LenT

A very fair point!

Surely this is the crux of the matter. To install a domestic charging point, for example, requires accreditation, namely certification to a minimum standard. But there doesn’t appear to be any legislation that defines the minimum level of training and expertise to work on electric and hybrid vehicles. I note that the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) runs various paid-for courses on every aspect of EV technology , resulting in the issuing of a Certificate. The question is, for the safety of both mechanics and motorists, should there be such legislation when - I presume - it isn’t required for petrol or Diesel engines?

I think that may be a rather harsh appraisal of paint protection film. It’s certainly temporary in that it can be relatively easily removed - unlike a ceramic coating. But like ceramics it should be applied to a properly prepared paint surface, otherwise it might even make imperfections more obvious. In fact the Detailer I used ideally likes to apply PPF after a ceramic treatment. The reason for so doing is that the PPF offers advantages over ceramic. Its surface is more resistant to impact, abrasion and chemicals and it has a degree of self-healing. To my eye, the results are indistinguishable from ceramic alone and the advantages may just make the extra investment worthwhile - especially to protect a brand new purchase. No doubt PPFs differ. This is my Detailer’s product offering as a guide. https://www.huntsmiths.co.uk/xpel-paint-protection-film/

I guess you need someone with the same model and year to give really meaningful advice, as I don’t know if mine has the same systems. But the door operation is one of the customisable features on mine. If you use the Home Screen and navigate to Setup, you might eventually get to a screen offering various door locking options. It may be that you need to select one of them. BTW: what happens when you just use the mechanical key out of the fob?

I think the fact that you repeated your previous Sales Event post eight hours after the first time is a good indication how irritated you are! ☹️ And rightly so. Clearly you were mislead. Was the Dealer’s attitude model specific or across the range? After all, at least one sale was being negotiated while you were there. But if a lot of potential buyers turned up and were equally disgruntled then that doesn’t bode well for future customer relations. Your options are as you describe if you’re still keen. But you could also send a recorded delivery letter to the Dealer Principal expressing your disappointment at being so mislead by them. That may prompt a change of attitude. You could contact other Lexus Dealers explaining that you had gone to this Sales Event because you were interested in a specific model (ie you weren’t just an idle tyre kicker) and did they have the same somewhat dismissive attitude to potential customers at invited Events? After all, they may all sell the same marque but they’re not all chums!! Or you could have a look at another make. I’ve had a couple of excellent Hondas. Do they make a similar car?

My system has a reset button under the dash and there is a procedure for its use. However, when I did have to reset it after having new tyres, the tyre fitter simply said “Just drive around for a bit and it’ll reset itself.” In my case it didn’t, hence how I discovered the reset button (it was tucked away in the Manual). But the Fitter might have been right about other systems. Whatever, glad to hear its been resolved.

Dave, you’ve not wasted anyone’s time here. You’ve intrigued us, entertained us, satisfied us with a possible resolution of your dilemma which may help another LOC member in the future - and joined the merry band of discerning Lexus owners. Does Life get much better than that? 😊

I think Linas has it right, here. I don’t think you get a superior look to an expertly applied wax finish, but it lasts for years - rather than months - and is easier to maintain. The downside is that ceramic products should ideally be baked on, to harden the surface. The infrared heaters required are not normally available to the non-professional. Nor - come to that - are the ceramic coatings. So the ideal regime would be to hand your car over to a professional Detailer for ceramic coating. From then on you can dump the clay bars and waxes, get a snow foam gun, microfibre cloths and the relevant ceramic after-care products and maintain that finish for years. Just a couple of downsides: if you’re that interested in the best possible car finish, then you have to stay away from the quick bucket brigade and car washes!

That’s outstanding value for such a superb result! Pretty much a full day’s work, I imagine?

Precisely! When you described how effusive they were about Betsy, I did wonder if that’s what they were thinking too! 😊

Sounds like you pulled, James. 😉 BTW - did they get a really good deal on the lawnmower?

This may not be something you want to consider, John, but there’s always a possibility that the other valves - being of similar age. I expect - may also be developing the same problem. In any case, the batteries in TPMS valves are generally considered to have a useable life of up to ten years. You don’t mention the state of the tyres, but are they also approaching the point of replacement? Of course much depends on how long you propose to keep the car and how much you’re prepared to spend on it. But it may be worth considering that, for example, you can negotiate a good deal on a new tyre AND valve as a combined purchase - but if you have to replace the valves later one by one, you’re also paying to have the tyre removed and replaced every time.

On a point of information, ERIC, according to the US Energy Information Administration, in 2021 the US imported 4.34 million barrels per day of petroleum products - which includes crude oil - from Canada. This equated to 51% of their Gross Imports. https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=727&t=6 I hope this helps.

I apologise for my ignorance of the Lexus range. ☹️ I’m sure the UX has many other redeeming qualities, but that’s an unexpected lack of boot capacity. As Gordon has already identified his preference for a quieter ride, I guess he’ll have to accept the inflation kit/mobile phone options to cover the rare flat tyre eventuality. I hesitate now to make any more suggestions (!) but I’m very happy with the performance and sound levels of my Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5s. They do do some sizes as Run Flats, but they also claim to have a noise reduction system that improves the level generated internally. It would require more research!

Surely another option is a SpaceSaver wheel - unless there’s some peculiarity of the UX that prevents it? There are circumstances - such as a rip in the sidewall or breakage of the valve (as happened to me) - where injecting goo will be ineffective or impossible. A SpaceSaver has the same performance limitations as a Run Flat, but is lighter and more compact than a full size tyre and wheel. It can also be legally used on either axle, even if different sized tyres are normally used - provided it is there to get the car to a tyre replacement service. When I bought my Lexus I made a point of checking that just such a wheel was there.

I may have this entirely wrong, but I find this a rather surprising assertion. I thought it was well established that Dealers have regular incentivised sales targets which are financially beneficial to them if achieved. Which is why it pays them to take less profit on an individual sale at that specific time. As Dan rightly says, as the Buyer you can always walk away - and this is the case whether you’re buying a car, a house, a painting or pretty much anything else in Life. It’s also true that you can only buy what’s available for sale. You can fritter away a lifetime of opportunities waiting for something better to come along. Since we’re talking about Sales Events, we’re talking new cars. Well, if you’ve decided - after several time consuming test drives - that you know what you want and you know what you’re prepared to pay, what is the point of walking away because you didn’t get a few more hundred off? Considering how long you’re going to have to wait for delivery, hoping you can negotiate a marginally better deal some time in the future, surely only means that you go without the Lexus you want for even longer. And how much does that cost you?

Could it be that the system simply responds to the TPMS valves that are sending a signal? In other words, it doesn’t recognise that one valve is missing, but only that the signals it’s receiving are correct. Just my guess! I suppose you could check by deliberately deflating one of the other wheels and see if that now comes up as a fault.

I think this Lexus article on the TPMS may answer these questions. https://mag.lexus.co.uk/tyre-pressure-monitoring-system-what-is-tpms-and-how-does-it-work/

Well I’m surprised - and also impressed. Sounds like a very good deal and a very good dealer.

Well if it’s of any interest Dan, I’ve just been invited to a Manager’s Event this Friday at Lexus Milton Keynes. I’m not interested, but if you are….here are the details: https://www.lexus.co.uk/centres/milton-keynes/latest-news/exclusive-managers-event Be interesting to know what you think.

Spot on there, Roger. I can contribute personal evidence to the vulnerability of low profile tyres and alloy wheels to attack by potholes and kerbs - especially when they hide under snow! I managed to mark both nearside wheels in my first week of ownership, driving around our country lanes which had never been a problem in my previous Honda Accord. Given the choice, I would have had the Lexus with the optional 17” wheels and meatier tyres - and the promise of a more comfortable ride. But I doubt I’ll bother to change them now.

I’ve no wish to pry, Malcolm, but I wondered if you’ve read enough to join the ranks of the dashcamed? I would add that the more cameras there are out on the road, the more that all road users can benefit by improving driving standards. Incidentally, it’s not just motoring. I recall a recent gang related stabbing which prompted the Police to ask passing motorists to check their cameras for possible evidence.

Well I’m delighted for you that you were able to get a worthwhile discount off Lexus. As you say, attitudes may have changed since Covid. However, I take it that the third party paint detailing that the Dealer arranged was also ‘no charge’ to you. The outfit that did my car spent four days on it. I would be very impressed if a Dealer was prepared to fund a customer incentive freebie to that extent.

It’s always been my impression that Lexus is one of the marques that is not particularly forthcoming with discounts in the normal turn of events. In fact, they’re generally restricted to these Events! So if you’re in the market for a new Lexus, then what would be the benefit of NOT going? Of course it’s all about getting people through the door - that’s their business! But satisfied customers are also good for business. And in the end, you are free NOT to buy a new Lexus. The only point I’d make is not to bother with them applying a free ceramic finish. They’re not going to do it properly and it won’t last. A better idea with a brand new Lexus is to get it delivered to you untouched and take it round to a competent Detailer for a professional application - possibly even stretching to a wrap of the front. As a ‘valued customer’ apparently, I get regular invitations to sales events and special discounts. And I would certainly go - were it not for the fact that there’s nothing in the Lexus range that suits me better than the Lexus I have.

Clearly a contender for a Darwin Award. https://darwinawards.com/darwin/