2ddesign

Hi Rayaans I am using Lexus Cardiff's approved bodyshop, FIX Auto Repair Cardiff do the work, which protects any warrantee on the vehicle. Although the insurance agents wanted someone else do the work, I think this is my best option!

My RX 450H has been in an accident, as some one pulled out in front of me! This is when I wished I had a recording camera in the front for insurance claims. So far costs are mounting up for recovery and repair, also car hire costs as well. My own insurance have sub contracted out the claim, the junction was (unaware by me) controlled by traffic lights, that were not working. I was on the main A4 Bath road into Maidenhead and the other party was crossing that road. Police and ambulance were there quickly and I was assessed by a paramedic and although shocked was uninjured. But now I know why insurance is going up, as my own insurance company have tried to get me via some link up they have with a Legal team to report side affects of whip lash etc. Luckily no one was injured, but still they are contacting me in a few days as symptoms take time to develop. As the lights were not working at the junction, there needs to be an acceptance by the other parties insurance who is at fault. The RAC were great in arranging recovery and hire car, we were returning to Wales later, witnesses appeared, people came out of houses to help, then 30 minutes later the council repaired the lights when contacted by police. Wish I had a traffic camera fitted to record the crash....

Hi Like the side steps in chrome/rubber give the car a real enhancement Thinking of having some thing similar fitted to mine. 2ddesign

Gliderpilot Thank you for the diagram, I have a quote for a new 13 pin with split charge relay at £140 + vat, or an extra 12s pin plug with split relay at £95 + vat! 2ddesign

Hi Gliderpilot Thank you for your reply and the diagram, it has as I mentioned in my first post a 12n socket already for towing. So perhaps as you suggest this 12n socket can then be converted to 13 pin, also the split relay info was very useful Lexus did not suggest this option only saying you require two feeds of power... so new loom! 2ddesgn

Hi Just an update for those contemplating having a Lexus tow bar and electrics fitted might find useful. Lexus Bristol have told me the set-up I have is just for a trailer, which was ok for the previous owner for brakes, indicators & lights. To alter my set-up for a Caravan, requires a new wiring loom and a few hours of labour for fitting, approximately £600 So at the moment the fridge and leisure battery will not be on the to do list... 2ddesign

Hi My second hand RX 450h 2010 model has a Lexus detachable tow bar fitted when purchased last year. So I have just today, purchased a Trigano Silver 310 caravan and driven to Cardiff from Bournemouth with it connected to the plug by the tow bar. But this plug with 7pins inside only allows the brake lights, indicators to work type 12n! I need a twin plug adaptor for two seven pin sockets 12n & 12s to charge up the internal battery and fridge when driving. Can anyone who has this type of Lexus tow bar please advise where to source such a twin plug adaptor please or have they converted this plug to 13 pin?... Thanks 2ddesign

Hi Colin Thank you for the information, I contacted Lexus Cardiff and they then realised they had got the pricing wrong at £283.51 a shock. It now is quoted at £170 a shock (Lexus Bristol £180) by reducing their hourly rate to £95 an hour, instead of £115 an hour. I drove the Lexus to my local MOT centre I have used for 12 years, they put the RX 450h on the ramp and their top mechanic said"there is a small wet patch on the OSR and that is not significant to worry about". He then looked at the video sent to my e-mail account from the Lexus mechanic and straight away said the ramp the Lexus garage was using allowed the wheels to hang down, as it was using the jacking points. This he said lowered the shocks passed the covers making the top visible and that there is always a small amount of fluid that shows on the stem of the shock! He said it would only be an advisory at MOT time as you commented Colin. If I was worried they would charge £45 to fit each shock if I purchased them from Lexus at £50 each. 2ddesign

Hi Chris An update to the price of repair, Lexus Bristol quoted £180 each corner today, Lexus Cardiff £283.51 a corner? And chatting to a friendly parts supply chap £50 for a rear OEM shock at Lexus/Toyota! So I am going to ask a local garage for a quote to fit both rear shocks, am I right in thinking its not a specialist job only Lexus can handle? 2ddesign

Colin & Chris Thank you for your informed comments, and I will get the rear shocks sorted in the near future and not next week as I was advised at Lexus! 2ddesign

Hi Chris The car was purchased privately so no warranty, but all the services before the 60,000 have been done at Lexus Reading. Your information about the time it takes is useful, and hopefully a simple job? So I will go to a local garage and ask for a quote, using OEM spec KYB shocks as you have indicated. Does the picture I posted, show an immediate dangerous problem or is it safe to drive it around for a bit? Thanks 2ddesign

Hi Just got back from Lexus Cardiff having had one new tyre fitted, Michelin Latitude Tour HP. (£166) Safety check report indicates both rear shocks show a small leak, price to repair for just one £283.51. This seems strange after 54000 miles, but they include a video e-mailed to me of the Technician pointing it out on the arm as a wet patch! Can a good independent car repair place fix this, or do I use Lexus? 2ddesign

Rayaan Thanks for your post, the RX is January 2010 so 5 years old in Jan 2016 not had the 60,000 expensive service yet! Also I think that I might only do 6,000 miles a year, not the 10,000 they have quoted for, so I would be 4,000 miles a drift, then 8,000 and finally 12,000 for the final service in Dec 2017? Perhaps better to have the full service at 60,000 then essential from then on? 2ddesign

Hi Just to say that in June, Lexus Cardiff gave me a quote for my RX450h (54,000 on clock) for a 3year service plan. This was for a full service at 60,000 miles Dec 2015, Intermediate 70,000 miles Dec 2016 and a full service at 80,000 miles Dec 2017, the amount to pay was £1,255.17. I did not purchase the vehicle from them it was a private purchase, the deposit for the service plan is £397.69 followed by 17 payments of £50.44 until 06/11/2016. Not sure that as a second vehicle, I would do the 10,000 mileage a year to warrant such a plan for a fixed service? 2ddesign

Hi Dan You are quite right it is the SE-L model and it also has the Heads-up display. When I filled in the heading for my post the system would not allow me to correct the topic heading hence the SI :megaangry: Well spotted on the... "Your car has LED headlights that were not available on the SI The passenger seat has memory settings, which again were not available on the SI Same with the wood trim and the wood/leather combination on the steering wheel." 2ddesign

Pics below

Hi Had my RX450 now for 5 days, 2010 model with 54000 miles on the clock. Has all the extras added at purchase by one former owner, sunshine roof, detachable tow bar,etc. Had to have it cleaned and brought back to new, so found a Vehicle detailer in Newport Wales on Yellow pages. Lots of guys with a mobile set-up, but found a chap Pete who has his own unit and has all the best products, been detailing cars for 5 years. For £150 and a full day with him first washing, clay bar whole outside then a full mechanical polish. Interior cleaned, seats carpets etc. Picked it up today and it does look brand new so I just had to let others know in South Wales. :D http://www.dfvd.co.uk 2ddesign

Hi I went to Halfords and purchased a Belkin Cassette Adapter for £12.99. It plays my new IPod mini through the tape system. It has the disadvantage of making a clicking noise from the wheels in the tape player. So I have the volume up , that drowns it out! http://www.halfords.com/sat-nav-audio/car-audio/sound-system-accessories/belkin-cassette-adapter 2ddesign

Hi All Recently I went over a traffic light crossing at night in heavy traffic, then flash,flash a camera hidden at the lights had flashed my car! Weeks later I got the NIP letter which I filled in and sent off, I was accused of doing 35mph in a 30mile zone. Later I recieved a letter offering me a speed awareness course at £80. Checking out some websites on speeding issues the number one item that you can do for yourself is to ask for a copy of the photographic evidence! This I did by e-mail as the phone number was always engaged and the option of a postal version seemed time consuming. Within one day I had an e-mail response stating at this time no action was being taken!!! Two days later I had a letter confirming this. Moral is to ask for "photo evidence" as the term Scamera is well chosen for these occasions! 2ddesign

Hi Just had my 100,000 service at Lexus Cardiff and they have used 5W30 Castrol Magnate !! Hope this helps. 2ddesign

Ben Just did as you suggested, run the engine, reading= thick line + thin line above the middle 9. No engine on and electrics on = thick line above middle 9. seems ok? Thanks anyway! 2ddesign

Thanks BenIS for your reply Brake/Fog light working fine when I press brake pedal so wiring ok, if it was that it, would the alarm sound all the time? Regarding the battery do you mean the main battery under the bonnet which is 2 years old. 2ddesign

Hi Finally did the Fog Brake light conversion Sunday morning, had the kit from another member on the forum for a while. Unfortunately the car alarm went off at 6am this Monday morning, first time in 10 years since I have had the car, heavy dew on car. So I think that the coincidence of fitting this must be a factor but how? All wiring had tape over/around and also over the "scotchlok" connection in the rear light. Any ideas? 2ddesign

Hi I get a slight scrapping noise from the front discs as I turn corners, when I have left it a while and rust gets on them, clears after a while of braking? 2ddesign

4 x LEXUS CR1616 KEY FOB BATTERIES were £3.20, arrived 4 days later :) Note to others: do not remove any battery from key fob for a long time, as you may have to reset your key again! 2ddesign