Lexus Nerd

Hi Ramesh, and welcome to the Club. I have a 2013 IS350 F Sport. When it was two months old, I left it for 24 days without any issues. Where did you leave your keys during those two weeks? Were they located within a couple of metres of the car? That could potentially drain the battery until the key decides to power off after inactivity, in - would you believe - two weeks.

Hi normholly, and welcome to the Club. There wouldn't have been too many threads for you to have browsed through, to get that answer. Read from this point: http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/12814-r-c-350/?p=47767

Lexus of Chatswood. They offered me the best price for respraying my front bumper, compared to all other Lexus Preferred Body & Paint Repairers in Sydney. They should be able to patch and repaint a fender, too.

Absolutely, yes. TVD is different to the Torsen LSD or other differentials fitted to IS F. I haven't found a good technical explanation from Lexus on what it does but, to quote Yahoo! Autos, "electric motors control clutch packs that can shift up to 100 percent of the power to an outside wheel, based on steering and yaw sensor input, all to get the RC F around a corner in tighter fashion." To quote Lexus: In Australia, "a Torque Vectoring Differential (TVD) is fitted as standard to the RC F which offers a greater level of control based on a range of vehicle conditions like accelerator pedal and brake operation. Three TVD modes can be selected using the switch located on the centre console. Standard mode delivers a high level of both agility and stability, while Slalom mode places emphasis on steering response for the kind of agility that you would expect from a smaller vehicle. Track mode, meanwhile, offers stability during high-speed circuit driving with tuning that enables you to accelerate with confidence. These modes aren't linked to Drive Mode Select and offer you an even greater level of personalisation for your driving experience." According to numerous RC F reviews, TVD makes a dramatic difference to handling, compared to a Torsen LSD. Most reviewers who bagged the RC F in handling were actually driving the test vehicle with Torsen LSD, whereas those who tested the TVD loved it. It also helps the RC F beat the M4 on a winding track, despite its extra weight. I'll leave it to others to answer your questions on tyre fitment.

In all new Lexus vehicles, "leather interior" is more accurately described as "leather accented interior". For legal reasons, Lexus Australia's publications all use this term, while the rest of us continue to abbreviate. Details of what is meant to be leather, and what isn't, is normally found here. Lexus Australia haven't provided the details for the RC yet, and RC F's should be there when becomes generally available next month. In the absence of the relevant drawings, I would say that, in the RC, synthetic material is used for the seat backs and sides, as well as the outer facings of the F Sport seat bolsters. Synthetic material is also used on the dashboard, centre console and door lining, while leather is used for the steering wheel and remainder of the seat. Rather than combine leather with synthetics with a faux leather finish, I guess Lexus has made a clear distinction between alcantara and leather in the RC F (where leather is fitted; i.e., the non-carbon edition).

Really appreciate the informative comparison, TRC. One question: You've obviously driven a Bimmer before. A lot of journos like banging on about the iDrive's intuitive interface, and how Lexus Remote Touch is so awful to use by comparison. Lexus has actually developed an iDrive-like interface: it's called Lexus Display Audio, and it's fitted to every new Lexus around the world that *doesn't* have sat nav. When you have to enter in an address consisting of, say, two digits and a street name consisting of at least 8 characters before auto-complete works, surely a dial interface such as iDrive's must be more painful to use than a touchpad or mouse? What's your experience?

Welcome - you may well be our first RC owner! Looking forward to hearing about your experiences with it.

As a starting point, try Sewell Lexus Parts: http://is.sewellparts.com You've hit the Lexus Owners Club forums for Australian and NZ residents. Our sister site, us.lexusownersclub.com may have some US-based members who can help further.

Hi JC, Welcome to the Club!

I've done some reading and most of what I've read backs up what coconut2001 said - no pegs/holes on any of the first gen IS rear badges, unlike the second gen which has pegs on at least some of the badges. I also checked one Website selling genuine Lexus parts, and the part numbers for replacement IS200/IS300 trunk badges cover 2001 through 2005 models. So, Don, we don't have to worry about an early 2003 model being different from, say, a 2001 model.

If your dad has decided not to go through AAMI, but just wants some more quotes from Lexus approved repairers other than BMB, here's where you can get a list of approved repairers: http://lexus.com.au/services/parts-and-services/repairers

According to the AAMI PDS, you're entitled to get one quote from your choice of repairer; but if they get just one quote from a non-Lexus-approved repairer that's cheaper, the repair will be done by that cheaper repairer. So there's no real point seeking reputable repairers and making recommendations to AAMI - unless we can be certain that the recommended, reputable repairer is also the cheapest (unlikely). How much were you quoted by BMB? How much is the excess that AAMI will charge? Bear in mind that the cost to you of repairing through an insurer is more than just the excess. It's the sum of: - The excess - The loss of Safe Driver Rewards credit for the next 2 years, (up to 15% of premium on renewal and up to 2.5% the year after that), *unless*: * The scratches weren't caused by a driver of the IS250 * The policy has a Lifetime Rating One - Possible loss of some discount on AAMI Roadside Assist, if applicable - The premium adjustment that will be payable for the next (say) 5 years, regardless of who is at fault - simply because a claim was made Unless the scratches are extensive, you may find that the cost of getting it fixed by a Lexus approved repairer will be less than the sum of the penalties on your insurance policy - and you'll get a better job done, too.

You need to make a minimum of ten posts. Be aware that moderators do keep watch on posts and will pull those that don't constructively contribute to a topic.

Welcome Richard, and congrats on getting your IS F!

I remember enabling the speed-linked auto-locking on my MY10 IS 250 and it worked. The only reason that I can think of this no longer working on an MY12 IS would be that it's now an owner-configurable setting through the navigation system. That's certainly the case on later IS and/or CT models. However, the US Owners Manual for the 2012 IS F still describes the procedure you documented as the way to both set up and cancel the speed-linked door locking function. I did notice, however, the first step in the Owners Manual states that you should close all doors. So, dumb question: Did you close all doors before performing your first documented step of switching the ENGINE START STOP switch to IGNITION ON mode?

Thanks, um ... "Barry". I've successfully tried this on my own 3IS. Here's the instructions, corrected and revised for A/NZ right-hand-drive models: 1. Place the intermittent wiper rotary switch in one of the following 4 positions: -P1 - all the way down = 3 flashes -P2 - 1 up from the bottom = 5 flashes -P3 - 2 up from the bottom = 7 flashes -P4 - All the way up = no flashes 2. Ignition OFF, hold the wiper switch in the all the way up (OFF) position, turn ignition ON (engine not running), and continue to hold the wiper switch in the OFF position for 5 seconds or more. 3. Move wiper switch down 1 position and HOLD for 5 seconds or more. 4. Move the wiper switch up to OFF position and hold for 5 seconds or more. 5. Move wiper switch down 1 position and hold for 5 seconds or more. 6. Release the wiper switch. The right turn signal should flash 1 time. 7. Pull the turn signal switch the LEFT lane change position (not the turn signal position) and release. The left turn signal should flash 1-4 times. 8. Turn the ignition OFF and then start the car and test.

Hi, aznshadow, and welcome! That's a nice IS F. You've obviously changed the wheels - 21"? What other mods?

Good to meet you too, Sirlach. Thanks to all who turned up. Eleven IS (1st through third generation inc. an IS F), a CT and a GS - not bad given the inevitable afternoon thunderstorm! Keep an eye out for another event early in the New Year.

Hi Benny, and welcome to the Club. To contact Green Global Auto, send a message to ilv1004s: http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/user/2610-ilv1004s/

Logbook service intervals are annually, or after 15,000 km. For low k's IS 250s, consider using this schedule. Historically, NSW forum members have been able to service their IS250s for less at Sydney Lexus dealerships, but this schedule is a good start for budgeting purposes. http://www.lexusofblackburn.com.au/static/cms/downloads/fixed_price_servicing_april.pdf For 60,000-90,000 km: http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/12542-is250-coporate-service-price-at-lexus-of-chatswood (Beware: one member was reportedly quoted $1200 for the 75,000 km service: http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/12569-2is-75k-service/?p=46462 Do raise questions - perhaps mention this forum - if you're quoted > $100 more than expected.) For >= 105,000 km, have a search on these forums. I know prices for 105,000 km and 150,000 km can be found here: http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/12657-is250-150k-service

Yes. False advertising or even "bait advertising" - where their advertised model is "sold out" but they still advertise it to get you to the showroom with the intent to sell you something else - is illegal. (Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer. Do seek your own professional legal advice.)

The RC 350 is now officially available, with specifications and pricing announced today. http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/new-lexus-rc-coupe-undercuts-rivals-20141125-11tlyg.html For just a small amount more than the equivalent IS350 grade, there's a lot of added features, including: Luxury: Power steering column adjustment, LED headlamps, touchpad-based Lexus Remote Touch, parking sensors, 18" wheels (IS Luxury has 17"), electrochromatic mirrors F Sport: Dynamic rear steering, high-grade LED headlamps, 19" wheels (IS F Sport has 18"), Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Alert (similar to Blind Spot Monitor, but a smarter system that detects vehicles coming from behind), touchpad-based Lexus Remote Touch Sports Luxury: As for F Sport, plus semi-aniline leather, 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system (IS SL has 15 speakers), shimamoku wood interior (Google it if you haven't heard of it before!) On paper (so to speak), it certainly looks like a winner.

Well, your oil filter is due for a change anyway, so you'd replace the oil at the same time. While the oil change is being done, why not look at getting the upper engine cleaning service? We can argue here about the best oil to use in the future, how you should drive your car, who should service it ... But if it's consuming a litre of oil every 1000 km, chances are your intake valves aren't closing properly and are in desperate need of a clean.

The power tailgate can be configured to open by default in one of five pre-set positions.

To clarify, Wind Chaser, what's your idle speed when the transmission is in P and the car rattles?