Monty Vann

Thanks for that Steve, much appreciated.

My 2003 IS200 Sportcross has been a very comfortable and enjoyable car owned since late 2019. Recently the Engine Malfunction Light came on while driving but no apparent difference in engine performance was noticed. OBDII diagnosed <Knock Sensor No.2 Bank 2> I understand that knock sensors detect ignition and combustion malfunction so I changed the spark plugs in the process of elimination. The EML light came on again after a short time without any deterioration in running smoothness. My next job is to change the knock sensor, preferably both of them, which is where I have a problem. I've been unable to find knock sensors for IS200 anywhere. There are plenty of places to buy them for IS300. Are they also used on the IS 200?

I didn't check the age of the tyres I changed but there were two different tread patterns and two tyres were worn on the tread outer edge which usually indicates incorrect tracking but these were on the same side of the car. Perhaps they'd been moved round for some unknown reason. As the tyres are the only contact with the road I'd rather have a set with a known history and as I'd found Vredestein tyres performed well with my last car i opted for the same again. The tracking when checked was OK. Each time I return home I have to reverse about 50-60 yards uphill through parked vehicles which requires, on occasions, that I retract the door mirrors to get through. If the buzzer indicated the proximity of any obstruction it would be useful. Simply making a noise to tell me I'm going backwards is a gimmick. My last car had a buzzer connected to reversing sensors which increased frequency the closer I was to an obstruction. That's useful. I'd like to fit sensors to my Sportcross but that would mean two buzzers sounsing.

Hello All, I'm Monty Vann living in Ratby Leicestershire and this evening joined the UK Lexus Owners Club. A month ago I bought a 2003 IS 200 Sportcross which I think has been looked after well and for a 99,000 miler looks good. Initially, when driving home from the car dealers I sensed that the car 'jiggled' when driven slowly but it disappeared when going faster. I put this down to being one or more of the following; a buckled wheel, out of true tyre or road surface. I doubted the road surface as I'd not noticed it previously and the wheels I could check when changing tyres. The tyres had plenty of tread but they were Chinese cheapo buy-one-get-three-free variety so I changed them for a set of Vredestein Quatrac 5's. The wheels were true and subsequent test drives showed that the 'jiggle' had disappeared. Though I've driven less than a thousand miles so far I'm 'chuffed' with my purchase and my wife (bad back) finds the seats comfortable and the the heated seats send her to sleep (I'm double chuffed!) Now a questions or three. I don't really need a beeper to tell me I'm going backwards when in reverse. If it was connected to sensors it would be useful. but it's not, it's annoying. Can it be disconnected without upsetting other electrical functions? Is there a tow bar made for this car? I don't intend towing anything but wish to carry my bike on a tow ball mounted rack. Having a close look underneath the only rust is on forged or cast components the sheet metal looks very good. I'd like to keep it that way. Has anyone had experience of having Dinitrol rust proofing done on their cars? Monty Vann