NemesisUK

See reply to your other thread on the subject..

The regen braking is inoperative at very low speeds. The car reverts to normal pads on discs. Being a hybrid the braking system is pressurised by an electric pump. Might it be this you are hearing? Every time the mechanical brakes are used it depletes the reservoir pressure and once below the trigger pressure the electric pump cuts in to rebuild pressure. It's also very common for the brakes to groan slightly on application and release at very slow speed i.e. stop-start traffic.

One might argue there is a slight reduction in service costs, in that one use regenerative braking a lot and this reduces the wear on discs and pads. My service tech was just saying he recently did a brake service on a IS300h, first pads in 99k miles... For mainly urban driving I would say the hybrid is by far the better vehicle, both in economy and comfort. Sitting in traffic or inching forward in total silence. OK ignore the occasional groan from the brakes and in winter the ICE starting up to keep the cabin warm. The latter can be reduced by driving in ECO mode.

It does require a very light touch on the throttle. My driveway isn't flat and being gravel can cause the car to bog down but a gentle right foot can still move it off. Similarly at the junction of my road and the major road. The junction is short and steep but it's still possible to stay in EV and climb the incline. Definitely easier in the warmer months! From my handbook - Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up. In this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode. After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illuminated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to switch to EV drive mode.

My experience is otherwise. I can sneak off my driveway any morning in EV mode. The only requirement is there is sufficient charge in the traction battery and one presses the EV button before the ICE starts. I press it the moment the button illuminates after pressing the Power switch.

I use the EV button all year round and can, without fail, move off my driveway without the ICE starting. One can also force the car to remain in EV mode in stop/start traffic in winter when it will start up to provide cabin warm, as long as the traction battery has sufficient charge. Pretty sure Lexus wouldn't have provided the button if they didn't believe there was a use for the function? Still, it's a 'nice to have' (IMHO) but one can drive without ever using it, should one so wish.

Not if you press the button before the first start in the morning for example. Once the ICE has started you can't over-ride it until it is warmed up. I find it very useful, convenient for a stealthy departure early mornings. Or for frightening pedestrians in car parks!

Yup, Mercedes are having issues with a number of their models. The 'cure' is to fit winter tyres, which MB did FOC for many customers. I believe they now have some statement to the fact this happens and is not an issue, new buyers are aware before they purchase..

How was it when the tyres were cold i.e. moving off driveway early morning?

Michelin don't seem to do the Cross Climates in 235 55 R20. You could go with 275 45 R20 with a -1.5% change in outer diameter, which Michelin do offer. Does your handbook recommend an alternative wheel diameter for winter use? Personally I'd drop down to R18 (which I see from the handbook is an option for your car) Michelin do a 235 65 R18 which keeps the tyre with reasonable for winter use and probably a lot cheaper! https://www.oponeo.co.uk/advice-and-tips/tyre-size-calculator/235-55-r20#alternativeTireTool

I think it was the motoring press that hung the GT label on the LC. Lexus just seems to simply refer to it as a 'luxury coupe' I don't think there's even cursory nod to practicality in the LC's design. It's all about looks and the driving experience and all the better for it IMHO

Just had my annual service and the service tech commented on the video of slight wear on the inner edge of my rear tyres. Apparently it's normal as the rears have camber set to aid stability, which then increases wear on the inner edges. Mine have just done 14k miles and a 4 wheel alignment check is part of the major service. Everything was within specification. Overall rear tread is down to 5.5mm. Fronts are 7mm.

Tyre pressures ok?

Lots of models from various marques suffer fro 'crabbing' due to low temperatures affecting low profile tyre sidewall flex. That said 17" is not normally associated with this problem. What has changed in the last few days, apart from the obvious. Is it the same on both locks?

The 12v battery only powers the access system and the computers until the hybrid system is Ready. Then everything is powered via the traction battery. Go to your dealer armed with competitor supplier prices, they may well price match?

Rim and tyre sizes?

Similar to the route trace function in the Lexus sat nav?

An online record of 'enthusiastic' driving? Could be as embarrassing as posting videos on YouTube...

Wouldn't that be at variance with the UK/EU regulations on DRL operation?

How about LDA? (lane departure Alert) Have you scrolled through the cluster multi-display to check if there is any warning/error messages showing?

Do you have Blind Spot Monitoring option?

Parking sensors disable above approx 10mph... I didn't know you could buy a Lexus without Sat Nav! Speed camera alerts are a quick double beep anyway.

One can (at least in my RC300h) force the car into full EV mode by pressing the EV mode button before the ICE starts up. I invariably do this on my early morning departures from home. The car will run for approx 250m before the mode auto-cancels. In the summer and warmer mornings it'll go a far bit further. I leave everything switched on, seat heaters, defoggers, a/c etc. makes no odds.

My first thought whilst reading your post was, propshaft, possibly a coupling worn or even prop balance weight thrown? Not sure of the configuration on your car maybe a prop centre bearing failing?