LenT

Have you tried the ultimate key fob check? Namely, press the foot brake and then press the start button with the key fob itself? If this works then it’s confirmation of a flat battery in the key fob. Have they ever actually been replaced? If they date from 2008 then you’ve done very well!

I suspect a mechanic might put it on a hoist and then jack up the chassis so that the suspension is no longer loaded. - which might reveal any source of movement or wear.

Have you eliminated the possibility that it might be related to the rear suspension? Does it appear to originate from the centre of the rear or favour one side?

But very entertaining! Yet another example that if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is! Personally, I have either taken my cars to the Dealer from whom I bought it or a local garage with a good reputation to maintain. My Lexus has always been maintained by Lexus MK and therefore benefits from the warranty extension. I have no plans to change that. There are times when the cost of trying to save money can prove to be an expensive mistake!

Maybe it’s a family tradition. Like this one - handed over to his son, Prince Albert, on 13 March 2018, apparently? Well there is a Royal Motor Museum in Monaco, so perhaps it’s there? Unless he’s px’d it because of the increased insurance rate! https://twitter.com/Lexus_EU/status/973603607936425985/photo/1

Welcome Tom. I’m sure you’ll find the LOC not only a great source of knowledge - but also very entertaining. So….why did you choose an IS250? Many longtime Lexus owners consider it among the best of the Lexus range. Photos are always appreciated! My first suggestion, if you haven’t already done so, is go to lexus.co.uk and register it on the MyLexus site. If it’s been regularly serviced by Lexus dealers you may be able to find its past history. And if it didn’t come with them, you can also download the Owner Manuals. They’re almost as informative as many of the members here - but with fewer laughs! 😊 https://www.lexus.co.uk/customer/manuals

Bad news, Pete. I got an Exclusive, Confidential Invitation too! But I’m not impressed by such blandishment so there’s no way I’ll be going! Really? Well, maybe I was a bit hasty! I may just happen to be passing anyway….

Exactly right, Ian. It’s an aid to safe, careful driving - not a substitute for it! In fact I’m slightly surprised that you can even switch the system off. You can certainly adjust and reduce the sensitivity of the sensors, but I haven’t done that. I’m perfectly happy to have my attention drawn to the approaching pedestrian continuing to push a shopping trolley at my car despite it very obviously moving. And there have been times when reversing when BSM brought my attention to such items as very low walls that were impossible to see from the driver’s seat. Just to be clear Alan, are you saying that it isn’t?

I recall having a new 2.0l Lancia Beta Coupe in the early 80s at the height of these rumours. It was an excellent car; comfortable, reliable and with a very acceptable performance for its time. I didn’t have it long enough for any potential rust problems to develop (it was a company car) but they were exaggerated anyway. As I recall, the subframes could rust and become loose - but I don’t think any engines ever actually fell out! I think that at the heart of its problems was the use of substandard quality steel, to keep costs down, and - especially - poor quality workmanship. Which of course was something that bedevilled much of the British Motor industry too.

I rarely have cause to lower the driver’s window, so when I did so a couple of days ago the accompanying squealing was a bit of a shock! OK…so not the worst automotive challenge, but still a pain. First thought - grime on the rubber seals across the top of the door. So a vigorous rubbing with a microfibre cloth resulted in …no change at all! So it was down to Screwfix and hand over £7.59 for a can of WD40 Silicon spray. Back home, I prepare the can to spray down the window guides and press the button to lower the window. It glides down with but a whisper! It closes just as silently! Apparently just the mere presence of a can of WD40 Silicon has scared the squeal out of it. But I give the rubber guides a couple of shots anyway. So, was it a delayed response to cleaning the top of the window? Or an instance of a Lexus eerily sensing the presence of the WD40 Silicon? Who knows? Who cares? Either way, I now have a lifetime’s supply of the stuff in the shed.

Just found two further NX videos for the 2022 - 2024 models. Again these may have variations for the American market, but I notice that many of the items demonstrated still apply to my IS250. I expect most of this will be known to the seasoned Lexus owner, but there’s often a new nugget of information that will surprise. And as I say, I’m not aware of anyone in the UK producing anything comparable.

Was it this device that turned thieves into Ghosts?

And I’m sure you will…but not from me as Lexus MK has never managed to persuade me to change my IS250 for a newer model! However, in case you are not aware of them, there is a major Lexus dealer in America who has produced a very detailed and well presented series of videos on Lexus cars. Obviously there may be differences between the two markets, but they are doing what UK dealers should be doing - if not Lexus themselves! Any way, if you’ve not seen it I hope it proves informative.

If this is a new vehicle, Tim, I would have expected the Sales Staff to have given you a detailed handover that would cover such questions. And then to remain in contact so that they can deal with the new queries that become apparent after a few days driving. After all, it takes time to discover what you don’t know that you don’t know! For many drivers it’s a journey of discovery that’s all part of the pleasure of ownership. And much as I am an advocate of reading the Manual, it can be a dry old tome, totally devoid of even the odd chuckle.

Yes, I was reading about this in the D Telegraph this morning. As well as investing several millions on improving vehicle security, he claimed that JRL were donating several hundred thousands to persuade dock security to do their job more efficiently. As he rightly states: “We’ve got to make it more difficult for gangs and people to operate. We’re partly funding police security at the ports because there isn’t enough. The containers are not being checked, and they get out of the country.” It would be interesting to know who knew about these failings and did nothing about them! Sounds like the Post Office debacle all over again!

So starts The Wiper Wars! As I mentioned earlier, I’ve just replaced Bosch Aerotwin with Bosch Aerotwin. And I actually noticed how much smoother and quieter the replacements were. Which really just demonstrates how wiper blades can deteriorate so gradually that it’s only after replacement that you become aware of it. On other cars I have used Michelin, Wipac and Lucas but wouldn’t say that any of them were dramatically inferior. I do like the Bosch fitting system - which is remarkably easy once I remember how to do it! But before I did get my new Bosch, I had a little check around and discovered that Autoexpress had conducted a little test - albeit in 2022 - which confirmed their recommendation for Bosch. Unfortunately, they didn’t test Dentso. https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product-group-tests/36172/best-wiper-blades-2022 PS. Problems with skipping and squealing can often be due to contaminates on the screen. This can be solved by using an effective screen cleaner directly on the glass - and ensuring that the blades themselves are clean.

That does seem to be the way of it these days. The medical professionals present the options and it’s then a matter of ‘Patient Choice’. Which can be fine - especially if you have the same degree of knowledge as the Consultant! My attitude is to prefer the least invasive option initially. I have also found that asking the Consultant directly the question “If it was your heart condition, what would you do?” allows them to give a less guarded response. I appreciate the dilemma. If the medical advice is that you should have physically recovered from the effects of surgery after twelve weeks, then the medication should then reduce the chances of further heart problems on a par with simply staying at home. As has been mentioned, let everyone know about the heart bypass, that you’re still recovering from it and that if there’s anything even slightly strenuous to be done, you’ll be watching them do it! I suspect that you’ll regret not meeting up with your Son - and I expect he’ll particularly appreciate you making the effort after such a serious operation. Finally, if you do meet up, be disciplined enough not to celebrate too enthusiastically. I’m sure everyone will be understanding if you decline the usual glasses of alcohol consumed at such events! 😊

This must be a very encouraging read for any younger members, knowing that some of its most prolific contributors and Lexus owners could pop their clogs at any min

All the very best wishes with that, Neil. Many years ago I was assured by the Head of Heart Surgery at the John Radcliffe, Oxford that a heart bypass was as near to routine as modern surgery gets. I take it that stents were not an option in your case, but as Stephen has eloquently described, this bypass is literally the gift of a new lease of Life. Apart from that, how are you getting on with the Ghost? It’s something I considered but in the end didn’t think my eight year old Lexus was a prime target for the local thievery. But I thought it an impressive piece of kit.

This is really the key to the whole setup. I’ve had BlackVue cameras almost since they came on the market, but they are among the pricier of options. But it all depends on how much technology you think will be really useful to you. No point in paying for facilities you might never use - such as being able to sit in a restaurant and check the live camera feed while you eat! BlackVue has the Power Magic Pro which connects to the fuse box and provides a monitored power supply when the ignition is off so that the camera is always on standby when parked. Another feature that attracted me to the BlackVue is that it’s a small cylinder that sits between the screen and mirror - and is generally invisible from outside the car. You can check out the range at www.blackvue.com As regards fitting, I used a local auto electrician on the basis that they’re probably installing more - and on a regular basis- than anyone at Lexus.

Coincidentally, I put a new set of Bosch on this morning. The one good tip I would support is placing a substantial cloth pad on the windscreen just where the wiper arm would hit it if it dropped down. Because some times it does! 🙁

Well, that could be one answer - a wipe over with a damp cloth might sort it out. But considering the age of the car, I would have thought that years of damp may be the cause. It may be that the sensor connections have rusted or possibly even the selector switch operated by the gear lever when selecting reverse?

Is there some reason why you didn’t think it worthwhile to investigate this option? After all, you’ve nothing to lose…apart from your Lexus, of course. 😊

Well you clearly don’t want to go to a Lexus dealer! When I had to replace one urgently as a result of it being sheared off (that’s another story!) I happened to know that there was a large tyre retailer just minutes away. They were able to supply, fit and register a compatible valve for about £65. So rather than looking for a store, as such, you might do better ringing around the local tyre retailers. I’ll probably replace all four when I get the next set of tyres and look for a discount by bundling valves and tyres together.

If there’s nothing in the Manual - and my Manual was ambiguous and misleading when I was replacing my main bulbs - I would take it to a convenient Lexus dealer and ask them to confirm what bulb / bulbs were in place. Mine were D4S specification and I replaced them - just one in each unit - with Osram Nightbreaker Laser, which were a considerable improvement. I didn’t think that LED units were fitted in 2016 models, but I could well be wrong about that!