Maxz

So it looks like the non F-Sport just has a single exhaust pipe that runs down the passenger side of the car. I'm no mechanic and my photos aren't great but from what I can see and found online, is it appears the Cat is part of the manifold assembly. Bad news if you genuinely need to replace one but I am thinking great news in regards to theft. This is because someone would need to get under the bonnet to release or cut the top section near the manifold. The Cat also seems to sit at 45 degrees half way between the engine bay and underside of the car. If this is correct, looks to me almost impossible to remove with only access to the underside of the car. The only part I am unsure on is this "UE6" unit that is roughly under the rear passenger area. Is this another Cat or just a muffler? If so this is very exposed, would be great if any mechanics/experts out there could advise?

So before I get around to checking myself, found this: It's an F-Sport whereas mine is an advance, so exhaust system could be different. So are the Cats at 1:14 or 1:24 in the video? If the latter we all might be in luck as this would mean the Cats appear to be part way tucked up into the engine bay. Crooks could cut the lower section of pipe but from what I see could not get a cutter in above. Can't wait to check for myself now!

Hi Shada, exact steps below. Switch "Entry and start system" to "off". The thing you then need to get used to is to start, depress brake, hold key (buttons side) over power/start button, listen for beep, then press to start.

At the moment when I go out I try to park between two other cars, which of course you'd normally not do to avoid door dings, catch 22! Then again a ding is less of a headache than a missing Cat which due to the current theft rates take months for Toyota to supply and obviously aren't cheap to replace. If and when I get more info or some good suggestions to protect, will update. Will get under the car myself at some point, see exactly how exposed a Cat is on an IS.

Hi ganzoom, Sounds like you may have owned your IS from new and you are are good careful driver. My advice is more for those buying a used vehicle, that may not have been so well looked after. In my example, that MOT fail for dangerous tyre fails is at 15k miles on a 15 plate car. If a previous owner has abused the vehicle or neglected tracking and/or tyres, from my experience it was worthwhile checking and rectifying the mis-alignment. From my experience the dealer did not check or rectify this prior to resale, so can be a worthwhile check.

Last post from me for now. Anyone with experience of Catalytic Convertor theft from their IS or anyone who has successfully had a Catloc fitted to an IS300h, would love to hear details. Aware RX's typically get targeted and now Prius and Hondas recently on the hit list. My driveway has a steep incline so anyone using a trolley jack is quickly going to get squished when it rolls (good!). However, want to make sure mine is not at risk of going missing when the car is parked away from home. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Penultimate post for now, this time for anyone considering Supagard. Key points: 1) The dealer sold this product to me on a used vehicle, even though I later found from a service history print out, it was already treated with this "lifetime" product when first registered. Check for this unless you see value in having a lifetime product reapplied. 2) Only after speaking to Supagard in regards to correct aftercare, did it come to light the aftercare kit (cleaning fluids, brushes and registration card) had not been supplied. Took the dealer a week to locate this kit. 3) When attempting to register for the Supagard lifetime guarantee, another code was missing, as a secondary code is required if you have a leather interior. Dealer initially advised they did not provide leather treatment so would refund the product. A couple of days later this information changed and they advised leather was treated and another card appeared again about a week later. Product finally registered! 4) Almost done. So read the terms of the guarantee. Any undocumented repairs invalidate it. So if per my quarter damage post you have been sold a vehicle with undisclosed and undocumented repairs, you then have to ensure you get a letter proving the repair is Lexus authorised and retreated with Supagard. I don't have any issues with Supagard as a product, in fact historically Lexus have had a reputation for not the best paintwork longevity, so this product may have tangible benefits. The objective of the post is to ensure Lexus customers are provided with the product they have paid for in it's entirety and from the outset are not unknowingly holding a guarantee that due to existing repairs, is instantly invalidated.

As you can tell, have worked through a number of issues since purchasing my IS in May, hence the glut of posts. More advice this time. If you buy a used IS check the MOT history online for any fails in relation to tyres and/or you spot uneven wear, paying special attention to the inner tyre rim/edge, especially on the rears. IS by design have slight -ve camber and casters are not adjustable. This makes keeping tracking aligned all the more important so you don't chew through tyres at an excessive rate. In my case I intended to have the tracking checked anyway, as the dealer themselves conducted the tyre fail MOT, replaced the tyres but had not fixed the tracking. Per the Hunter laser alignment results posted, tracking was well out and 3 wheels had to be adjusted (cost £50 or up to around £70 for all four wheels). I'm now happy the current tyres are less likely to meet the same fate and will have the tracking checked at least annually. Handling at high speed also improved post adjustment.

Thanks for the response, both mine and the other car I viewed were to the extent the sticker is completely missing, due to it being removed for a respray to take place. The door and sill didn't seem to be impacted, alloy and suspension intact, so in my case suspect some kind of external scrape or dent. May have just been an anomaly that I happened to come across two cars with the same repair in a row.

Recently purchased an IS300h and not only did mine but another car I looked at at the dealer had repair work done on the LH rear wheel arch/sill. See images, LH side overspray and missing scuff sticker versus RH side with original sticker in place. After an independent suspension inspection I am 99% happy that the damage was most likely superficial. Both cars post 2015, so not part of the 2014 corrosion recall in regards to rear arches. If looking to buy an IS, I highly recommend checking this area of the vehicle given I saw two instances at just one dealer. Question, does anyone else have this damage/repair or can even advise, is it possibly down to corrosion or it is easy/common to accidentally clip/catch this area of the car given it's width (wider at rear than front), slightly flared arches and long wheel base?

Hi all, My first dip of the toe into the Lexus community. Forums proved invaluable for maintenance and preventative measures for my previous car, so looking to provide as well as find top tips. First hot topic, avoiding a keyless theft or discouraging an attempt. If you can live without Smart entry, then in the vehicle settings menu you can switch it off. I now use the fob buttons instead to unlock and to start the car hover the key over the power button, until the beep indicates you can start the car. This avoids the need for fiddly and unreliable RF pouches or the use of Faraday boxes. To add to this (or use as a bluff if you can't live without Smart entry active), I used a well known online printing provider to produce window stickers as shown (will attach original image next time I am on my pc if others want to use). Worked out at £16 for 12 stickers, not cheap but for me says to anyone with a rucksack and aerial in their hand - Don't even waste your time hanging out on my drive... Fantastic that Lexus firmware allows the option to be switched off, versus the A4 over the road with a giant steering lock on and the Discovery around the corner that disappeared the other night.