Barry14UK

Thanks Paul, I did mean acetone and have amended my post accordingly. Also, appreciate your link which referred to what I said. I used to use +gas but there are now better release agents including the home brewed one I mentioned.

The extended warranty is no longer a Lexus option, although you could probably get one from somebody else. Also, I was told by Lexus Cheltenham yesterday while my car was being serviced that they no longer do 'Essential Service' offering lower service costs on cars older than 5 years. Also, they have stopped giving discount on service to 'Gold' forum members. I also asked about getting reimbursement on the unexpired 12 month period of the two year warranty I took out with them. I was told if it was a Lexus one I would have to seek this from Lexus. The receptionist said if it was a 'Thistle Group' one it would NOT be refunded, so to check my paperwork. So I must look into this. I noticed from prominently placed leaflets in the waiting area, that although Lexus finished top in a 2018 reliability survey, they were closely followed by Kia (above Toyota) and Kia are significantly less expensive to run and service. My daughter has run a Sorento for several years and it's pretty good (if lacking quite the up market feel of a Lexus.) However, each generation of their cars has showed a great improvement over the previous one and I will carefully consider one of their cars next time, especially as there will be hybrid, plug in and full BEV models I think.

I have used heat in some circumstances but not close to rubber. Saw some tests done in the USA on penetrating oil and one of the best was achieved by using a mix of auto transmission oil and acetone that did very well in comparison with proprietary brands. I can't remember the mix although you don't mix too much at a time as the acetone tends to evaporate. You do need time for it to help whatever you use and certainly WD40 is not a release product.

Probably not a subject that receives much comparative assessment but here is a pretty recent one. https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product-reviews/65265/best-car-screen-wash-2021 However, whilst it's important that it does the primary task of cleaning the screen well, it's also important that it resists freezing. A further requirement that is not always considered is that a residue amount can build up in the nozzles with some screen wash causing blockages. This has happened to me on a couple of occasions, admittedly not a Lexus and I have had to flush through with warm water - not too hot!

Just had major service and MOT and told pads need replacing, fair enough but suggested replace disks as well which to me don't look too bad. Expensive exercise to add to service at Lexus so will remove and check sufficient metal left to skim, if not I guess it's a quote from Lexus Parts Direct.

I don't know whether all the manufacturer goods we buy from China count against our carbon footprint but it sure reduces the pollution it would cause here if we still made them. So other countries are also prepared to buy cheap and let China take flak for pollution in producing goods for other countries. China does not do it in the cleanest way but that's something else.

Not sufficient time saving for Lexus to consider extending intervals between oil/filter changes!

Try reviews by Thomas of Autogefuhl as here = https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG0__4AhnoCWRH7TPO0PQyg

Try the admittedly long reviews of Thomas of Autogefuhl

Don't know how long ago that was but Lexus Parts direct cut the discount they offered about 6 or so months ago. I can't remember the reason they gave but I think it might have been because of complaints that what they were giving to us was too close to what they were giving trade. However, they still often undercut other Lexus dealers, so always worth getting a quote from them.

Herbie posted about this on 3rd Gen RX450h. He had a bit of Goodwill from his dealer who replaced it FOC if I correctly recall so it does seem to be a possible weak spot. Edit. You just replied whilst I was sending my reply Herbs.

Prostate Cancer (PCa) is indeed mostly discovered in older men as it becomes more frequent with passing years. Unfortunately, for some men, they develop 'significant' tumours early on and a small number develop advanced PCa in their late forties. This can mean they have passed the window of opportunity for radical treatment and remission, so have to rely on systemic treatment such as Hormone Therapy, Chemotherapy and other further down the line forms of treatment. Incidentally, men are often very reluctant to go to their GP with urinary problems compared to women who are far more proactive overall. In fact it is often the partners of men who push them to see their GP and do a lot of research on treatment options open to them, some of which are not mentioned to affected men at their local hospital because their particular hospital does not offer all types of treatment. So my advice is, "if in doubt, check it out", and then join a dedicated forum where there is a pool of knowledge and experience if you have been found to have 'significant' tumour(s). This also applies to other types of cancer. Also, don't be misled by people that make what are often spurious claims or indeed by somebody at the pub who anecdotally reports that the best thing to do is this or that. Cancer is a very complex and individual disease comprising various types that advances in different ways and people can respond differently to any treatment. So ultimately, a person needs to undergo tests and be individually assessed and monitored and offered treatment choice for which they are suitable. With PCa a man is often left to decide which option to go for as they all have pros and cons. In recent years there have been considerable advances made in diagnosis and treatment, many through improved and new types of scans and refinements of treatments together with some recently adopted or being trialled, but there is still a long way to go. I won't go further here because cancer forums are the place for that and I don't want to be a cancer bore but statistically some of you will be affected so please bear with me on the foregoing.

Thank you Paul. It is difficult to compare the performance of the NHS with other countries as it works in a different way and is generally wider embracing, also providing a degree of social care. Another difference is that people sometimes come from abroad to have operations within the NHS and then leave the UK without paying. This contrasted with the way a hospital I know in German worked. They treat a lot of people from overseas there but consider all the potential costs plus a contingency and this has to be paid up front. When treatment is completed the patient receives a rebate for anything charged that was not used/done. Generally speaking, the NHS provides a good emergency service but with very long waits for some elective surgery and sometimes even for A&E. Furthermore, how soon this can be done varies with postcode. Also, many hospitals lack the cutting edge equipment and expertise available in some London and other large town hospitals. At GP level, some have so many patients that there can be very long delays. Getting a NHS dentist can be very difficult in some areas. So, the NHS could be better but are folk prepared to pay for and train all the additional doctors and others this would require? Please bear with me for taking the opportunity to mention that Prostate Cancer is the second largest cancer killer of men. It is usually a slow developing disease but men do not always exhibit symptoms and by the time they do it can be too late for cure (referred to as remission), so it then means treatment to delay. However, it is generally slow growing. The incidence increases with age and Afro Caribbean men or men with a father or brother diagnosed increases the risk. It is a complex disease, too involved to go into here but is something of which many men are unaware and should know about, particularly if over 50. Most men do this by having a Digital Rear Examination (DRE) by their GP and a blood test known as PSA. Many GP's will not do the test unless a man is over 50 or exhibiting symptoms and then only after explaining possible over treatment. If a man's PSA is high for his age or the felt Prostate irregular or over enlarged, the man is usually referred to a Urologist, who may well want an MRI done, which is where we came in.

You will also need correct sized rims. The cheapest route for new rims is going to be aftermarket ones. If you go this route the things you have to get right are the rim size relative to the tyre, offset and stud/nut configuration. It might be easier if you can get a set of used 17 inch Lexus wheels that are correct for your car.

Pleased for you results were good. How quickly you get a scan and any necessary treatment on the NHS can depend on post code and the reason for the scan. Generally speaking, priority during the pandemic has been given to people with cancer. I spoke with a consultant from a major London Hospital about this recently and was told that with cooperation from other London Hospitals, cancer diagnosis and treatment at their particular hospital had not been been much affected. Having had my latest MRI and biopsy there recently, I am scheduled to have a second treatment of HIFU (High Intensity Focal Ultrasound) later this month. For some problems, a patient may be given an opinion on their MRI very soon but with cancer, the scan and the patient's histology is usually discussed by a Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT), and a particular case may just miss the next meeting, thereby increasing the delay before the patient receives the result and possible treatment options.

Slowly?

I had dealer change default to enable windows and sunroof to operate as you describe when it was in for a service. I don't think they charged me for this if I correctly recall.

Yes some silly arguments. How could you expect people to behave responsibly? Many can't be bothered even when it comes to their own lives by refusing the corvid jab but hopefully, as with this, the majority will realise the situation or Malthus may yet be proved right!

Maybe sealant is more easily removed these days but there was a time when its use meant replacing the tyre. You can indeed go many years without a puncture and averaged out over the years I haven't had many though it happened twice in a week once. I try not to pull in too close to the kerb as this increases the risk due to nails and screws being washed into gutters. The last time was not long after I bought my RX, so it's a matter of luck! I wouldn't buy a car that didn't have at least a space saver. Unfortunately, this leaves a much reduced choice.

Goes to show great to have a range of cars -something for many if not most. Tesla provide some very advanced cars, even if the body quality is sometimes lacking. But not much of a range for a major producer and all electric which rules it out for some

Naturally, we all favour the type of vehicle we drive, although some owners may be disappointed with certain aspects and say so and almost all seem happy to admit Lexus infotainment systems could be better. I can understand members having a strong dislike of certain models and trends but that's fair comment if not over pressed and repeated. Sometimes people should be able to laugh at themselves and their prejudices and accept a bit of chiding. I haven't detected much animosity and hope we can all be civil and hopefully be friendly and helpful to each other even when we see things differently.

It's difficult to comment first hand on what is best when it comes to discs and pads because a number of factors come into the equation. Some are more important than others and can conflict and you can't get any that satisfy everybody and every use. Some object to too much dust being produced, too much noise, short life, great expense, early fade, (particularly if towing a heavy caravan) or for heavy braking type o driving/conditions. So manufacturers tend to compromise to settle for something that is best suited to the car. You wouldn't fit the expensive ceramic brakes fitted to some Porsche cars on an RX for example (even if this was possible). So horses for courses and for general use it's a better bet to stick with what the car manufacturers have tested and settled for.

I go along with what Herbie has said in general but it's not just a question of numbers, understandably, throughout the world people want an increasing standard of living in material things, greater choice in food and drink, travel abroad, better housing etc etc. (I was in Morrisons recently and the wine and spirit bays encompassed a larger area than the sum of all goods in about 4 local general stores). It is not a surprise therefore, that there are seemingly endless lorries and trucks traversing our roads with all sorts of goods with such high demand. I did do some research on this recently as we debated the subject at a zoom meeting of our U3A discussion group. Whilst it is true that the rate of increase in population in Europe has slowed down, the numbers are still increasing overall because we are now looking at a larger base. However, there are countries in Africa and India for example, where numbers are increasing considerably. Also, (ignoring Covid distortion) it may have levelled off recently in the UK and perhaps in Europe but generally over the last 50 years people are living longer so extra need for more medical and care support. So, whilst a dramatic drop in numbers would mean a lower standard of living in general, we can't just go on as we have been. People need to be more responsible in a number of ways including not having many children. Measures like changing the composition of fuel and being more efficient in other ways is not going to be enough if World population continues to increase and this is before we take into account the increasing cost of all the floods and fires necessitating rebuilding and relocation.

I think wheel arches look better colour matched to body too. I find the car's lower rear over fussy as depicted even without the extra rear spoiler. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what matters is how the owner sees it.

Suppose you fit a dash cam, which is something we are being encouraged to do. This is a modification. It adds value, (miniscule amount) to the car and something a thief would find attractive so should insurers be informed of this? Also, I remove the actual TomTom but the bracket for it remains in place, albeit secured by double sided tape - best quality. I also on occasion leave a silver reflective cover beneath the front windscreen inside the car. These are not permanently in place so I wonder whether insures need to know this. And what about connecting up a smart charger? I think insurers could give better guidance on this. I suppose if everybody who did something slightly different contacted their insurers to check, insurers might be more forthcoming at the outset. PS. Omitting a cat or replacing one with a non standard one could be a modification but what about adding a cat protector, still a notifiable modification?