LenT

Buy one of these to keep in the boot! https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOCO-GB20-UltraSafe-Lithium-Gasoline/dp/B015TKPT1A?ref_=ast_sto_dp I got my NOCO (not this specific model, but one from the range) when I had to call the AA to start up our other car which had discharged to the point that a jump start wouldn’t do the job - and my elderly Halfords booster had rotted away in the garage! The AA guy used a NOCO and starting was almost instantaneous! I’ve used my own NOCO on it on one occasion since then but now avoid a repetition of the problem with a CTEK trickle charger. Yes, it’s an additional expense - although you can also use it to charge up such as mobiles and laptops - and anyone else you come across with a flat battery will be very grateful!

I have also read that the weight saved by ditching the spare produces a significant benefit in improved mileage. I also suspect that the ‘it’s not our problem’ factor that you mention may also play a part. After all, it reflects the same thinking that has so far resulted in less than effective safeguards against cat theft and ‘relay’ car theft.

Somewhat to my embarrassment, I admit that I have! I managed to kerb a front tyre on the Lexus with sufficient force to peel open a flap of sidewall about the size of my thumbnail. 😡 Fortunately there was no air leakage…but it did mean a very gentle drive to the tyre shop to replace it! As for the Lexus branded dust caps…the car was only two years old when I bought it and - strangely - only one of the dust caps was metal. No idea how that happened.

My comments were actually prompted by the opening claims in the video you provided, John. This included the statement that the tyre sealant could repair holes “up to a quarter inch in the sidewall.” While this might be acceptable for a U S off-road quad bike, my point was that a sidewall repair would not be acceptable under UK law on UK roads. The valve damage to which I refer, which would have rendered a sealant impotent, happened while the car was stationary. I was at a BP station checking the tyre pressures and was having trouble removing a dust cap. A helpful young lad - seeing this old bloke struggling - went to his van and returned with the correct sized spanner which he applied to the dust cap. With one quick twist, he sheared the entire valve clear out of the tyre! Fortunately, I had the SpaceSaver which I was happy for him to fit - and which allowed me to limp up the road to a large tyre retailer who replaced the TPMS valve for £65. The moral of this story is to replace metal dust caps with plastic ones - or heavily grease them - because metal ones can corrode onto the valve stem!

While I agree that in certain conditions, a tyre sealant kit may well get you out of trouble - and has the advantage that you don’t have to remove the wheel - it comes with conditions. Firstly, in reality, few tyre repairers will plug a tyre in which sealant has been used. The reasons include the need to remove the sealant from inside the carcass in order to check if any other damage has occurred. Secondly, plugged tyre repairs in the UK can only be carried out on punctures less than 6mm in diameter and within two thirds of the central tread area. So, unlike the US off road video, repairs in the sidewall would be illegal. Thirdly, if the tyre failure is caused by damage to the valve, (as happened to me) then the sealant kit is useless. In my case, it was the use of my SpaceSaver tyre that saved the day. However the circumstances and my own ability to change a tyre were in my favour. Another option, if you have a mobile phone and belong to a motoring organisation, is to call them! With regard to manual diesels, my previous car was a Honda Accord diesel purchased new. That came with a tyre sealant kit and I made it clear that it had to come with a SpaceSaver instead. I had it for some years until it was written off by an Iveco truck. I would have replaced it with another diesel Accord - except Honda had stop selling them in the UK. It was purely by chance that I stumbled across the Lexus and would say that in most respects it is slightly superior to the Accord. I appreciate the extra performance of the V6 engine and the greater refinement of the (newer) Lexus. I also discover that I now prefer an automatic to a manual - which is probably an age-related thing. In fuel economy terms, the diesel Accord gave almost exactly twice the mileage as the Lexus. However, this is now less important to me as I’m not doing the same kind of mileage. Also, of course, diesels have now fallen out of favour! In terms of reliability and quality of service, I think both Honda and Lexus rate highly - although again I think Lexus just shades it. Curiously, if I wanted to replace the Accord or my current IS250, neither can offer a new equivalent. I’ve never driven a CT200h, but if it’s as good as my automatic IS250 than I’m sure it will be a sound purchase.

That’s been my experience of them too. Unfortunately probably not too convenient for the OP.

Just come across this account of your accident, Anthony, and what was a very distressing period for you and your Family. However, your positive attitude and determination is a fine example to us all and clearly contributing to your impressive rate of recovery. I’m sure we all wish you the very best for the New Year.

At least you responded, John. No-one else had noticed for over a year! The real puzzle is what’s happened to ‘Trishal’ in all that time? Just three posts - and then……..? Did he/she have an accident while reversing?

As Trishal’s problem occurred over a year ago, it’ll be interesting to see if it has been resolved. Sounds like a screen adjustment that might have occurred as a result of a mechanic making MoT checks.

This is where I - and others already mentioned - bought our Osram bulbs. I suggest you use their bulb checker to see what upgrades are available. https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/ Of course, other retailers are available!

When I acquired my 2015 Lexus I was very disappointed with the main beam - it was very inferior to my previous Honda Accord. I asked about upgrading to HiD bulbs - only to discover they already were! Like Vladimir I discovered the Osram Nightbreaker Laser Xenarc, which were a considerable improvement. Mine were D4S fitting, but I suspect yours will be different. Apart from a superior main beam, I was particularly impressed by the improved dip which proved far better at lighting up the verges of our narrow country lanes. But are they street legal, you ask? As I understand it…no. But my bulb supplier tells me this is a technicality because when the current fitments were designed, no-one envisaged them being used by a technically original form of bulb! As long as the headlamp has a working bulb, correctly adjusted, it should pass the MoT - as indeed mine have. Incidentally, I also replaced the reversing bulb with a superior product as the Lexus offering was almost useless.

Reading this prompted warm, nostalgic memories of the simplicity of rack-and-pinion! 😊

Just a small point…before you try this, ensure that the tyres are not asymmetric and are still rotating in the correct direction and that the tyre pressures are correct!

I share your pain, Bill. 😊 I suspect you may have fallen foul of the dreaded ‘autocorrect’ - a helpful system with scant regard for the niceties of English grammar. Worse still is when it decides that it knows what you really wanted to say. I recall trying to praise a Brasserie on our local website - only to find it constantly being changed to brassiere! Inevitably, one slipped past me - resulting in my apparently encouraging the locals to enjoy the opening of a new brassiere!

Better still, avoid the connection problem in the first place. My CTEK trickle charger came with one lead that has two eyelet connectors that fix permanently to the relevant battery posts and then via a small plug to the charger. So the connection is secure and distant from the battery itself. CTEKs also have systems to prevent overcharging.

If they’ve not been replaced before, then they’ve done well. Life span of the batteries is regarded as being 5 - 10 years, with an average of seven. But life expectancy is also dependent on usage, temperature and driving conditions. This info from a TPMS supplier gives more detail. TPMS life expectancy is directly related to the number of radio frequency transmissions the sensors make. Driving habits greatly influence the number of RF transmissions a sensor makes in its lifetime. For example: sensors usually transmit when the vehicle is stopped and transmit more often when in motion. Maintaining a constant speed, such as when you're on a highway, reduces the demand on TPMS sensors and allow the sensors to transmit less often. Drivers who often find themselves driving in start-and-stop type traffic will have a greater impact on the vehicles tire pressure monitoring sensors. Weather can also have an impact on tire pressure sensor battery life. Cold conditions allow batteries to last longer. Warmer conditions take more of a toll on TPMS battery life.

A very sound investment. And as I’m sure you’ve noticed, also a useful portable power pack for recharging your phone, iPad and such like!

I went through the same process when I discovered from the gov.uk site that there had been a recall issued on Dec 9. When I contacted Lexus MK they confirmed the recall for the replacement of what was described to me as ‘the fuel tank breather tube’ - although other reports suggest it may be rather more than that. Apparently I had not been contacted because the part was not yet available! I too discovered that although signed up to My Lexus, the Lexus recall page did not recognise either my Reg or VIN. Probably something they should look at!

Thanks Linus. Yes I've found one that cites an Australian article referring to: The issue affects 14,301 Lexus IS and GS sedans, as well as RC coupes made between 2012 and 2018. Four-cylinder, hybrid, and V6-powered models are affected by the issue. High-performance 5.0-litre V8-powered GS F and RC F models are also affected. Lexus will replace the fuel-evaporative emission control unit in the vehicles for free. So slightly ambiguous on the dating range, but apparently a pre-emptive action - once the part is available! Strangely, I can find no mention of this recall on the Lexus UK website.

Sorry to intrude, Bogdan. My error. I just stopped at the first one headed IS250.🙁 I’ll look for a specific 3IS forum! But you raise an interesting point…how long will Lexus honour a factory recall? Meanwhile, I’ll get me coat….

Idly checking my Lexus status on the gov.uk site - as you do - when I noticed a section offering to advise me about any factory recalls. To my surprise, one had been issued on December 9. But for what remained a mystery. So I contacted Lexus MK using the website form - and got a call back just a few minutes later. Apparently, it’s to do with the fuel tank breather tube. But not to worry - it can be done at the next service. That is, if the part arrives. It would appear that the lack of this part may explain why Lexus hadn’t yet notified me. And that was just about all the girl who replied could offer as an explanation. So anyone else got a problematic fuel tank breather tube? It may be worth checking.

I have the Goodyear Asymmetric Eagle F1 5s and I can confirm that they are an excellent choice. However, my first choice was the Michelin CrossClimate - but Michelin didn't make one of the two sizes that my Lexus required. In addition the then new Goodyears tested very well against the Michelins. There are quite a few outfits doing comparative road tests of tyre brands. I certainly found it worthwhile reading and watching them and assessing which most closely reflected my specific needs.

This is so true, Bernard. I recall a friend who had spent some weeks one Winter on business in Sweden and Finland. Shortly after returning to the UK he was driving around his newly snow-covered country lanes - within the speed limit, he emphasised - when a Police patrol car decided to follow him. It wasn't long before a glance in the mirror confirmed the Patrol car sliding gracefully across a bend and in to a ditch.

I suspect that the answers you've been getting are not what you hoped for. No security system will guarantee to be invincible! After all, houses and safes are still broken in to despite extensive security measures. It's only if a system can be shown to have failed that you might have a claim; not if the system was bypassed or defeated by a novel form of attack. The only consolation is that your tracker proved its worth and you have not suffered a total loss. In many ways, the development of advanced electronic driving systems has made life easier for thieves. There was a time when simply removing the rotor arm from the distributor prevented the car being driven away! But you have raised one point that intrigues me. You say that when the tracker became active again, you went to the location and 'retrieved the car from the thieves'. Why? And should that be simply 'retrieved the car'? Did you inform the Police so that they could set up an observation or examine it forensically? How do you know that the thieves returned at 23.58 if you had already retrieved the car? Did you remain at the scene yourself? Ironically, a steering wheel lock (eg Disklok) may have prevented the theft in the first place - although some types are not compatible with steering mounted paddle controls. But, sadly, this may be the way to go if you have to leave the car accessible in the future.

Another thought - which you’ve probably already had! - is that as well as waiting for the Service Station liability response, it may be worth checking any Household Insurance because that sometimes includes Loss of Earnings.