LenT

How long a car battery lasts depends very much on how you use it. If you do a lot of short journeys the battery won’t last as long as if you did fewer long journeys. However, if you reckon around five years as an average, then you’ve already done very well! So you’re undoubtedly right to be getting a new one. If you do generally drive short journeys, then you might also consider investing in a good trickle charger, such as a CTEK.

Your choice of course, Mike. I don’t have my BlackVue on permanently either. It’s wired via a switchable Power Magic Pro which controls the battery drain, such as it is. So I actually switch it off when the car is securely parked. I see no reason why it won’t operate other cameras. https://blackvue.co.uk/products/power-magic-pro/

Just one thought, Mike. On my Lexus - and yours may be different - this power socket is only live when the ignition is ON or switched to ACCESSORY. Why would you want your dashcam not operating when your car is parked and the ignition is OFF? Such as when you’ve left it in a car park, gone shopping, having a meal out. I’m sure your camera will have a ‘Parking Mode’ which will record any knocks or attempts to break in when parked. But that requires wiring to a fuse that is live when the ignition is OFF. You may want to reconsider your choice of fuse.

I think you’ve got it right. Bill. Checking on an Insurer’s site, there is an explanation of ‘fault, non-fault’. It confirms that the classification simply depends on whether they can recover the money. As you say, if a ‘fault’ claim doesn’t affect your NCD then it might seem acceptable. Although come renewal time, it may well result In a premium increase. And it’ll have to be declared if you’re looking for cover elsewhere. I think the least Sumit should expect is his Insurer’s explanation of this use of language. In effect, since the chances of recovering any payout from the thief are remote, the owner is invariably going to be at ‘fault’! So I’m clearly in error through conflating ‘fault’ and ‘non-fault’ when applying them to, say, a road collision and a theft. The same terms would appear to have different possible interpretations depending on the results.

Great idea, Ronnie. How far is your Wife prepared to travel? 🙂

So Maurice is certainly correct in that regard. Presumably they classify it as a ‘fault’ in order to justify an increase in premium on renewal - or a reason to decline insurance. But are you any more at fault then if, for example, you were mugged in the street and had your watch stolen? I’d certainly be interested to know in what way you were regarded as being ‘at fault’. I’ve never been in that situation, but I did have to claim when an HGV driver wrote off my car on the M25. I think his insurers were indeed trying to redistribute blame - until I supplied the videos from my dashcam! After which it was settled in full within days and my later renewal - with the AA - was unaffected.

I think that’s one of the points that the OP could clarify. Have his insurers refused to pay out on the basis that he was responsible in some way for the theft eg placing the vehicle at risk - or are they paying out but treating it a ‘fault claim’. Clearly, in this case, they can’t claim against another Insurer. PS: I don’t see how the OP’s Insurers can justify their position by stating, apparently, that they ALWAYS treat such thefts as the Owner’s fault!

That’s nonsense, Sumit! Who is this Company? In providing your Insurance they are entering into a Contract. They undertake to cover your loss in the event of a theft of the Insured property. In that event, to claim that they always treat a theft as the Owner’s fault in order to evade liability would be a breach of that Contract. Unless, of course, one of their Conditions is that they will never pay out in the event of a theft, despite taking a fee to cover against it! Such a condition would probably be illegal anyway. I suggest you name this Company and demand a detailed, written explanation for their refusal to fulfil their Contract with you. If you have a Solicitor, now may be a good time to involve them. Of course your Insurers do have the right to decline to re-insure you. And you will probably have to declare this Claim when applying for new insurance. But you may consider using declarable security devices in future - installing a Tracker, security lighting, wheel clamps and steering locks and such like!

All the best with it, James. Glad to hear the LOC has been of some help. 😊

There is this Lexus product which will be cheaper to buy, but you’ll need to have it fitted. You’ll also need to check that it’s correct for your model. Like most of these systems, it will deter the opportunist thief. https://lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/product/lexus-rx400h-phase-2-catalytic-converter-lock/ Other possible considerations would be to improve your security. I have fitted Eufy security cameras and video door bells which have already proved their worth. Also available at Costco. https://uk.eufy.com/pages/security-deals utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_content=brand&utm_campaign=uk_security_seach_brand&utm_term={17089394549}_{136327749539}_{595337611195}&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIudjd8OqQ-gIVgbTtCh1XDgBDEAAYASAAEgIANPD_BwE I appreciate that this is still added expense, although depending on where you park, you may just need a video doorbell system and a motion-activated security light. And of course they’re protecting more than just your car. You may find that your local Police will have an officer who will come round and give you free security advice. Sometimes a simple warning about etching a security code on the converter can be an effective deterrent.

Probably the preferred option for all involved, Piers. Like most GAs you’ll need someone to drive you home afterwards. All the best with it.

As I recall, this was the model that Barry Humphries, while narrating a documentary on Stratford-on-Avon, saw one and referred to it as ‘Half-timbered’ in keeping with the buildings.

And then hope you hadn’t noticed the wiping of the thumb across the top of the dipstick before they presented it to you, showing how low the oil level was!

Yes indeed. And learning that putting your thumb round it could be a painful mistake! 😖

I do recall that - if feeling flush - I would treat my first car - a Ford Popular 100E - to a 1d shot of Redex in the belief that it was making a difference, what with it being an ‘Upper Cylinder Lubricant’! As I recall, the idea was that the first flush of petrol hitting the cylinders would wash away the oil from the linings so enabling metal-to-metal contact until the oil was pumped out of the sump. Well it made sense to me! Years later I was involved in marketing Esso, BP, Amoco and Castrol products and the question of adding fuel additives would occasionally crop up. I don’t ever recall it being regarded as a Good Idea. Invariably the Company would patiently explain that they carefully developed additive packages for their fuels and oils in conjunction with specialist blenders and didn’t need car owners affecting the formulation by chucking in other stuff…thank you very much! In particular, oils were developed that would cling tenaciously to cylinder walls. In fact the only danger was the reprehensible habit of some drivers to give the throttle a final, farewell blip which injected a final flush of fuel into the cylinder. Ever since, I’ve always let the engine idle for a few seconds before turning it off!

Which rather begs the question, John, who would you prefer to meet? 😉

Yes, I have it on my 2015 IS250 done by Lexus MK. But as you say, it only works as a deterrent if chummy notices. In fact, does anyone notice? Apart from which, it’s easier to compare the reg. number than the VIN. Many years ago I was taking delivery of a new BMW in Leicester. In the handover chat, the sales guy made a point of saying that as a free customer service, they had etched the reg. number into all the glass. Having thanked him for that, I then asked if it wouldn’t have been better to ensure that they were the SAME number? As this was apparently such an effective deterrent, I asked if they proposed to change all the glass or the reg. number? In the end we compromised on an additional discount to cover the botheration factor and a signed letter from the Dealership Principal admitting the error to show when it was queried. Not once in nearly three years did this ever happen!

You say you already have a CTEK Andrew. Do you not have the lead with the permanent post connectors that connects directly to the CTEK? This is one that CTEK sell, which I have fitted. This particular one has a traffic light system of leds that give an indication as to the charge level. They do come in different sizes for connecting to the posts, so check before ordering. https://www.ctek.com/uk/battery-chargers-12v-24v/indicator-eyelet-m8 This photo is how the lead connects to the posts. The other end plugs into the CTEK lead into the charger. I hope this helps.

If you wish to continue in this vein, do you have a problem with taking advantage of Bill’s gesture in setting up a thread in the Lounge area specifically for you? Happy though I am to digress from the OP, others do not share our enthusiasm. I have already responded to one of your posts there. Repost this there and I’m sure others will be glad to continue the debate. Incidentally, if you’re going to cite the WHO VigiAccess site, I would draw your attention to the section in the intro page headed ‘Important points to consider’. https://www.vigiaccess.org/?utm_source=LexusOwnersClubUK&utm_medium=ForumLinks

I think what proved to be Jones’ downfall was that he ended up in the American Civil Court having defamed named individuals by claiming that deaths had been faked by actors. Defamation is big business in America. I do believe that people should recognise that actions have consequences and be prepared to be accountable. I accept that making vaguer claims of fakery is not actionable, but I do wonder what the position might be if those claims incited others to take some form of criminal action. Such as blocking fuel deliveries and causing panic! (rather neatly back on topic, I thought.). 😊

How comfortable are you with that posted figure? I don't really know enough about this model to suggest a figure, but are you PX-ing another car? Are you paying cash or credit? Do you have a specific Dealer in mind. Are you flexible as regards exterior colour and interior trim? If so, that's attractive to a Dealer as it enables them to offer a cancelled order, for example. Of course, having made all these points to the Dealer, you could just say 'So what's your best price?' Which puts the ball back in their court! I did put your car specs into AutoTrader and there are some alternatives around that might give you some indication. Armed with that information, you can propose a deal. New & Used Cars for Sale - Auto Trader UK Another approach - as you have a very clear idea of the car you want - is to investigate the web sales specialists, such as CarWOW. Unfortunately, I think the new car market is such that it's not the Buyer's market it once was. You'll probably get better suggestions as to an actual price from someone else, but remember - just saying 'I'd like to go away and think about it' can also be an effective negotiating tactic! Good Luck!

Perhaps I too could take advantage of this thread Bill has started to address some of Eric's concerns. In particular the NHS use of Midazolam. Unfortunately I don't know how to link this post to the threasd in question, so I'll just indicate the quotes. (maybe these figures explain the surge in midazolam use) They also said the government stocked up on midazolam which wasnt bollox. I'm not clear as to why this might be regarded as a 'bad thing'. I suspect many in the NHS might feel aggrieved that this comment suggests it isn't recognised as the effective forward planning it has proved to be. Midazolam is one of the more effective Benzodiazepines and for the last decade, at least, has been has been a popular choice for 'end of life care'. Patients who are within days - or even hours - of death greatly benefit from its ability to calm fear, anxiety and agitation. Why anyone would begrudge someone in that position such final comfort escapes me. I have been told by someone working in a care home that everyone was told to record all deaths as covid, irrespective of what aliments patients had. Not quite. As I understand it, in order to speed up registration and reduce the number of outside contacts, patients in Covid Wards and those who died with the symptoms of Covid, could have that registered as a cause of death - until such time as it could be confirmed by means of a swab test. As many - possibly most- Care Homes wouldn't have a resident GP this would probably be a popular diagnosis - even if it was actually pneumonia - and often exacerbated by the NHS's moves to transfer Covid patients out to Care Homes at the height of the pandemic anyway. My mom back in Ireland has dementia, however despite that she was well enough to engage in conversation with me every week that was until she got jabbed, she has been mute since a few weeks after her first jab, god knows how many more they gave her and one of my tasks now is to visit her before she passes away You have my sympathy and I've had to deal with a dementia sufferer. It comes in many forms, but it is a terrible condition that robs individuals of their dignity and humanity. Distressing as it may be for relatives, often the only palliative care is one that eases an inevitable decline. Number of prescriptions for the drug midazolam doubled during height of the pandemic Powerful sedative prescriptions doubled at the height of the coronavirus crisis Prescribing of the drug midazolam increased by more than 100% in April This is surely three ways of saying the same thing? And I refer back to my first observation! For patients suffering from 'fear, anxiety and agitation' this should be good news! Whistleblowers also claimed to have witnessed misuse of sedatives An interesting point. By labelling someone a 'whistleblower', the implication is that they are right. This may not always be the case. I saw a study recently among hospital staff that indicated - perhaps surprisingly - that many were not very good at identifying patients likely to die within days or even hours. Such individuals tended to be optimistic and as a result would withhold palliative treatments eg Midazolam. Naturally, they might also tend to see the use of such drugs by others as 'misuse'.

Alex Jones claimed the same about the Sandy Hook murders. He's now several million dollars poorer - and rightly so. When people die in real life, the delusions of conspiracists are less well tolerated!

If it’s much less than the posted price, then it will almost certainly be too low! That’s what haggling is about. It’s not something you should ever be embarrassed about. Ultimately you’re just dealing with someone - however affable - who is having to sell cars for a living. You don’t have to impress them! How much car buying have you done before, DC? Is it the 22 NX 450h you’re talking about? Firstly, do your research. You know the model you want so check out what other Lexus dealers are pricing it at. If you find a contender, print out the info and be prepared to present it as a car you’d considered but you don’t really want to travel that far. Some dealers will like to have a cash buyer, but others will say it makes no difference - but that’s because they make extra profit selling you a purchase plan. Some dealers may be more inclined to haggle a quick sale at the end of the month - or their financial year - when they get bonuses if they reach sales targets. You know what you’re prepared to pay, so if it’s less than the Dealer’s asking, be prepared to walk away. Do it regretfully - pointing out that you’ll now have to ring around to see what else is available. If this is a good local Dealer, then you might point out that you’ll consider taking out a Service Plan. I renew mine every three years and both parties benefit. Consider what extras could be offered. Forget the free, dealer applied Extra Paint Protection- it’ll be badly applied, So maybe there are better mats available. Or a SpaceSaver wheel instead of the injectable glop. Or a deal on fitting a Satnav. And right now, even a full tank might be worth negotiating for. Forgive me if all this comes across as statements of the ‘bleedin obvious’ that you’ve already been through- and I’m sure others will come along with even better suggestions. But ultimately it’s your money they’re after - and you don’t have to be embarrassed about that!

As a point of information, the phrase I used - ‘citing an unqualified figure for Adverse Reactions’ - refers to the absence of context and evidential support provided with the data rather than its lack of professional qualifications!