GrahamG

All the fuss made about the design of alloy wheels usually leaves me cold but those gold rims on the black Celica are worth the effort. Would appreciate a report on the Michelin Cross Climates which I should have on my RX350 for this winter but I failed to find an offer on price which matched previous years. If I end up in a ditch because too mean to fork out for decent boots I will have a smile on my face.

On my RX350 the hatches to the rearmost storage compartments in the floor squeak badly especially at low speeds. I know that is the problem by placing heavy bags on the hatches and the noise is cured completely. By attaching small pieces of neoprene foam under the hatches so they were squashed when closed the noise was cured long term.

I am waiting for October when it is hoped a set of Cross Climates will come on special offer from Michelin.

Not trying to convince anyone, just sharing my experience which was transitioning from 15 years with a Mk III LS400 [without air suspension] to a LS430 with air suspension there was no difference in comfort or ride.

Lexus Guildford took five minutes to switch it off free of charge. Pleased to hear this should be successful.

Ron, many thanks for your report and the honesty therein. If I end up in your position I will fit two new Lexus air struts and if at the time money is short I would fit second hand units. As Phil says your opinion after a period of time will also be worth having.

The first time it happened I put it down to an inadvertent press of the key fob button but not the second incident. It is not just the obvious security threat but given the amount of electrics in the doors I wonder how much damage could be down in a downpour with all the windows open. I will be glad to see the back of this option.

Have just spoken to Lexus Guildford and they believe this function should be disabled and I will take the car to them on Friday. Will report further.

Came out to the car a week ago and found all the windows open. No rain. Yesterday the same thing, again no rain and assume a fully charged battery. Long hold of the button on the key fob does bring all windows down [and up] as it should. Any suggestions as to what causes this please? Had the car six years without problem. Now with 60,000 miles and in excellent general condition, fully serviced etc.

Sorry I do not know the solution but I would take it to my local Lexus main agent and ask for their advice. It would cost you nothing and they might be at least be willing to let you know what you are up against.

Good luck Ron and I will certainly follow your progress and look forward to a successful outcome. Based only on what I have read on the US club site may I suggest you initially leave the ride height sensors in place. Of course there will be nothing to connect them to but tying them up in a neutral position might be necessary [in addition to removing one or two fuses] to prevent the dash warning light. Interesting Lexus say the ride height sensors do not provide info to the self levelling head lights but if that is true what is the relevant sensor? On my RX350 [without air suspension] there is one sensor, identical in appearance and location to the air suspension sensors, which does control the head lights. Just asking.

Living in southern England I have never previously given winter tyres much thought but if global warming actually means more extreme weather events then I have decided to have the Michelin 'all seasons' under me especially as they seem more of a winterised summer compound than the other way round. Just can't help feeling on the law of averages we are over due a severe winter.

Very pleased for you J. and thanks for adding to our knowledge base with your report. Might it have been a poor connection rather than a dodgy Denso MAF? In any event you do not need to care any more.

Wouldn't it be something if the underneath was as pristine as that interior.

I would not have accepted it either. A battery that could have been from January 2018. One advantage of buying from a major distributor is a large throughput of stock so that you benefit from fresh inventory. I once phoned Exide when I found one of their top line batteries for sale cheap on line [£85] to ask if there was a way of establishing the manufacturing date. There was not but the girl assured me the seller was the online arm of a major outlet and she advised that because of the number of batteries shipped to them each month it would not be 'old'. Was completely happy with it and it is still in the car 4 years later.

I have no first hand experience but have read extensively on the subject and I would not be so concerned about the 'darkness' of the ATF. Plenty of sealed for life boxes have the ATF replenished after many miles and it is described as 'black' but there is no problem with the transmission. What is of concern is if the ATF smells burnt. Good luck

I bought a Denso ignition coil from Rock Auto in the USA [ about £65 ] and fitted it about two years ago and have had no problem. In fact bought another from same source and carry that just in case. My RX350SE eats ignition coils. Three in six years. Yesterday Lexus Guildford carried out a 120,000 mile service which involves changing the spark plugs so I had them renew the only non recent coil on the rear bank of the V6. Although Denso is the OEM they did spot that the US coil was not Lexus.

Les, four new Cross Climates for me in October would be perfect. Can you tell us any more about the Michelin offer, which garage did you buy from? Just phoned a local Michelin agent and they, 'nevererdofit, mate'. That sort of saving would really be worth while.

If you do jack up the car and a bearing is really bad the wheel will have play in it. Grab hold of the wheel [clear of the ground] top and bottom and push pull to detect any looseness. Also holding it 3 and 9 o clock. There are plenty of videos showing the process on Youtube. Not of course as sensitive as George's stethoscope technique.

My understanding is that if the sound increases turning left then it is the right side ie offside bearing which is at fault. The reasoning being the right side is loaded up in a left turn and if the bearing is faulty on that side it will make more noise.

Oops! cheep cheep!

Excuse me if stating the obvious but a relatively easy and cheep check would be of the various vacuum hoses. Nineteen years is just the time for them to start to crack and perish. Sure would like to see you sort this problem, Good luck.

When you say there is no error code for the transmission's bad behaviour is that from a full Techstream reading or just a cheap generic code reader? Might it be worth a main dealer diagnostic check?

Roger, how happy are you with Paul Frost's replacement? Following the remedies in the USA it seems there is a problem acoustically matching the original [not just a matter of impedance] and the result is not always satisfactory even though it is acknowledged any new unit may of itself be of superior manufacture. Perhaps I am just attracted to Michael's solution because of the DIY aspect.

Thanks Michael, a really useful report.