LenT

The Autoexpress review that Rowley has suggested is equally impressed by these Hankook tyres I haven’t ever used Hankook - and I’m not even sure that they make sizes suitable for my Lexus - but they seem to have improved their performance year on year. Any AllSeason tyre that can match the Michelin CC2 is a serious contender. The tyre quality I personally prioritise is the wet weather performance. You may have your own priorities. And on a purely subjective note - it has quite an attractive tread pattern! Short of an actual user coming here with a detailed review, it seems a reasonable choice. BTW: As I’m sure you’re aware, that tread pattern means the tyres must be fitted so that they rotate in the correct direction.

And the Audi A6…

Is this the review to which you refer? https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/2022-Tyre-Reviews-All-Season-Tyre-Test.htm

Would I be right in thinking that you don’t have a dashcam in the car? The Police actually have websites which invite people to send in dashcam evidence of motoring offences. If it’s actionable evidence, they will follow It up. I’ve done it and they do! Rather than just get mad about it, it’s actually quite satisfying to know that the moron you’ve just recorded could be getting a surprise visit in a few days time!

Another bizarre marketing decision, Bill. It was my Top Burger too! But now I have to recreate it at home. That’s my moan. Brioche Bun. Wagyu Beef Pattie from Costco. Sliced Chestnut Mushrooms. Red Onion slices. Tomato slices. Cheddar cheese slice. Little Gem Lettuce leaves. What’s not to like!

Quite right, Ed. I have occasionally been directed to a self-service till and have turned down the offer. When questioned about this I point out that I’m doing the job of their Staff but not getting paid for it. If there was a discount for using a self-service till, then it might be justified. As you rightly say, self-service is the antithesis of service!

Then you may be relieved to know that the Apostrophe Protection Society was revived last year. https://www.apostrophe.org.uk/

Speaking of supermarkets… I note that this is not just any apostrophe, it’s an M&S apostrophe.

But it’s not an either / or situation is it. If one took the view that no small transgression could possibly match the importance of major humanitarian crises, then the many slight - but significant- improvements to our lives would never be justified. I speak as one who is actually quite partial to a Whopper! And telling whoppers to prospective customers is not acceptable. If I hand over good money for a meaty meal, I don’t expect to receive a Not So Much Of A Whopper. As an ex-ad man, I was always aware that deliberate misdescription was an Offence. It’s an insidious process by which manufacturers obtain a pecuniary advantage by gradually reducing the product but not the price. When I was a lad, a Walnut Whip was a serious proposition, but gradually they diminished - along with Wagon Wheels - to a mere trifle! There’s not much that I can personally contribute to assisting Ukraine. But that doesn’t mean that I should accept diminishing standards in every day life.

My sentiments entirely, Ed. For some years I created advertising for the Central Office of Information (COI) and so came into contact with a range of Civil Servants and MPs of both major parties. I can recall no-one who had a scientific background or had run their own business; very few who had worked in industry, construction or agriculture. University qualifications, if any, were predominantly Politics, Philosophy & Economics which had led straight into some sort of political job, bypassing real life. So I encountered Civil Servants drawing up legislation on subjects of which they were totally ignorant. And MPs who - however sincere - were fobbed off for the short time they were in the job. It’s depressing to read your account and realise that nothing has changed. Apart from being over 18, there’s not much that’s required of an aspiring MP. I doubt that minimum standards of a ‘real life’ could be introduced as a formal qualification. So it’s really down to the Civil Service to raise its standards (unlikely) and the Electorate to vote for better qualified candidates. A pretty bleak outlook, sadly. 🙁

If it’s any help, I replaced my bulbs with these OSRAM xenon Nightbreakers. It’s a different Lexus and they were a D4S fitting, but they are available in D2S and D2R. I thought the original bulbs were surprisingly poor and the OSRAMS were a considerable improvement. In my case, the dipped performance was particularly impressive in that not only was the light brighter, but it was better controlled and directed. This was especially noticeable down our country lanes in which the verges - and potholes - were much better illuminated. You can check out the bulbs here - and confirm the correct fitting for your Lexus. https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/d2s-xenon-hid-bulbs/

Well….they built roads…

Yes, they do polish up nicely.

From our latest Lexus range of ConfusaCop finishes…

I agree with you Don that there’s more to this account that has yet to be revealed! I have had occasion to deal with Michelin UK, and excellent though they are I don’t think they lob out free tyres at a whim. It’s possible that there was a conversation between them and ATS that might shed more light. As for Ian putting on the cheap tyres, I can imagine that he felt trapped between rock/hard place and at least was able to drive off for minimal expense. To be continued perhaps?

Excellent news, Ian! This does suggest that Michelin has accepted some responsibility for this excessive wear rate. However, I don’t think you answered Colin Barber’s original question about the nature of the wear across the tread. Is it possible that it was exacerbated by some degree of misalignment? Has the ATS branch checked this out? If it’s a contributory factor then history will just repeat itself! Ultimately you might be better off taking it back to the Lexus Dealer from whom you bought it as it is surely still under Warranty. Get them to check tracking and alignment.

The Texaco product is nothing to do with Redex, of course, which is now owned by Holts. The original ‘one-shot’ forecourt product from the brand launched in 1922 was an Upper Cylinder Lubricant useful when oil technology was nothing like as advanced as it is today. The problem was that the oil film deposited on the cylinder walls would break down and drain off, reducing the degree of protection available on start up. So the most significant period of engine wear was the metal-to-metal contact during cold starts. The aim of the Redex shot was to reduce the rate at which this oil film exposed the metal. In fact, even more effective is NOT to do what many drivers do - namely, give the throttle a last parting blip as they switch off! This merely injects neat fuel into the cylinders which washes the oil film off the cylinder walls! The correct procedure when switching off is to allow the engine to tick over for a few seconds first, thus allowing a protective film of oil to form. Fot the curious, this is the current Redex range… https://www.holtsauto.com/redex/

Yes, that was an interesting thread, Phil. Referring back to it, I see that I suggested that the Lexus product supplied by Texaco was probably a repackaged version of their Techron detergent cleaner. If Max is already using a Premium fuel (eg BP Ultimate etc) then he is already benefiting from an effective additive package. Adding one bottle of Lexus branded stuff to a full tank, say, is unlikely to produce any significant detergent improvements. Equally, unlikely to do any harm.

I think this has been a contentious area for some years. Rightly, you should be insured against being inconvenienced through the actions of another driver But there are many who argue that it has got out of hand and has spawned an escalation of the hire car business which in turn leads ultimately to higher insurance premiums. However, since a hire car when appropriate IS what you are paying for in your Premiums, why not take advantage of it?

What an infuriating and unnecessary incident! After the relief that you appear to have escaped unscathed, like Andrew my next thought was that it could have ended very badly for the pedestrian. If the other driver was guilty of distraction by phone, that’s unforgivable! The Police can check the other driver’s phone log and prosecute if it was brought to their attention. Better still, a good rear view dashcam would provide irrefutable evidence. I hope any necessary repairs are carried out without further drama.

Neil, I contacted Milenco in Milton Keynes to check out the latest version - the Steering Lock Plus - which has pads that you place on the Lock to protect the wheel. They referred me to the Milenco Outlet. I notice that a pair of these protective pads can be purchased separately if you’re interested in replacing your pipe lagging. https://www.milenco-outlet.co.uk/security/milenco-steering-wheel-soft-pad-pair.html

With older cars it’s worth considering that not all the liquid in a tank may be fuel. Over.time quite a lot of water can get into the tank. This can happen through condensation or because it seeped into the fuel station tanks. If the measured fluid volume includes, say, petrol floating on a layer of water, then the calculated mileage is going to come up short! Eventually, metal tanks may rust internally. With an old car it can be worth taking the opportunity to drain the tank occasionally to remove any water in it.

Never was a comma a more welcome sight.

It is indeed. Unfortunately, it’s not the ‘Plus’ version with the ‘Carry Bag’ and the useful additional plastic blocks designed to prevent the weight of the lock marking soft-rimmed steering wheels. But that’s a good price if you don’t feel the need for the newer version.

An interesting point, Phil. I contacted Milenco to ask for their comment. Their detailed reply emphasised that it had passed the five minute Sold Secure Gold standard, but conceded that like most such security products a thief - given enough time and facilities - could remove it. However, its presence would make attacking the wheel itself a not straightforward job - and potentially even dangerous. They confirmed that it should fit over spokes with paddles, but if that was a problem it could be fitted across the top of the wheel, using the new protective pads supplied with the Plus version. They also supplied the Milenco Outlet contact which was offering the product at a very competitive price. https://www.milenco-outlet.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=6798