Barry14UK

Sorry to hear this has not worked out in your favour. If you take out extended warranty it will mean Lexus will be paid twice for some of the period of the cover. Doesn't seem fair to me.

Can't believe both tail lights would have failed at the same time and I would have thought each side would be separately grounded so the fuse has to be the prime suspect. Interested to learn what you find.

An extended warranty could save you a lot if if you have a major problem. I realize Lexus likely hedge their risk but suggest your get opinion from Lexus Customer relations on this.

Topped himself?

Most here recommend Michelin Cross Climates which was also what Lexus Cheltenham told me and I have fitted to mine. I found these give a much better ride than the Dunlops it came with, also better steering and no complaints about road holding in any conditions although the Vector 4's have the edge in deeper snow I read in tests. So Cross Climates for Southern England and Vector 4's for Scotland. In between it's probably swings and roundabouts but little to choose between them. Price could also a consideration and availability and promotions which could also affect this. Check this out with various suppliers.

It was a fair question because some forums are very fussy about giving names and making reference to anything that may be construed as advertising or pushing products. I am glad this forum takes a reasonable attitude to what is permitted.

I don't think there is anything you can do about this until she returns. Perhaps you could have a word with her then and test her 12v battery voltage. If she only uses the car infrequently or only for short journeys you could explain need for smart charging or otherwise running car to charge. An insect could be a possibility. I recently had alarm activation on my RX450h on two occasions due to hail. I discussed with Lexus Cheltenham and they will make the alarm less sensitive at my request when I am next that way. It seems they have had to do this for a few owners.

The thought also occurred to me but would not explain why after cleaning rubbers they didn't squeak for about ten minutes. I haven't checked on my Lexus but on some cars you are able to fold the wipers back away from the glass and set them in motion without hitting anything in that position. If this is can be done on the RX it would likely show any unusual sound in the linkages without removing the arms which is another option.

Just seen Colin's suggestion which reminds me of how in my early days of motoring I used Vinegar on all glass as needed to avoid funding special preparations LOL. Windscreens are blasted by whatever is in the air over time resulting in minute pits that it's almost impossible to see with the naked eye and it may be that these retain contaminants/debris even after normal cleaning.

Sap can be a real problem. You could try driving to an area where there are no trees, maybe a supermarket at a quiet time. Then clean screen and wiper rubbers. I either use designated 'glass cleaner' or neat screenwash before I dilute it do replenish reservoir (You don't want to put too strong a mix into the car's screenwash bottle as this can lead to washer jets becoming blocked). Then keep pouring clean water on the screen while wipers are operating and see whether rubbers still squeak. You really need to ascertain what change has happened since when they used to be OK and now and why they should work for about ten minutes only. If they work OK for as long as 10 minutes it seems to me that the angle of attack of the blades is OK as is the sprung tension that keeps the blades/rubbers held onto the glass. It shouldn't really be necessary but you might try a product called 'Rain X' although I believe it is largely to help with the way water beads/flows off the screen.

One thing that would be interesting to know is if that has always been your experience with the car or did it start during your ownership? Does it squeak immediately after the windscreen and rubbers have been cleaned or is is OK for some time before it starts to squeak? Some areas are particularly affected by contaminants and residue from diesel fumes and dead bugs etc., which can cause minute deposits to stick to screen which are not easily dislodged by action of screenwash operating with wipers. The only time I have experienced squeaking when screen is clean and wet is when rubbers have hardened with age. Do make sure the rubbers are thoroughly clean as well as the screen.

If the rubbers are good and held tightly they shouldn't squeak, maybe judder if used dry which I try to avoid. You are not getting body polish on the screen are you? Try cleaning screen with a proper glass cleaner. When I top up my screen wash, I clean the screen and also wipe the rubbers. I bought the correct ones from Euro Car Parts last year and had no trouble.

Many oils can meet manufacturers requirements and certified standards at the outset but better ones hold longer to their specifications. It follows that if cheap oils are used, these should be changed more frequently than better formulated longer life oils. However, well worn engines that allow more products of combustion to become absorbed past piston rings and valve guides are going to cause even long life oil to contaminate more quickly so in these cases a more regular change using a cheaper oil can be a better way. Some manufacturers suggest a heavier grade of oil in these circumstances. It's interesting that in the USA, where they tend to cover longer mileages, they look more carefully at this and some owners have samples of oil from their vehicles laboratory tested to establish wear and what is appropriate. If I recall correctly, Amsoil was generally regarded as tops for normal use and Mobil 1 did pretty well too. Filters are also very important and these are cut open to check their effectiveness as people have posted in the USA. Replacing good quality long life oil and filter more frequently than specified at very short mileage, won't do any harm but in normal circumstances with a low mileage already run in engine is not likely to provide any substantial benefit. https://myengineneeds.com/what-makes-amsoil-synthetic-motor-oil-so-good/

Might be worth checking what you currently need to have in your car or is applicable in France. I believe there was a requirement for a high visibility jacket for at least the driver and a spare set of bulbs. Obviously the latter cannot apply where LED forms part of headlights. Is a warning triangle reflector for placement in the event required of an accident required? France used to have different speed limits for good as compared with bad weather conditions on at least some roads. I don't know if this is still the case. I do believe you can be in trouble if you have speed camera locations showing on your Sat Nav.

I must check to see if this would be covered under the extended warranty. As regards the poly bushes, I don't know how this affects the ride in a Lexus but this was often done by owners on the BMW forum. There is was found that they made the ride harsher but were a popular mod as very easy to slide in. However, I preferred to buy and fit readily available and reasonably priced original type arms, complete with liquid filled rubber bushes, a not too difficult job. I am coming to realise that fitting replacement parts on the RX is much more involved and expensive!

I would recommend avoiding Paris if you are unfamiliar with it and driving on the right. I had a nightmare experience there many years ago before we had sat nav and to make matters worse the Borg Warner automatic gearbox of my Fiat 130 couoe was starting to give trouble and I had to creep along much to the annoyance of the locals who were honking me in a fury. Somehow, I managed to nurse the car to the ferry an got it back to the UK but only drove a mile or so thereafter when it lost all drive and stopped amidst a cloud of blue smoke. Luckily, I had taken out breakdown cover for that holiday and the car was trailered to my house where I replaced the brake bands in the autobox . That spoilt what had been an enjoyable holiday where we were based in a Jeet in the Loire Valley area -wine Chateaux's, and beautiful scenery and above all so peaceful.

Can't tell from picture but until you sort out what to do, I would ensure no water is entering vehicle as arround the rear seat is a particularly bad place for any water to find it's way.

If the RX450 has aluminium doors it must be a very unusual lightweight version! I have just checked by putting a pretty lightweight magnet on mine and it's strongly attracted to it so must be steel. I think it might be possible for a specialist to repair it. You could take further pics and send them for an opinion as to whether it was worth driving to specialst for quote or just drive there as car looks drivable. Alternatively, you could ask breaker for a price of used door plus repainting if required. The latter would be my preference.

They don't let u get away with much on this forum do they?

Yes and I have NEW front struts and mounts so these should last last that much longer now. Thanks to all that have commentated,

Lexus have now offered £200 'Goodwill' provided it is put towards the cost of a Lexus Dealer service or a Lexus extended warranty. I will opting for the latter immediately. I don't want any major surprises in future. It's not a great amount but I was not entitled to anything, so it was worth me sending a second email to Lexus CR which rather put them on the defensive. I can now afford to pay my formerly free TV licence LOL!

Spoke with Lexus Cheltenham today who confirmed they can reduce the sensitivity of the alarm and have in fact done so to help prevent activation caused by severe weather. So I will have that done on my next visit and hope it doesn't happen very often meanwhile.

Lexus and I assume other brands presumably use these expensively filled cats to get maximum reduction in emmisions. I wonder how much difference it makes to emmisions, noise and fuel ecomomy if the genuine article is replaced with a generic lacking the expensive innards or replacing with a straight pipe and just relying on the cats up front?

I had a supposed insect activate the alarm on a different car a long time ago. I fumigated the car and that solved the problem but this has happened on my Lexus only upon the onset of hail and gusting wind. If there is no easy answer, I will have a word with Lexus and in need an alarm specialist.

For only 5 minutes duration yesterday afternoon we had concentrated hail with a strong wind. The 'stones' were not really large, possibly 3 or 4mm. Almost immediately this activated the alarm on my car but none of the several makes of my neighbours cars were affected. The alarm was activated once previously under similar weather conditions on another day. I unset the alarm with my remote and neighbors stopped staring out of their windows. But it would have been more embarrassing if it had happened at night or while we were not at home. Of course, like my insurers, I want to have the protection the alarm provides but avoid activation in similar circumstances. Has anybody else suffered this problem or know whether sensitivity can be reduced by me or Lexus. Thank you.