Lexus Nerd

Hi Blacky, No, you haven't gone mad! It's been moved to become a sub-forum of the IS250/IS350/IS250C Club: http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showforum=37 Problem is, the forum names haven't changed to make navigation intuitive! I'll make sure it gets resolved ASAP (probably tonight).

Date added to first post ... TOMORROW (Wed)!

Still planning for some 250's at your wedding, cevu?

I like how the mat on Ebay doesn't cover some of the compartments on the left, including the first aid kit. I have a genuine one that covers the lot. The storage compartments are definitely hard to get to when you're in a hurry!

Hmm ... whaddaya know? Here's an IS F review with an unusually detailed description of what happens in Normal vs Sport mode, M versus D modes, and combinations of the driving and shifter modes: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/lexus/2008-lexus-is-f-ar18761.html "... a Sport mode switch on the dashboard allows the driver to select from among Normal, Sport and Snow driving modes. In Sport mode, the VDIM system allows higher dynamic thresholds before intervening, alters steering assist to increase steering weight, and throttle response is sharpened. With the transmission in D mode, gears are held longer in response to throttle input." Looks like there's no difference in gear changes when driving in M mode and toggling the Sport mode on or off, but RichieISF nailed it in his last post.

Ok, so much for that theory.

Atlantis says he doesn't have the problem (or, at least, not nearly as bad as everyone else), and he has an F-Sport Intake. (Ignoring the fact that chrismiass doesn't have the problem either, and he has a 2006 IS 250 - possibly not with an intake mod ...) Is it possible that an intake change, without any exhaust change, could also fix the problem? There is some theory to support this, as an intake would change the air/fuel composition going into the engine, so it's possible the sulphate composition (sulphur dioxide/sulphur trioxide mix) would also be different leading into the exhaust system, perhaps making just enough difference to reduce the levels of sulphur build-up in the cat and/or hydrogen sulphide released from the cat. But, to prove this theory, most people with an intake mod and no exhaust mod (and most owning an F-Sport) would have to say they hardly experience the rotten egg smell ... Why would one care, if we know fixing the midpipe resolves the problem? Only that, if given the choice between an intake and exhaust mod, most people here would prefer the intake (refer to the "favorite mod" topic elsewhere in these forums) ... If changing the intake fixed the smell as well as added power, it would be a bonus.

The fact that Lexus had to order more parts, and keep your car longer than expected, suggests that the cause of the problem was unexpected. So I think it's unlikely that anyone else here will have a similar problem, but let's see ...

These instructions assume you know how to use the basic GPS function of your EMV unit; that is, the ability to program an address where you'd like the navigation system to take you to. If you don't know how to do this, have your dealer show you how (your MY09+ vehicle would still be under warranty, so it's likely your Lexus dealer will be helpful) or consult your Navigation System Owner's Manual. To enter a fixed speed camera location: 1. Push the SETUP button. 2. From the LCD, touch the Navigation button. 3. Touch Address book. 4. Touch New. 5. Locate the address by searching for the school where it is located, or the closest side street to the camera location. A list of NSW fixed speed camera locations can be found here: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/speedandspeedcameras/fixeddigitalspeedcameras/fixedspeedcameralocations/index.html 6. If required, you may need to adjust the crosshairs on the map to the camera location (for example, where the camera is located somewhere between two known side streets). 7. When you are satisfied that the crosshairs are over the fixed camera location, touch OK. 8. On the "Edit address book entry" screen, touch the Edit button at the top left-hand side, then give the location a name; for example, "FSC AUBURN". 9. Touch the Edit button next to the word "Icon:". 10. Touch the "With sound" tab. 11. Touch the Bell button. Or, if you know the direction of traffic affected by the speed camera, touch "Bell (with direction)", adjust the directional arrow on the map that appears, then touch OK. 12. On the "Edit address book entry" screen, touch OK. Your fixed speed camera location is now saved.

Good point. And if they really are 16", it's clear that the wheels have been swapped ... Possibly to accommodate the preferences of the second owner, but perhaps deliberately sold with worn, but barely street legal, tyres.

So how was it?

A friend of mine, a '90s LS owner, would suggest, it's not a Benz - it's better. No problem with the engine whatsoever; the only repair it's needed is some mending of the leather on the front seats. And the only regret is that the built-in analogue phone won't work in Australia anymore. Welcome :)

Oh no! Don't forget to tell your insurer that his side window also shattered and rained glass shards all over your bonnet :) Just kidding ...

Good to know that tramlining is caused by the OEM tyres ... Thanks for that!

LFA 5th? Interesting ... a separate MotorTrend drag race between the LFA and the GT-R had the LFA come first over the quarter mile (the GT-R was faster to 60 mph due to its 4WD traction).

That's correct: The IS250/IS350 radiator grille is different between the original MY06 model, the MY09 update and the MY11 update.

Unlike the IS 250, the size of the grille didn't change on the MY09 IS F and later. BTW, there was no 2006 IS F, so I wonder if the seller knows what they're talking about? When looking for a new grille, make sure you buy one with the cutout for your radar cruise control badge. Some overseas IS F variants didn't come with ACC/PCS, so the grille for that variant won't be useful in Australia. You want part number 5311253040, NOT 5311253030.

Yes, you can. Here's where I describe the procedure for the MY10 model (released October 2009, the second series with the indicators on the mirrors): http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8150&view=findpost&p=25273 If you have the model released prior to October 2009, check the first post in the same thread. Hopefully, someone else can help you out regarding the video signal.

You gotta be joking. My CT20OH plate would be worth more than that plate.

I'm trying to figure out the correct sequence of events. If you're driving up a hill or on a flat road, your foot is already on the accelerator before the downshift takes place. If you're going down a hill, and your foot is not on the accelerator, and the car downshifts when you don't want it to, I guess you're pressing the accelerator because the downshift caused the car to slow down when you didn't want it to, right? Anyway, here's a couple of possible solutions: 1. Try using PWR mode. It won't necessarily stop unexpected downshifting, but it will cause the transmission to react faster to your foot. 2. Since it's an adaptive transmission, perhaps it's developed this downshifting "habit" from the previous owner? Perhaps the dealer can reset the ECU such that it re-learns your own driving style? (I believe that, over time, it will adapt to your own driving style anyway.) You could discuss it with the dealer on your next service. Personally, I wish mine did that more often and hold a certain speed when going down hills ... mine does that, but only sometimes. Well, this is the official recall notice on the ACCC Website: http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/999608 If your VIN falls outside the stated numbers, perhaps they expanded the notice beyond the original range, as a precaution? But I guess it doesn't matter how this confusion came about, as long as Lexus fix it for free, and offer the usual privileges so you don't have to worry about going out of your way to drop off and pick up the car.

I've tried naming my cars, but the names don't really stick. My Lexus was originally named "George", then "Georgina" after it was found that the sat nav only comes with one female voice. In the end, it's just called "the Lexus". My '89 Nissan Pulsar, with collapsed roof lining, destroyed suspension, discoloration, rust and dodgy electrical accessories, is affectionately known as "My Pride and Joy".

When I was a kid, I remember sitting in the back of the car while my parents were expressing their concerns with the fuel system of their '81 Chrysler Sigma (yeah baby! ) to their dealer. They had owned the used car for just one day when they noticed the fuel mixture was too rich and the fuel gauge was fluctuating significantly. "What's the warranty?" they asked the dealer. "It's a driveway warranty," the dealer replied. "After it left this driveway, there was no warranty." Thankfully, things have much improved since then. My own experiences with car dealers are as good as can be expected for anyone on a commission - real estate salespeople rank far worse in my book. The worse experience I have had with a dealer is with a dealer-linked service centre (not Lexus). When one of my previous cars developed a really loud noise in one of the wheels a day after servicing, it was found that the nuts weren't tightened properly. I was told that it was "normal" for the wheel nuts to be hand-tightened at a service garage without finishing off with a torque wrench. That's just dodgy.

I don't mind the sat nav included with my IS 250. Then again, I didn't previously use in-car sat nav and I used to use Google Maps on my computer - which, at least in the area where I live, is less accurate than WhereIs for the Lexus. Very occasionally, it has sent me down a detour-style route when I could have just driven straight ahead. The preset driving speeds for residential streets, main roads and freeways aren't suitable for driving for where I drive and and for when I drive, but I think I've got these adjusted to my liking now. The trouble is, I now get "Quick" routes suggested to me that are sometimes estimated to take longer than the "Short" routes! The biggest gripe (which probably hasn't been addressed in any brand of navigation software) is the suggestion to "make a U-turn if possible". Since U-turns are now illegal at every intersection in every state in Australia unless signed, it doens't make sense to suggest a U-turn unless it's on a stretch of road at least 150 m long, and with no median strip. Otherwise, Q-turns should be suggested, or turns into side streets where a U-turn can be made. Otherwise, it's all good.

Hi imoo6170, Congratulations on the changeover ... How do you find your 250? Does the lower power-to-weight ratio bother you?

Hi Nico, welcome to the forum! Thanks for the offer ... as long as you don't get kicked doing it :) Any word on TRD IS F parts coming into Australia? See http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10490&pid=32476&st=0entry32476