RK1975

its not the mileage or anything, it's finding someone to repair it. Even indy hybrid specialists are refusing to do the work. Lexus want the best part of 500 quid just to look further at the damned thing. And to add insult that's just to test for one issue they said. Of course, they want to hook it up to diagnostics thing even though 3 others have done so and no error code show. I'm not good with my hands or with practical stuff otherwise I'd take the damned thing apart myself. Where exactly do these Prius taxi drivers take their cars to, cos I'm betting its not a Lexus dealer...

Just had the flywheel diagnosed as the problem and told whole clutch system needs replacing. EGR is working fine, valve opening and closing OK. Emissions are good. Been quoted around £3k to replace. Think I'll just trade it in for whatever I can get. I'm never buying a hybrid again!

Hi, thanks for that list. I've found an indi hybrid specialist in the meantime, but there's a repairer on there near work if my one doesn't can't help.

Just had an opinion from a local mechanic who has said it's more likely a faulty EGR valve. He said if it was blocked it'd be shaking all the time, not just intermittently (it started fine when he looked at it). He's suggested I just buy a valve from ebay and pay someone to fit it. He said he could blank it off if I wanted, ten minute job and there'd never be an issue with it again. I'm just really confused now.

It's been suggested to me that I can get the EGR valve blanked off (whatever that means) which will remove this problem (apparently for good). Has anyone heard of this or tried it? I've asked Prof Google and the results are....mixed.

Very nice indeed, but not sure these would be legal on UK roads. And what would your insurer say?!

With EGR though, the RAC said there's no way I'd be able to do 70 mph on the motorway? I'd agree otherwise as my problems do sound very similar to those in other posts. I'd say it happens more when hot, though more recently it's been happening when starting up. I would still describe it as happening randomly but only at low speed or when idling.

OK thanks for the response. If we assume it's a normal flywheel that was meant, would it make sense then? He did admit he wasn't fully au fait with hybrid automatics, but did say what he saw is very typical of a flywheel misalignment. Given the other circumstances in my original post, the initial suspects seem to be ruled out.

Thanks, I really wasn't sure as I know little of cars. Phoned round a few reputable garages who've all said it's a main dealer job and probably going to cost a couple of thousand quid to fix. Think I might just trade it in for whatever I can get for another car. As much as I like the car, the running costs are outweighing the enjoyment I'm getting out of it.

Just had a mobile mechanic out. He thinks that the dual mass flywheel may be misaligned. The car started shaking on startup for a couple of seconds then stopped which he said was a classic sign of it. Does this sound plausible to anyone?

Thanks for replying, appreciated. Tbh, Lexus garages are my choice of last resort (Lexus quote for loose heatshield repair: £185 + VAT + parts. Indi: free. Effect: same). My garage is an indi and anything he can't fix, he sends me to another indi (electrics specialist, also fully booked) who can. This is going totally off topic, but I came across a post about changing batteries in key fob and any suggestion to me about using a Lexus dealer to do this.... it seemed OK with some and i found that weird. My 8 year old niece worked out how to do it on my fob without prompting. As I say, that's all off topic, but I hatevthat car manufacturers tie you in to their brand. As a saying might go... Its not because I love Lexus repairers, its because I've got no bloody choice but to use the buggers! Anyways, that's all besides the point and I don't want this thread to go off topic. So, anyone have ideas about the misfires?

2013 CT Advance with 160k on clock. Starting a couple of days ago and very occasionally there's been a juddering at low speeds, around 15 to 20 mph then clears. At first I thought the juddering was going over rough surfaces but it's not. No loss of power or warning lights and its fine at higher speeds. Today it started misfiring when idling so I've called RAC who couldn't diagnose - no fault code showing but maybe because problem not lasting long enough. The misfiring was totally random. RAC suggested may be spark plugs or coils, but said that would normally result in more consistent misfiring and would happen at higher speeds. I saw another thread with a similar problem possibly caused by clogged EGR and suggested this, but he said there's no way I'd be able to do 70 mph if that was the case (he followed me for a bit on motorway). There's been no other problems with it and spark plugs were (supposedly) changed 3 months ago. Anyone have any ideas what may be happening? My normal garage cant see it til at least a week away so I'm going to try and get it into another garage tomorrow. Meanwhile, would it be safe to drive? Any advice or suggestions much appreciated.

I'd say that was the problem to start with. On two occasions I've had Halfords fit my Osrams they've lasted about 3 months. What I've found in hindsight is that both fitters handled the bulbs with bare (and probably greasy/dirty) hands. A friend has suggested that the glass should never be touched or marked. My trusty indy garage who I now use has suggested the same - he always puts on clean gloves, minimally handles the bulb and I've had no problems with bulbs going out early.

My Lexus Ct200h (2013 model) has suddenly decided that my hood is open when it is evidently not. This coincided with a warning that my key fob battery is low and the car alarm deciding to give a couple of renditions of its own. I've replaced the battery and no alarms since but I'm still getting the hood open warning. I've opened the hood (which was firmly closed prior) and seen that the mechanism is rather rusty (on the hood bit and on the frame), so I'm guessing that this may be the cause of the warning. Does that sound plausible or could something else be going on? If it is rust, would cleaning it up sort this problem (if so, what's the best way?) or am I in for a costly repair? Tbh, I'd be happy with the sensor disconnected if I knew how! Any advice appreciated.

Late to the discussion but another view here. I bought my 2013 CT200H from a Lexus dealer 5 years ago and that was the last time my car ever saw a Lexus dealership as I've had my services and MOTs done at a local and highly rated independent garage. I was dubious at first but what put out is when I was asked why I wanted the Lexus Hybrid Battery Health Check when it's nothing more than a fancy name for a basic check on what is, after all, a big battery. And he was right. I've saved a few grand over the past 5 years not buying the extras from Lexus dealers which I think prey on people's insecurities in retaining the value of a car like this. On saying that, I do 25k+ per year. My car has needed nothing more than general consumables, wear and tear items like brake pads but otherwise it drives as well as it did when I first bought it on 20k miles. A colleague has just bought a 2020 model on 6k and we've done comparisons. Mine fared slightly worse, but emphasis on slight. Sure I've got some issues - the headlights are appallingly dim (same on my colleagues) and I really shouldn't have to press a button specifically for the wing mirrors to fold (first world problems, eh?) I'll be happy to keep mine til it dies, but it won't be seeing a Lexus dealer til then. Meanwhile, the money I've saved will be a good deposit on my next car I'm sure my opinion is unpopular, but I think these guarantees and "health checks" are a scam.

Oh thank heavens. I honestly felt like I was fuelling global warming all by myself! It is embarrassing though sitting in a luxury hybrid that's doing an impression of a chain smoker whilst all around nothing is coming out of anyone else's cars...

Whilst idling at traffic lights to tonight, I was shocked by how much smoke was coming from my exhaust. I've noticed it before when the petrol engine is engaged but this time it was so noticeable as to be embarrassing. Sadly the hybrid battery wouldn't engage as it was low, so I was just sat there making it look like a new Pope had been declared - it was embarrassing, especially as no other cars seemed to be pumping out fumes. The smoke appeared white and wasn't thick but it didn't look like steam from water either. I also noticed that the engine seemed to be a bit louder and more growly than usual. Has anyone else had this problem or do they know what could be causing it? I'd like to think that it was just cold weather and bright headlights behind me that made it look worse than it was but I'm not so sure.

Thanks for the reply. If I point my headlights down (position 5), I can see clearly a (very) short distance ahead of me but bugger all further afield. As I raise the position of the headlights, there is illumination further ahead but not so much (the headlights are properly aligned and positioned). I'm aware of laws on fog lights (though do find the allowance of corner lights strange). Just to give an idea, what I saw was something like this (but not the same) https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-accessories/styling-lights/ring-lyra-dual-function-led-day-%2F-night-lamp-242326.html. I was hoping that they could be fitted on the lower part of the grille to illuminate the road better and not blind others.

The problem i'm having is difficulty seeing the road ahead at night. For the sake of argument, please accept that I've replaced my bulbs with the brightest and best money can buy, supposedly and they're adjusted properly. The lenses are super clear as is the windscreen. I'm looking away from oncoming traffic. I've tried adjusting height and position of drivers seat. I've tried night driving glasses. My optician has confirmed there's nothing wrong with my vision as has a consultant at the eye hospital. The lights on the CT aren't as bright as many other cars, even cars of the same age or older. All I'm trying to do is see the road ahead of me a bit clearer with dazzling other road users. So my question is can LED light bars be legally / practically fitted to the front grille and are they likely to ma e a difference?

Driving my lexus for nearly 5 years now and fuel consumption increases in the cold, definitely. E10 certainly doesn't help, but is the increased cost of E5 more than the loss of MPG using E10? I'm finding out!

Hi all, another possible daft question. Is it possible / legal to fit driving lights to a CT and would it actually help? I've posted previously on difficulties I've had driving at night and so far nothing has worked (and my eyesight is fine). A friend suggested putting LED lights into the grille of the car and either have them wired up to headlamp circuit or have a separate switch fitted. Having looked online, it seems that these are essentially daytime running lights which the CT has already. Part of me is thinking that it would work as the grille is very low to the ground and the lights won't dazzle other drivers. Anyone have any thoughts on this or tried it themselves? A concern is that my service and MOT is due in the next few weeks so I don't want to fit them and find it causing a failure. Any thoughts / comments appreciated.

Thanks for the responses. My manual has the same as las Palmas but I'm confused. On the door label, it gives options for 215/45/R17 87W ( what I currently have) and 205/55/R16 91V. Does that mean either of them can be fitted? If not, how would I know which one is correct? The reason why this has come up is because I have Mitchellin Pro Sport 4s fitted in December last year. There's still a fair bit of tread left in them (about 50%), but one of them has a nail puncture and probably needs replacing as opposed to a repair. I'm loathe to spend £100 on one wheel when I'd be looking to replace them all in a few months, and I don't want to buy part worn. So that leads me to think it may be worth switching all four to 205s as they are generally cheaper than 215s from what I can see and if I'm right in that they were fitted when I bought the car, provide better fuel economy... Right now, I hate my car!

My car currently has 215/45 r17 tyres fitted and I'm wondering whether I can/should replace them with 205 size tyres? The reasons are that I'm finding it hard to get same day (or even next day) replacements for my current size. Also, I'm sure that when I bought the car (from a Lexus dealer), it had 205s fitted but can't remember. When I took it to get the tyres replaced a year later, I noticed that MPG has been worse since. On my last tyre change, I asked the fitter and he said it would look stupid and is not a good idea. Anyone have opinions or experience? Thanks in advance

Herbie, it was toothpaste, followed by a long scrub with microfibre cloth. I'm not a car person as might be gathered but I'll try what you suggest. Milena, it's a 13 plate with just over 200k on the clock (130k by me) and going like a dream still. I've had the nightbreakers on and, while they are definitely brighter, I'm still struggling seeing in the dark! It's mostly on roads lit by LED streetlamps I think. I went down a country road with no lights at all... Absolutely fine. Then on an A road with yellow streetlamps. Fine, but not as clear. Then on my road that has led streetlamps... I can't see a difference, but when I look at the road in front of other cars with their headlights, there's a marked difference. When a car approaches, I can't see a damned thing in front of me and have to slow down. I'm wondering if I'm just getting paranoid or if there's something wrong with my car, but the garage have assured me my lights are fine. My optician tells me my eyes are fine, so why am I struggling driving in the dark recently? I've tried waiting for 10 mins or so for eyes to adjust before setting off. Windscreen is crystal clear, no lights inside car. I've tried looking slightly to the left, night vision glasses (waste of money). I'm an essential car user for work and not driving at night isn't an option unless I change jobs. But I'm really struggling with this now. Is it just brighter lights elsewhere?

Cheers again. I did a full scrub on the lights as suggested and not really a seen a difference. Cars being MOTd and serviced today so I've bought nightbreaker lasers for them to fit. Can't wait to try them out (but could do without the extra £190 for worn brake pads 😭)