Jobow

Hi all! Just to say from my last post, my car sailed through its MOT and service, thankfully! On another note I travelled from Twickenham to Albin Motors in Lower Sydenham, London for the work. Not an insignificnant journey, I can assure you, espcially as I live next door to Lexus Twickenham. Based on recommendation, I was not disappointed! Kevin, the Owner, welcomed me, knew exactly what my car was and what work we had discussed weeks ago, upon arrival. The garage was clean and tidy with a lot of cars being serviced always a good sign. The work on my car was carried out with ease and I was kept informed all the way through. What I particularly liked was that Kevin was very honest and realistic about the work that did and didnt need doing. Genuine Lexus parts were used and the cost extremely reasonable. I am quite particular and wary about who I entrust my car to but I would, without hesitation, recommend ABM Motors to other Lexus owners in the London area! Check him out! Thanks joe

Interesting you mention this as my car is in the garage for a service. I asked them to replace the battery in my key as its on the way out. The mechanic asked if I had a spare key that blips - i.e open/locks the car by pressing a button? I havent, only a grey key. He advised I get spare "blipping key" as if you loose your only one its a bill upwards of £1000 to reprogramme the entire locking system etc with a new key. A pain in the **** I spoke to lexus and its about £150 to get a spare blipping key for the car. They have to import it from Germany? I may look to get another at some point. Until then, DONT loose your key!

Hey! My car is in for a service and MOT at Albin Motors! I am hoping all will be o.k and that they can sort the clacking brakes out! Just praying its nothing more serious like the suspension! Ill keep you all posted! Joe

Hi all, My lexus is due a 6 year service despite it only having covered 13,000. I will presumably get the cambelt done, the "clacking" front brakes looked at. I wouldnt be surprised if they replace the rears as one wheel is producing a lot of brake dust. My question: Good, independent garages to try and avoid a massive bill? I see Albin Motors and JEM are advertised? Any others people know of? I am not going to take it to a lexus dealer, i think it will simply be too expensive. Any recommendations welcome Thanks Joe

I have exactly the same problem! Test drove my lexus, everything fine. On collection the garage had serviced it and replaced the front pads. Ever since, both sides, especially the passenger side click and clack when I go over humps or slight bumps in the road. I took the car back, they took the pads out, checked them, reinserted them and said everything was o.k. To this day they still click and clack. There are so many threads on this forum about brake slap. Not sure what you can do to cure it. I swear its design fault with Lexus. My car goes in for a service next month, ill get them to check it then Let me know what the outcome is. joe

A possibility could be the curse of the brake pads moving in the calipers. Seems to a be a design fault by Lexus with other owners suffering with it on this forum as do I. Some days my wheels click and clack like crazy, others they dont. This is mainly at low speed, turning and going over bumps. I also notice it when I reverse and apply the brakes. I dont hear it at high speed because of the wind. Not a lot you can do really, apart from change the pads, slap them up with copper ease, before fitting them and hope for the best. my car is due for a service soon, so Ill get the garage to look at it.

Hi all, Something you may be interested in. Since owning my lexus, its the first car ive had with some leather interior. Recently, I noticed the outer edges of the front seat going shiny. I bought a car leather care pack from TT solutions http://www.lttsolutions.net/ Very very good! The foam cleaner lifted a load of dirt I didn't think was there and the protector left a nice matt finish on th leather, which hasn't gone shiny yet! I have some maintenance cleaner I use between proper cleans! Really recommended, pack price is around £40 quid but will last for ages!

Hi all, I had a very stressful Tuesday which was capped off nicely when I kerbed a section of my pristine alloy wheel on the passenger back. I am going to get it repaired. Any recommendations? I see "wicked wheels" come to your house and bill themselves as doing presteige cars such as Lexus and others? I also seel this company which looks reputable? http://www.wheelrefurbishing.com/ The wheels are not diamond cut, they the slightly larger 6 spoke 18 inch wheels. Any companies in and around the twickenham area would be ace. I dont minfd driving out, but not hundreds of miles! Thanks chaps!

Heres a story, When I bought my lexus I test drove it and it was fine. No knocking detected. When I picked it up the garage said the front pads needed replacing and had done so. Since then the wheels knock when going over a bump, braking into a corner or going over a speed hump. The passenger side especially. I find in the warm weather its not so bad, which got me thinking it may be a shock absorber. I find this hard to fathom as the car has only donr 10,000 miles I took the car back to be checked and they said everything was fine. I swear they threw away the tensioning clips/spacers in the brakes. I live with the knock and will get it checked at the next service. I cant believe Lexus would manufacture cars with such an anooying fault!

Bought my 03 plate with 9850 on the clock Just hit 11,600 miles!

What you need is: Autoglym Machine Cleaner. A microfibre cloth Soak the machine cleaner into the damp microfibre cloth and wipe away! Rinse out the cloth when its full of dirt. I find this very effective for cleaning, plus you dont have cover any parts up

Synthetic oil will provider longer lasting protection than mineral based oils and wont breakdown as much over the time its used. It also provides better protection of internal engine parts, more so on start up. 0/30, 5/30 consistencies is again more than good enough. These will be thinner and appear more liquidy when you pour them. It is usually why its not recommended for high mileage engines as its can eek out any leakes the leaks in the engine. Although I dont see this as a huge problem with todays engineering tolerances. Personally, I would go for Mobil, as Ive used this in my Astra (yet to use it in the Lexus) and also Castrol. Havent heard of Fuchs, but I am sure it too will be more than good enough.

You could also try Forte Fuel Treatment. I used this in my Astra which i found to be pretty good. Havent tried it in the Lexus though Look on Ebay, its what they use in the trade. Cant buy it in the shops

Ive been toying with the idea of changing the oil on my car next year? Does anyone have any photos? This would really help, especially when people say the filter is hard to get at. Be good to see it in the flesh!

Just figured it out! I checked the fuse boxes (all 3) and all the fuses were intact. I then noticed that both the driver door light and dome light didnt come on when I opened the driver door! Finally when I twiddled the spring loaded connection which pops in and out when you open and close the door, both the dome light and door light flickered! I need a new sping loaded connector. Anyone know where I can get one? Ebay or lexus?

Hey all, Yep ive popped out the whole light unit, checked the connection which seemed fine and changed the bulb. Still the driver door light doesnt come on. As for the little yellow sign on the dash, that one of the rear bulbs has blown. This comes on, on its own, there is no fluid warning light coming on.

Yep, That all works fine. I wondered whether there is a switch in the door that is at fault?

Hi all, Ive recently noticed my little red drivers door light doesnt come on when I open the door. The passenger side is fine. Now, I just changed the bulb and this has had no effect. Any idea where i look next or what it might be? One other thing. My warning light that one of the rear bulbs has blown comes on intermittently during a journing. Once its on, it stays on for the duration of that journey. When I drive the car the next day it may not come on. Ive checked all rear bulbs and they are all fine. Again, any ideas? Thanks Joe

How was the badger! Love that!

bump! Anyone help? Please!

Hi all, Wondering if you can help? My power steering needs a slight top up. Would this fluid Castrol TQD Dexron 3 be o.k? http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...tegoryId_165750 Or do you guys use something else? Any advice, suggestions on what I should use would be greatly appreciated many thanks Joe

Yeah I have to agree its does look rather impressive. The cubile with the speedo has a porsche look about it! My father who worked in the airlines for 30 years plus, thought it looked like the control panel of a boeing jet, when it was all lit up at night!

You could try www.mytyres.co.uk There prices include shipping as well. Only thing they dont do is fit them. They are usually very good on price with a good selection Thanks Joe

Hi all, Just a quick question. I see in the manual it recommends 5/30 oil, which is fine. Is there anything wrong with using a fully synthetic 0/30 or 0/40 oil? (Mobil comes to mind) I would have thought it preferable to use these as they withstand freezing temperature, are quicker to get around the engine and provides better protection and efficiency. Anyone use these grades of oil and if you did, would it do any damage? I personally cant see how? Many thanks Joe

Ahhh All is clear now and my order will be placed! Damn this website! Although, as per a previous post, this filter isnt going to cake up my accelerator housing and butterfly? Joe