MLW

LS 430 Needed just a new air filter and Euro car parts only had Crossland which I never seem happy with (are they really cheap and iffy?), so I went on ebay and although genuine Toyota ones are cheap in the USA with postage and duty they can be £60! Lexus direct are doing an oil filter, sump washer, air filter, cabin filter and 6 litres of Lexus 5-30 oil for £79.68p including postage. 5 litres of oil is a 'promotion' for 1p. Not bad. Interestingly the oil is only SL rated, whereby ASDA have SN 5-30 oil for £14 for 5 litres this week, top spec too. Lexus oil is made in France, Elf maybe? https://www.lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/service-kits-at-lexus-parts-direct/

UPDATE Got it charged after about 2 days at 1 amp. It then read 12.8 volts and next morning 11.7 volts. It started on the button with plenty of wellie. Even after some cold nights it starts and runs 'normally'. Looks like I might have got away with it for maybe a year or so.

Back to the battery. Put my old 45 year old 4 amp battery charger on, (terminals disconnected). After 3 hours reconnected the AA smart charger- 1 amp. It worked and went to charging. I have heard of this before. An old charger...... 'gets it fired up'... and the new one can operate. When it is fully charged (probably 3 days), I'll measure the voltage and if it is low, I'll replace it.

Both are unique!

I'll probably replace it. A 5 year guarantee from Halfords is so good compared to one on the web which involves problems of sending it back (our Halfords is .5 mile away). That way I have 'faith in it'. However, I'll see where I am after a days 'sort of charging'. At my age £88 and all problems go away is appealing. The interesting thing is how much electricity these cars drain when sitting there. On a Hillman Imp it was virtually nothing!

I wondered how much maltreatment a battery can take. I know a flat battery is no good for the internals. But would two incidents in 4 years be so bad. Normally it is only Christmas that is a problem, as I do mostly 70 mile motorway runs. Solar charger might be good at an airport parking when 2-3 weeks stationary might occur. My brother swares by these new 'paperback' sized lithium jump starts. I usually jump start with positive and negative on the battery, and disconnect once it has started, but ECUs etc can be very sensitive to incorrect connections etc. I assumed that a 2002 car was old style technology and would be OK. Is that everyone's experience?

Lexus say £91.14p for a 70 amp 3 year guarantee. Nobody at two Toyota dealers answered the phone.

Left the car for over 4 weeks (yes I know, I did it last year too) over Christmas. Went out to check the battery today and it was so flat even the central locking would not work. Got in on the key and nothing on the panel lights. Hooked up my trickle charger and it would not charge. After a while it shows a bit of action. I'll leave it on for 24 hours (26 amps maybe) and see what happens. The battery is a 072 type Numark with 70 ah and 600 SAE amps. It is nearly 4 years old and has been great. Question is.... I usually give batteries one chance and then it it is iffy, replace them. If this one regenerates and I am in no hurry, so can charge for 3 days then I will give it a go. I thought of using an old fashioned 4 amp charger for an 2 hours to 'get it going'. If I do replace it, what with. I have always liked Bosch batteries but the web has a multitude of sizes from 45 amps upwards! Halfords have a huge Yuasa HSB030 with 75 amps and 640 power amps for £89 and I have a 10% voucher from Shell petrol so at £88 with a 5 year guarantee it looks good. But I have heard so so things about these batteries. Any advice would be useful.

I was surprised but my 2002 LS430 is exempt. Maybe the engine and cat are so well made it is super clean. At every MOT it seems to put out fresh airish.

What was the exact error code?

Thank God for Euro car Parts and other OEM suppliers such as Opie Oils (8 iridium plugs for £58). I am soon to do an oil change with a Mann oil filter that cost under £4. Wiper blades that are Denso often £10-12 a pair. Having had SAABs Mercedes, Toyota and now a Lexus, suppliers such as these help no end. Why is a Prius air filter £44 at Toyota and about £14 as a Bosch! The quality is the same. My new Continental serpentine belt was £19ish and built to an amazing strength. Most car parts are cheap and made by the million. I have never understood why all cars can't standardise on 3 oil filters (with non return valves). Big, medium and small. They would then be £2 each!

Wonderful help from members. So helpful. Replaced my belt in 8 minutes for £18ish. A Continental one from Euro-parts. Should last 60,000 miles or more.

Are they dirty or damaged. If just dirty I did mine in Autoglym leather cleaner and then leather balm. About £15+ for both bottles. Really good stuff. Looked great after. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoglym-AG-215007-Leather-Cleaner/dp/B00114T7QC/ref=pd_sbs_263_t_0/260-4414412-7758468?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00114T7QC&pd_rd_r=d4d20aed-b01e-4aab-b46a-0abe903436fd&pd_rd_w=l84qD&pd_rd_wg=VHYEB&pf_rd_p=e44592b5-e56d-44c2-a4f9-dbdc09b29395&pf_rd_r=VEF1PVSVHNDC6RN4KJCB&psc=1&refRID=VEF1PVSVHNDC6RN4KJCB https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoglym-AG-135008-Leather-500ml/dp/B00373L7OK/ref=asc_df_B00373L7OK/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310744208542&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17760942351496706762&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006589&hvtargid=pla-439255437582&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

When getting new number plates after an MOT advisory, I was informed I needed passport/ID/Bank details etc. In the end, on the internet and 3/4 days later number plates arrived. I always buy the bog standard UK ones, with BS standard number on them but nothing else. Then one can say they meet the UK legal standard.

Or get a Halfords £99 Garmin with lifetime maps of the whole of Western Europe. I find these miles better than my Lexus system. Why Lexus do not say......'just do our maps and do them better' is a mystery. https://www.halfords.com/technology/sat-nav/car-sat-nav/garmin-drive-51-lm-with-lifetime-full-europe-maps-5-sat-nav

A puncture 'if it can be fixed' is £19-21ish. The average car has a puncture ever 6-7 years. Does the insurance cover 'the wheels looking are a bit shabby and a refurbishment would be nice'?

I agree a clay bar is amazing at what it brings off. Tiny 'full stops' of grit embedded in the paint disappear and the paint has a glass like quality, BUT it is then very bare. A coat of polish, followed by a coat of wax is the treatment. Not tried a clay mitt but suspect it might be a half-way house. A Bilt Hamber Auto Clay Bar is the best. Wins loads of awards. I got 4 cars out of one bar. Old fashioned but works amazingly. Cut it into 4, and soften it in hot water until you have a shape like a beer mat. Then go to work. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bilt-Hamber-Auto-Clay-Regular/dp/B002OHSGHQ/ref=asc_df_B002OHSGHQ/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310744208542&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18399904227040088730&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9044889&hvtargid=pla-422424328218&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

My present tyres are Yokohama V802. I have done 46,000 miles and there is still a bit on them. Amazing really, but almost all of my driving is dual carriage way and motorway. Averaging 31 mpg over the last year and 15,00 miles

To me its a balanced package. I am soon to buy 4 tyres for my LS 430. Goodyear's with A, B, 68Db, for £94. That looks good to me. It is also a life-mileage/noise/safety/comfort thing. Tyres are always painful cost wise, but after you have fitted then, to see the words Goodyear or Michelin on the side makes one feel good.

I do believe that is the position, but it might be dependant on what your contact of purchase included, or did not. As with others here, I really do think the mystic' of Mark Levinson is way way over the top. A good £150 Pioneer or Sony from Halfords would knock spots of it. The problem is it is embedded with air-con etc, so is very difficult to change. If it were a DIN slot, I would change mine tomorrow..

Yes how do we LS 430 people do an oil change? Help much appreciated.

Do it on white kitchen paper and you can see the gunge come off.

It is one unclip (the electrics) and two Phillips screws. Always do it off the car. Big spray from all angles. 10 mins to dry, then back in. Dead easy to do.

18 months old is like 'fresh' tyres. You want it reasonably factory fresh. I always charge a new battery anyway, as it has to start in the car in tip-top condition. You could always ask for a fresh one ordered today and ready for pick up say in 3 days time. If they say we can't do that, ask to speak to the manager/or go elsewhere where they value your business. I must say I have always found Euro Car Parts very good, but this does look a bit 'lazy' on their part.

I've used Pagid and found them very good on a number of cars.