Rafiki

One final note is regarding your Tire Dealer. Try to select one that provides FREE Rotate and Balancing. Even if you pay a few dollars more for the tires, Having them rotated every 5K miles will keep them quiet and help them last longer. Thus saving $20 every 5K miles can add up pretty quickly!

I use NITTO INVO tires on my 2007 IS250. I have about 115,000 miles on the car and get around 45K miles on a set of these tires, so I'm ready to buy my 3rd set. I like a very quite ride, and my driving style is average (not to agressive). You can rotate these tires side to side so they maintain their quite ride characteristics. I see you are from FL, so the NITTO INVO tires would work well for you, as you can use a Summer Tire year round. Take a look at the post in the Tire Forum on the NITTO INVO tire on the IS250 for more information - http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/55687-nitto-invo-on-2007-is250-25k-mile-update/page__hl__%2Bis250+%2Bnitto

I feel the Side-to-Side rotation is a "must do" with the staggered fitment wheels. Otherwise the tire would have no rotation, and given the fairly agressive Front End toe-in specs on the IS250, the wear would quickly result in increased road noise. This was my original issue having the loud "Waa-Waa-Waa" tire noise after 10K miles. With the Side-to-Side rotation every 5K miles, this issue is eliminated! This is why it is important to choose a non-directional tire, so they can be rotated Side-to-Side. B)

My 2007 IS250 with 90,000 miles has averaged 30.4 MPG - I have NEVER reset the meter. I do mainly rural highway driving around 55 - 65 MPH. I do little city or in-town driving.

Yes, I purchased a new pair of front Nitto Invo tires back in December 2010. I like that these tires can be rotated (side to side) to keep them running quiet. They are a good handling tire for my basic driving style, and I feel confident in their abilities if I need to push them hard. For the cost and performance, I think they are a decent value. I just wish they were manufactured in the U.S.A.

Ask you dealer to look up TSIB L-SB-0090-09. It covers a somewhat similar issue that you describe - yet only with the XM Radio, FM still functions. I have this issue with my Lexus XM Radio, and the "cycling" of the ignition does reset the tuner. I am living with it at the moment as my car is out of warranty. L-SB-0090-09 XM Radio Fix.pdf

My 2007 IS250 came with a flooded Lead-Acid battery. It has six removable caps on the top where I can add distilled water as needed. This works fine for me. I check it once or twice a year, add a little water if needed, and give it a charge overnight. :) On most of my vehicles, the battery usually lasts around 6 or 7 years.

My 2007 IS250 was purchased in November 2006. The battery is still going strong. Maintain it properly by checking the fluid level and only adding distilled water and it should typically last 6+ years.

Yes, I install XM Radio module in my 2007 IS250. I took about 1.5 hours and was pretty straight forward. The unit installs in the trunk, right side under the interior cowling. You need to purchase the tuner module P/N 86180-0W030 and the install kit (wiring harness and mount) P/N 86100-0W220. I have attached the Lexus install Instructions if you need them. Purchase the XM radio kit as a Toyota part number versus a Lexus part number (same number)and it will save you some $$. My records show it cost around $250, yet this was in 2006 and prices change. Installation Inst XM Radio Tuner MY06.pdf

Take a look at a set of Nitto INVO tires. They are classified as a Summer Tire, yet if you live in a warmer climate they are worth your consideration. I have had a very good experience with mine on my IS250 RWD. Extremely Quiet vs. OEM tires. See posting in the Tire & Wheel Forum. Link to Post

UPDATE: Nitto Invo tires on my 2007 IS250 My Nitto Invo front tires now have ~52,000 miles on them, and the tread is looking like they will go another 5K miles. Wear indicators are 0.098 inches below tread on center grooves, yet the outside edges have somewhat less tread depth. They are still fairly quite and handle well. I do not push the handling when in wet weather, yet they seem very stable. In dry weather they are are good as ever. Time to start saving for a new set of Nitto Invo tires for the front of my Lexus IS250.

I replaced my OEM Bridgestones with a set of Nitto Invo tires. Mileage obtained is 40K+. See report in following link: Nitto Invo on IS250 Report B)

41K Mile Update on: Nitto Invo tires on my 2007 IS250. My right rear tire picked up a small finish nail very close to the sidewall. :( (Bummer) It created a slow leak, and since it was almost on the sidewall, patching from the inside would be in a high flex area, so the patch would not last that long. The rear tires had approximatly 41,000 miles on them and the tread wear indicator was pretty close to even with the remaining tread. So it was time to get a new set of rear tires. The new set of Nitto Invo tires for the rear set me back a total of $365 ($163 per tire + $9 M/B per tire + 6% Tax). My front tires are still looking good, with sufficient tread remaining. I estimate approximatly 10K miles remaining. I obviously like these tires, as I replaced the rears with a new set of Nitto Invo (255/40ZR18). They are very quiet, good handling and have good tread life for high performance tires. When the front tires wear out, I will also replace them with a new set of Nitto Invos. :)

If you are looking for a really quiet tire that can be rotated side to side, then I recommend the "Nitto Invo" tire. See the thread in the Tire & Wheel Forum. :)

Update on: Nitto Invo tires on my 2007 IS250. Just rolled over 35K miles on these tires and I am still very pleased with their performance. The front & rear tires are still very quiet (which was my main criteria for purchasing these tires). I estimate that the front tires have about 10 - 15K miles left on them until the tread is level with the Wear Indicators. The rear tires show a bit more wear. I estimate only 10K mikes left on them until the tread is level with the Wear Indicators. Handling is still good, yet as I originally indicated, I am a basic driver with nothing too aggressive. Bottom Line: Tires still quiet, good handling. When these wear out I will be buying another set.

Standing in front of the engine compartment it is under the cover on your left side. You will need to remove the cover by pushing in the center of the snaps, then pulling then off. I believe it shows this in the service manual, which you can findon this site. B)

So the Nitto Invo tires on my 2007 IS250 just rolled over 25K miles and I thought I would give an update on my experiences to date: Background: My IS250 has the Staggered Fitment OEM 18" wheels. I purchased my set of Nitto Invo tires in October of 2007. They replaced the OEM Bridgestone Potenza RE050. I purchased these tires due to their non-directional tread design which allows rotation side to side. The OEM Bridgestones became very noisy after 10K miles and I had Lexus replace the front set due to a loud "Waa-Waa-Waa" sound that developed in them (Lexus paid for the new front set and a front end alignment). After another 10K miles this second set developed the same "Waa-Waa-Waa" sound. So I was looking for a tire that was quiet, could be rotated side to side, had good handling and wet traction. 25K Mile Update: I now have 25K miles on my Nitto Invo tires. They were extremely quiet when new and are still very quiet after 25K miles. I rotate them every 5K miles with the Oil Change. My driving style is average - not too agressive, mostly on winding rural highways. I would rate their Handling as good on both Dry and Wet roads. Approximatly 40% of the original Tread Depth is remaining, so I estimate a 45K mile tread life. The main reason for choosing these tire was a Quiet Tread that would stay quiet, and the Nitto Invos have definetly done this. For my basic driving style they handle very predictably, solid and sure in corners. Bottom Line: Very quiet, good handling. When these wear out I will be buying another set. B)

I recommend that you get a tire with a Non-Directional Tread, so you can rotate them side to side. My tires developed a "waa-waa-waa" noise after 10k miles (two sets). The dealer said the alignment was fine. Also take a look at the Nitto INVO tire. They are extremely quite, and have a non-directional tread. I rotate them every 10K miles and no noise after 25K miles...... :D

For maximum tread life you need to get a set of non-directional tires so you can rotate them. I replaced the OEM tires with a set of Nitto INVO tires. They are extremely quite, and non-directional so I can rotate them side to side. My set has 24K miles on them and they are still very quite. I estimate 35 - 40K tread life based on the wear so far. Handling is good. I inflate them to +4 psi over the recommended pressure. This gives me similar handling response to the OEM tires. Take a look at the Nitto INVO tire, I like them and will buy another set when it time to get new tires on my IS250. B)

I did not like the OEM Potenzas. Lots of noise after 10K miles and no way to rotate. So I replaced them with a set of Nitto INVO tires. They are extremely quite, and non-directional so I can rotate them side to side. My set has 24K miles on them and they are still very quite. I estimate 35 - 40K tread life based on the wear so far. Handling is good. I inflate them to +4 psi over the recommended pressure. This gives me similar handling response to the OEM tires. Take a look at the Nitto INVO tire, I like them and will buy another set when it time to get new tires on my IS250. B)

where do you recommend for the best prices on these tires? I purchased them through Discount Tire Direct and had my local tire dealer install them. Yet I now pay $25 for a rotate and balance every 5K miles. This is Free if I had purchased from my local tire dealer, so the $25/tire I saved is wiped out after 20K miles.

Just a clailification question: Did you drain from the Oil Pan Plug or just from the Oil Filter port?

Yes, I had a similar issue on my 2007 IS250. After 10K miles it developed a "waa-Waa-waa-Waaa" noise from the front tires. Lexus Realigned the front end and replaced the front tires for free (Customer Good Will). After another 10-11K miles the same issue developed. The problem is the lack of tire rotation and the slight Toe-in recommended by Lexus for Better Handling. I solved the issue by replacing the tires with a Non-Directional tire that can be rotated side-to-side. I went with the Nitto INVO tires, and have been very pleased. They are very quite and handle well if inflated +4 to 5 psi over recommend pressure for the OEM tires. I have about 24K on them and rotate them every 5K miles (oil change cycle). I estimate the tread life at 35K miles based on the wear so far. B)

I had the same short Tire Life with the OEM Potenzas. Lots of noise after 10K miles and no way to rotate. So I replaced them with a set of Nitto INVO tires. They are extremely quite, and non-directional so I can rotate them side to side. My set has 24K miles on them and they are still very quite. I estimate 35 - 40K tread life based on the wear so far. Handling is good. I inflate them to +4 psi over the recommended pressure. This gives me similar handling response to the OEM tires. Take a look at the Nitto INVO tire, I like them and will buy another set when it time to get new tires on my IS250. :D

Try the 3M proctective clear film. I have it on the front hood, bumper, sideview mirrors. It can be custom cut to any shape. The top of the rear bumper is another good place.