Lexus Nerd

Here's a little more info from another thread. It includes brief explanations ("fault[y] cam gear due to [a] design problem"), links to how a similar problem would be fixed on an IS350, and a video of an IS250 that was confirmed by other members to have the same problem. http://au.lexusowner...?showtopic=9330

I don't notice it while driving either. That leads to a number of possibilities: - Maybe the problem does have to do with hard driving, and that's what I'm doing. - Maybe we are talking about two different issues and causes, and the rotten egg smell is always there for me, but I never notice until I leave the car, because I don't wind my windows down (and I don't have a moonroof). - Maybe both causes are requried for the one issue to occur: perhaps it's a an alternation of fuel-lean and fuel-rich driving on high-sulphur fuel. The fuel burns rich not only on acceleration, but at low speeds whilst parking; hence the problem being noticed just after getting out of the car.

I just posted my theory on the rotten egg smell elsewhere on this forum. I didn't mention the camgear noise, 'cause that was one of those early-model issues fixed by a recall ... hope I'm right?

I thought the rotten-egg smell had to do with this: http://www.lexustsb.com/questions/199/TSIB+EG001-03+%28All+Models%29%3A++Sulfur+Odor+From+Exhaust I have the same problem too, and I generally don't drive all that hard. I checked out the technical information on various fuels and found that BP Ultimate and Shell V-Power have relatively low sulphur content, whereas lower-octane fuels such as Shell Unleaded 95 have higher sulphur content. I figured that, since most of the enthusiasts here like to use good-quality 98-octane fuel - and I haven't previously seen the issue raised on this forum - the cause of the problem is as per the TSB, i.e., it's related to the fuel I use. I'm interested to know more about the theory of the problem being related to the resonator ...

The early IS models, including 2006, was subject to a number of recalls but, once the recall fixes have been implemented (as should be the case with any well-maintained Lexus), I haven't heard of any major issues. Combining service bulletins with what I've seen on this forum over the past three months, there isn't much to complain about, and they're not mechanical issues: - Front seat squeak - Various rattles, e.g. in glovebox - Not all iPhones work perfectly with console, either as phone handset or as an iPod - Excessive dust from front original equipment brakes - OE tyres wear out quickly and are relatively noisy - Rotten-egg odour (currently being discussed on this forum) One possible complaint involves steering pull and/or stability. Each of the few complaints appear to be slightly different, and don't necessarily point to a problem with the IS250 per se. IMHO, they may be one-off issues that are no less likely to occur to the IS than other vehicles, while movement in crosswinds or tendency to follow ruts may just be a by-product of having a rear-wheel-drive car. If you get a model registered late in 2006, or one with an extended warranty, you should be able to get any of the mechanical, rattle or squeak issues fixed by a Lexus dealer.

Well done ... you'll love it. The two legal ways to update your maps are: 1. Obtain the maps from WhereIs online for $295 (http://www.whereismaps.com/buy-map-updates_built-in-car-navigation_product.aspx?view=13&country=AU&device=88), then follow the instructions in your Owners Manual and/or hints on this forum site - carefully! - to replace the maps DVD yourself. 2. Get a Lexus dealer to do it for you. That will cost noticeably more (also discussed elsewhere in this forum). Then there's the other way, involving sourcing the maps somewhere on the Net and writing the image to a DVD.

It's pretty hard to find an online brochure for 2006 or 2007 models that would show a comprehensive feature list for each of the three grades. Two places that might help are: Old press releases: http://www.pressroom...0&kitID=76#1341 (Note that the word "IS250", without "Sports" or "Sports Luxury" following it, refers to what was later known as "IS250 Prestige".) IS250 X Article: http://www.goauto.co...A25741D00028762 The specifications found in Red Book (http://www.redbook.com.au) also provide a reasonable idea of the differences between the three grades (and IS250 X), although I don't feel they are 100% accurate and/or might lack some detail (e.g. metallic paint is only mentioned as a feature for IS250 X, although we all know that it's a no-cost option on all grades). But it's still pretty good. On the home page, choose Make = Lexus, Model = IS250, Year = 2007, click Search, check the results you're interested in, then click "Compare selected".

I thought we might get a few replies from people who've tried nitrogen. Never tried it myself, but here's what I've read ... - The local automobile associations don't believe there's a safety problem, although they do question the value. - Bob Jane aren't suggesting that the tyres last longer, but they have run a few tests which show that nitrogen-filled tyres offers better fuel economy. The amount of fuel saving depends on the tyre pressure and the brand of tyres. - Nitrogen leaks from tyres at a slower rate than air. Therefore, the people who will experience the best fuel savings are those who are never bothered to check the pressure on their air-filled tyres, let alone nitrogen-filled ones. - For those who manage to check their air-filled tyres regularly, the value proposition for nitrogen is more iffy. Assuming an average 2.5% saving in fuel (usually higher that that when initially filled, but decreasing slowly over time), a fuel price of $1.25 per litre and a rated fuel economy (on air-filled tyres) of 9.1L/100 km, you'll save $111 in fuel over the life of your tyres (40,000 km). If you find someone who claims that they have seen their nitrogen-filled tyres retain their pressure (within, say 4 psi) over 13,000 km - such that you only have to refill your tyres with nitrogen twice before replacing them - it might be worth it. Somehow, I don't think this is likely since, apparently, nitrogen escapes from a resting vehicle at the rate of 0.7 psi per month. My verdict: Don't bother.

I've just tried an iPhone 3G with iOS 4.0.1 - contacts transferred without a problem. So either specific versions (4.0, 4.0.2, 4.1) have problems, or there are other reasons for others' sync problems. (I assume we all have <1000 numbers/contacts?) P.S. Best explanation I've seen for this problem: "You're holding it the wrong way!" :-P

I've been checking a number of Websites ... One thing is for certain: iOS 4.x has certainly mucked around with Bluetooth compatibility, not just USB connectivity. Users of a number of Bluetooth devices on a number of vehicle makes (Hyundai, Ford, Fiat, ...) have raised complaints with iOS 4.0 or 4.01, including syncing of contacts timing out after a while; some, but not all Bluetooth devices, have started working properly with the iPhone after the phone is upgraded to 4.1. This clearly shows a dependency between the iPhone's OS version and your chance of success in using Bluetooth with a car's phonebook feature. It seems that choosing "Reset All Settings" on the iPhone, and re-pairing with the Lexus, might fix the problem if you had performed an iPhone OS upgrade since pairing the phone with the Lexus. But if it doesn't fix the problem - or if you have always used the one OS version on your iPhone - then it looks like you'll need to downgrade to iOS 3.x, or wait until Apple fixes the problem in a later OS version.

There is a known procedure for resolving steering issues with Lexuses (which suggests that steering complaints are relatively common): http://www.lexustsb.com/questions/211/TSIB+SU001-08+%282008+LEXUS+ALL+MODELS%29%3A+REPAIR+MANUAL+SUPPLEMENT%3A+VEHICLE+PULLING+TO+ONE+SIDE+ I was thinking of checking the TSB's 24 hours ago, but I figured that your dealer would have already followed the steps in any TSB's. But I guess there's a possibility that they didn't. I second Sapphire Cam's suggestion - try another dealer who might hopefully do a better job.

Let's all make sure we understand your question right ... Do you mean to ask, What are the problems with using normal unleaded fuel versus super unleaded (such as Shell V-Power, 98 RON) in an IS250? From my recollection of the IS250 Owners Manual, normal unleaded (91 RON) is acceptable, but Lexus immediately follows this statement with what to do if you notice engine knocking. It doesn't give the reader a feeling of confidence in regular unleaded! I also just learned that lower octane fuels in Australia (even 95 RON!) are likely to have a high sulphur content that will result in greater rotten-egg fumes in an IS250 than what you would normally expect out of the average car.

Hey, like the paintwork on the plate holder. It looks better than I would have imagined ... perhaps I should have done that instead of getting the wide Euro plates to obscure the holder.

Having the VIN printed on it is a start. I wonder if the seller has the original IS-F to compare the VIN with?

Prestige and F-Sport models have halogen low and high beams, while Sports Luxury (and Sports) has (had) bi-xenon (low- and high-beam xenon) lamps with the Adaptive Front-lighting System that lets you "see around corners". As dis-lex-sic has posted elsewhere, MY11 IS's won't get AFS.

Yeah, 17's with 10-spoke alloys became standard on the 09 upgrade.

I over-stocked some NXT Generation wax some years ago (or, should I say, I didn't wax the old Camry as often as I thought I would have), so that's what I'm now using on my IS. Is the NXT Generation 2.0 noticeably better?

How co-incidental is this post, just two hours after yours ...? http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9520&pid=26437&st=0entry26437

Giggles is right. Nearly got that much hp out of my motorbike. Pretty obvious that the correct title for the IS250 is a luxury car not a sports car. Maybe ... but it still easily beats its price-point competitors - the 320i and C200 - on horsepower, and still pips the 323i. So, what's the usual hp recorded at the wheel with 95 octane?

It worked flawlessly for me, but I should note I've refused the last few system upgrades offered through iTunes. If you have already upgraded your iPhone to OS 4.0 or later, refer to this thread: http://au.lexusowner...?showtopic=9366 Actually, forget I mentioned the thread relating to iPhone OS 4.0 - that only relates to using your iPhone as an iPod-like music player via USB. Transferring contacts from your iPhone works via Bluetooth and, as I mentioned, I didn't have a problem with that. Trouble is, I can't remember what procedure I used! The manual suggests that the procedure will differ based on the Bluetooth profiles that the phone supports, but doesn't precisely state the steps involved in each type of procedure ... Anyhow, I found this on the Net: http://lexusbluetooth.letstalk.com/brands/lexus-bt/pdf/551_08Navi.pdf (To pair other phones with any Lexus, start here: http://www.lexus.com/models/IS/accessories/bluetooth.html) If you still have problems, let me know. I'll try to reset my contacts in the nav system, then I'll tell you exactly what steps I followed.

From rta.nsw.gov.au: A provisional P1 licence will be suspended or refused if the threshold of four demerit points is reached or exceeded.

The following statement appears in an older US version of the Navigation System Owner's Manual, published online. It should really appear in the one distributed in Australia, too - with one qualification: If you push the windshield air flow [defogger] button once again while in the windshield air flow mode, the mode then returns to the last mode used. But this assumes that the state where everything - the fan, A/C and defogger - are switched off is not a valid "mode"! So there's three options: 1. If, when you last operated the ventilation system, you ran it in AUTO mode, then, when you press the defogger button twice (to turn on, then off), the ventilation system will run in AUTO mode - this includes A/C on. 2. If, when you last operated the ventilation system, the A/C was off (which means it wasn't in AUTO mode), then, when you press the defogger button twice, the ventilation system will return to the ventilation system's last fan speed, but the A/C will be switched off. 3. To make sure neither the A/C nor the fan operate when you turn off defogging, you could just press the OFF button while the defogger is running. It leaves the defogger's orange LED lit, but that shouldn't be a big deal - it's not really doing much without a fan to blow the air. Personally, I don't mind leaving the ventilation system running (i.e. option 1 or 2 above), as you can hardly hear or feel the fan if the inside temperature is close to the preferred temperature. And you may as well enjoy the climate controls if you've invested in such a nice car. It worked flawlessly for me, but I should note I've refused the last few system upgrades offered through iTunes. If you have already upgraded your iPhone to OS 4.0 or later, refer to this thread: http://au.lexusowner...?showtopic=9366

True, warm and fuzzy indeed! It also explains why the touch-up paint doesn't have metallic flakes ... it's in the clear coat. Thanks for that. But, as Chris says, the question for him is whether there's anything beneficial in getting paint protection over his repair work. Every DIY paint repair article I've read on the Net mentions waxing after painting and clear coating ... but is the repair shop's paint protection job any better than DIY waxing? Chris, do you know whether declining the paint protection will affect your repair warranty?

1) It didn't do that on mine when I tested it a minute ago. I made sure the air con was off, then pressed the front defogger button. The A/C switched on, but when I pressed the front defogger button a second time, the air con switched off. I suspect that you are exiting the defogging mode by pressing the AUTO button ... but be aware, the A/C will always turn on whenever you choose the AUTO air mode - this is the least obvious "feature" of the IS250 air con! Instead, try pressing the defogger button to exit defogging mode. 2) You only have to press "I Agree" if you decide to use route guidance. Otherwise, you can just ignore it. If you don't want to use route guidance while driving, press the DISP button, then press the Screen Off button on the LCD. The next time you start the car, you won't see the safety message appear, even if you use the audio, telephone or A/C controls; you'll only see it if you attempt to use route guidance. 3&4)Since the car is (most likely) under warranty, you might as well have it checked out for free by a Lexus service centre. Don't worry, they won't think you're asking for too much :-)

Yes, the US market does have an AWD version of the IS250, as can be seen on page 375 here: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_id=3793"]http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_id=3793 My 2010 manual doesn't mention a front diff, so they must have removed that typo from later printings of the Australian manual.