hcimc

Many thanks for the last 4 items. Ryanns, - I have now found the correct page (p. 163) in my handbook which states 33psi for 19"tyres; different from your 32psi but then, what's a 1psi difference between friends?! I have reduced the pressures on mine to 33psi and do not notice any change in the ride. It is still jittery. So, I carry on hoping someone who has changed to 18" tyres to join the discussion and will try my supplier next time I am in the vicinity.

Robski and fogey, Many thanks for your comments. robski - The tyres fitted are Dunlop SP Sports, 235 55 R19 101V, which have a quietnes figure of 69 db, lower than most. Pressure was measured at 36psi all round. Now, I'm something of a fogey myself, well into my eighties, so experimenting with pressures may be a possibility but not an attractive idea!! My days of "get out and get under" are long gone! Since my original enquiry I have now checked what the standard pressures should be. The hanbook and the lable on the driver's door-jamb, both say 36psi for 18 inch wheels! Yet the car was supplied with 19" wheels! When the car was being demonstrated, I asked about wheel size and the salesman said 19" straight away.This raises the question of what a loss adjuster might make of all this in the event of a claim. I have emailed my supplier (Lexus Cheltenham) about this and am awaiting their reply. I will ask about a base model, what size wheels it has and if they have one available to drive. However, dealers don't usually have base models as their demonstrators but thank you for the suggestion. So- for the timebeing- an ongoing saga.

Thanks Dan. I am beginning to wish I hadn't mentioned noise as it is the more usettled ride over Cotswold roads and lanes that concerns me most. When I mentioned 18" wheels to my dealer, the expression on his face said he hadn't been asked that question before i.e. it would be a most unusual fitting.In the unlikely event that someone has actually tried it, I would be pleased to hear about it.

Thanks for the reply. Can I ask if you have actually tried 18" wheels or if, like me, your expectation is that this would be the case? I take your point about pressures and the choice of tyre being the main factor in noise generation.

I have recently upgraded from a 2007 RX400H to a 2011 RX450H and am disapointed with a reduction of smoothness of ride. The "new" one seems more unsettled on country roads and has more noticeable road noise. The previous model was also less tiring over long distances (mind you, now being 83 may have something to do with it!). I notice that being somwhat harsher has been mentioned in previous topics. I put this down to the change in standard wheel size from 18" to 19" and that the previous driver's seat had 90,000 miles of wear. Has anyone tried fitting 18" wheels to an RX 450 and does it make an improving difference to comfort. I no longer mind a bit of roll on corners. Any (polite) comments will be much appreciated.

If the car is locked at the time, try unlocking it with TWO clicks of the button on the key fob before holding the lock /unlock button down. The reason why you can unlock it manually is because it senses your hand in the same way as the sensor on the front door handles.