steve-bedford

Too late Guys - Sorry! LS400 RIP The old LS is the silver one - Third up in the middle. If you look carefully, you can just see the edge of a DHP alloy. Look like you will be eating your baked beans out of it next week! Now.........must get on, I have a Hyundai i10 to go and enjoy!

It's the bulky stuff that takes up the room..........Travel cot, Portable High Chair, Trike, Puschair Wheels, Seat, Stand etc. etc. etc. I am sure I have some pictures I took before we set off. It was quite a comical sight with the rear suspension on the bump stops.

The boot of the LS400 is shockingly small for the size of the car so do check that it's going to be big enough for what you need. When we went on holiday (two of us + a two year old) I even had stuff on my lap! It was quite bizarre travelling in a car which was built with luxury and comfort at the top of the agenda and we were so cramped we couldn't wait to get out of the thing!! Not knocking the product as such, it was never built as a family vehicle and as much as I like it, it's just not working for us. I'm just in the process of deciding whether to take up the scrapage scheme...........It just seems very wrong to do that when it's just had a service and the cambelt done!

Mine does exaclty the same. When you take the ignition key in / out sometimes the sterring column "works", sometimes it doesn't. It stopped working for about 3 weeks and has just started working without a problem again. I suspect there is a switch that triggers when the key is in / out and that the contacts are just dirty. I have taken my steering column cover off a few times, taken the motors out and cleaned them up and this does the trick for a while but I don't think I have ever properly got to the route of the problem. I very much suspect that all the dust, dirt etc. picked up on the igniton key from your pocket etc. works it's way into the igniton barrel where (presumably?) the switch is.

Hi Steve, I don't think it is the chauffeur's key because it won't let me in the vehicle at all! (doors or boot!) but it will start the vehicle and lock it. Visually, the keys are identical and the little red LED lights up when pressing all three keys so they must be making contact. Baffling!!

Hi All, My ignition key broke today, the metal key has just come away from the plastic due to age. I have tried supergluing it back together, it seems strong enough so will see how it holds up. I got the spare key out of the drawer (untouched for 2+ years) and this behaves strangely..............It will lock the car and it will start it but it won't unlock it or open the boot. I wondered if the buttons just didn't work but the little red LED comes on so they must be OK. As it will start the car it must be paired up to the car's ECU OK. (I assume?) Any thoughts on why it won't unlock the car and / or boot please? Also, anyone got a replacement? Any ideas of where to go without paying silly prices? Thanks in advance. Steve

Hi Dave, I am sure a lot of people (who care about their cars far more than me!) are going to disagree with me here................... I always use the very cheapest fuel I can find via www.petrolprices.com and I've never had a problem. I believe that Sainsbury's fuel is straight from BP and just rebranded anyway. Maybe one day I'll regret it but I take the view that the vehicles are built with huge tollerances in mind and in the overall worlwide scheme of things most UK fuel is generally of a very good standard. Put another way, how often do you hear of people having a problem? (Apart from the Tesco one a few years back). In my view, the higher octane fuel and all the arguments around better performance and / or economy are just hype. I think there are various test around that prove this. I'll take the savings for the moment..........and the put the Clubcard / Nectar Points towards this year's Christmas food!! Steve

I have had to go to the expenses and hassle of buying a nasty, cheapo 4x4 (hence the Santa Fe) just to get me though the winter months - Sounds totally and utterly barmy doesn't it? So glad I did though! In the snow of Feb 2009 my LS400 can only be described as terrifying, although to be fair that was on the last set of tyres which were getting low on tread. I do think that the amount of tread and rubber flexibilty makes a huge difference. What am I complaining about? I bet an SD1 V8 would be no picnic!! (If you got it to start in the cold of course - ha ha)

The LS400 lighters (neither front or back) do not work unless the ignition is on so you need to attach the crocodile clips straight onto the battery.

Also, worth noting that this trickle charger is only going to keep a good battery in a useable condition. It is not powerful enough to charge from scratch. It's more about keeping the battery topped up in the cold weather and helps put back the small amount of drain brought about by the combination of clock, alarm, immobiliser, tracking device etc. If your battery is this low, it sounds as though it may need replacing - Not at all uncommon at this time of year. I replaced mine about 18 months ago. I used a local battery specialist and it wasn't too expensive. The other thing to have checked (Halfords will do this for free, the AA and RAC also have the necessary tools) is how much charge the alternator is putting into the battery. It's all very well having a good battery but it needs to be recharged properly. The cold weather we are currently experiencing (especially for you in Scotland where it is even colder) puts an enormous strain on the electrical system of any car. Good luck with it.

Yes - I see it's gone back up to £19.95. It was £9.95 in their sale a few days ago - It may be worth calling them and asking them to honour the price - Whilst it's only a tenner, I'm tight like that......It's worth a try!

I got a "Solar-Powered 12V 1.5W Battery Trickle Charger" from Maplin for Xmas (Item code L58BF). Ideal for me as I haven't used the LS400 for the past 2 weeks or so. What a great piece of kit for £9.99 - You don't get better value than that!

That happened on just a slight incline? That's very bizarre, unless it was just ice underneath I wouldn't expect a car to do that.........that's got nothing to do with RWD though, any car would have slid down if it happened to the Merc. Yep - that's pretty much what happened to me. My block paviour drive has a very slight incline towards the garage door, and stopping on the drive (from 1mph) caused the car to slide forwards and sideways. I tried to reverse it to straighten it up and that just caused it to slide more. I'm not sure whether to clear the remaining snow from the drive or let it melt naturally. Well, when i say slight incline........it's a reasonable "slope" I guess. Yes, it was solid ice underneath with fresh snow on top and it's a block paved driveway - It's like glass - Not good at all!! RWD - Maybe.........I guess a FWD does at least allow you to lock the rear wheels (handbrake) AND front wheels (leave it in gear / park). What I don't think has helped here is that he has gone forwards into his uphill drive. Therefore the weight of the engine is naturally pushing backwards and only has the locked rear wheels to support it (or not as the case may be!)

It's not the fault of the Lexus as such, it's just the configuration of RWD. The snow and ice was very bad here last night, my neighbour (who also has a slight slope on his drive) came home from work, parked his 58 plate Merc E Class on the drive, went in for dinner only to find it just slid back out into the road. I watched it all happen, the rear wheels were locked and the front ones turned and it just glided it backwards with noone in it in slow motion - Quite scary actually and luckily came to a stop on the kerb the other side of the road.

Most RWD cars are useless in the snow. You have those big fat tyres with relatively little weight on them and you just don't get the downforce. My wife's KA is brilliant (well in the snow and ice anyway) as it has skinny 155 tyres with the weight of the engine over them. I had such a miserable time earlier this year, my LS400 cannot even get up the fairly meagre slope on my drive that it's now sitting there under a huge pile of snow and I went out and bought a 2003 Santa Fe V6 for £2300. Now you can all take the mick as much as you like......................but it's not half bad and I quite enjoy driving it - Especially in the snow!!

I've had the steering problem too. Remove the plastic steering column cover (three screws) and remove the motors with an Allen Key (you will see where they are, it's quite a simple set up). You either need a new motor, it may be unplugged, it may not be getting power or (like mine) it may simply be clogged with dirt. I brushed mine down, re-greased it, put it back and it works fine.

More headroom? You must be like 7ft tall? :) I'm 6'6' and there's plenty (with the seat lowered) Maybe the MKIV is lower Anywaysss...I can't think of anything except the obvious like power steering leak, illumination issues etc Have you got a sunroof Ruud? yes, I do Hmmmm - That's odd - I'm 6'3 (albeit much longer in the body than the leg) and I really struggle. I have heard the 430 is better. I just cannot work out how you can be that tall and fit! Shame you're not a bit closer so that I could show you what I mean.............

More headroom? You must be like 7ft tall? :) I'm 6'6' and there's plenty (with the seat lowered) Maybe the MKIV is lower Anywaysss...I can't think of anything except the obvious like power steering leak, illumination issues etc Have you got a sunroof Ruud?

- Needs more headroom (for me anyway) - The boot is small in context to the rest of the car - The steering is too light and had little feel - The throttle is way too sensitive and has taken me 2 years to get used to a truly smooth start - The trip computer lies to make you feel good. The "REAL" MPG (worked out with a tank to tank and calculator) is never anywhere near as good! - When raining the boot lid directs the water straight into the boot - Nice! Other than that............it's perfect!

Hi Nick, Don't rule it out - The LS400 is a fabulous car so I would hate to put you off it. Like you, I'm long in the body and short in the leg and find myself having to recline the seat more than I would normally do which is a) uncomfortable and B) really not good for the posture longer term. I struggle in most vehices, funnily enough my wife's KA provides the best headroom and I can sit upright without a problem. Do try one out before excluding it from your list. Steve

Excellent! Glad to hear it's still as good as ever. I'm currently driving a BMW 5 series Sport, but after something more co fortable. I'm 6'6'' and had a few lower back problems lately. The LS 400 could is hopefully the way forward for me. Now, I hope you don't mind me asking, but if it's ever convenient for you, would it be possible if perhaps I could pop over one day and have a sit in your car? Apologies for strange request, but nearest one For Sale is 29 miles away in Manchester somewhere (Globe Car Sales), but once I know I fit in one, I'll travel anywhere for the right one. Again, sorry for strange question, and totally understand if you'd prefer to pass on that! Nick Nick, I am just under 6' 3" and really struggle with headroom the LS400 Series IV. My biggest error was not checking this out in more detail. I can live with it - But only just. I understand the LS430 is better for headroom but I have never been in one so I can't speak with experience. My advice is to check that you fit and will be comfortable. If you're ever passing Bedford you are very welcome to try mine out. Steve

There are just too many unknown factors: age, NCD, where the car is parked, etc. I thought the company which had insured my VW for the past 10 years (no claims) would do it but they actually refused as it is parked on the street and doesn't have a Tracker device fitted. I ended up with Tesco, Clubcard points, a £40 voucher and the best quote I could get so the only useful advice is shop around. Good luck and don't get discouraged! Hi Gen, I work directly for a company that provides insurance approved (TQA) stolen vehicle tracking devices. PM if you need one and I will get you a discount. Steve

Jon, A brilliant tutorial - Very well done and thank you. My pass side one is out (middle and driver's side OK). I posted on this about 2 years ago now so I'm delighted!! Steve

3) The Lexus LS400 Series IV DHP was the only LS400 to be supplied with the 17" alloys. They came with Pirelli P Zero 245/50/17 tyres (which are very expensive!!) 4) The 17" alloys were only an option on the LS400 Series IV. They are part of the DHP (Dynamic Handling Pack) and includes these alloys and slightly lower suspension. Your alloys have clearly been taken from one of these.

Note that this does not apply to the Series IV - It's a different system. I have mine in pieces quite a few times, it's all pretty simple.