LenT

It was the difficulty in reversing down my OWN drive that finally persuaded me to do something about it. Now I feel I can rely on the view in the reversing camera. Mind you, I still think a ‘Quality Car’ such as the Lexus should have two reversing lamps! You can’t even retrofit them. 🙁

It is indeed significantly brighter Phil I thought the original bulb was as illuminating as the fabled Toc H lamp - if you’re old enough to remember them? It was a poor effort even in comparison with my previous Honda Accord and required me to put the indicator on as well in order to have some clue as to what was lurking behind the car. Unfortunately, having just the one reversing light - and it being located on the nearside - is always going to be a disadvantage. If your bulb is the same fitting, then I think you’ll find the modest outlay very worthwhile.

It’ll be a digital version of the Owner’s Manual. There seems to be a few available on eBay for £10 each! Unfortunately, I don’t think the download facility in the My Lexus section of the Lexus website offers Manuals this old.

I replaced my reversing light bulb with this LED upgrade. Your newer IS may already have an LED bulb - which your Manual should confirm if that’s the case - but if not then I would certainly recommend it. This bulb has a wedge base and is a simple push fit into the bulb holder. https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/955-w16w-white-philips-ultinon-pro6000-led-bulbs-single.html

When I had a TPMS valve snapped off by a well-meaning passerby, I fitted the SpaceSaver on and drove round to a nearby large tyre retailer. They were indeed able to fit and register an OEM replacement for £65. So that would certainly be my first port of call!

Probably not enough contenders.

‘Which’ has just published its 2023 car owner reliability and satisfaction survey. Lexus was the only make to get the full five stars across the three car age groups surveyed. And the worst make? Alfa Romeo! ‘Which’ summed it up by noting: Lexus has a reliability record to make other manufacturers green with envy. Lexus owners had very few gripes about their vehicles, and the brand was awarded a full five stars for reliability for 0-4, 5-9 and 10-15-year-old age groups. In summary, Lexus is the most reliable carmaker, and has proven this year in and year out in our annual surveys.

I believe that Lexus was so named in recognition of his place of conception. His partner, Vovan, changed his from his original name….Moskvitch. 😊.

Highly recommended! I also check the pressures with my preset inflator which automatically fires up if it senses more air is needed. It also, on rare occasions, reveals another new scuff on my Alloygators so that I can feel good about the cost of a rim repair that I’ve just avoided!

Point well made George! When I had occasion to work under a car, I had four ramps to drive up on - or lower the car down on as appropriate. The ramps themselves could then be further wound up if necessary. I never trusted any form of jack without axle stands. It’s not so surprising that DIYers have to be constantly reminded of the dangers of working under badly supported vehicles. But it appears that some of those in the Motor Trade learn the hard way too. According to the Health & Safety Executive, in the last five years 12 mechanics have died under vehicles that dropped down on to them. And over 2,300 suffered non-fatal injuries. It’s possibly another instance in which familiarity breeds contempt!

I think you were typing this at the same time as I was my own post. So I just wanted to acknowledge that it seems to be a much more measured response than previous posts to which I was responding. I may have misunderstood, but surely here you make the point that this is an aberration in your previous and extensive experience of Lexus cars and service. I would be curious to know if there is any make of car for which one cannot find a disgruntled owner! Far be it for me to intrude, but I really would have thought that considering the substantial investment you have already made, and your previous satisfied relationship with Lexus, that there are still plenty of routes to resolving this matter that you can explore.

Why? Now I may be mistaken Steve, but as I understand it you purchased the car on September 1st. I’m not really clear as to whether you bought it new or as a used vehicle. If the latter, did you inspect it at the Dealership? Have you had it independently inspected? In fact I don’t think you’ve even confirmed that it was from a Lexus Dealer. And if so, why not name them? As has been said by a another Poster, they don’t know of one in Kent who would give such bad service. Of course you’ve only just come back after your OP of October 19, not that you have any obligation to do so! But you don’t seem to have taken up any of the suggestions made by earlier Posters. Why would you sell it and take the hit after only three months when you have several legal avenues by which you can pursue compensation - or a new vehicle, as you can reject it as Not Fit for Purpose! Whether you choose to buy another Lexus after this is yours to make. But this website wouldn’t even exist if your dismissal of the Lexus brand, its dealers and its cars was the general experience. I’m sure we all appreciate that buying a new car which then appears to be faulty - faults that the Seller cannot identify ( and incidentally, ‘known faults with a Lexus’ is a nonsensical excuse) - is infuriating and should not be tolerated! But just selling it and taking the hit - and denigrating the entire Lexus product to so - is surely not the best way forward? It has also occurred to me to point out that Toyota/Lexus are to be found regularly at the top of - or thereabouts- of most Automotive Satisfaction Surveys. Now that’s a majority view by Owners. It doesn’t happen by chance.

And ‘Big’ ?

Well call me naive, but it never occurred to me that my initial chit-chat with the Sales folk at Lexus MK might affect my future standards of service. In fact it’s now so long ago that I can’t really remember how my time as a Hitman for the Mafia even came up….

Well, I have a different model Lexus, but I only found mine by getting on my back and looking at the area just under the dash and near the steering column with a torch! I suspect it’s an example of Japanese sense of humour! 😊

Unfortunately Nigel, the Manual for my IS250 only covers 16”, 17” and 18” wheels. I have 18 “ wheels. But if it’s any help, the recommended pressure from cold is a constant 36psi irrespective of tyre size. In other words, there seems no change in recommended pressures with wheel size.

As Linas hints, there’s reviews and there’s reviews! 😊 Firstly, it’s not a good idea to have different makes on different axles - although putting the newest tyres on the rear axle is correct. However, I believe that the Pace 10 may be a ‘run flat’ - unlike the Goodyear 5s. This means the Pace has a thicker sidewall and will have different ride characteristics to the Goodyears. Which could mean that in stressed conditions the front and rear axles will have very different levels of response. Indeed it may even account for the slightly erratic steering that you’re currently enjoying! Of course, this is all a bit late as I expect having made this buying decision you’ll not be inclined to dump them for a new pair of the excellent Goodyears! So just drive very, very carefully. I thought you might be interested in a professional assessment of the Pace 10. https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Pace/PC10.htm Not an encouraging read, unfortunately. But at least a warning to others!

Very interesting. Not something I’ve ever come across either. I take it that a Manual didn’t come with the car. But there should be a tyre pressure label on one of the front door pillars. Failing that, check the tyre maker’s website.

🫢 Steady on, Ron. This is a family website, you know! But back to positioning the Milenco…. With me it depends on whether I remember to do it before or after the steering wheel lock has engaged. If it’s engaged, then it has to go vertically on the left or I can’t get out. I also have to remember to move my left leg and sit slightly sideways or I’ll have trouble getting my leg over. (But it was ever thus!) If steering lock not engaged, then I can position the wheel as shown so that the Milenco is horizontal over a key spoke. I also find it easier to operate the key in the Milenco lock when it’s right in front of me. Still, how dull Life would be without these little challenges? 😊 PS. I should add that Milenco themselves illustrate the lock in the horizontal position. On my wheel it will only cover the spokes with the paddles, which means positioning the wheel before the steering lock engages. I hope that clears that up!

My IS250 is a year younger, but I have no intention at the moment of entrusting the Services to any one other than Lexus Milton Keynes. In fact I have taken out three year Service Contracts ever since I bought it from them. I mention this only to provide a more balanced overall view. Obviously, Dealerships will vary and my view might change. MK is also the only Lexus Dealer I have experienced. But my experience has always been excellent - so far. Unlike Michael, my Lexus always received a complementary full valeting after a Service. Unfortunately, this also included a run through the car wash when I had specifically requested that this didn’t happen on account of the car now having had a ceramic finish applied. So I was impressed when the Service Manager called to apologise and to inform me that this request had not got through to the lad doing the valeting! He offered to rectify any damage that had been caused. As it happens, no damage had been done - but it struck me that many Dealerships would not have caused potential problems for themselves by telling me anyway.

It sounds like you have inadvertently pressed the window control lock button. This stops the passenger windows operating as a child safety precaution. This will be explained in the Manual, but if it’s the same as mine, look for a bank of three switches in the driver’s door, just below the mirror adjuster. The largest of the three is the window lock button. See what happens if you press it!

It was indeed your recommendation Ron that clinched my decision. Has Milenco not yet sent you your commission? 🙁 I agree that the silver version does look classier, but in the end I went for ‘In-Yer-Face’ yellow on the basis that instant visibility is one of the claimed benefits.

I regard the Disklok as the Big Daddy of them all. As I recall, it was the first - and is still one of the few - to pass the ‘5 Minute Attack’ test, resisting the attentions of professional destroyers. I had two - and still have one - but find it awkward to store in the car and a bit more cumbersome than the Milenco. But given that, its great strength is that it covers the entire wheel, so sawing through the wheel is no longer an option. The Milenco is one of the few others to pass the same attack test. What decided me is that it takes up less room in the car. - but it also takes more getting used to in order to fit and remove smoothly. It’s possible that somewhere like Halfords might stock them both, so you can compare them directly.

I have just bought this Milenco on the recommendation of another member. It’s a very solid and well-tested bit of kit. I can’t say if it will fit your wheel, but it’s perfect on my IS250. It takes a bit of practice, but it’s easier to store in the car than the Disklok I used to use. I bought this direct from the Milenco outlet. It’s the latest version with rubber blocks that lift the lock off the steering wheel so that it doesn’t mark it. The only problem I found is that sometimes the rubber blocks dropped off the Milenco before it was located on the wheel. Of course it may not happen to you, but I solved this by fitting a couple of cable ties around the blocks and locking them to the Milenco. Milenco Direct outlet: https://www.milenco-outlet.co.uk/security/milenco-high-security-steering-wheel-lock-yellow.html

Yes, this is clearly a standard aerofoil section. So be particularly careful when driving into a headwind. Combine that with a road speed of, say, 150mph and you might achieve lift off! 😊