korvan

it's kinda UGLY!

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...

I'm still using the original setup, stopping to one side and then edit an address etc. Till I got a TomTom to replace it.

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.

Can someone please tell me what is this thread talking about? I have read this everytime I visit here and it's been 3 times and still cannot figure what is going on. Sorry!

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.

I now have V14 that I burnt onto a DL DVD-R, and appears to work, but haven't tried it out on the road. It just automatically did the firmware update and then came up at my home address. :P

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).

I have attached 2 pictures showing the use of the extraction pins when removing the clock facia. You need to make sure they go all the way in, and then the face comes out very easily.

I hope it helps someone. I know cevu was concerned pushing or forcing the pins, not much force is needed as they just need to slide past the holding clips.

Nice ones. I might link to your post here in the Howto I put up last night.

The only thing that im not sure about is, other then the benefits of the DVD diag, are there any problems with the older version firmware. I know the differences on the surface, but is it buggy in any way. I got V14 , so I cant comment. Can someone with V12 tell us if you have had any issues!!

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.

When u ejected your dvd, did it prompt U to load one straight back in?

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...

that clock panel was a pain in the a** to remove!

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

for those members who have the ML system, do you guys find the tweeters at the front a bit harsh. also, is it just me, or is the front staging very bright.

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... ;)

so im guessing manual and autos are different in that sense?

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

dont u have a button for that?

i have TCS on and off button

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...

If im not mistaken only Lexus IS250 08+ has Auto lock capability, but again i might be wrong :)

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.

anyone interested ? coz i am :) sick of the thick and heavy key fob :gav:

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.

I have the PDf doc of this if any wants it!

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

don't by any chance know how to get camera on full time do you? i've searched other forums with no luck.

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

Mate, just sure the latest contributions from you , thats what I call structured and easy to follow! Screw my idea! (Unless if U think it may work).

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:

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).