bondms

I've just replaced mine today and it's not a quick job. It took me about 2.5 hours to do the first. After I'd put everything back I found that the other one had also stopped working (even though it had been fine when I started). It took another 20 minutes to do that one -- obviously quicker since I knew what I was doing, but still a long job for what should be a simple task. The references I used were: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Basically, you need to: - Pull enough studs from the boot liner so that it will fold down. - Remove the cover from the boot lock mechanism by releasing the clips at the rear. - Undo the four 10mm nuts holding the trim on the outside of the boot. - Unclip the wires from the boot where they disappear up the conduit. - Prise the trim off the boot (carefully because there are two clips in addition to the four bolts). - Prise the lamp holder from the boot. - Rotate the lamp socket to remove it from the holder. - Pull the bulb from the socket. - Repeat in reverse to put it all back together.

I believe ISOFIX was added to the rear seats of the IS200 around September 2001 along with some other small changes in specification. Even prior to September 2001 the outside rear seatbelts have a special feature that could be useful for attaching child seats. If you fully extract the belt it will lock so that it only retracts (i.e. can't be re-extracted unless it is first fully retracted).

There's a small metal tab on one pad of each front pair. It's designed to make a loud screeching sound as it rubs against the disk just before the pad is down to the metal. I'm not sure how effective it is though, so it's best to keep your eye on them rather than rely on hearing it.

My car's done 135,000 miles and it's still on its original pads and disks. I don't use my brakes much -- 50 mile commute each way with motorway type driving nearly all the way.

Interesting; all the IS200 oil filters I've got from Lexus have said something along the lines of "tighten until the gasket contacts the plate and then add another 3/4 turn". This usually works out slightly tighter than hand-tight.

I'm pretty sure that stationery idling the needle went to 80mpg, same when at traffic lights etc. As others have said it should read zero when idling but it probably reads 80mpg when stationary with the engine stopped (so long as the ignition is on). When the engine is stopped the maths becomes a division by zero (i.e. no gallons being used) so 80mpg is just as valid as 0mpg in this case.

Yes, doing a search on Amazon for "cd lens cleaner" brings up plenty of CD lens cleaning disks. I've never tried one but would be interested to hear your results because I also occasionally get Error 1. I'm not sure it's actually due to a dirty lens though because switching back and forth between CD and radio several times seems to cure it.

This is also likely to reduce grip, so be aware.

It's been discussed before. Taka a look at these threads: How to change the oil Oil filter Oil filter

Red crusty deposits around the water pump hose is common "feature" on the IS200. So long as the water level isn't decreasing it shouldn't be a problem.

I think it's quite a common problem with RDS radios when using either the TA or AF feature. I get it with my IS200. Turning off the TA helped but it still happens (presumably due to the AF). It doesn't happen when I listen to local radio stations with only a single transmitter which is why I suspect the AF feature. It was equally bad on an IS200 courtesy car I had, my Dad says it happens on his 2005 model GS, I've heard it happen on a Vauxhall Omega manufacture fit radio and I've experienced it on an after-market Sony. Some radios don't seem to suffer- perhaps those that use a second tuner to eliminate the need for the primary tuner to seek to the new frequency during a switch over? I was hoping that DAB would solve these sorts of problem but uptake of DAB in cars seems to be happening very slowly.

Have you checked the brake fluid level?

I think I paid around £500 for the towbar and electrics from Lexus and then fitted them myself. At the time I didn't know that Lexus would just supply a Brink one which I possibly could have bought cheaper directly from Brink. I can't really comment on towing performance for a caravan because I've only used mine for towing boats weighing very much less than 1200kg. In fact, with the loads I tow, I barely notice the drop in performance and have to keep reminding myself that I have a trailer :)

As promised:

For a standard SE bumper no cutting is required. It's too dark to take a picture at the moment (I've not got a flash on my phone camera) but I can probably get you one tomorrow.

I place the axle stands in the places where the supplied scissor jack is designed to go. I use a block of rubber in between the car and the stand to prevent damage. It has a slot cut along its length to fit properly.

I have experience of towing but nothing as heavy as a caravan. The boats I've towed have been barely noticeable behind the IS200 but they are very light in comparison to a caravan. I do have full caravan-style electrics fitted so there's no problem there. In comparison to other cars I guess the rear-wheel drive should be a big advantage but the poor torque at low revs a disadvantage. Brink do a detachable tow-bar for the IS200 so you don't have to put up with the "ugly" tow-bar permanently. A tow-bar is also a useful fitting to have if you want to use certain types of cycle carriers :)

Problem now solved :) I bought a new adaptor this morning (for only £2.97) and it works a treat. There are two differences between this one and my original one. I'm not sure which of these differences is the important one but I'm happy it's now working. Differences: 1) The new tape adaptor drives the secondary cog when the primary cog is driven. 2) The new tape adaptor has a mechanism to slow down the primary cog so that it doesn't spin freely at maximum speed.

Thanks for all the advise. My problem isn't caused by the cogs being too stiff because my adaptor doesn't have any cogs in it, just two holes. Several of you have had success though so it must be possible; I'll investigate further to see if I can work out why I'm having problems. Failing that I'll consider other options such as the FM modulator. Cheers, Mark.

My IS200 plays audio cassettes with no problem but I've just tried using a tape adaptor in order to plug a portable mp3 player in and I'm having problems. It works for a few seconds and then automatically ejects the adaptor. I guess this is because the adaptor doesn't drive the secondary spindle causing the player to think there's a problem with the tape. Has anyone else either had this problem or used a cassette adaptor successfully in their IS? Cheers, Mark.

Yes, 533.5 miles (requiring 64.12 litres to fill it back up again). I do long, motorway-type journeys everyday so get a fair bit of practice at economical driving.

No special tool is needed to change the plugs on an IS200. A standard socket set includes practically all you need.

Rolled over to 100,000 miles today. Bought new 4 years and 10 months ago. The car's been great so far. It's had no breakdowns to date. The only significant costs have been one set of tyres (not bad considering the mileage), one cam-belt change (all other servicing I've done myself), some body work for a parking ding and, of course, petrol. Let's hope the next 100,000 miles are problem free :)

I would guess the "sensor" is probably a light (bulb or LED) and the window is to let the light into the actual ashtray.

I think the strap is actually used by the auto-closure to pull the boot lid shut. It might be used as a 'safety strap' as well though.