Surebet

Hi TigerFish I'm a bit confused regarding K&N oil filter, have you done away with the the Toyota filter housing cap and replaced it with a steel canister type filter that incorporates a bolt for easy removal.

Yes its definitely a bummer having to go under the car to change oil filter, when other cars can all be done from above, however I'm still tempted to use suction method as it is a lot cleaner and less bother and I reckon it removes at least the same if not more of the old oil. Any views on which oil filter housing removal tool to buy, seems a lot to choose from at varying prices. Any experienced members still use original Toyota oil filter and Toyota genuine motor oil, or is there a better alternative on the market. Using car only once a week, 2000 miles a year, will I still need to change fully synthetic every 12 months or should I go by mileage.

Having used a Pela pump for many years on my previous car with great success I have been interested on this topic regarding power operated pumps. Has anyone on the site ever used a drill operated pump to extract oil from sump, as I have used a Wolfcraft pump on various occasions to pump water and it is very good. Using the hoses on the Pela pump in conjunction with the Wolfcraft drill operated pump, I'm pretty sure I could drain 7 litres of oil in a matter of minutes. Any thoughts or potential issues I may not have thought of.

Haven't used 12 volt pump however when changing oil in my previous Mercedes always used a vacuum pump to change oil, worked a treat and because oil filter was accessible from top ( engine compartment ). No messing about getting the car on ramps or trying to crawl under car. I wish the Lexus oil filter was accessible from top as this method makes the job so easy and no mess.

Depending on the year and mileage of car, remember Lexus recommend changing plugs at 60k or 6 years, I would go on the mileage rather than the years, plugs are not wearing when the car is not running. Lexus recommends that the same car in America to change the plugs at 100k miles and lets face it , the Americans know their cars, so don't get hung up on the job, the car will soon let you know when the plugs require changing.

Hi Matt As John said average MPG is OK for a car with this size of engine, I drove from Glasgow too Bispham (200 miles) last week and averaged 40MPG, and lets just say I cannot put on print the speed I was travelling at, needless to say I'm happy with this MPG. To and from locally to the shops , don't expect anything like this however mid twenties is again OK to travel in comfort. When checking over car, take out dip stick, oil should be nice and clean, if its black, either not well maintained or something amiss. My oil has been is for over a year ( only 4000 miles done) and it is as clean as the day it was changed. Will be replacing with fresh oil soon. In my experience it is one of the cleanest engines I've had, in my previous car, Mercedes, oil was always black at oil change and the same mileage done. Hope you find a good one.

Thanks Texas, regarding one time use as recommended by Toyota (they probably assume strip down only on pad or disc replacement) however if you are re-greasing slide pins on a regular basis you would never be away from parts department!! I will get a bottle of thread locker. Thanks for quick response.

Regarding the front slider pins, after cleaning and greasing do you use any type of thread locker on the securing bolts that bolt into slide pins or do you just torque up.

I paired my Moto G 1st generation to car when first got it, my wife also paired her wileyfox. Can't remember how it was done, however my wife has since disconnected my phone from system as she could never get connected. Haven't really taken much notice as I very rarely use my mobile, especially while driving. So I know the Motorola android can be connected. Might be worth, completely deleting your apple phone and try setting up your wife's phone first to see if it is possible to connect as a lone appliance. Hope this helps.

This is the first car I've had with a reversing camera, can't get used to it , prefer using mirrors and sensors. My Wife on the other hand thinks it the best thing since sliced bread. Horses for courses I guess.

Good result, as a matter of interest, does your car have a full Lexus service history.

Is it not for your brake fluid, looks like brake master cylinder sitting under reservoir.

Well you know what they say Chris "there is now such thing as a free lunch", they are probably hoping you put the car back in for all the work they mentioned in the condition report. Then the £25 will soon pale into significance when you see the bill they hit you with. Hope you're handy with the spanners or know a good indie. Still well done, the £25 is in your tank.

As John correctly states, depends on your driving style, I got rid of my 15 year old Mercedes last year, had since new, still on original pads and discs with 55K miles on clock when sold. It will be interesting to see if the Lexus will be heavier on the brakes as my driving style will not change. I would say if you have already 44K miles on pads on discs then your driving style is spot on, anticipating the road ahead. I'm pretty sure the AA web site states if a car is driven in the proper manner , then one should expect at least 55K miles before requiring new pads.

Hi Normski Having done my rear brake pads last week, I found because car sits so low the hardest bit was jacking up from rear diff and getting supports under each side. I notice you done one wheel at a time, did you work straight off jack ( I know this is frowned upon ) however I'm interested for future jobs, as slide pins will have to be inspected on a regular basis.

Hi Paul Both pins on each caliper were in good condition, driver side caliper appeared to be very new so maybe had been replaced before I bought the car. The other caliper appeared to be original however no issues on removing it from the bottom slide pin. The grease remaining on the pins appeared black in colour, not having used red rubber grease before , I am unaware whether it turns black with age and the heat of the brakes. The pins that go through the pads on the passenger side had quite a bit of surface rust on them however came out with a bit of pulling with pliers. Cleaned with wire brush fitted to drill machine, cleaned up good with no pitting evident. I only use my car at the weekends and always keep it the garage, only have done approximately 2500 miles since getting the car, so I'm probably not the best person to ask.

Well weather was good today, decided to have a go at replacing rear pads and greasing slide pins. Have had the car for a year and although the pads would have probably done at least another 6-12 months thought I better have a look at the slide pins after reading other members issues with seized calipers. The gods must have been smiling on me today, all went well, slide pins cleaned and re-greased with red rubber grease and new pads fitted. Haven't fitted brake pads for over 20 years so I'm well chuffed. Thanks for all members instructions, certainly made the job easier to.

My car passed MOT with no advisories and I was hoping this was a sign all is well in this issue. After reading all the experienced members posts regarding the slide pins , I must admit I'm dreading having a look. Still waiting for slightly better weather to get the job tackled.

If the slide pins are seized would this fail an MOT or is this not checked.

Hard lines about your tyre, looks fairly new. Don't know for sure about MOT however for piece of mind I would certainly get it checked sooner rather than later. As Normski says a photo of the pothole to the council may reap some compensation. The state of the roads are becoming unbelievably bad, it is very difficult to drive anywhere with encountering numerous potholes, most of them being rather large and deep and very difficult to avoid. Whenever I go over them I always joke with my wife , the next vehicle I'm going to buy will be a tractor due to the road conditions. Bad that its happened however good you spotted it so quick, wouldn't want you to have a blowout while driving. Hope everything turns out OK for you.

Had a chance to take some photos relating to pinch welds jacking points on rear of car. I can't believe a manufacturer would have put 3 holes(the biggest one being right on the correct position to place jack) albeit with rubber plugs in them in such close proximity to official jacking points, seems to me like an accident waiting to happen. Any opinions.

Hi Colin This sounds like a good idea, leaving wheels on and presumably just running the the car onto ramps. Understand about being able to do fronts as both are bolts, however can you also lube rear bottom bolts with wheels on. Other members say with practice they can do all four corners in one hour, I must be real slow, it would take me an hour just jacking up and removing and replacing all wheels without doing any other work !! Your idea if I could do it certainly would save a bit of time. After re-greasing slide pins pins do you apply loctite to the threads(I seen this being done on American You tube ) or do you just leave them ?

I usually like the wood effect however when I see the transformation you have performed on your vehicle, I must admit ,it looks fantastic and you should be well pleased with the finished result. I'm pretty sure many members will be envious of the look you have achieved. Well done you.

Hi Jack Great visual example of movement on trolley jack when being used, which highlights the main reason for the jack pad being twisted and deformed, however as you stated in an earlier post, correct position for trolley jack is to be used from front or rear of vehicle. If used correctly and vehicle is lowered onto jack pads( hockey pucks) then I would expect no twisting or deformation would be evident as all force would be on a downward motion onto the jack pads. I've owned a trolley jack for many years and was never aware it should not be used from the side of the vehicle, so I'm very appreciative of the your helpful safety advice.

Thanks Dave, sounds like a plan, good to get advice from someone with a vast amount of experience.