BigChange

Thanks for the help. Am now on short(er) front and long(er) back and in the process found I could also turn down the sound effects. No end of things to find out on the IS.

What is a long beep and a short beep.? My alarm sounds when any one/thing gets within 3 feet of front or back. If it is adjustable, how is this done ?

How maddening. Like my front skirt kerb scrapes. End up parking two feet away from everything around and especially both sides when supermarket parking. Someone is bound to have a suggestion as to how to mend the damage. Hope so, as I have a noticeable scratch on the boot lid which needs repair.

Just returned from France where there are many kerb "hazards" especially for the UK driver approaching from a different angle. Wonderfully smooth and uncrowded roads though. Am very careful now after past kerb scrapes in France and have put gorilla tape on underside of skirt to provide some protection. Incidentally RichyRich I noticed in a mway services rubbish bin something in two pieces that looked very like your front splitter above. Maybe another kerb casualty?

Couldn't drive RichyRich's muscle car on normal UK roads. Not enough road clearance and must be a hard ride.!

Having just touched the low front skirt on my IS300 on a motorway services kerb (again!) I wondered if anyone knows if there is a Lexus solution to the problem or has any protection suggestion. It is the (hidden) underside which gets damaged. Really needs some sort of audible warning ! Thanks.

Was interested in Ganzoom's comment viz "Try touching the boot area on the IS300H after a M-way run, it's fairly warm". Does this mean I should be careful what I pack in the boot for the long run home from France (on fast peages) laden with cheese, wine and other delicacies? Not had the car very long but can't say I have noticed any warmth in the boot after a long run.

Have to agree with DJP's stop/start comment. Apart from anything else, seems to be the only time the advertised mpg figures are (nearly) reached.

Thanks for the responses. I probably do mean thermostat; always thought that the cap had something to do with it but I'm no expert as you can probably tell. My comparison was with a BMW diesel over the same distance/route. I guess the eco drive is responsible for the slow warm up. The "other tack" referred to the difficulty of finding an existing forum topic. I was hoping to avoid starting yet another forum topic.

Compared to my BMW 320D I was surprised at the time the engine takes to warm up, even in the current warm weather. It's a long time since have owned a petrol car and I am wondering if this is 'normal' or something I should have checked out before winter ?. Could the radiator cap not be opening/closing properly. ? On another tack, does anyone know how to access an IS specific previous subject (title) without looking through 36+ pages ? Thanks........Peter

I have the same. Car is covered in yellowish gritty stuff; feels like sand. Guess it has come from down South with our current heatwave.

Follow a line down the middle of the steering column and on under the dash and there it is. Really well hidden !

Tried to send a message to Smithy2 but no idea if this was ever sent or even where the message has got to so am using the general site to follow up. More complicated than I thought.

Rayaanns mentioned "soft Lexus paint!". Could you please explain a bit more. Is this why the occasional contact with outgrowing hedges on narrow roads leaves a mark.? My BMWs never had this "problem" - is Lexus paint softer than, for example, BMW paint ??

Lovely colour and it will look even better in sunshine so crossed fingers for Monday.

As a long time BMW driver I'm pleasantly surprised at the IS300h. Not as fast or as punchy as the BMW but happy to cruise quietly at 75mph and achieve 50mpg (real). In sport mode its pokey enough when on the road but not really a tyre scorcher from the traffic lights. Comfortable supportive seats mean I do not get the backache or aching backside I used to experience in my 320D on long French and UK runs. I've never gone below (real) 40mpg including winter but I may not drive as vigorously as chimneyfog.

I'm a bit of a technodumbo and this all looks horribly complicated and fraught with mistake possibilities. Is it not the sort of thing that Lexus do (for free) as a matter of course during a service or perhaps by specific appointment?

You live and learn!

Thanks Norski2. Already have yours copied out and just thought that Allan's letter on letterhead might carry more weight. As it happens was once stopped when using fog lights at dusk, for better visibility I thought. Motorcycle gendarme (the serious ones) pulled me over and wanted to know "where is the fog". Stumped me at first. Hadn't realised you are only supposed to use fog lights in France when there is fog. Seems plenty of French drivers don't know that !.

Lexus letter will be great help if ever stopped and of course also makes one properly 'legal'. Any chance of copying or scanning the letter into this site so I can print it and keep in the car.?

You may find you are overwhelmed with attractive properties in the greater Bergerac area. Choosing might be the hardest part. Lovely lush countryside and very warm in mid summer but nothing that a cold beer can't fix. We are also tempted!

Thanks for all the helpful comments regarding my mismatched rear tyres. While I have no doubt that everything was legal I still think Lexus should have said something. As a reassurance if nothing else.

Idly gazing at my car's rear from a lower elevation I noticed that the rear tyre treads were different. Closer inspection showed that the tyres were the same spec but not matched - Dunlop and Yokahama (front also Yokahama). Further surprise when tyre shop told me that the Dunlop was the more worn. Car was bought 1 year old used from Lexus and unfortunately I have only noticed this after 5 months. Don't usually pay too much attention to tyres other than pressures. When told, the Lexus garage (Canterbury) was as "surprised" as me. Not what I would expect from a Lexus dealership (or any reputable dealership) and just shows - you can never be too careful and you are never too old to learn!.

Had exactly the same. Dealer has adjusted door lock setting and siliconed the seal and now seems to be OK (damp weather may be helping). Very recent fix though, so still keeping 'an ear' on faint knocking (popping?) sound. Hazard I suppose with such a quiet car.

Service guy surprised me during discussion on my disappointing mpg by suggesting it would improve by using Sport for Mway and speedy country driving, Eco in town and Normal for the rest. Sounded bit counter-intuitive to me as I tend to use Eco on the mway, Normal for the rest and hardly ever use Sport. I'm sure the forum will have some advice !