ColinBarber

Not legally so it isn't for discussion on these forums.

Chain driven

If the fuse is ok (there should be one for the left and right low beam) then it is probably the relay. Not 100% sure but I believe there is a separate relay for left and right low beams - I imagine they are the same part so you can swap them to verify.

It's the ECU within the inverter assembly.

Yes the diff contains Motor B. It is a single motor that drives both wheels through the differential.

Early 2009 models have the indicators on the mirrors, and 18" wheels are standard on 2009 SE-L and 2006 Sport grades as well as the 2010 F-Sport. The 2008 SR also had 18" wheels as an option.

Yes you should get a better ride with the 17" wheels. Maybe it previously had a private plate and has been re-registered?

I find when this happens that it reads a speed limit on the back of a lorry with km/h limits. If there is nothing around and it is doing it then maybe the GPS is playing up and suddenly thinking you are in mainland Europe.

GS is a traditional saloon with fixed rear seats - better sound insulation and strength but at a loss of practicality. The IS series I and II were the same.

SE grade is FWD, all others are AWD

The revisions went on sale 15 Nov 2008 but that would be for orders so actual vehicles being registered would probably be feb/mar 09 onwards. Yours could be one of the last pre-upgrade models ordered, or a showroom model that wasn't registered until the dealership got their face-lift model in. SE-L grade before the refresh had 17" wheels.

It will think any number it sees is in mph.

You flick the switch up to turn on the lights, the indicator on the instrument cluster will illuminate, and you can flick it up again to turn it off. It doesn't mechanically stay in the on position and will always reset when you turn off the ignition. It stops people from illegally having their rear fog lights on when they forget to turn them off.

I may be wrong but I think when you are using DAB it will only detect DAB traffic announcements.

Bluetooth sound quality, depending on the codec used, isn't all that - depends on the source device and the bluetooth adapter.

Sounds like you would like a GS Steve. Not sure why Lexus don't allow an IS to be fully spec'd out - if someone is willing to pay the money let them have all the options they want.

Even on the series II RX350 the official procedure is to remove the engine, as it is for the series III RX350 too (not available in the UK). Not sure if the 450h is more difficult or not - there is the hybrid system but most of that is out of the way and it doesn't have a starter motor or engine driven A/C compressor - I wouldn't think many 450h water pumps have been changed for people to figure out if it can be done in-situ or not. As things stand I'd assume the worst.

Welcome Jon Insurance is very location and occupation specific. A company that is cheap for one person can be very expensive for another. Have you used a price comparison site, and I'd also recommend getting quotes from Direct Line, LV, and SwiftCover.

I don't recall any mention of water pumps being replaced on the RX450h on the forums so no price reference. Lexus don't provide an essentials price for the 450h water pump, they just state N/A. In the US there is some discussion about changing the water pump on the RX350, which is essentially the same engine for this discussion. Some people have managed it without removing the engine, but it is still a complex job. I'm sure an independent price would be around £1000, however I'd not want to be the first RX450h water pump they had attempted.

I had two series II GSs without major issue, although I had a couple of central locking actuator issues and a poorly bonded windscreen which caused wind noise that were fixed under warranty. Whilst still a good car, the series III isn't Toyota's finest hour. It was in the middle of their cost saving drive. The number of faults reported on LOC compared compared to other models, especially considering the small number of GS vehicles actually sold in the UK, is quite high. Hybrids have transmission and battery issues that really aren't seen on other hybrid models, and the petrol ones can have exhaust/brake/suspension issues. Normally the transmissions are fine, but are expensive to put right if there is an issue.

Best just to leave in drive, doesn't harm the transmission.

I think so. The premium nav system has a micro SD card which contains the maps but I don't believe the standard nav system does.

Your foot should be on the brake when you select D, and by the time you have come off the brake onto the accelerator it should be in gear and moving. A 1 second delay sounds too long. I would make sure your transmission fluid is at the correct level, and possibly think about getting a transmission drain/refill to freshen up some of the fluid - using only the recommended Toyota fluid.

If you leave the auto on then part of the rubbers will get ripped off if the wipers engage when you turn on the ignition if the rubber is partially frozen. If it is completely frozen then you may trip the breaker/fuse. Either remember to turn off the auto wipers or remember to free the wipers before you get in. In freezing weather it is also advisable to turn off the folding mirror function otherwise they may get frozen shut (happened to me a couple of times on my IS).

When the TVD isn't active then the diff operates as a standard open diff. Only when the electronics want to put more power to one wheel are the clutches engaged. Unlike other TVDs which apply a brake to the wheel you want to reduce torque to (thereby losing power), the Toyota/Lexus design adds torque to the other wheel which makes it very efficient.