mkbean

Bad 12v Battery that couldn't quite raise enough juice to start the car at first?

Looked in the manual.

Settings, General, "Auto Screen Change" on my 2010 version.

This is an option in the settings, can't remember offhand what its called though.

Once the engine has warmed and stopped, mine is totally silent with the A/C off.

Slightly different view from me.

I really like the cooled seats - I had them on my previous IS and it was essential for me on the GS.

Lovely on a hot day just to cool you down that bit more...

If its warm in the cabin, the AC will be taking a lot of power, probably enough to drain a full Battery by itself within half an hour or so. (3-6 kW?)

I'm pretty sure this is why when i stop at the car wash the Battery is depleted by the end if the queue is more than 15 mins or so.

I had a Prius before which seemed a little cleverer in stop-start traffic. Once the Battery got to a couple of bars it would just run the engine whenever the car was moving but not when stationary. The GS just seems to let the Battery get to 1 bar, run the engine continually until it charges and repeat.

Quote

In stop start doing no more than 20mph how many miles would the battery run for before switching to petrol ?

From totally full with no opportunity to recharge through braking, maybe 1.

The main economy benefit of the hybrid system in a big heavy car with a tiny Battery like the GS is that the engine isn't running when the car isn't moving - like a more advanced start / stop system but where the air con still works when stopped.

Of course the actual reason the hybrid system is there will be revealed when you dump your foot on the accelerator and its like being in a space launch.....

1. No, you can drive how you like without harming the Battery

2. No it will come in when the traction Battery is low or the engine is cold

3. Unlikely I think, I average 31 and there isn't much stopping and starting.

4. Yes, its a good system.

Sounds like it thinks you are moving. I take it you aren't?

If you have had a service at Lexus with a hybrid health check in the last 10k miles don't they warranty the Battery?

If you aren't covered - http://www.hybridbatterysolutions.co.uk

Hi Phil,

Can't help you at all.

I am curious though as this seems to be a common request - what benefit do you get from having your contacts in the car? My car displays the callers identity and i can voice dial using Siri without doing anything.

It does "change gear" around that speed, that may be it.

Just Lexus dealer labour rates, don't take it personally. Get yourself a friendly local garage for these kind of tasks.

6 minutes ago, fozzyf said:

Hi, havent posted on here for a short while, I have my GS300 SE-L up for sale well well well below your budget and the lower tax bracket!  Really is a great example, I bought it from a forum member (came all the way from Ireland to Essex!), it has the ML as well (which sounds great!).  Its currently wrapped but happy to remove (black and mint with zero dings or dents underneath, literally not one!).  I bought a C63 Mercedes a few months and it hasn't been driven since, just sitting there on a trickle charge and started once a fortnight.  Link is here.  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162030123455?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 

Thanks
Chris

Looks nice. That interior colour does show the dirt so no kids inside :-)

29 minutes ago, julian1969 said:

I was looking at that LE. Just as an example what was poor about it? I was wary due to the history being from a non Lexus garage not necessarily a bad thing but a red flag. Is it bodywork or mechanicals. A closer look at the pics do indicate a few possible scrapes on one side. I've had chats with Lexus MK and they seem very accommodating on the sales side anyway. 

Thanks for taking the time by the way. Much appreciated. 

There is no documented history beyond the first free service after delivery (just a bull story from the seller), poor paint repair on the right rear panel, interior damage where the drivers seatbelt has been repeatedly trapped by the door, tpms sensors are missing so the warning light is continually on, interior generally a bit scuffed and scruffy. Massive rattle from the dash area. Wasn't loved at all. 

As i said before, the old graphics and boomy stereo also weren't my thing.

On the plus side, it does drive ok.

I use Lexus MK for services, local garage can do brakes and tyres no problem. Lexus MK collect and drop off the car which is nice.

If you aren't too far from me, don't bother with that GS300 LE - MT56 xxx, its poor.

5 minutes ago, julian1969 said:

To be honest I use my phone for sat nav duties all the time now so 'retro' graphics wouldn't be that big a deal.

You also may not be used to the newer graphics which might help, I was coming from a ML 2007 IS250.

8k you should be looking at an 07/08.

This one is the same colour as mine, http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508136015113/usedcars?logcode=visc

Whats your budget?

Make sure you see a newer car before going for the 05/06 - for me the early navigation system looks very dated in those earlier models.

I test drove a 06 300 LE with the non ML audio system and it sounded pretty bad to me, really boomy. 

the TPMS warning probably means one or more of the pressure sensors is missing or broken. Over £100 a corner...

loved the original article. 

Interesting to hear the "sexist" comments - never given it much thought but there is a 430 near me which always has a lady driver.

2 minutes ago, moriwaki said:

The cruise control was wonderful on the 400....used it all the time...but the 460 used radar scanning and would brake up the car for you in various situations...very disconcerting.

I assume you can turn off the radar function on the LS like you can on my GS. Sometimes you don't want it on.

Can the keyless entry be disabled on our cars? I'd be ok with just pressing the button to unlock.

Vaistech MediaLinQ Plus should do it.

Yes, there is little point in the CVT without the hybrid system.

One thing though, early cars had a satnav / display screen with much clunkier graphics. May not be a problem for you but I didn't like it.