zippyone

Thanks for all your interest and replies,... DVR's seem to be a little bit of a minefield, I think that there are good and bad at the top and bottom end of the market. I have plumped for a Black Vue DR550GW HD-2ch after looking at reviews and U-Tube. Will get an auto electrician to fit it for me as I am past playing with cars. Yes, cost a lot, but so did the car. If any of you have any suggestions on setting it up, or just to call me a silly boy, they will be welcome. Oh! I include two pics. of my first bump in 50yrs, (16/12/13) minor damage but around €3.5k to repair, the other party paid. Michael.

I can remember those days also, mine were the tyres with less than enough tread usually. In days of old in never never land, I could only just afford the payments for the second hand car, tyres! pphhh, they were a luxury, that were only changed as a last resort and then usually on borrowed money. Then, almost too late, I learnt the secret of life, a better education. It worked for me, half as much work, twice or more as much pay, now I can afford a Lexus, a story that will bring back memories to many, I bet. In Italy it is obligatory to wear snow tyres between November and the end of March, needless to say most people do not use them, and the bill are not normally very good at their job, so it is pretty safe. I have been undecided on which tyres to get for Mr. Jingles, but will have a set for next winter. I have Winter and Summer tyres for my Subaru and use that when I leave my local area and head for the mountains, or Switzerland, the Swiss police are more capable shall we say, they also track one down to issue the fine. With all the rain this year I was thinking of building a raft powered by Mr. Jingles, steered by water jet, no prop or rudder to snag, also to incorporate a track just in case it encountered terra firma. The track would be available in Winter or Summer versions. Michael.

Hi all, I copied Geof. used thin clear plastic and ties. I also fitted some clear plastic tube around the edges to prevent any scratching of the paintwork. I think that I could have cut it a little larger to fit better, or fit a larger piece of tube around the plastic. Does it work ? not sure yet, it has been pretty cold here -2/12°c for a couple of weeks will give it a little longer, engine start up time does seem to be about the same as normal though. Michael.

Forgot to say, Mr. Jingles will be 1 year old on 27th December.

I was stopped at a roundabout on 6th December using the 'Park button', when I received a trans rectal, (shunt), Boy, did I jump! I've been driving now for just on 50yrs and it was the first time that I've had to fill in an insurance form, I just did not know how to do it, the other party had to assist me with it, he was Hungarian, bye the way. I went to the dealer next morning for a check, damage just to rear door and bumper, both have to be replaced, cost about €3,000. The transmission was ok, and has shown no signs of problems since either. Now, after a cry and a change of underpants I feel better.

Hi Pulsar2008 !! glad that your happy with your new baby, I can feel the excitement oozing from your post. I don't want to be a spoilsport, but remember, what you see, is not always really what you see. I am not familiar with the 'Advance', but I have a 2013 CT, I would suspect that the difference is mainly the toys. During the last 9 months I've clocked up 8470miles - I'm retired, and the car indicates 66mpg, however, in reality I am doing about 59mpg, the readout from the car, for many reasons is generally 2-5% optimistic, hence the use of the word 'indicated', also, mpg depends on how it's driven. I expect now expect 'Mr Jingles', to go about 500miles between fill ups, with a fill up of about 35ltrs. CT's seem to do about 51mpg on average, I would suggest that you go to the ' FUELLY', site to check them out. I see that it is quite warm where you live, it was 15°c here in northern Italy today and raining. I'll have to move to a more temperate climb, me thinks! Best wishes. Michael.

Hi all, I can remember about 5 years ago when I was in Gosport and needed a tyre change for some reason, the tyre man said, 'do you know that this is a winter tyre', he was quite surprised. I confirmed what he said and told him that I was in Switzerland the day before. I went on to tell him, that there the police stop drivers just to check the tyres, wrong ones = big fine and a long walk, the car has to remain where it is until the tyre is change, or, if they are in a good mood chains are fitted. I do not like chains, not really good for road or tyre. Oh! so called, 'all weather tyres', are not accepteable either. I agree with what Steve said entirely, winters are a boon, your lease company want a little education Richard, try speaking to them again, telling them the errors of their ways, there is a much higher risk of an accident when using Summers in the Winter, proven fact. Maybe that is their idea, so that they can screw the insurance company for an extra few quid, more profit. I would believe anything these days. I think that the proverbial ' honest John ' at the market, would be a saint in these modern times. I have eight tyres/wheels for my impresa, four on the car and four on the garage wall, each season I go to my trusted tyre man, to change them over and align them/ renew them as required. I now have a very good, new/expensive car and naturally want good tyres for it. Tyre technology improves all the time, but they still generally have poor RR, I think that the new EU method of marking is a good benchmark and the manufactures should remove their preverbial and provide the punter with a better product, not just better advertising. In my hunt so far I've come up with : Dunlop 205/55R16 Winter sport 4D, ( E-C-68db), Bridgestone Blizzag LM32, (C-B-69db), not quite the RR I am expecting. There was a LOC member who had found a Dunlop with an A, RR but I cannot find him now. Now I will look at Hankook to see their ratings. Oh for the days of old when knights were bold........ Fill up with straw/grass, use the waste on my allotment, just a steel band for the tyre. Used to get a sore bum and wet when it rained, but by gum, I had some wonderfull rhubarb!! The joys of my first car come rushing back. Get winter tyres, you know it makes sense. All the best. Michael.

Hi Rich, that's not strange, it is what is supposed to happen surely, the more that you can do with the battery assisting the engine, the less petrol you use. The trick is to keep the battery charged as well, to enable this composition, hence the light foot and reading the road ahead. I cruise a lot charging the battery coming up to lights, roundabouts, inclines... I go down a few mph , but, with a gentle touch battery and engine get me back to speed with little fuel use, when the battery gets lowish again, I hypermile again. Well, that's my thinking anyway. Today I filled up, 37 litres, my last fill up gave me 61mpg and a range of 499 miles I'm happy with that, I expect this to tail of now as it is getting colder, 16°c today, probably warmer in Hampshire. I am now in shoes and socks, not sandles or old house slippers. More changes to foot pressure. Changes to the car also, I must get some winter tyres (obligatory here) when I can find some that have good rolling ability, A or B. I shall also make a lower grill cover like the one Geof (WASS) made. I think that winter tyres will bring my mpg down a little also, have to see. On my Subaru I use any old winter tyres, but the CT is new and hybrid, so I want good RR tyres, the Bridgestone factory fits are only E rated for RR, not too good, but with 61mpg can't be that bad! Best wishes. Michael.

welcome to the club, glad that you are happy with your CT. I think that you will need to run your motor for at least two tank fulls in each mode to get a good mpg read out, the motor also has to settle in. I believe many people put better mpg down more to driving style and that the 'driving modes' just add that little tweek. I had my CT last December, drive mainly on urban roads max 70kmh, I have tried the above system and personally found that there is little difference between the modes, even when on the motorway. I cosider the weight of my foot the real deciding factor and the ability to read the road, I had a long learning curve. My longest run was Italy to England and I was more than pleased with the mpg, as a pensioner I too keep a close eye on the mpg. I use 'fuelly', and if you look me up there you can see just how 'Mr Jingles' performs. At the moment 'Mr. Jingles' indicates 4.3l/100km (66mpg) and fuelly tells me 4.8l/100Km ( 59mpg). My own mathematics go along with fuelly. Now just of to the big city and to fill up. Best wishes. Michael.

I had the same problem, now, thanks to you, I also know the trick, thanks. Hope that you get well soon after catching the 'button'. Michael.

Hi Richard, congratulations, looks like you put a lot of hard graft and time into getting that finish, I like it, and the clear pics. To me red always seems to polish up well. Hope that your other half appreciates your effort. Mr. jingles is now eight months old and is due for the same sort of treatment, every Wednesday morning he gets a good clean with 'Arexons' wash and wax', now its time for a serious clean for winter. I will probably use clay and autoglym, I haven't cleaned a car well for about forty years now, so it will be a new experience for me. My only thought (for lack of a better word) is, that it may be better to blank out the plate number when posting online, never know who might take a liking to your pride and joy. Great stuff, be sure to keep it up. Michael.

Don't be put of getting a CT for your wife, she will be more than pleased with it. Do however, make sure that it has a space saver on delivery and not the 'goo' stuff, that they generally come supplied with. Check out the thread on Space savers, could save you a lot of hard earned cash. Michael.

Hello Shepherd, Did you get a photo; I've never seen or heard of a Lexus breaking down, one of the most reliable motors about. Maybe it ran out of fuel, or had a puncture and had no spare, both unlikely, but possible. Michael.

Hi everyone, I've had a few close calls this year, haven't we all? A boat became detached from its towing car about 75yds ahead of me, also badly secured items falling from cars and builders wagons. A car 3 in front of me, ran over a bicycle which had fallen from a car, all on the motorway, plus the usual cut ups with inches to spare. I have a Russian friend who told me that in Russia many cars are fitted with cameras, to record the journey for insurance purposes: remember the meteor in Russia last year? some little Martian is no doubt caughing up right now, caught on camera. I have looked at many car cams, there is so much choice, in both type and price. I am at a loss, what are your thoughts on car cams? 1) what are your experiences with car cams? 2) Are they worth investing in, or a waste of time? 3) Will having one/two fitted affect my insurance? 4) Are they easy to install, with non or few wires hanging about? 5) Best place on screens to fit them. 6) Is there a model that you would/wouldn't recommend? I would be grateful to hear your views on the subject, thanks. Michael.

Hello Rosella, welcome to the club and I hope that you enjoy your new CT. You must post some pics. of it when you have time, for us all to enjoy. I cannot help with the technical bits, but if you look at the CT200h forum where I posted an item, 'New kid on the block, Space saver', dated 30th July, this shows how I overcame the space saver problem, with pics. You may find it of use. I aquired my CT last December mainly for comfort and economy and am very pleased with both. I call him Mr. Jingles, silly to give a car a name I suppose, but if you ever had a Teddy bear, you will understand. I also joined 'Fuelly', to keep track of my economy, I get about 59/60mpg. Drive carefully, not too heavy on the juice, and enjoy your new addition to your family. Michael.

Hi OldGit, nice to know that I'm not the only one on the forum! Thanks for your comments. You, like me, probably used odd bits left over from other jobs that were cluttering up the garage, my cork tiles were originally bought to act as spacers behind Ikea kitchen wall units, that I fitted in my 400 tear old mountain hide away, four years ago. Simple is good eh! I do not have much luck with cruise control, this is the first time that I've used it. My 16 year old Impressa didn't have it. I set the cruise control to 100km/h and relax, then, low and behold, I'm sitting behind either some silly old fogy doing almost 40km/h - quite legally, or at the rear of an 'elephant race', which as you know, can go on for several miles/km. I have come to the conclusion that for me, the cruise control is only of any real use after 10ish at night, until 5ish in the morning, or maybe I'm not using it properly. 100/120km/h bye the way, is my normal cruising speed on the motorway, after six months the CT is averaging about 4.8L/100km (59mpg) Michael.

Hi Colin, thanks for the info. on the Auris, we did look at one of those, before settling for the CT. I spoke to a taxi driver in Milan this morning who had a new one, he was as pleased as punch with it, - he had a Prius before. Mind you taxi drivers get special rates. I was not impressed with the plasticky finish though, so I'll stick with the CT. - I love it really. :heart: I understand your point about 'accountant's eyes', my old dutch is a semi retired chartered bean counter. Spacesaver as an option is a step in the right direction, however, my personal thoughts are that the 'goo', should be banned. I feel that the European motoring organisations should carry out rigid tests on its use, safety....... and lobby Bruxelles to have it banned. Michael

Thanks, we must remember that Lexus is a money making machine like all companies, their engineers live in a different world and are incapeable of seeing the small details, the silly things that will convince you and me to buy their cars without a quibble. They are certainly not time served submariners either. I am very happy with my overpriced CT, don't get me wrong, but when I look through the forum and see all the little things that members have had to do themselves, to improve on what should be part and parcel of such a pricey motor, it amazes me. To fit these things during production would cost Lexus very little. In fact it would be more profitable for them to have less versions of the same motor, simply build 'for, but not with', they would save a fortune on tooling and labour etc.... Then if you or I want to add a navigator, or some other gizzmo at a later date, we do not have to pay also to have the front of the car adjusted, we just plug it in and become happier bunnies. The bloke at Hatfield always gets good write ups and seems, by all accounts to be good, but when I saw the parts list that he came up with to fit the spacesaver I nearly fell of my perch, also the circa £600 price tag. I even had to revive my parrot with a wee tot, but we all have jobs to do I suppose. I joked with the guy at my dealers in Milan, " every few seconds they stamp out a box, they don't count 1,2,3,4, but £200, 400,600,...in the till". ( they are probably made like paper cups really). He laughed in agreement and said that I was the first person that had changed from the 'goo'. I think that shortly there'll be lots of unhappy Iti's out there. Not a gripe, just an observation. Michael.

Hi to you all, I found this site about a month ago, now. After spending much time looking through the forum and finding how informative it is and what a bundle of fun all you fella's are, (oh! and gal's), I no longer feel alone with my CT. I have never used a forum before so please, point out and excuse me, for any bad manners. I am an ex-pat living half way between Milan and Bergamo in Italy, just a few minutes from the A4 Turin /Venice motorway. I am a semi- retired podiatrst. My CT is called 'Mr. Jingles', and can be found on the 'fuelly site', ct200h year 2013. I would like to start by making a small contribution to the forum. I enclose details of how I resolved the spacesaver problem, with pictures. I set as my brief: simple, functional, low cost, light weight, to cause as little damage to the vehicle as possible. There was also a need to retrofit the original parts when/if I sell the vehicle on. Parts used: EN 4261121290 - wheel hub £67.57, EN 6193176010 - hub securing nut £9.92, 125/70 17 continental tyre £70.63, total cost £179.63. (I payed €208.51). The box EN 6499376030, comes in two forms, flat bottomed and angular bottomed neither was suitable for the job and they both needed cutting up and modifing to fit. The price tag for the box was around €220.00 so that was a definite no go. Do you get £200 in notes from the bank, then chop it up to fit in the slot of your piggy bank? As you will see the edges of the cork are not quite flush, needs a swift run over with a sander, if that. I fitted the spacesaver two weeks ago and as expected, the weight of the cover keeps the cork in place - no need for gluing down. The cover fits quite flush, even the mumsahb was impressed. ( got an extra spoonfull of sugar with my cocoa!!). As a rough guide, with the bathroom scales, I estimate that I lost 5.5kg and gained 12.46kg, so I am now about 7kg heavier than before. - also the CT!!That I feel, is nothing to tell mumma about. Hope that the enclosed information is of use to you. Michael.

Hi fellow Lexians, I was looking for information on my CT200 when I saw a phrase refering to the many dedicated sites for various car models. I then plumbed in 'Lexus CT200h', and arrived at this site. I have since been looking at all the questions and informed answers, liked the site and here I am, I just hope that the site likes me also.