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Have been offline for a couple of weeks, while I took the LS400 (or rather it took me) on the biggest road trip I've ever done: France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, and then back. I'd bought this LS400 specifically to do the trip. Sceptical family/friends said I was mad to do it in a new-old car - one that I didn't already know and trust. After 2600 miles we're now home with all sorts of bounty: wine, cheese, truffley stuff, best salami I've ever had, olive oil, etc. And... the LS400 was flawless. Not a surprise to many of you, I'm sure. :) It dealt with the usual German high-speed Autobahn cruising as well as unmade roads to Croatian villages perched on proper mountains. Plus the urban perils of Ljubljana, Milan, Verona, Padua, etc. I only needed the Other Half to help me park it a couple of times! ;) And it also made easy work of the Spugel Pass between Italy and Switzerland. We paused a little way up for breath - it's one of those multiple hairpin turn roads, a bit of a white-knuckle ride. Worse fuel economy on the VERY hilly parts was 21mpg and the best was 35mpg on the flatter section through Belgium/France - both a pleasant surprise. This was on 95-ron petrol and with proper brim-to-brim measurements - the on-board computer is definitely a few mpg optimistic. I presume that Lexus is not as successful in the rest of Europe as the UK? I saw not a single LS in the whole trip. Just a few RXs. A great trip - can't wait for the next one.

Graham ....... in your 60's .... you have the elixir of youth don't you ???? Just go and do it. I've never worried about doing anything to do with travel in my life ........ in the full knowledge that I could never do it later in life when I just physically couldn't ................. In my late 30's I went trekking in the Himalayas out of Khatmandu and trekking in the Andes in my early 40's and down to Tierra del Fuego camping ..... I know I just couldn't do that now, too knackered, sadly, ( at 64 ) ............. SO Graham, get the car serviced and just GO4IT ........ you don't want to look back on life when you physically can't do it and say " I wonder " and " if only ". Malc sorry, it's the sage in me coming out

Yeah. The battery indicator is just a hydrometer - measures the strength of the acid, by how high a coloured piece of plastic floats in it. It works OK, apart from the fact that there is only 1 indicator, but there are 6 cells in the battery - if any 1 of them is faulty, then the battery won't work. The indicator works fine for flat/charged for a working battery, but it is useless for detection of a malfunctioning battery.

A bit out of phase with my posts here - something to do with going off half cocked about rust :) The strut idea sounds great Paul if you can post or PM the details I look at that - my boot lid keeps hitting my head and I am worried about damage (to the lid not me). Bad luck with the rust - good luck with the fix. Bren For gas struts google sgs engineering in derby they recharge struts or will supply new I got new boot struts for my 430 from them with a little extra pressure. They are happy to increase or decrease the pressure they put in and are very helpfull.

Right next to the seat is the plastic cover. Don’t be afraid just take it off with a bit of force this will reveal 2 screws. goodluck ___________________ Autopartswarehouse