Roger Bill

When the instrument panel light control knob is turned fully clockwise there's a click and in this position the nav screen always stays in the bright daytime setting. Turn the brightness control down a little and you should find the nav screen changes between bright and dim automatically.

With all the windows shut on my IS250 I can hear a slight pulsing noise and it feels like air pressure is building and then releasing. Switching the air con to recirculate or turning off the fan stops the noise. Therefore, I'm wondering if the fresh air outlets are blocked or if they're covered by a rubber flap or something with a spring that's a little too strong. I tried driving at high speed with both front windows open to see if that would clear any blockage. I've had a good look around the back window and parcel shelf where fresh air outlets are usually located but the only thing I've found in the boot are some slots under the parcel shelf which I think are behind the woofer and are just to improve the bass response on the audio system. I've also removed the air conditioning filter to check it's not blocked, although this is on the air inlet and so I didn't really think would be the problem. On the previous model IS200 I understand the air outlets were at the bottom of the trunk behind the road wheels but I've just had a quick look in my IS250 and can't see any obvious airways inside the trunk or inside the wheelarches around the rear wheels. I can't even see any obvious airways from the cabin into the trunk. However, I haven't tried removing any of the trim which obscures all the interior surfaces of the trunk. I guess another experiment would be to try opening the ski hatch to see if that affects the noise. Although this is only a very, very minor irritation, if anyone has any thoughts I'd be grateful.

I've now tried a Nokia phone. I setup a phonebook entry in the Nokia which included the phone number, a "p" pause and my voicemail access code. I successfully transferred this into the Lexus bluetooth phonebook. But this phonebook entry simply dialled the phone number, stopped at the pause and didn't send the voicemail access code. In other words the Nokia worked exactly the same as my old Sony Ericisson. I think this confirms the problem is with the Lexus bluetooth system, unless anyone has a phone they use with their Lexus to dial numbers, pauses and voicemail access codes? Does anyone know of a means of contacting someone at Lexus technical support who might be able to help with this type of issue?

Hi Jim That's very interesting. I'd been looking at the bluetooth phone compatibility list on the Lexus UK web site which gives far less detail and this makes it seem that Sony Ericisson phones are among the best whereas as you say the Lexus USA web site suggests a problem with the "p" function. I'll try my partner's Nokia but as most Nokias seem to have the same limitation, this might not prove anything. Although I haven't gone through all the phones listed on the Lexus USA web site, there seem to be many more that aren't able to transfer numbers including a "p" than those that can! Therefore, if I decide to buy a new phone, my choice could be rather limited. Best regards Roger

Hi Jim Many thanks for your very detailed response. I already had all the speed dials set up on my phone and, although it's a 5 year old Sony Ericisson phone, it seems to work well with the Lexus bluetooth system and I successfully bulk transferred all the phonebook entries including those containing "p". These phonebook entries suffer the same problem as those entered directly into the Lexus, i.e. the number is dialled but nothing after the "p" is sent. Using this phone with my previous bluetooth system to retrieve voice mails was a simple one button operation. I'm wondering whether a new phone might solve the problem so I'd be really interested to hear if anyone has got this "p" feature working; it must surely be a very common use for the Lexus bluetooth hands free phone system. Best regards Roger

Hi Bob Many thanks for that. Unfortunately the screen for entering numbers into the Lexus phonebook only has 0-9 and the three extra characters of * # and + along with the Pause and Wait buttons. Best regards Roger

Hi all I'd like to save an entry in the phonebook on my new IS250 which will dial my work phone number, pause and then dial the passcode needed to retrieve voicemails. I've tried the "pause" button on the screen used to enter numbers into the Lexus phonebook. However, this simply dials the phone number and then stops at the pause and doesn't send the passcode. Including the "wait" button in a phonebook entry works as expected; after the system dials the phone number, you then hit the 0-9 key to send the passcode. Alternatively I know I could save the passcode separately as speedtone, but both these alternatives involve a number of key presses whereas on my previous bluetooth handsfree I was able to do this in a single step. I've found posts by a couple of people asking similar questions in relation to both Lexus and Toyota bluetooth phone systems but no replies or solutions although some seem to suggest they have managed it. If anyone has a solution they'd like to share I'd be very grateful. Many thanks Roger

Many thanks for the feedback, it's always good to get the real story from owners. The details on the facelift state that the IS is now fitted with Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) on all derivatives and that the stabilizer bar, suspension and EPS (Electrical Power Steering) have all been revised to "enhance drivability". It seems this must just be marketing hype or that the improvements are just too minor to be noticeable in normal driving.

Hi all I've seen a facelifted IS in the showroom but haven't yet been able to arrange a test drive. Has anyone had a chance to compare the ride quality of the pre and post facelifted IS on 17inch wheels? Apparently various suspension changes have been made to "enhance drivability". If this means it's been made a firmer more sports orientated ride then I'll opt for a pre-facelift IS250 but if the changes are aimed at improved comfort on our deteriorating road surfaces then I'll opt for a new IS250. Also details of the changes state that telephone "dialing functionality" is now available while driving. This makes me wonder how much the telephone system has been changed? Many thanks Roger

Many thanks for that info.

Hi all Here in the UK we probably won't get the facelifted IS until January. I'm trying to decide whether to wait for the facelift or to buy a nearly new pre-facelift car. I've seen pictures of the cosmetic changes introduced with the facelift but I was wondering if any of you guys had detected any practical improvements in terms of ride quality or reduced road noise? Also have any of the facelift changes reduced interior trim rattles and squeaks? Many thanks Roger

Some more pictures of the IS250 facelift, this time on the official Lexus Korea web site: http://www.lexus.co.kr/popup/20080822/lexus_new_IS250.html

For some nice photos of the face lifted car taken in a Japanese Lexus showroom including close up views of the new mirror with integrated indicators check this out: http://my.is/forums/5523080-post2.html or http://my.is/forums/f41/first-photos-2009-...acelift-369512/

Hi Howser Many thanks for that. How did you manage to extract the Japanese/Korean text from the web page? Best regards Roger

I think some of the things the text mentions are: New bumper with different lower air entrances and modified fog lamps New 17 and 18 inch wheel designs New three dimensional rear lamps, not LED Newly positioned rim wheels for ventilation nozzles (in the middle of the pair of centre vents rather than at their outer edges). Back of front seats and doors always in black even with light colour interior. Ivory beige replaced by a darker colour. Changes to the way gears can be selected in sequential auto mode. Maybe like the new Acura TSX or Euro Accord? Prices raised. Measures to reduce transmission noise I'm wondering if the text mentions anything about changes under the skin, eg improvements to suspension, sound proofing or fuel economy? Does anyone have a Japanese speaking friend who could help out?

Can anyone translate the Japanese text on this page: http://dajapa.tistory.com/333 Unfortunately I've not been able to copy the text so I haven't been able to try pasting it into an online translator. However, the pictures show the new Lexus IS door mirrors with integrated indicators, changed rear light clusters and various interior modifications including a new steering wheel, gear stick and rear head rest. The date on the page is 28 July 2008 Best regards Roger