offered to do it for me. Good luck.

Yes, the Red button allows you to remotely trigger the alarm system. We have it on the Aust version as well. Haven't tried it yet.

Yes DownSouth. The dimmer dial clicks like a switch at the point of change. Took me a week to figure out why the Sat-Nav didn't go to night mode when I switched the headlights on at night. Did you know: The rearvision mirror and side mirrows go into non glare mode when a car has strong lights behind you, but you can switch this off with the button on the rear vision mirror. Also, made a mistake, the LED light is in the Console cup holder not the separate one with the "flip" lid.