Steverally

Hi, just been on ebay (Friday 27/12/2013, 20 00hrs) and seen two buy it now adverts for a CT200 Space saver. Having already purchased a unit from my dealer they are of no use to me but may be to someone on here. Don't seem to be able to copy a link to the pages (someone might be able to expain my error - tried copy and then paste) but if you type 'Lexus CT200 Space saver' into ebay you should see the offerings. Hope this is of assistance

Hi, first thing don't think you can turn off traction control, so you have to apply power very gently otherwise think it will kick in with symptoms you describe. Ideally try and let car move on tick over and take itself out of mud/snow, you may have to switch heating or a/c on to get the ICE running. You could also get a set of snow socks/chains but these are fiddly to fit and are for short term use, alternatively you could invest in winter/snow tyres which really do make quite a bit of difference. I ran a Prius for three winters and through the heavy snow of 2010 without any problems, that was with 17" standard wheels and tyres, I only had to use snow chains once in that period, the rest of the time was having a very 'light right foot' which seemed to work. I've had my CT for 15 months now and last year I bought a set of winter wheels and tyres, they are put on the car at beginning of November and taken off at end of March. they really make a difference especially when temp is below 7 degrees. I did see a 'continental tyres' video of the benefits of winter tyres either on this or the Prius forum, having seen that you'd really understand the benefits of these tyres (sorry can't find the link to video)

Took this photo this morning.

Hi, I used pipe insulation foam bought from B and Q. Bought a 1metre length and cut in half - it then fits easily into the lower slots below the number plate, held in place with tie wraps. Only negative its colour - grey

Richard, I was sceptical about the benefits of winter tyres, whilst I'd had my Prius I'd toyed with the idea for three winters but always resisted the urge to buy. I bought my CT a year ago and then in December saw a set of 15" wheels fitted with Hankook tyres for a CT advertised on ebay, better still they were being sold only 40 miles away. I bit the bullet and bid and won them. Once fitted they seemed to give the car a more positive feel in the cold weather, frosty conditions not just the snow. In snow they were fantastic I even went out specially to try them on a couple of bad days. They seem to have less tyre noise than the LRR tyres fitted as standard, and I noticed no drop in fuel consumption whist they were fitted. I informed my insurance company of the proposed change and was told I'd get a refund for fitting them - better still At the beginning of November I'll be in the garage swapping the wheels over, the winter wheels will stay on until the temp gets above 7 degrees, they work better when the temp is below that. Hope this helps. Steve

Hi, I bought a genuine 'Artic Pearl' Lexus touch up set on Ebay from RRG Toyota/Lexus Bradford, cost £9.99, free P&P. Link to ebay site http://stores.ebay.co.uk/RRG-Toyota-Lexus-Bradford?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 Steve

Eric, I bought a space saver from my dealer, and like you say it only fits in at an slight angle, the boot well at the bottom is not long enough for the wheel to sit properly. I made myself a screwed rod thru a piece of wood to fasten it down to the bracket in the base of the wheel well, and then packed all my belongings, jack, spanners, etc around and on top of the wheel. I put in a couple of old car mats and a carpet tile on top which leveled off the boot well to allow the existing boot floor cover to sit flat. I've attached a photo as requested.

You can..but how long do you have to wait...will you always have a mobile signal when you need to call them?

For those of you thinking of purchasing a space saver, this topic was covered in posts on this forum back in 14th June 2012, Titled 'Spare Tyre'. I've hopefully copied the link below. http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/77706-spare-tyre/ In the various posts are the part numbers for wheel, tyre, etc. I had no problem purchasing them from Lexus Leeds.

I wonder whether 'Seth' meant towequipe.co.uk - try this link http://www.towequipe.co.uk/categorylist/boot-liners-lexus-ct/

Wass, didn't make it clear in my post my winter tyres are on a set of alloys, so its a matter of just swapping the wheels, today it took me just over the hour to swap them. Never thought about using one as a spare, as nuts are different diameter to normal, and I purchased a space saver as soon as I got my car.. don't like bottles of glue!!!

Made a brave move today, replaced the winter snow tyres, with the summer Yokohama's...whether its too early only time will tell!! I can report that I've done 3000 miles on the winter tyres, no change in fuel consumption, possibly a softer ride, down to the '55' profile, but best of all better grip and traction through out all the snow we've had. Would I recommend winter tyres..yes, and before I bought them last november i was sceptical about theyre worth, this winter has proved them.

Welcome Seth, Hope you enjoy your new car. Answering your questions - no there's no temperature gauge, and no the battery never shows full, don't worry about the latter as the management system looks after the battery, you'll find it never goes below two bars towards empty. Just enjoy your car, you'll find that as you adapt your driving style the MPG will improve and by the way the MPG always suffers in the cold. Enjoy, Steve

Didn't stay at 99p for long..now at £51 and still 4 days to go!!

On ebay at the moment is an auction for a space saver for a CT200h. Its a collect only from County Durham. BIN price £120 - good value about the same that I paid when I bought one.

Start the car, put into drive and press hard on the brake pedal(centre pedal) until the traction control light flashes, you then have a couple of seconds to release the handbrake and apply pressure to accelerator, the brakes will be released automatically when you touch accelerator. I'd have a practice on a slight slope on the road, so you can get a feel of the process.. it becomes quite normal once you get use to it.

Many modern cars have these indicators to warn those who put child seats on the front passenger seat to de-activate the passenger air bag. You will find a switch on the passenger side of the dashboard, which is accessible when the passenger door is open...I'm affraid when you operate this switch it'll put on the other indicator lamp to indicate the air bag is switched off. I've heard of some who just tape over the indicator if it causes bother.

I agree my car performed well last week, used the ev mode once to get me out of our estate without problem. Bought a set of winter wheels at weekend, fitted Sunday, then lots more snow on Monday - car felt even more secure, traction better and passed several other vehicles who were struggling on a couple of steep hills...didn't really appreciate the great benefit of these wheels until then. Other benefit spoke to insurance company and they gave me a 5% discount on policy for fitting winter wheels. As tyre manufactures recommend better performance below 7 Degree C plan to leave winter tyres on till end of March.

In the Toyota Owners club Prius forum where the fitting of towbars was discussed in depth - 'Kingo' who works for a dealership, and reports with some authority on the forum gave the best response for not fitting a towbar - 'Without the risk of repeating myself, I can only stress that the Prius in the UK comes with NO type approval to tow. If you do fit a towbar and need to make an insurance claim, then you might find yourself in trouble and your insurance would be void' I've also read on the Club lexus forum about towing with hybrids and they mention possible transmission problems and the need to change the type of oil? If you feel its worth the risk - do it ??? The link to the TOC topic is - http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=128669&st=20#entry1152579

Lol :) I think you might be ok with just towing that! Becareful!! Adding a towbar is dangerous, especially as both Lexus and Toyota express the car is not suitable for towing, could damage the electric drive which could be costly especially as I doubt you'd get any recompense from the Manufacturers. Also, would not your insurance company need to be notified.... in case of a claim for another incedent... would they claim your 'mod' could have had an effect ?

I like you hate the Goo - doesn't work on side wall cuts!!!! Thats why i bought a space saver... not really keen on them either, but better than Goo. Gave the part No's that 'Wass' posted earlier in this thread to Lexus Leeds and they got me wheel and tyre for around £140.. but money well spent for peace of mind. If you go down this route.. bear in mind you'll have to remove the under boot storage box, wheel wont fit below it. I got some threaded rod and made my own fixing which secured wheel in place firmly at a slight angle, I also wrapped the tools/jack, and Goo in foam and placed around wheel. Boot cover sat neatly on top to give a level firm boot floor.

In the brochure I picked up when I got my CT 200 in Oct it says Leather seats and parking assist are standard on the SE-L ... smart entry is not - it was only standard on the premier model and not an option on any other models.

Thanks Geoff, Like on the Toyota Prius forum, knew someone here would have info to help. From the link you provided I did manage to find which buttons to press on my phone to enable contacts to be transferred one at a time.. atleast it saved a lot of typing. Can't do a bulk transfer. Regards, Steve

Hi, I've just joined, having yesterday collected a CT200h SE- L Premier in Mica Artic Pearl from Lexus Leeds. I'm not new to hybrids having swapped my Prius T Spirt which I've owned for nearly 3 years, so was always going to stick with this technology - whether it be another Prius or the Lexus. Wow, first impressions, fantastic car, yes, better quality than the Prius, but not as many gizmo's I'd like to say great service from all the dealer personnel at Lexus Leeds, confirmed I'd made the right choice, but I had no complaints about my Toyota dealer. Now the question about my phone, It worked perfect in the Prius, but in the Lexus I cant get the contacts to transfer. Phone has 'paired' and connected to the car but when I try and transfer my phonebook, the Nav screen says operate phone, but theirs nothing to activate the phone. My Phone is a Samsung Galaxy Young. I can download the contacts via another older phone, but when i reconnect the samsung, they're not accessible. Anyone offer any help or even another method to get contacts transferred. Thanks, Steve