C4MYC

Hi, im new to this site but wanted to share my problems. my IS220d (2007) has been to Lexus 3 times within 3 months, first happened when the car was just over 2 years old. Check VSC, lost power and warning lights on, it was the EGR valve. a few weeks after that same again, check VSC, lost power etc, the other EGR valve. few weeks after...same again, this time it was the catalyst and the EGR valve (same valve as first problem) that was replaced. then a few months later car lost power and was juddering, turbo pipe had come off, RAC fixed this. basically had over 5k worth of work on the car luckily under warranty. had a moan to Lexus and have an extra years warranty on the car and next service free. This is the first and last time I will buy a Lexus!! all i keep being told is that this isn't normal with the IS, they are usually reliable....yeah right!!

Please don`t write off ALL Lexus models on the back of a shoddy 220D.

I too wish I hadn`t bothered with this one but I guess I went for it because I had a GS300 sport a few years ago and never had one bit of bother with it. Lexus has a pretty good reputation but is losing it fast with this model.

I got sent this in an email and wondered if it was possible or the usual "super virus that will wipe your hard drive" guff.

I locked my car. As I walked away I heard my car door unlock. I went back and locked my car again three times. Each time, as soon as I started to walk away, I would hear it unlock again!! Naturally alarmed, I looked around and there were two guys sitting in a car in the fire lane next to the store. They were obviously watching me intently, and there was no doubt they were somehow involved in this very weird situation . I quickly chucked the errand I was on, jumped in my car and sped away. I went straight t o the police station, told them what had happened, and found out I was part of a new, and very successful, scheme being used to gain entry into cars. Two weeks later, my friend's son had a similar happening....

While traveling, my friend's son stopped at a roadside rest to use the bathroom. When he came out to his car less than 4-5 minutes later, someone had gotten into his car and stolen his cell phone, laptop computer, GPS navigator, briefcase.....you name it. He called the police and since there were no signs of his car being broken into, the police told him he had been a victim of the latest robbery tactic -- there is a device that robbers are using now to clone your security code when you lock your doors on your car using your key-chain locking device..

They sit a distance away and watch for their next victim. They know you are going inside of the store, restaurant, or bathroom and that they now have a few minutes to steal and run. The police officer said to manually lock your car door-by hitting the lock button inside the car -- that way if there is someone sitting in a parking lot watching for their next victim, it will not be you.

When you hit the lock button on your car upon exiting, it does not send the security code, but if you walk away and use the door lock on your key chain, it sends the code through the airwaves where it can be instantly stolen.

This is very real.

Be wisely aware of what you just read and please pass this note on. Look how many times we all lock our doors with our remote just to be sure we remembered to lock them -- and bingo, someone has our code...and whatever was in our car.

Pardon my ignorance but would an IS220D have an O2/Lambda sensor?

Sometimes the revs fail to drop below 1200 rpm when idle and fully warmed up, and wondered if it was a faulty Lambda.

This has only just started happening.

Just had mine in getting the alloys changed before warranty runs out and asked them to upgrade ECU...

They did this and to be honest biggest difference I noticed was I could use 6th gear from around 65mph and seemed to pick away better from lower revs, was on motorway most of road home but on the short run from motorway to home noticed that I could come off a tight roundabout in third where usually I had to drop down to second.. Hopefully this keeps up..

Once car is out of warranty will Lexus offer free flash on any future upgrades or will this be dependant on the dealer???

I think that`s a question lots of us would like to know the answer to.

Mine`s 4 years old and out of warranty but surely an ECU re-flash should come under safety and therfor a freebie. Or at least a reasonable cost to make it affordable.

I have only recently joined the Lexus Owners Forum.

I uunderstand that many Lexus cars use the TNS 700 Sat Nav display / audio head unit

The latest set (2010) of 4 DVDs has part number PZ485-X03EU-09.

Apparently the set code is 86807-0W063.

Can anyone please tell me what the individual code is for the Europe-West DVD disc as I don't intend travelling outside the UK in my car?

Is it possible to purchase the Europe-West DVD disc separately?

thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to give.

I don`t think you can buy them separately but I will sell you my copy. That`s assuming a back-up copy works. I`ll know by Monday. PM me if you`re interested.

Sorry, disregard that. My discs have the numbers 86271-60W???

I have only recently joined the Lexus Owners Forum.

I uunderstand that many Lexus cars use the TNS 700 Sat Nav display / audio head unit

The latest set (2010) of 4 DVDs has part number PZ485-X03EU-09.

Apparently the set code is 86807-0W063.

Can anyone please tell me what the individual code is for the Europe-West DVD disc as I don't intend travelling outside the UK in my car?

Is it possible to purchase the Europe-West DVD disc separately?

thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to give.

I don`t think you can buy them separately but I will sell you my copy. That`s assuming a back-up copy works. I`ll know by Monday. PM me if you`re interested.

Thanks for that, at least now I know I'm not imagining it!

Are there any recommendations for a fuel additive that would work well for engine cleaning? It's a 220D btw.

The jury is out to how well the additives work - I use Millers DP ecomax in the odd tank of diesel, other 220 users have used this too.

Secondly, always use a good fuel, supermarket diesel isnt the best for keeping a clean engine, I use only Shell or BP.

Finally, worth checking the EGR valve to see if it is carbon'd up.... It probably is and can cause a variety of engine problems! Theres plenty of posts to support this and instructions to clean it on this forum.

I stuck half a bottle of Redex in when I filled up last time. I`ve always been a bit sceptical but genuinely feel it has improved the performance with slightly less turbo-lag.

hi,yes got my map updates two weeks ago - pz445-x01eu-09 - 08927-00956,86271-70v992,2009-2010 ver 1 cost £139.No it does not have post code entry.

I've never updated my DVD as I haven't really needed to so still on the original 2001 disc. Are there any differences with the new ones or is it identical except for the updated map?

One difference I`ve noted on the latest version is that when you input your destination it will offer up alternative routes so you can select which one suits you best.

No probs, didn't mean to cause any offence. Know it sounded stupid when I said it but wasn't sure whether to make it clear or not But yeah the problem with MP3s is not because they're copied, for some reason Lexus haven't given it the software to be able to play MP3s off a DVD.

No offence taken buddy

yeah, it seems a bit daft but perhaps Lex can come up with a fix for this on their next generation boogie boxes. Luckily I have an 'Aux' port so most of my music pleasure comes through that.

I'm not sure if there's a little confusion here, but you do know the nav unit is separate to the slot under your screen on the dash?

The main 6 slot drive on the dash is for playing CDs, etc. The only thing it doesn't play is MP3 on DVD as they haven't allowed that to work. However it will happily play copied DVDs, whether they be video DVDs or audio DVDs (DVD-A). This is the solution many use, and that is to burn MP3s to a DVD as video rather than just dragging and dropping MP3 files.

Going to the nav side of things, I thought you were implying that you wanted to find an ISO file of the disc on the internet and burn it to a disc and use that. And that is where I meant you might find difficulty, as it's hard to find the ISO file for the Europe DVD, the North America one is very easily available. If you just want to just make a copy of the disc you have and use the copy to prevent damage to the original then that should be fine, I'm sure others have done that before.

Thanks buddy.

Yes, I`m aware of the separate slot for the NavDisc and also my intention is to use a back-up copy if it`ll play it. I cant` say for certain if it`ll work yet as I`m away from home and the software I use is at home so will be Sept/Oct before I can try it out. I got the disc sent to me here in Kent.

I`m glad to hear it plays copy films though as I very seldom buy originals. Naughty I know but hey-ho. Anyway, most of the DVDs I play are recorded direct from TV so my conciense is clear

Has anyone tried using a 'back-up' copy disc?

I tried to play an Mp3 DVD in mines and it wouldn`t play so I guess it`ll be the same for the NavDisc.

Anyone tried it for sure?

I`ve got the new edition winging it`s way to me now. 159 euros.

The nav unit won't play MP3 DVDs anyway so not the most scientific test

Obviously this is up to you and I'm not in any way condoning it, but I'm pretty sure "backup" discs do work as I'm sure I've read US members having done it. The harder thing is actually finding the required file with Europe mapping on it.

Hi Parthiban,

Can you elaborate on the Euro mapping part please.

I thought I would just do a straight copy of the disc and away I went. I did this with the Pioneer disc I have in my Supra. I`d rather use a back-up copy and keep the original in good nick. Problem with my Pioneer though is the disc is in and out a lot, switching between music and DVDs so gets scratched rather quickly. I realise I wouldn`t have that problem with the Lex though. It`ll seldom be out of the slot, if at all.

Speaking from memory, I thought the handbook says the system played Mp3s but maybe not of the DVD - variety (minus). Only DVD + (Plus) and this was a - disc.

I've recently purchased a 2006 IS250, the previous owner had lost the sat nav disc. I've looked on Lexus Upgrade site but can't check for a price as i don't have the product code. Does anyone know where/how i can obtain a new disc?

Yep.......buy one from http://www.lexus-mapupdates.eu/ 159Euros delivered

Has anyone tried using a 'back-up' copy disc?

I tried to play an Mp3 DVD in mines and it wouldn`t play so I guess it`ll be the same for the NavDisc.

Anyone tried it for sure?

I`ve got the new edition winging it`s way to me now. 159 euros.

I have just had a 59 plate loaner with 7000 on the clock for three days an IS 220D manual SE, my own car is a petrol auto SEL , the average mileage was 38.5 and it was a pain to drive ! wouldnt pull sixth till well over 60mph and generally DULL ! no way I would change to a diesel .

According to the handbook you shouldn`t be hitting 6th until 75mph.

Hi,

I am having the same issues after having the ECU reflashed in January. They've apparently cleaned the EGR too. Any suggestions?

TA

I have a 56plate 66k, I was having the worst flat spot you can imagine, to the point of being dangerous when pulling out at junctions! Nothing until the turbo kicked in at about 2200rpm. I took it to my Lexus dealer in Coventry, the mechanic came out with me, told me straight away it was the EGR valve, & showed me the readings on his screen, instead of getting 97-98% it was reading 68%! a lost of 1/3 power output!!!

I have had ALL the recalls done before, but he said there was a new ECU reflash 14/06/2010. I had the reflash done free of charge, but had the EGR valve REPLACED not cleaned!!! I picked the car up, drove it out the dealership, & wheel spun off! Couldnt belive it! It was like a new/different car, I gave it some stick all the way home & am still smiling! Was not cheap at £400+ but GOD ITS WORTH EVERY PENNY! The service & help from Lexus Coventry was second to none!

Do Lexus normally charge for this?

I`ve seen this question on many, many forums. All with the same conclusion. Some say yay. Some say nay.

I reckon it`s a personal choice but don`t think it does any harm.

I got the EGR valve cleaned by a local garage yesturday. They took £70 for it, i think it drives a bit better but that may be psycological.

Which garage?

My nephew has his own place in KDY so I`d expect it a bit cheaper than that

Nice one, glad you're happy mate

Although I think I understand the complaints if it only averages 40mpg on a motorway cruise like that.......

I get around 46-52mpg on a long drive. I tend to find that on cruise, it tends to be less efficient than if you drive it manually. Still a hell of lot better than my lovely IS200 Sport, but, as I've said.. it's a differnet car and different driving experience. Well done mate... enjoy your car.

Col...

Once I get the car back home around October, the 1st thing I`ll be doing is the EGV clean-up that somebody posted up here.

Hopefully that`ll improve the MPG a bit.

One thing I noticed driving down. The speed warning light comes on at around 77MPH and I thought it was a 'gear shift' light telling me to go into 6th. Doh!

It`s about right all the same

Have you tried cleaning the heads a-la old style VHS recorders.

Could be a bit manky in there.

For what it`s worth. I was using the cassette adapter until the weekend and were reasonably good. FM transmitters suck.

found this very useful, can the MOD please make it sticky (pin it) please to help other 220d owners. I didnt end up doing it my self, but got it booked in a local gargage, will clean it for £50. I dont have the tools, not even a spanner plus afraid i'll break something.

Who did you get to do it buddy?

Well I bought the Lexus after all and am glad I did.

Drove it 400 miles or so down to Kent and am very pleased with it. Averaged 40 MPG at pretty much 75-80 MPH all the way. Mostly on cruise. Like most diesels I`ve had, you generally need a lower gear than normal to stop it labouring. Select the right gear and it picks up no bother. All the toys (of which there are many ) work. The garage made a good job of the valet and it was looking good when I went to collect it.

The downside is that the cockpit is a touch cramped for me on a long drive. I`m 6'2" but no big deal.

The major design flaw (so far) for me is that it`s very difficult to select reverse with the handbrake on and the position of the handbrake is also a bit far away. I have to stretch since my seat is fully back.

The gears take a bit of getting used to but once mastered.......

Overall though, it seems like a very straight car.

New or 2nd hand?

Try 24/7 spares for an online search for 2nd hand.

Do you guys know if all the models have different discs?

I also heard that they`ll only play originals. If not, hows about a group buy. I copied and burned several back-up discs for my Pioneer AVIC XBiT recently.

Nice one mate, really hope you join the ranks of happy IS220d owners :)

of which there doesn`t seem to be many

Well folks, that`s the deposit paid. Collect on Monday :D :D :D

I think it was the 3 year warranty that really sealed it.

The Accord was also a very nice car. Lovely drive but nowhere near the luxury of the Lex. Plus the bonnet was covered in stone chips.

Looks like I`ll be changing my avatar soon