Barry14UK

Price wouldn't surprise me. A similar query was raised on the RX forum some time ago and the poster got pattern parts a lot cheaper if I correctly recall, maybe from abroad. Perhaps worth a search to check on this and if so whether source could supply for your car.

yes I was rather careful to put "activation" lol but taking up the 'thrust' of your suggestion, perhaps a lubricated rubberized cover might delay alarm activation but not something I would wish to put on every night in case...... !

Yesterday for a short time my car was subjected to hailstones which activated it's alarm but not that of any other cars in the area. Fortunately, this happened during the day and I was around to unset and later reset it. Must say the hailstones removed some bird poo, something I have to deal with quite often as we live rather near the coast. However, if the alarm had activates during the night, it would be embarrassing as it could well wake neighbours. Does anybody know whether the sensitivity can be reduced to avoid unwanted premature activation, maybe a dealer adjustment?

Thanks to those that kindly looked or commented. I have added to my boot the first aid kit and folding safety warning triangle from the old BMW, the folding wheel chock from my previously mentioned Camry wrapped in rags, some 'wipes', a very small amount of swarfega in a screw top cosmetic jar, a multi tool in a leather pouch (already used the knife an scissors on this), a torch, a spare torque wrench in case wheel needs to be changed, a socket T bar and extension with alloy tube extenders for changing wheel as I don't like the provided tool, a tyre gauge, a small compressor for tyres, a high visibility jacket, some jump leads and a tow rope. I have yet to obtain a spare bulb pack which is a requirement in some countries.

Well Clarkson would break anything (except perhaps that Toyota that survived numerous assalts) but the story used to be that RR didn't like to have one of their cars seen to have broken down and that in such a case they would whisk it a away under cover PDQ.

Hi Scotty, Well, I never have enough time really! My wife and daughters say I am too much of a perfectionist which is probably true. I like my cars to have all they should have when they left the factory plus sometimes with a few upgrades or changes I make. I used to enjoy working on old but more simple cars, even making my own tools to do so sometimes. But a combination of increasing car complexity and problems like back trouble and less incentive, mean I won't be breaking any more cars. I also have to make good and finish work on my bungalow which the builder made a poor job of, so I ended the contract. Then I do have other interests and forums to keep up with and sometimes add my 2p. Just noticed you have a supercharged RX450h - can't be many of those about! Have you done a story on it so it can be compared with standard model performance? Barry

I needed to 'borrow' the scissor jack and operating handle from my RX450h for a different purpose of which more later. The tools in the appropriate holder like the spare tyre/wheel seemed never to have been used in my car, it having been maintained by Lexus Cheltenham from the initial purchase from them and subsequently me. So I suppose everything (and that's not much) should be there. However, all I have is the scissor jack, its operating handle, a security wheel nut key and a handle incorporating a formed end to remove wheel nuts. Additionally, there is an unused plastic bag to put your punctured tyre in and a towing eye - that's it However, there is an empty space adjacent to the towing eye and although it'snot clear Step 4 on page 592 of the Owner's Manual appears to show what could be spanners in a cover. I would be grateful if somebody would confirm whether something there is missing from my 'tool kit' I remember how cars used to come with a tool roll often kept inside the spare wheel. I suppose manufacturers don't want you to work on your more complex cars these days and save on the weight and cost by providing only the basics and not all of those as well as hitherto. For instance there is no wheel chock. Luckily, I kept the folding metal one, from my 2.5 V6 Camry of many years ago. Missing also is a folding triangle with reflectors that can be placed behind your car as a warning. I have retrieved one from a BMW I broke for spares. Talking of the BMW, it had a tool compartment incorporated in a drop down panel in the boot lid accessed by a couple of turns of a plastic wing nut. It included open ended spanners, box spanners, plug spanner, flat and cross head screw driver, wheel spanner and locking wheel nut key. self adjusting pliers, and emergency sunroof key, towing eye and a couple of other things including the aforementioned safety triangle, all readily assessed without emptying out boot. It was necessary to lift the spare wheel cover partially to remove the side jack and wheel chock though. This was all provided in the 2001 E39 5 series of 2001. Oh, what I used the Lexus scissor jack for? Needed to move the immobile BMW sideways so I could access bolts to remove doors. I used trolley jack to raise wheels slightly and put scaffold boards against side of house. I then used a combination of concrete and wooden blocks plus the scissor jack to push the car over against the wheel. The process was repeated several times adding additional packing. The trolley jack tended to lean over so had to be lowed and reposition frequently. The Lexus handle proved too flimsy to use so I used a tommy bar on the end of some steel tube to turn it. Prior to this my neighbour and I had tried to physically push the car over on the trolley jack but without success.

iI the car brakes well and the pads are still serviceable you could see what the MOT shows and if OK defer for a time. Garages usually give you a few days (7?) to do a free retest if required. If you don't want to risk having to go back for a retest or pads are worn you might as well get these replaced before MOT. In case of the latter, you should put some miles on to bed in with light initial braking followed by some moderately hard breaking. The thing to avoid is to hold the pads on after hard application at any time. This can allow the friction material to be partially transferred to the disc and back again. This can lead to judder and drivers thinking the new discs are warped. This is put simply but there is a detailed explanation of changes this can cause even in the metallic structure of the disc if anybody wants to read up on this. If new discs and pads are fitted by the garage doing the MOT they should take into account that they are new.

I chased the major battery supplier in Belgium yet again re the Hankook AXS55D23L battery, as I had not had a reply from them to my emails They responded by saying that they had referred my request to Megastore in the UK (who didn't contact me). Furthermore, they advised they did not stock this battery anyway, although it is shown on the list they link to on their web site. As mentioned earlier in this thread, I did contact Megastore who is the distributor for Hankook batteries in the UK. at the outset. It seems it is up to Megastore which batteries they stock and they would only consider stocking AXS55D23L if there was a demand for 100+ hence my contacting the Belgium supplier who also provide to agencies in France. It is disappointing that there exists a battery that would be suitable but we cannot get hold of it. Other battery manufacturers make Auxiliary AGM batteries but their restricted range does not include one of suitable capacity/size. Therefore, It is with regret that I have to conclude that I see the only satisfactory possibility is to 'negotiate' with a main dealer (including Lexus Direct), on replacing with the same battery as originally fitted. Sorry folks!

I changed my tyres due to cracking and they were not as bad as those and had about 5mm depth but they were the Dunlop ones Lexus usually come with and sounded like a rear wheel bearing needed replacement. The replacement Cross Climates obviated this noise and gave a much better ride. Maybe I should have argued for replacements at the time of purchase but the Lexus dealer did reduce the price after negotiation so I did not push it. Certainly, the sun causes a lot of cracking and I have it in mind to make some hardboard protectors to minimize deterioration as tyres on one side catch a load of sun in the normal parked position. Interestingly, I have a spare wheel with unused tyre that has been shut away in the boot of another car for over 11 years but there is no sign of any cracking. This goes to show how well tyres survive when not subjected to sun and light.

"Our RX300 had a sun roof, as does our RX450h but we never open them, preferring instead to use the climate control.................." The seal you see from on top of a sunroof (moonroof) does not completely prevent water/dirt getting into the cassette so it makes sense to slide the glass back every once in a while to clean and ensure drain holes are free. I have recently removed the cassette from an old BMW I was breaking for parts and due to having not been used for a long time the drive mechanism had seized and the glass could not be moved using the motor or by manually winding back with emergency tool provided for this purpose. There was also a lot of hardened and dirty grease/some corrosion that was making it difficult to move the components. (Some now favour a dry lubricant rather than grease but I tend to use what the manufacturer used). So don't assume that by not using a sunroof you will necessarily avoid any blockages and the next owner may want to open it and it may be seized through lack of use/attention.

For normal use I think you are very unlikely to better OEM discs and pads. Drivers who 'track' their cars can benefit from alternative discs/pads and other changes to the braking system but the RX is not the sort of car you would 'track'.

Replacing discs due to scoring is a bit subjective. If they are not badly affected, are not worn below specified limits and retard well without pulling car to one side, replacement may not yet be essential. Garages providing MOT's check how well the brakes work on either side. Another case where discs may need to be replaced is where a pronounced lip has been formed by the pads undercutting just below the periphery of the discs. I had discs on a BMW resurfaced whilst on the car and still be within spec. You need a garage who can offer 'Skimy disc' to do that and the cost was a lot less than replacement. Both discs and pads should always be replaced as a pair.

Like the style of these wheels. They do show a lot of the disc though and of course you can't do anything about the rubbed service but maybe you could tone in the hat part which looks a bit patchy with rust showing so detracts a little from overall effect?

whow!!

Wouldn't it be useful if there was a pretty comprehensive list of recommended Lexus independents in the UK? This can prove particularly helpful if you are a long way from home and have a problem. In the circumstances, I have started to make a record of any such recommendations as you never know when/where you might have a problem apart from normal service requirements.

also assume you have checked your dealer accepts discount scheme as apparently not all do.

Just checked mine and sticker on rear is expiry date. If you want discount you had better renew PDQ!

Hi Michael, As regards MPG no doubt owners of the RX400h willt give you a more individualized range of figures but from what I have read the RX400 should better the 20mpg you get from your Jag about town but you wont get anything like 50mpg on a motorway. The best I have achieved with my RX450h on a motorway was 37mpg and this is a tad more economical than the RX400h. There again results would vary a lot depending with speed, giving better results where there is a 50mph restriction than 70mph. Really motorway economy is not the RX forte. The RXmodels are heavy and not as aerodynamic as most saloons so fuel consumption more affected by this too. RX models have a good reputation for reliability but when something goes wrong the cost can be very high as can be cost of servicing. They hold their price well compared to the competition and are certainly comfortable, the latter being the main reason why I bought one. The RX450h is more refined and a better car if you could extend to one, perhaps with more miles on it.

Thanks to those who responded. I will mention this when car gets a delayed service. Am presently self isolating so not making a long journey to Lexus in Cheltenham or my nearest dealer in Exeter come to that which is still a long way from my home.

Where we are in Devon when the Council gets round to 'repairing' pot holes, this is done by just depositing a spade(s) of asphalt type material and banging it down. None of the adjacent fissures are cut out before starting so very soon these begin to open up and lose contact with the repaired hole. Because the repair is poorly done and without stones, this also breaks away so before very long we have a wider hole than ever before. It's obvious that the 'C' virus impact on finances has forced Councils to cut back still further on road maintenance rather than what is seen as more vital areas. Originally, the Road Fund was set up for maintaining roads and infra structure but the money just goes into the pot for competing interests. The only way things will improve is if an adequate sum is ring fenced for the roads as was originally proposed. Meanwhile, it is incumbent on all just as soon as they become aware to report pot holes. These can not only cause damage to all road users but pose a serious risk of injury to cyclists and motorcyclists. If you can establish the Council didn't respond in appropriate time you can take them to the small claims court. I did this some years ago in fairly similar circumstances after initial denied Council responsibility but after I told them I was going to small claims court they paid up. It was a not in Devon though.

In about 4K miles in my 2015 RX on about 3 or 4 occasions when I have been driving quite slowly and then press down on the accelerator not too hard but more than usual, I have had what is like a flat spot on a carb fed car. If anything the car hesitates momentarily and then accelerates quite well. This has not been too much of a problem but because it happens so rarely, it comes as a surprise when it happens and I am concerned it could happen at the wrong time as when I need a bit of urge to get past a cyclist for example. The car has been well serviced and it has happened when the engine is reasonably warm. Current mileage is about 42K. In retrospect, I wonder whether this could be because it is being propelled electrically and the need for quick acceleration means the engine has to start and engage and this causes hesitation. Anybody else experienced this and if it is a problem how was it sorted please? This apart, I am well pleased with my car. Until recently I have had to trickle charge the 12v battery every week so battery is on the way out. This reminds me I must chase the Battery supplier in Belgium about my query if I can ascertain they are open for business, but is not connected with flat spot query.

Contact Brian here was well recommended http://www.orchardengineering.co.uk/

These cars do age well but still nee close scrutiny and histology. I like the wood inserts which seemed more frequently fitted than in the late Gen 3 at least

I had similar situation on my BMW but it was a smell of burnt oil that precipitated investigation.