korvan

Really? I thought it looked pretty good myself. At least, I won't be making any decisions until I clap eyes on it and get a definitive price...

Sorry, but I gotta say that it's pretty poor that, after spending the money we have on cars that have really nice in-built navigation systems, you felt you had to go and buy another one so you could use it while driving. I've said it in a couple of other threads here, but I'll say it again. We're all adults and we should be able to decide for ourselves - we don't need Lexus' legal weasels to think for us.

The most recent part of the conversation has been about getting version 12 of the navigation maps DVD and seeing if a merged copy can be made using the map data files from version 14 (the most recent release). Primarily, though, we're just talking about which version(s) of the maps DVDs we've tried in our cars, how they worked, and what functionality they did/didn't come with.

I can tell you now, there's no way my next car is a "facelifted" copy of what I already have. My last car was a 350Z and, for my first foray into the Lexus market, I thought I'd start small and see how it went. I'm happy to say that I haven't had any regrets yet. Now, I've had a chubby for the IS F since I first heard about it, but I'm flat out not interested unless I can save $10k-$15k over the C63 (it's AMG-tuned for cryin' out loud). Frankly, if the C63 is sub-$140k and the M3 is ~$145k, Lexus is only going keep me interested if the F comes in at around $130k.

You'll know it's worked properly (including the burning of the disc) when you can successfully conduct an address or POI search. I had a couple of false starts where that didn't work until I figured out how to burn the image I had (I used a Mac, and the UDF image was taken with nero for Windows). Nice ones. I might link to your post here in the Howto I put up last night.

I don't know if there's any bugs in v12, but I have heard that it's less functional in some ways. Like ProjectIS, I read about it on CL somewhere. I'll see if I can dig it out of my history...

TESTED ON: 2007 IS250 Sports with enhancement pack SUCCESFUL/FAIL: Success LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: easy (Lexus even supplied the tools!) INTRODUCTION So you've got your shiny new maps DVD. Perhaps you "found" it online or perhaps you've been kind enough to store an "offsite backup" for a mate with a Toyota/Lexus that uses the same system. All you have to do now is get the disc installed. STEPS Rather than attempt to explain this myself, I thought it best to let Lexus do it. The attached PDF below contains all the information needed, including where the tools are in your Lexus toolkit. The pertinent information starts at page 14. Nav_Appendix.pdf UPDATE: Bluey has thoughtfully posted photos on how the probes look when removing the clock panel. You can find them here.

TESTED ON: 2007 IS250 Sports with enhancement pack SUCCESSFUL/FAILURE: Success LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: hard INTRODUCTION This article has simply been created so that members here can access this information without having to hunt around other sites. The original articles can be found on the clublexus forums, located at: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193739 http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showpost.p...mp;postcount=44 If these links stop working at any point, the content of the posts are attached here in PDF form. Lexus_IS250_ML_DVD_Nav_Hack.pdf Lexus_Nav_DVD_wiring_information.pdf IMPLEMENTATION NOTES Ultimately, my implementation of this hack was a mix of the information from both articles. I can now do the following: - watch DVDs while driving - use full audio controls while driving - use full telephone functionality while driving - engage additional switch to temporarily disconnect vehicle speed sensor (VSS) from nav unit Note that the last point is only partially effective, as the nav unit still receives GPS co-ordinates regardless. If I am driving at around 50kph or slower, I can generally interact with the nav unit. Additionally, while the switch disconnects the VSS, the car's plotted location can become quite jumpy, as the nav unit is entirely relying on GPS co-ordinates. When re-enabling the VSS (ie: disengaging the switch) it can take up to 30 seconds for the nav unit to re-plot my location accurately. Finally, when connecting the wiring as documented, consider using additional lengths of wire with opposing bullet joiners, mixed correctly (female vs male) so that you can easily remove the additional lengths and rejoin the original wires together with very little fuss. WARNINGS/CAVEATS - be careful in particular with the removal of the air vents above -- it takes patience and time, and not violent leverage with a big-arse screwdriver - if you're not confident in disassembling parts of your car, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS! - IANAL, but I can say with a reasonable amount of certainty that this will at least void the warranty on your nav/entertainment system - if you're not confident in disassembling parts of your car, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS! - see my other posts on the subject: I am not condoning the breaking of any laws but I do believe that, as adults, we have the right to make the choice - if you're not confident in disassembling parts of your car, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS!

TESTED ON: Not yet tested (please reply with your experiences if you've tried this) SUCCESSFUL/FAILURE: N/A LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: looks medium/hard INTRODUCTION This article has simply been created so that members here can access this information without having to hunt around other sites. The original article can be found on the my.is forums, located at: http://my.is/forums/f64/isx50-illuminated-door-sill-341191/ If this link stops working at any point, the content of the post is attached here in PDF form. Installing_illuminated_doorsill_plates.pdf

Ahhh, that's definitely the problem. v12 allowed the "soft" DVD hack whereas v13 (the one my car came with) didn't, so my DVD hack was always done with wiring.

Nope - just took a few seconds or so to do a quick update, rebooted, and there it was, in all it's glory. Purely for testing purposes of course... Didn't you find the proper tools in your Lexus toolkit? There's two probes in there designed for removing the clock face. Page 14 of the attached PDF shows how. Nav_Appendix.pdf

I agreed to help out my mate and safely store an offsite backup of the disc from his '08 Prado

A little, but I always F/R balance my speakers to the back a couple of notches - gives the bass a little more punch. However, I think I've noticed a slight crackle in the rear right speaker, and I'm hoping I haven't done any damage to it with volume. It could just be the odd crappy MP3 on my iPod, but will have to remove the grille to find out.

Like Losiho, I go to Lexus of Blackburn, where we bought both our cars. Very professional service, willing to pickup (6:30am) and drop off (6pm) at my house and always loan us the next model we're looking at (that's how my wife decided she liked the RX350). Unlike Sapphire Cam, though, my wife and couldn't be less satisfied with MCL, where she bouht her IS200 a few years back. They screwed the warranty paperwork on the sale, charged way more (almost $300) for a standard service than LoB did, didn't clean the car properly (any time) and, after five visits, still couldn't fix a knocking sound in the front suspension that LoB fixed in a single afternoon. Additionally, my boss at the last place I worked recently bought his IS250 from MCL, and has had no end of problems with them. After four visits, they still hadn't fixed his dodgy petrol gauge and he had to keep escalating his problems until he got the Australian Customer Service manager to step in and deal with it. Sorry Sapphire Cam. I'm glad you've had good experiences at MCL, but I've seen other people have nothing but problems with them. Just wanted to share an opposite view... ;)

That's a good possibility - I haven't had a chance to drive the manual myself.

If you read the introduction again, you'll see that the TCS button doesn't completely disable traction control. As per the owner's manual, it only disables it temporarily for the purposes of getting out of a slippery situation, like snow or mud. This method lets you totally disable TCS for the duration of a drive (between starting the car and turning it off again).

I'm a little perturbed that there's very little clearance to allow a car adapter in the auxillary socket under the console lid while it's closed. I pretty much leave my iPod permanently plugged into the auxillary audio port but have to plug into the socket in the ashtray to charge it when driving, or leave the console lid open and tipped back. Has anyone found a nice, flat L-shaped car charger adapter for anything? I'm happy to purchase one for another purpose and modify it to suit my needs...

The US forums hits I found had various posters saying they've been able to do it on '06 and '08 models. It doesn't make sense that they'd remove it for the year in between...

Both my wife and I bought our cars (mine an IS250, hers a RX350) in November last year, at Lexus of Blackburn. We both got the goodies packs, which included a picnic rug and a wine cooler bag stuffed with bottles of wine, crackers, cheeses, etc etc. We also got Bulgari keyrings each (split rings to hold keys - not a "pendant" keyring). Everything was stamped/embossed/printed/embroidered with Lexus ogf Blackburn. All in all, not a bad haul of loot... ;) Also, wondering if anyone else gets free valet service for their Lexus? Any time we want we can drop into Lexus of Blackburn and have our cars cleaned inside & out, all while enjoying the free coffee and wireless internet in the dealership.

To be honest, I hadn't really thought about it. The fob is a little big and heavy, but I guess that's so it can hold the mechanical key as well. I wonder if Sewell would be able to sell a bulk amount to interested members at a better price. Aggregated shipping costs would also be a benefit.

You have my address ;), or why not just attach it to a reply in this thread?

Working on it. From what I've found out so far, you'll possibly have to wire in an additional switch for it.

Sorry - just saw your posts here. Was too much in the zone, dumping my stored hacks onto the board. We can always see how it goes I guess. I have no problems migrating to a branched structure if it looks like it'll get too big.

TESTED ON: 2007 IS250 Sports with enhancement pack SUCCESFUL/FAIL: FAIL LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: hard (assuming it's even possible!) INTRODUCTION In some Lexus models, it has been possible to modify the automatic lock and unlock options, linking them either to the position of the transmission or motion of the car. To date, I haven't had any luck getting this to work on my 2007 IS250 or my wife's 2007 RX350. DETAIL There are four configuration options: A. Locking linked with the shift position All the dooor are locked automatically when the selector lever is moved out of the "P" position with the ignition switch in the "ON" position. This is suppose to be the default setting for new vehicles. B. Unlocking linked with the shift position All the door are unlocked automatically when the selector lever is moved to the "P" position with the switch in the "ON" position. C. Locking linked with the vehicle speed All the doors are automatically locked when the vehicle speed reached 12 mph or higher. However, if any door is unlocked during driving, the auto function will not operate until the unlocked door is opened once. D. All the doors are unlocked automatically when the driver's door is opened within 10 seconds after the ignition switch is turned from "ON" to the "ACC" or "LOCK" position. STEPS 1. Close all the doors 2. Turn the ignition ON (press START button twice?) 3. Within 10 seconds after the ignition is turned ON: +To set function A Push and hold the front of the power door lock switch for 5 seconds with the selector lever in the "P" position. +To set function B Push and hold the rear of the power door lock switch for 5 seconds with the selector switch in the "P" position. +To set fuction C Push and hold the front of the power door lock switch for 5 seconds with the selector switch in any position except "P". +To set function D Push and hold the rear of the power door lock switch for 5 seconds with the selector switch in any position except "P". All the doors are automatically locked and unlocked when you release the power door lock switch. This indicates that the functions is set. If all the doors do not lock and unlock, the time the switch was held may have been too short or too long. Perform the procedure over again starting at step 1.

TESTED ON: 2007 IS250 Sports with enhancement pack SUCCESFUL/FAIL: Success LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: medium (would be helpful if you had a third arm!) INTRODUCTION It is possible to disable the warning chime that sounds whenever the driver or front-seat passenger unbuckles their seatbelt while the car is in motion. I find this annoying when entering the private estate where I live, as I have to unbuckle my belt for a long reverse into my driveway/garage. STEPS 1. Press the START button twice (without foot brake) to power up the system 2. Press the trip reset button couple of times until the ODO is displayed (not trip A or B) 3. Turn off the system again by pressing START again 4. Unbuckle the driver's seatbelt 5. Turn on the system again (press the START button twice without foot brake) 6. When the dash lights come on, press and hold the trip reset button for about 10-15 seconds (possibly longer if it doesn't work first time) 7. While still holding the trip reset button, buckle the driver's side seatbelt 8. The odometer display should read "b ON" or "b OFF" (toggle this with the trip reset button) 9. Process should be completed when you unbuckle or turn the system off The setting is retained until changed again (by simply repeating the process).