SH20

Yes, front discs and pads straight forward, the bolts holding the caliper cradle can be very tight so a breaker bar and socket might be needed or a thick walled tube to give you leverage.   Normally it's the rear calipers that might need the piston winding back in if the handbrake activation uses the rear pads to grip the disc.   On some Lexus models Lexus also like to use a set of old fashioned brake shoes which are hidden  behind and therefore inside the rear disc.  Think of the disc's central hub  as a mini  brake drum.   Maybe the IS just uses the existing pad set up to activate the handbrake and may need the piston winding back in but not the fronts which can normally be forced back using a lever.   Make sure the brake fluid reservoir cap is loosened/ lifted off  to allow for the level to rise  as the brake pad pistons retract.  The vent hole in the reservoir cap can act like a water pistol and the fluid  forced out under pressure  if not loosened which can damage paint work if it touches unprotected surfaces. 

This was my LS460 I sold in 2018, I now have a LS500h Premier equally outstanding.  I can understand your wish to find the right one for you. There are still a few about that will meet your criteria I'm sure.  

Had a quick look at the Lexus Tech Manual website  just to see what the repair manual had to say about the procedure to extract a window blind cartridge.   Not an easy task by the look of things even for a Lexus Technician.  So much dismantling is required after the door card removal and is probably easier when you have the cartridge in front of you. The Diagrams are ok and the written description goes into a lot of detail   but it all seems like a big job to  justify removing  the offending part.    But a dealer of course will be paid to deal with it if considered a warranty item.   

Access to the Lexus workshop digital workshop manuals as some of you know is by subscription from 1 hour's access to 12 months access for a fee.     So once you sign in to your personal account on the Lexus Tech website you can pay £4 for one hour's  access to access  the model you are interested in  up to £2,900 for a year's access which I guess a garage might be interested in paying if they specialise in Lexus repairs outside the dealer Network.   I just paid the minimum charge of £4 for an hour's viewing. All models are covered and the digital manuals cover everything.

Up to a point I would agree Phil,  My first Lexus was a LS460 SE-L and had the same level of extras as my LS500h.   The specific forums talk about issues which start to fail etc but compared to other manufacturers the Lexus and Toyota brands are streets ahead in terms of reliability and quality.    It will be interesting to see if my dealer will accept the fact that I can pin point the part that is buzzing because you all know how much they hate customers having more knowledge than the them.    My background is all Motor Trade so pulling the door card off because I knew the noise was coming from inside the door was no problem but generally service reception staff don't like being told their job and we should leave it to the experts, HA !     If I tried to do them a favour and took the car in without the door card on and demonstrate the fault they would still think I was interfering. 

Agree, but because I know that the issue lies within the metal tube that the blind rolls into after I removed the door card I'm wondering if it might come under the warranty.   This is not really a trim item which is not covered but more of a mechanical defect.  There is nothing externally to tighten up or re secure.  With the door card in place  and if I gently bang the top of the door card it's obvious something has detached itself or become loose.     I'll ask the dealer for an opinion when it has it's 7th year service in August otherwise I'll just live with it.     

I wonder what makes a part suddenly start to vibrate inside the car at a frequency that is just annoying and becomes your nemesis and just laughs at your attempts to find it let alone fix it. 

After 6.5 years old  the offside rear window blind roller at certain speeds and harsh road conditions starts to buzz that annoying irritating sound in your ear.   Smooth tarmac it disappears. Having the audio  on will distract me for a while but because I have always admired the quality of robust design of Lexus it's like their reputation suffers in my mind. 

Took the off side rear  door card off,  3 screws behind 3 pieces of plastic, 4 wiring connections and 2 cables, one  for the release handle and the other for the metal pop up lock button.   The door card is a work of art when you see the construction of them on the inside, a £1000 part I bet complete.  

The blind sits inside a metal tube and  was fully secured, nothing loose, no screws loose, no clips fell off or missing or anything to suggest why it likes to buzz at certain speeds and drives me mad.   The blind, whether up or down it makes no difference.  With the side of my clenched my fist and gently bang the roller housing I can hear a rattle or whatever is loose but  likely it's something inside the tube which stores the blind when not in use.   

We've all had these irritating sounds and buzzy type vibrations but having to live with them takes away the pleasure of driving the car because you wait and listen for it as soon as you build up some speed. 

Bummer.     

An amazon listing now as I discovered today, £27 approx.   If you have amazon Prime then free postage.

I've tried a number of waxes over the years after detailing my cars but Fusso 99 Soft is probably the best one to date for being hydroscopic but at a price that knocks most outrageously priced canuba waxes into a cocked hat. Around £35 but only from Japan unless you can get here in the UK now.

Wooahhh !!!!!!    I am 100% certain that they would NOT have removed the cover to  try and steam out the creases, far too much work for something that would have taken minutes to do, the actual steaming I mean.      The steamer will be what the valeters would use for general cleaning of interiors.   Just because they may have had your car a few days was due to scheduling of the dealer's work loads.  It probably sat a while waiting for it's turn.  

Just ask to speak to the  Service Manager at the dealer and ask who they will use to fit the cover.  If they say we will fit it then make it clear you want the cover stretched sufficiently during fitting  or preferably a specialist trimmer be used.  They will have one, someone who does this sort of work day in day out.   The problem as I see it is dealers want you to think all their specialist services are in house.    Take windscreens, another specialist service that needs people who know how to get a front bonded screen out, clean out the old sealant, prepare the metal aperture with a bonding agent , use the correct 2 pack adhesive with the correct applicator etc etc.    Unlike the Lexus Tahara synthetic leather, real leather will show it's age eventually, fine lines as it flexes but if fed regularly will stay supple  but no sagging or folds should occur during it's long term use.      

RESULT !!

Now all you have to do is to make sure that your dealer ensures a professional trimmer is used to fit it.  Not saying a dealer in house technician couldn't fit it but you want a pro to do this job to guarantee the new cover is stretched fully. 

Total inconsistency between dealers,  one says we are fitting the security plate to NX and RX just now, another says only the RX upto 2019 is being dealt with and the dealer so called "expert" was actually talking about the security plate being fitted around the steering column !!!!  

You can't make this nonsense up.  If a dealer doesn't even know that the plate is to restrict access to the headlamp wiring and believes it is fitted around the steering column electrics then why bother.   The time will come when really outstanding Independent Lexus Specialists will become the go to authority for repairs etc  like every other  specialist out there, Mercedes, Jaguar, Bentley etc who know the make inside out and don't try and flannel their customers and often save their customer buckets of money.     

Called in to a dealer to check the issue of the security plate was something dealerships were aware of.   The Leeds dealer knew exactly what I was on about but said the security plate was being fitted only to the NX and RX at this moment in time but going forward all models  known to be affected will have a security plate  but the LS was still awaiting release. 

I got a reply from Lexus Customer Services when I advised them my car appears to be affected but as Colin Barber said it's all about the manufacture date rather than the registration date.   They looked into my car again and established the following: 

As your vehicle’s production date is 22.09.2017, this means that your vehicle does not fall between the affected years for the LS model. The affected years are 10/2017 – 09/2022.

So  8 days before the start of October 2017 was enough to know my LS was not susceptible to CAN bus injection theft.  Who Knew.

WHAT BOTHERS ME IS THAT A THIEF DOESN'T KNOW WHEN MY CAR WAS BUILT SO RIPPING MY BUMPER OFF IT'S MOUNTINGS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CONNECT TO THE HEADLAMP WIRING WILL STILL RESULT IS COSTLY REPAIRS EVEN IF THE CAR CANNOT BE REMOVED OFF MY DRIVE. 

What's the point,  this country is like the wild west and beyond saving. 

I emailed  Customer Services at Lexus and asked about the retro fit anti CAN bus plate for my LS.   After 10 days they said my car was not susceptible to CAN bus Injection Theft.   I replied and pointed out that their own official Press Release lists my 2017 LS500h , amongst others and lists it as qualifying for the security plate.    I await their next fob off reply.  No wonder people get hacked off by the lack of interest by Lexus 

Which Lexus models can be fitted with the enhanced security feature?
It can be fitted to previous generation RX, NX, plus ES, LC, LS, RC, GS, UX and UXe

Which models are affected by year?

Lexus models
Affected years/months
 Lexus LC / LC-C
2017/03 – 2024/03
 Lexus RC
2017/03 – 2024/03
 Lexus RX / RX L 450h
2015/10 – 2022/10
 Lexus ES
2018/10 – 2024/02
 Lexus GS / GS-F
2015/11 – 2020/11
 Lexus NX
2017/09 – 2021/10
 Lexus LS
2017/10 – 2022/09
 Lexus UX / UXe
2018/10 – 2023/12
 
 

Never seen a LS500h on the road yet myself even before I bought this one.    The ES300h is 4.95 metres long and looks a little similar from a distance but the LS is 5.2 metres long and is very different from an ES when you get up close.  

Currently achieving 40.2 mpg combined.    Flat 12v Battery once due to insufficient use while on holiday but use a CTek Battery conditioner regularly  now and no further issues.    My 6th Lexus hybrid but the best one by far.

Directing Paul to the Car Care Nut  was merely to let him see how useful this Youtuber is in terms of knowledge about Lexus and Toyota engines.  I bow  to your knowledge of engine models.    I have commented on some of his stuff and he always replies in the comments section. 

Agree with Ken R  ring the dealer principle not the sales manager and let him know his salesman was a waste of space. 

Is your photo dripping oil between the engine and gearbox I wonder. (Where the engine and gearbox join together)  If so it may be the rear crankcase oil seal.  If it is that oil seal it's an engine out job.  The leak doesn't look that heavy or are you topping up regularly? Also is your engine a V6  which are great engines but the engine has a common oil leak from the timing cover where two mating surfaces meet. 

This video deals with RX oil leaks, it might assist you.  This guy is a Guru on Lexus and Toyota cars.  Brilliant Tech guy.   The engine is used in Toyota and Lexus models.

You will never find a retail dealer, Lexus or otherwise that will match the so called retail figure from any legitimate car valuation source such as examples on the internet, Parker's Guide, Glasses Guide or Black Book, the latter two being the main source of used car values the trade use.   Why?  Their policy is to take the maximum retail A1 condition value from recognised publications and then add anything they like as a buffer for them should the potential customer decide to negotiate.   Not all customers research values at main dealerships, Lexus in your case.   True the likes of Autotrader will list numerous examples from Independent outlets and may well quote lower prices but a Lexus dealer knows that Lexus buyers want the 10 year 100,000 miles warranty, they know they might have to replace a couple of tyres if the customer notices a pair of poor tyres, generally they will service the car if it is more than 3-6 months  since it's last service and finally they have a fixed overhead that they must include which covers things like health checks, vehicle checks and cleaning costs. That is why in your case a £3000 premium is quoted over the average price of a similar car elsewhere. All branded dealerships do this so even if you went in to any  franchised dealership for a used car and showed them a print out from Glasses guide or Black book on current Retail values, it won't make any difference as to what their sale price is.    Even if you said I'm paying cash and consider that as a useful way to get a discount a salesman still has to include the overheads mentioned.  Moreover he/she will want to try and get you into a PCP deal which is more cash for them in terms of Finance commissions.   Good Luck though.  

Anyone considering Ben's LC should watch The Car Care Nut's review on YouTube. This chap is all knowing on Lexus and Toyota cars and the review he does on a red LC500 coupe is worth a listen due to his prodigious knowledge of this car. 

The last local car show I went to in East Yorks saw the arrival of a red LC500 coupe with black interior and it was like everyone wanted to get close up to it, ignoring the Aston's, Bentley's, hot hatches, classics etc.   All they wanted to know from the owner was his ownership experience.  He was 75 years old too  but felt like a 30 year old when he floored it. 

8 billion people on the planet,  I wonder just how many people there are, probably tens of millions who spend their entire lives trying to scam, steal, defraud, burglarise, kill, assault, traffic, attack, bully, discriminate and generally do not and never will contribute anything positive or good to this world. They will all answer for their actions and need some sun factor 10,000 where they are headed.  

Question: why can't the Forum filter out scam e mails which quote a genuine thread title and are sent to members who either created the Post or contributed to the post thereby being included in the e mail going to members e mail addresses when  clearly the content  to the Post via the Lexus Forum is actually offering fake documents and fake currency for cash.    I accept the internet is the conduit for scammers to gain access to members but of late this seems to be more and more common even though deletion is the obvious fix.     Do Moderators and Forum Staff not see these scam e mails?   I deleted 6 today all with different thread titles that were all originally a legitimate post and ones I contributed to at some point.     Now I just delete all Forum e mails and sign in to read the latest posts.  

Sudershan, I refer back to my opinion in that the seat cover when fitted at the factory wasn't stretched  enough when it was fastened to the frame.   Look at any YouTube video which shows a factory built car in the leather/trim area of the factory and you will often see trimmers  pulling the covers taught before they secure  in place.  The seat covers are all built to the same pattern/size so there would be no variation in size, i.e  a smaller or larger seat cover.  

If the cover is not stretched enough then further down the line, a few months in your case the small amount of slack will allow the cover to move.  If it can move then creases are the result.   I agree with Boomer54, this is the dealer trying to fob you off with the cheapest alternative to what the seat really needs which is,   either the complete dismantling of the seat base, re stretch the cover and secure it or if it were me I would demand a new seat cover.   A professional trimmer would take this problem in his stride and fix it permanently.  

The photo is of my driver's seat which is 6.5 years old.   It is a LS Premier model the equivalent today of what they now call Takumi level.  It is semi analine leather like yours and has done 34,000 miles and there are  no creases or issues with the leather.   

Send a contact form off to Lexus via their website and complain and tell them you feel you are being messed around by the dealer.  Just how many more weeks does this dealer want to string this out?

While the issue of the 12v Battery going flat due to lack of regular use (Time running not distance matters when getting a Battery back to full charge)  the problem exists for conventional petrol or diesel cars too.   It's not just Lexus self charging hybrid vehicles but any car that has multiple electronic control units that require either a constant low amperage supply or more power when booting the car into life.   All exotic models like Bentley, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Mercedes etc always recommend a CTek charger for conditioning the Battery when not in use.   CTek is recommended by all the British Manufacturers even to the point of the car's logo on the unit.   First signs of low Battery voltage in these expensive cars are multiple waring lights on the dash.

I admit my current Lexus car is the only hybrid Lexus out of 6 that let me down with a flat 12v Battery in the last 5 years.   Never gave it a second thought that my car would not start when I press that button.      The traction Battery does all the charging of the 12v Battery but it's the 12v Battery that needs to initiate the starting process to get you in the READY mode to move off. 

There doesn't appear to be any options other than use the car regularly or get into the habit of using a CTek conditioner every 3rd or 4th day if you know the car won't be used for extended periods.  I can't get my car into my garage so run a lead out from the garage to the boot of the car on the drive and connect the CTek.   I lock the car up and just leave it till the CTek shows fully charged even if that takes 4 or 5 hours.   I know then I will be able to move off without an issue.   

Comforting to know the 10 year cover on Lexus cars will give peace of mind for owners if you just service it at your local Lexus dealer once a year.  It's worth going on the Lexus UK website and find the section on their 10 year warranty and then print off the terms and conditions which drill down to the nitty gritty of the warranty.   Comprehensive as it is there is a significant section on what's not covered over and above routine service items but let's face it Lexus cars have a great reliability reputation and when the principle high cost areas of the car like, engine, gearbox, differential, suspension,  the ecu's etc are covered it gives you a sense of comfort and despite the hybrid Battery not being mentioned directly it is covered under it's own warranty with an annual health check certificate extending it for 12 months.  If I'm quoting correctly there is a 15 year cover period on the hybrid Battery but not sure what happens after that as there doesn't appear to be any real evidence that Lexus replace these regularly due to failure. 

Here is what is referenced in the warranty document in regard to  EV components and Hydrogen fuel cells.

Hybrid Components (when above 5 years and 100,000 miles base warranty cover): Hybrid Battery Control Module; Hybrid Control Module; and Hybrid inverter with converter. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Components: Fuel Cell Air Compressor; Fuel Cell Boost Converter; Fuel Cell H2 Tanks; Fuel Cell PCU (Power Control Unit) and Fuel Cell Stack. EV Components: Drive motor and inverter with converter.

Maybe Colin Barber (Staff) can comment on the hybrid Battery itself and correct any incorrect assumptions.  

Still if you have a car without a Hybrid Battery then there's nothing to go wrong.    

While YouTube has more car restorer videos that you can shake a stick at you might just try ALCARLA TECHNOLOGY  from Catalan in Spain. 

Father and Son outfit with workshops that look like operating theaters.   Doesn't matter what car is being overhauled the same process follows if it is a full nut and bolt restoration. Moreover it takes in cars from all around the world.   E.G    a F1 racing driver from Monaco had his Ferrari F355 sent to them if you want a taste of how they restored the car.    Equally they did the same thing to a Vespa Scooter to as new condition.   An old Mercedes 450 SEL was also worth a look from the Far East     Costs must be astronomical but the  filming is first class and also the music they overlay on the videos.