Barry14UK

Some people seem to need water pumps, maybe cheaper to fit on some models but certainly more expensive on the late RX cars due to heavy labour content. Radiators are pretty lightweight on all cars and are subject to expansion and contraction. I think I have replaced radiators or had them re-cored on almost all cars I have had including a Camry. On most cars this has been quick and straightforward to do but I am concerned as other jobs, it might prove laborious like changing spark plugs to the rear bank on the Lexus RX models. I suppose much depends on how well a car has been serviced and the mileage covered. Older cars can also suffer from rust and it's easier to treat the underside early rather than dealt with it later if you are meaning to keep them for a long time.

That's interesting, I was under the impression that only diesels had a charcoal canister. I wonder what recommendations are to replace this part.

One has to remember that you are not just imposing a static weight on the roof which is being subject to additional stress as the suspension throws the body up but as speed increases yet more pressure is generated. I can understand reluctance of Lexis to approve these additional loads and stresses with a Pan roof but this should be made very clear for both original and subsequent purchasers as owners may well fit some sort of aftermarket rails if unaware.

The Michelin Cross Climates also greatly improved the ride quality on my RX450h but as a generalization I don't think SUV's ride as well as Lexus or other Premium saloons. My daughter has a 7 seater Kia Sorento and the ride is not brilliant too.

Congratulations looks good and very welcome insurance not increased.

I am sure the AA would have checked this in your case but the click click can also be down to a poor earth. Learnt this with my first proper car when I knew nothing about cars. Car would not always start just giving clicks sometimes, so got garage to check and the posts and terminal connectors were cleaned and reattached. Problem solved which cost me half a crown - well it was a long time ago!

You mean the one with a wife who seems to have a better comprehension of reality than him (which admittedly would not be difficult)?

I have been using Nokian tyres throughout the year on my BMW saloon for several years now and have been very happy with them. A dedicated summer tyre would wear slightly less but I only do a small mileage and appreciate the better grip. I can't see the model I use listed now but it is probably similar to what they now describe as their weatherproof and all seasons model. I ordered last on line at a good discounted price (not one of the usual suppliers) and had them fitted by a local tyre fitting firm.

As regards reaching up to roof on RX, I did see somewhere that you could buy portable steps that cantilevered out from the central door posts but these looked a bit precarious to me.

From pics looks good but take care how you back up to park - looks like you are close to stuff!

Whilst I agree with replies, the OP said his HUD was reading about 3 mph slower than other indicators not faster. With standard size tyres correctly inflated I would expect the HUD to read faster than other devices. When comparing with satellite devices, it is important that comparative figures should be obtained on level road as hills will make a difference but not to the cars HUD. I have done this exercise on my car and the speedo and HUD which agree show a slightly faster speed than my fitted TomTom or the back up small Garmin. This is what I would expect and also find on my BMW. So in short, if compared as I said, the OP's HUD is suspect and does not comply with the margin speed indicators supplied on the car are meant to show.

If you can't find any used ones you could try 'Lexus Direct' an official Lexus main dealer who normally undercuts other Lexus dealers. Having said that, Lexus Cheltenham (and probably some other Lexus Dealer), are doing a promotion on accessories for August they tell me, so if going this route it's worth being quick.

What I find particularly perplexing is what you say about the screeching occurring now with the brakes off. I only ever had this with a stone caught up between the disc and the backplate/dust shield or on another occasion where the discs had been so worn and undercut by pads that metal on the pads was rubbing on a small peripheral area of the disc before the brake material could make contact. (A distorted backplate/dust shield could be another reason if disc was rubbing against it). Without garage lifting and other facilities and good knowledge of how to go about sorting this you are in the hands of a competent mechanic. Being a hybrid adds to the complication of checking with discs turning and jacked up as you seem to have an unexpected problem which looks not to be obvious.

Manufacturers don't sell their cars with screeching brakes and provided genuine replacements are fitted and correctly lubed as recommended, and all not replaced parts are in good order, it should not be necessary to resort to fitting non original parts. Certainly, manufacturers mostly fit calipers and the like from specialist suppliers and indeed there are some very different designs. I remember that on my old 2.5 V6 Camry there were anti rattle springs, the ends of which had to be located in the edge of the pads to help keep the pads away from the discs for example (possibly the case with other Toyota cars). Some pads come with an antirattle/antisqueal material preapplied while other have interposed shims that have to be lubricated. Some pads house an insulated sensor which when worn down allows the metal part then in contact to make an electrical connection bringing up a warning light while others when worn allow contact with a a softer metal that does produce a warning screech. This metal component has to be correctly located in the pad if not contained within the supplied pad. If all the parts are correctly lubricated and fitted I don't follow how applying extra cut out material is going to make a difference if the screeching occurs when the brakes are off. One way to help detect a sticking caliper is to drive the car some distance. Then, taking care not to burn yourself, feel nearer the center of the wheels to check whether one is noticeably hotter. It should not be difficult for a competent person to determine where the problem lies. i

sticking caliper? deformed back plate?

Very difficult to see how you could achieve that even if you tried! Would also be interested to see how car is removed - crane, demolish wall?

Coins could also have slipped out of trouser pocket. I have found this had happened in a car before now and also down the sides of my normal armchair. Anyway, good you found cause. Rattles can be irritating.

Be very careful as overheating can have knock on effects. I had some loss of coolant on my V6 Camry some years ago now. I replaced radiator and coolant and all seemed well. However, it became evident that a cylinder head gasket had failed. (not suggesting this is your problem), So with new head gaskets all was well for a few miles but then oil warning light came on and to cut a long story short, the original overheating had caused the coating of oil in the engine to flake off and drop into the sump. This had resulted in the oil strainer in the sump becoming completely blocked so starving the engine of oil. So a good clean and removing hardened oil from strainer with a pick sorted the problem. Luckily I stopped driving quite quickly before significant damage was caused. But this was due to the original overheating so it may be OK but if ever my car overheated, I would do an oil change in case flaked oil residue had been dislodged into sump.

What sort of mileage would you be putting on car in next 2 years and apart from accepting depreciation due to age and mileage, would you be able to fund repairs and wear and tear, the cost of which is rather unquantifyable? The present issues don't seem to be major. Breakers could be useful at some stage as Lexus parts are expensive, particularly so when compared with the value of an old car.

Best chance of getting what you are looking for is from Lexus dealerships and you also get a warranty some others will not match if you need to make use of it. Of course you pay more for this source. Another possibility could be Parkers second hand cars, this does include some 4th generation models but the vast majority are much older as you might expect. It can be difficult to meet all your criteria so much depends on how long you are prepared to wait and how far to view.

That's my experience and true of what others have found too but if Keith and the op find it works, fair enough. just pay for official or non official update. To be fair, roads don't generally change vastly very quickly, although modern satnav can help with alternative routes, particularly where there are hold ups. Unfortunately, that's another area where I have found frequent warnings on the Lexus that there is a hold up in 5 miles which when it comes to it does not materialize.

I keep a machete and a swordstick to hand for protection against intruders but I think if I used it to protect a car and injury or death resulted, the law might not be so forgiving.

I think it's Traffic Program - those traffic reports that interrupt your listening. I don't know how this achieved on a 2012 car.

Maybe because it was an 'old' Tom-tom. The latest six series are much faster, you can pinch and spread and mount closer to your line of vision without glancing to your left. But most importantly I have found Tom-tom to be more reliable. Having been taken miles out of my way with the Lexus sat nav which is pretty well up to date, I ran the Lexus and the Tom-tom together and the later chose the best route. I know this because i tested in an area I know well. When I was about a mile from home the Lexus unit continued to take me away from home whereas the Tom-tom took me the best way without problem for example. I proved the relative advantage a number of times. If you scroll down in this thread you will find how it was firmly mounted on the dash. (Apologies for duplicated pics). Every time I tried to edit out it just repeated - seems you can't completely remove a post on this forum or if there is a way it's not obvious. https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/120872-fit-aftermarket-satnav-and-integrate-into-rx-audiosystem/

No way would I update maps when you can fit a much more reliable TomTom with several free updates each year plus speed cameras. Well this is what replaced my hopeless Lexus one and I am by no means the only one. Others use Google maps or I think it's 'waze'.