Thank you Roy I checked that its in Normal mode. Bought the 450h because its an affordable alternative (for me) to my 2003 XJ6 running on LPG. Lot of outlets have closed just recently and autogas price has hiked to around £0.80; I ran diesel cars since 1972 (yes I was a pioneer!) as it was considered cleaner, until the particulate issue became a hot potato for an eco worrier (mis-spelling deliberate!) like me. Since 2001, I've run a succession of LPG cars including an Austin Montego (awful car! - carried gaffa tape with me because occasional back-fire exploded the air cleaner!) an XJS, Mercedes 300 32v, XJ8 and the '03 XJ6. Surveying the available Lexus hybrid models, my heart said mmmmm LS 600h but my eco head said no! When Europeans went the Diesel route the Japanese went hybrid, and I think its turned out to be the more prescient move. Ideally I would have an estate car but the only hybrid to my knowledge (I'm not in the Panamera wealth class) is the Auris. Aside form being only 4 cylinder 1.8 litre, I don't want to upset anyone but I think they are so ugly - the fussy styling is - well, vulgar I M O!
Old Trout suggested are they original tyres, which seems possible: in answer to serbarry, this one bought in North London from an independent,- rather weird history, having had no record of any road use until 5 years after purchase in 2008, and having only covered 18k miles from 2013 until now. - which is backed up by service stamps and MOT history on DVLA website. I could have been had I suppose , the paint has a few scratches, but the interior is immaculate/spotless, so who knows?! I thought £7850 a good deal for a 18k miler. My only faux pas was to assume I could carry my bike on a tow hitch rack, but now read that Witter don't do a tow bar for the 450h and recommend against it even for a bike rack.
Malc says are the tyres under inflated- which is interesting but counter-intuitive? (wouldn't that make for a softer ride?)
I'd like to thank all you responders for your attention. including Steve Mossy for his kind offer. I will make the tyre checks tomorrow.
