LenT

You may then have a problem with the MOT. On vehicles first used after 1st January 2012, under section 2:12 Wheels and Tyres section of the Car Parts Checked at an MOT list, the TPMS monitoring light is checked to ensure it’s functioning correctly. You can check out these MOT requirements on the gov.uk site.

Yes, that certainly might explain why the warning light keeps coming on. But you should fix the fault, not disable the warning system. That would be like taking the battery out of a CO sensor because it keeps going off! Incidentally, one tyre problem I discovered the hard way is that it’s best to fit plastic dust caps. I discovered that I had one metal cap which had corroded onto the valve...which sheared off when trying to remove it. This cost me £70 for a new valve. But fortunately I had an emergency tyre in the boot, having ditched the rubbishy sealant system which would have been useless in this case.

Before you disable it, check that it isn’t trying to warn you of a problem! If there’s no apparent problem, I’d try to turn it off by resetting it. On my IS250 there’s a reset button tucked under the dash about inline with the steering wheel. It’s hard to find. In fact I had to get in the footwell with a torch to locate it. To reset, first set the cold tyre pressures correctly. Then in the ‘Ignition On’ mode, press and hold the button for three seconds. The TPMS warning light should flash three times and then go out. Stay in the ‘Ignition On’ mode for a few more ‘minutes’. When you restart the light should be out. If not, then there could be a tyre or valve problem. The TPMS valves do work off a battery that has a finite life, so they will all eventually have to be replaced! Hope this helps.

Good advice. I replaced my main/dip with a pair of Osram Next Generation Laser Xenarc (!), D4S in my case, and am very impressed with the results. Range is certainly improved, but even more impressive is the superior dip beam that gives far better illumination of the verges of our narrow, pot holed country lanes.

I fitted CrossClimates to our 4wd Suzuki SX4 and was most impressed with their performance. So I decided they were ideal for the Lexus IS250 as well. Unfortunately my Lexus requires two different tyre sizes, of which Michelin only make one. Fortunately, Goodyear had recently launched their Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 which performed on a par with the CrossClimates, and better in some aspects, in both sizes. I fitted them and it has proved to be an excellent choice. Can’t really compare the two vehicles, but the Goodyears are far superior to the standard rubber that came with the car, not only in dry and wet weather grip, but also in the level of road noise they generate. I would certainly recommend them. Incidentally, I would never have a mix of tyre brands or types. Having wheels that could be affected by variations in compound mix and tread patterns is surely just asking for trouble.

Well there you go! Just don’t get them mixed up afterwards.

Never had occasion to try it myself, but have often come across the mention of the use of toothpaste as an effective and gentle way to brighten up headlights. Probably worth a go as I expect you have some handy! I'll be interested to know if it actually works.

I had my BlackVue dashcam installed by a guy who does it for a living and I know he took a live feed off somewhere around the passenger footwell. Unfortunately he made such a good job of it that I can't trace the wiring! But he also fitted what BlackVue call the Power Magic Pro on the driver's side. This is a switchable hardwiring kit that BlackVue claims is compatible with all dashcams that have a Parking Mode. It powers the dashcam when the ignition is off but will turn the camera off if the battery level drops to a preconfigured voltage. So the camera will never flatten the battery. I hope this helps.

Yes, you're right. I see that my original comment only seems to apply to my model year! Earlier IS250s had a range of wheels and it was the16" that wore the same size all round. The earliest manual I can find for the IS250 is for 2011 models and this gives the tyre sizes for 17" wheels as: Front - 225/45R 17 90W and Rear - 245/45R 17 95W. (At the risk of stating the obvious, I take it that when you refer to a 'booklet' that is not the manual - which is over 600 pages! And I also assume that the tyre information label on the driver's door frame has been removed or sprayed over.) Anyway, I hope this helps.

There’s no legal requirement to carry a spare tyre. Although it is an offence to put different sized tyres on the same axle, an exception is made for the emergency use of a Space Saver tyre. The conditions of use require that it is restricted to a maximum of 50 mph and the journey with it is for the purpose of driving to a place of safety or repair. So, not for going shopping then. I think they’re generally considered to have a pretty limited range, too, as the tread is not very deep and wears quickly. So around 70 miles I think. Still, far better than a can of squirt tyre gloop - which is useless in the case of a tyre wall rip or a broken valve!

I think you’ll find they’re different sizes for the 18” rims and the same size all round for the 17” rims.

Did you get your new tyres? I was also going to fit Michelin CrossClimates - until I discovered they only did one of the sizes. Frankly, not keen on mixing tyre makes. Often different compound mixes and tread patterns will give different handling characteristics. Fortunately, Goodyear had just launched their Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 in both sizes. Excellent reviews and test comparisons and, so far, excellent performance on my IS250. Wet handling at least as good as the CrossClimates on our 4x4; excellent dry road performance - and much quieter than the original tyres that came with the car. I'd certainly recommend, for what that's worth!

The Xenarc Night Breaker Laser is the latest and brightest Osram xenon light. Check out the Xenarc range at osram.com

https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/d4s-osram-night-breaker-laser-xenarc-next-generation.html This is where I got mine from. £110 a pair. And Osram claims them to be the brightest Xenon bulbs in the world!! (Road legal, I presume that is.)

I had the same problem with my IS250. Originally I’d chosen Michelin Cross Climates, but Michelin don’t do them in both sizes. Fortunately Goodyear had just launched the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 which tested very well, so I bought a set of them. Wet weather performance is certainly on a par with the Cross Climates on our 4x4 and noise levels and ride comfort are superior to the original tyres on the Lexus. Dry road performance is also well rated. So I’m very pleased with the choice. Rim protection might ward off the occasional kiss, but anything more passionate will mark the alloy rim, much like most tyres. So I fitted a set of Alloy Gators which directly cover the wheel rim and prevent any contact. I hope this helps.

Especially when they’re hidden under snow, as I discovered! Our local Chips Away guy did a splendid repair job on BOTH occasions, but I decided that prevention would be a lot cheaper than cure. So I had a set of Alloy Gaytor rim protectors fitted. I chose black so that they blend in with the tyre and are pretty hard to spot. Now the worse that has happened Is a scuffed plastic strip that is considerably cheaper to deal with than an alloy repair.

I don’t know if you’ve done the deed yet, but I’ve just replaced the HID main/dips on my IS250 with the new D4S Osram Xenarc Night Breaker Next Generation (!) bulbs. I think they’re a significant improvement and well worth the investment. Driving around our narrow, potholed country lanes is now a much more comfortable experience. Previously I would even put the fog lights on to get a better view of the near side verge. The new bulbs now provide a much better defined and brighter light just on dip. Main beam is similarly improved. If you want to be sure about sourcing them, the Osram site lists their distribution partners. I used Autobulbsdirect and their service was excellent. I hope this is useful.

I have just replaced the original main/dip bulbs on my IS250 with the new D4S Osram Xenarc Night Breaker. I’d always felt that the original bulbs were inferior to my previous car (Honda Accord) and had asked Lexus if they could be changed for HID bulbs - only to be told that on my model they already were, Previously I would even turn on the fog lamps to help light up the near side verges of our narrow, potholed country lanes. The new bulbs give a much brighter and better defined dipped beam which is much more comfortable to drive behind. Main is similarly improved. I feel the improvement is significant and well worth the investment.