Lexus Nerd

Hi Elisha, It's unfortunate that you have this problem. It's too early to say whether this is a common problem amongst CT 200h models, but I don't recall hearing of this problem affecting IS 250s - in six years since it's release, I don't think it's been raised here, I'm not aware of a service bulletin that raises this issue, and the . Add the fact that your Lexus dealer hasn't been able to fix the problem yet, and I'd dare say that this issue is rare. Occasionally, however, a forum member will experience a problem that means that their Lexus dealer will need to keep the car for several days while they attempt to reproduce and pinpoint the source of the problem. I would expect your Lexus dealer to offer a replacement vehicle. I would also expect the dealer to start replacing parts (e.g. the entire audio unit) if the problem can't be solved over the next few days. I believe there is a possibility that replacement parts will take some time to order, due to the tsunami in Japan. If it comes to that, I wouldn't lose my cool with the Lexus dealer, but I'd encourage him to be open about any supply issues. The 2011 JD Power Initial Quality Study (US) shows Lexus as the most reliable marque, with 73 problems reported per 100 vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership. So even the average Lexus owner can expect one defect within three months. Based on those figures, I don't think you have a lemon. You could try substantiating that it's a "major failure" under Schedule 2, section 260(a) of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 but, personally, I think it's a bit too soon to pull the trigger. Hopefully, your Lexus dealer will be able to resolve the problem, or find a way forward, over the next week. Finally, two questions to satisfy my own intrigue: 1. Do you just have an audio system without sat nav? Or is it the combined nav and audio system like melodien's? 2. Does the problem only occur in a certain part of town?

I think dis-lex-sic meant "Nav manual", the manual for the EMV unit that's separate from the IS250 Owner's Manual. On my MY10 display, the Setup screen for Voice has three parts: the volume level, "Auto voice guidance" (on/off), and "Voice guidance in all modes" (on/off). According to my Nav manual, "Voice guidance in all modes" can control whether or not voice guidance is given in various modes; it cites the radio and air conditioning as various "modes". If you have any other settings in the Voice setup screen, please let me know. Assuming your available Voice setup controls are the same as mine, your symptoms could only occur if (a) "Voice guidance in all modes" is turned OFF (you've turned it ON - right?) and (B) you're playing around with the controls while driving - which I'm sure you're not, if you're troubleshooting. I could give you some ideas on how to identify a workaroudn for the problem (e.g. turn air con on/off; or, once you start following the blue line, press the Audio button, then press the Map button once to return to the map), but this wouldn't change the likelihood that what you have is a defect.

That doesn't seem normal. As you change the volume setting for Voice Guidance, you should hear something like, "Guidance will be heard at this level." If you don't, then either the 2006 software works differently to that on my MY10 model or, more likely, there's a fault with the connection between the satnav and the speakers. If you can hear the female British twang as you change the sound level, then it isn't a problem with speakers or speaker connections; but it's hard to say what it is, seeing that you've tried two different versions of the satnav software.

Welcome BlakTegra! Great timing - come meet some Sydney members tomorrow at the Dyno Day! (Location, time mentioned everywhere on this site ...)

I just noted that Lexus Australia refers to the two front sensors as "clearance sensors", not "front sensors". I guess the purpose is to ensure you avoid clipping the car in front of you when you exit from a parallel parking spot, or avoid hitting a column, pole or vehicle when entering a parking space. Front sensors are not necessary when reverse parallel parking and using the parallel parking mode on the display. By having the reverse parking camera, I find that front parking sensors are virtually redundant - you end up almost always reversing into a car space. The only real front obstacles to avoid, then, are relatively high parking chocks that scrape your front lip on those occasional times when you do park in a car space with front-end in.

By now, most of you will be aware of not only the GS350 launch, but the launch of the GS F Sport and GS450h. It is said that Europe will get a hybrid engine for the F Sport, whereas the US will get the 3.5L petrol engine. Does anyone know ...: 1. Will Australia get a GS350 F Sport, a GS450h F Sport, or both? 2. I note the Lexus hospitality centre at the Melbourne Cup featured a new model GS (lucky patrons). Will this appear in Sydney any time soon?

+1 for this. Manny & I imported the pads from the USA and I have loved every minute of them. No more dust after a loooong time without a wash, and much better progressive feel. I was aware of this TSIB, but I thought these would be standard fitment on all later-model IS vehicles. (Seeing that my 2010 IS produces a lot of front brake dust, I thought this TSIB was improving an issue that was even worse in 2006!) I was obviously wrong: they aren't standard, at least in Australian models. Does anyone know if these low-dust pads (with the above part number) are readily available in Lexus service centres in Australia? Sid? E910 (in NZ)? (Yes, I know it can be cheaper buying these from overseas. I'm just ascertaining whether someone who, having had their car serviced at Lexus and receives a call about their worn brake pads, can request part 04465–53030 to be used.)

F-sport? You'd know better than I would. :) Not sure why I excluded F Sport in my summation back in August. I was probably influenced by an earlier exchange of posts about the auto-folding feature on earlier versus later SL models. I dare say that any MY09 or later model that has auto-dimming wing mirrors will also have the auto-folding feature. Methinks both OEM features are controlled through the one IC that is absent in other models.

Thread revival ...! There's always the option to replace your pads (see earlier posts), and you can also use wheel cleaners to leave a protective coating (e.g. Autoglym, mentioned earlier, or Meguiars NXT All Metal Polysh). For those who'd like to get some more use out of their brake pads before replacing them ... Meguiar's will soon be releasing a product specifically for the job - Hot Rims Brake Dust Barrier. This a spray-on product that won't stop dust from sitting on your wheels, but makes it significantly easier to hose it off. Normally, I'd be taking orders for a group buy right now, but it's an aerosol spray; so it isn't something that I can have flown over from the US. We'll just have to wait until it's available in the local shops.