harrylime

Simon, that is interesting (especially as my car is also a 1999). Someone may correct me on this but does that not indicate more efficient running? Less friction, less mechanical energy converted to heat. Heat is wasted energy? The only disadvantage may be more time for the heater to warm through?

What is your mpg like? I can't get mine over 23 mpg , even on a run.

Mine is not working on my 400, went out yesterday, it was unbearable. I had a promise from a forum member to fix it but it never materialised. I might try ATS. Thanks for the diagram Steve, good to know.

The manual has a range of recommendations, starting at 5w30. No mention of 0w30 but it may not have been available back then. I would imagine it makes little difference generally, but would think that starting and initial running is easier when cold, and therefore more efficient.

I'm thinking about an engine oil change, due to time interval, rather than mileage. The oil looks like new. However, I am considering using Mobil 1 0w40, rather than the 5w40 that seems to be the standard. My reason is that although the viscosity is the same as higher temperatures, it is lower at lower temperatures, which may help with mpg and reduce wear in cold temperatures, especially for short journeys. Has anyone used this oil, and is anyone aware of any reason why I should not deviate from the standard?

I know the engine is likely to outlast me in either event, and I hesitate to deviate from manufacturers' recommendations, but I don't even know whether Mobil 1 0w40 was even available when the LS was developed. Common sense tells me that thinner oil when cold must be better?

The following link is a piece written on the American Lexus club forum. There is some interesting stuff, but I lost interest well before the end and it does not really answer my question: I am likely to use either the Mobil 1 or Castrol magnatec

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/performance-and-maintenance/644401-facts-about-oil-and-what-grade-to-choose.html

That's interesting, I sold a 99 MX-5 to buy my LS 400. They are a fantastic piece of kit. Similar in some ways, being bulletproof. Brilliant engineering.They handle as if on rails yet ride more comfortably than many family hatchbacks. I don't know how they do that. You will enjoy it.

Thanks all. Chris, I agree, but lack of time forces a temporary solution. Despite fitting a new Battery, mine is flat within two weeks if not used. My Octavia will start after 6 weeks of being stood. Funnily enough, the only car that ever let me down when returning to an airport was a Toyota Avensis

I have a few on my LS. I have found Finnegans number 1 to be the best rust stopper I have ever used. I intend to mask around them , try a gentle rub down with a tiny file, followed by a dab of Finnegans, followed by a dab of touch up paint. The result will not be perfect but the main thing for me is to stop the rust from getting hold. When I have more time I may get one of the dent /scratch repair companies to come and sort out the various paint defects

Nothing condescending about it. My last post acknowledged that will have to agree to disagree, and that different opinions are good. Now for feck's sake let it go . It's the last time I venture an opinion on here. I will stick to technical issues and the giving and receiving of advice/experiences. Jesus.

Hi all

I want to remove the bulb in my boot light as a precaution against Battery drainage. I can't get it out. Am I right in thinking it's a standard bayonet fitting? Is the a knack to this? I don't want to be too heavy handed as I don't want to break the bulb

cheers

It's all good

Keep your hair on chaps, just my opinion. I think the new engines are much quieter and have lost something. I posted the BRM to show what the noise levels were like back in the 50s. There were other cars, such as the auto union which were similarly impressive. Quite a few people have posted these on YouTube because for some of us car nuts, they make the hairs on our neck stand up, almost like listening to a Spitfire fly over. If you don't get it, that's fine. I don't see that happening to the new F1 engines years down the line. I thought they might be of interest to those who have not heard them. We will have to agree to disagree I think, and life would be pretty boring if we all agreed on everything

Completely disagree. The noise is part of the excitement, which is what racing should be all about. Noise plus the aspects you mention are not mutually exclusive, it is not as if you can't have one without the other and it is still a race. These are racing machines not refined cruisers. F1 is now soul -less and sterile. It is still largely about the cars and not the drivers, hence the top 2 having more than double the points of the next nearest, the drivers are not twice as good. In my opinion they should make F1 cars sound like the BRM v16 of the 1050s, then you would know what I'm talking about. Interest in F1 would soar. Watch this clip on Youtube, and imagine a dozen of these at full chat, you might see what I mean if you are open minded enough. The BRM V16 was not very reliable or successful but spectators loved them

As for diesels vs petrols, ask any Jag, BMW or Mercedes mechanic which are more reliable. I have spoken to a few, and they spend most of their repair time on DMFs, DPFs and so on. I had a brand new XF Portfolio 3.0 diesel and did not trust it to be reliable in the long term. I have a diesel Skoda now, as a workhorse, but I made sure it was a PD unit, pre DPF. Designing a diesel car that is unsuitable for short journeys (as most now are) is ludicrous. Having to replace dual mass flywheels with SMF at great expense is ludicrous.

I just watched some of the Spanish Grand Prix, the first time I've watched F1 for ages. Where has all the noise gone? The cars are so much quieter, but for me the screaming high revving engines added a lot to the experience. Apparently, the new engines are a V6 hybrid. Sound familiar? They are apparently only 1.6 litres but produce a total of 760 horsepower. I think they use less fuel than before also. This is a phenomenal engineering achievement but a lot of the excitement has been lost. It also increases my belief that hybrids may be the way to go for my cars. I gave up on modern diesels because of the expensive and inevitable problems. You save on fuel costs but pay these are often promptly wiped out in repair bills

I like that. I find it difficult to find a comfortable office chair. How did you fix the base to the seat? Any chance of some photos showing this?

If we're being pedantic, chaps, IMHO is not an acronym as it is not a pronounceable word. It is initialism . ^_^

I agree. At least the road tax is down to choice and ability to pay. Any country that provides health care based on the ability to pay cannot call itself civilised. Cameron take note

I have a foggy headlamp. Is this an MOT failure? Is the only cure a replacement?

thanks

I'm not just old enough to remember leaf springs, I still have two cars with leaf springs, a 1965 3.4 mk 2 jag and a 1975 Lancia 2000 hf coupe, or will have when I get around to restoring them. An LS, a Phaeton and an XJ sounds like my dream stable. I would have a 430 and don't mean to disparage them, after all they have the same DNA as the 400. I do think that sometimes simplicity is good (if you can call the spec on a 400 simple) I am a Jag enthusiast having owned my Mk 2 since 1977, and the Phaeton sounds like a truly great car, but the potential bills put me off. I can justify driving an old barge instead of an "economical" Eurobox only while the repair bills stay at reasonable levels

I can only comment on my LS 400, owned since December. I have had a couple of issues, including a leaking gearbox sump gasket, which cost more than it should because I took it to the main dealer to sort out. It failed to start shortly after buying it and not using it for two weeks. I bought a new Battery to be safe. Today, after being stood for 13 days (used for a 10 mile run 13 days ago) the Battery was flat again. I bought a good quality smart charger but it's a bit of a faff to run the extension lead etc. If I went abroad for two weeks it would definitely be flat on my return to the airport.

I'm told the immobiliser drains a lot of juice over a period. I probably should invest in a solar charger, although getting wires through to the engine bay may be a problem due to lack of time and a reluctance to mess with the interior..

Overall though, most cars reach a pinnacle before going into decline (my Golf Mk 2 GTI s were simply brilliant). I think the 400 achieved a balance of simplicity and luxury that could not be maintained. In terms of looks I even like the simple but elegant lines, and think the elliptical headlamps adopted by the 430, Mercedes et al make it look as if the designers were trying too hard. . I also think that what really makes a car is the unseen development, in terms of cost and attention to detail. The problems with the 430 are probably due to lack of testing in comparison with the 400. I have read about the development of the 400 and the sheer attention to detail is staggering. It seems almost obsessive compulsive and is unlikely to be repeated in any car that I will ever be able to afford. I am gutted that I did not look at them years ago.

I am converted to my Lexus, I think (astonishingly similar to the one you sold, being maroon with around 60000 miles). Having just read a blog on the attention to detail that went into the development of the 400, I can't think what I would replace it with. That said, go with your instincts, life is short so if you like it, go for it.

I'd had mine a few months before I found the remote window/sunroof opening and closing feature. I had thought my 400 was too early to have this

That looks like a Honda 400/4. I'm not surprised the owner appreciates the 400. I used to have a mint 400/4 and it was like a sewing machine. Needed lots of revs though. It seems the appreciation of excellent engineering crosses the divide

Yes, that comment did not escape me, although it is only someone's opinion. As the critical parts are internal, and the chinese are good at making substandard copies of quality products, how do you tell good from bad? For safety critical kit, my preference is to avoid chinese manufactured. Just my opinion, and I will need to pay more, but a trolley jack is likely to be my most important piece of kit.

The Clarke jack looks OK, but there is a good chance it was made in the UK 20 years ago ( I have one that sort of age that still works fine). Things have changed and they are probably made in China now. If they don't make it obvious, it's probably China or Taiwan. You can't tell the quality by looking at them, the critical aspects are the hydraulics, which depend on fine tolerances and good quality seals, and design - for stability. Re the Clarke jack, you may want to read this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=976763

I would be more comfortable with products made in Western Europe, Scandinavia or Japan, but it's so hard to find out where they come from

They look good, especially if they are made in Sheffield, the home of British steel. They are available from Machine Mart for £29.99, found them when I searched for a review. I am after a new pair and a decent trolley jack myself