Weathertop

Hi All - I just purchased a 2017 LX 570 in Atomic Silver. Thanks to all who helped me with my prior questions.I’m loving it, but I thought that I would pass along the following infotainment details for others who are also shopping for this vehicle or looking to configure their new Lexus. These issues and solutions vexed me for weeks, largely as the technology overview for my Lexus was so poor.

Simply put: The electronics in the LX won’t wow you if you are coming from an Infiniti, BMW, or MB. In fact, you may feel like that you’ve time-warped back to 2008.

Rest assured that most of the features that you expect are there, but they aren’t as easy to find, use, or customize. And, Lexus should take a page from BMW on their technology delivery. We had a 90 minute overview of the technology functions for our 2016 BMW, the tech transferred our music to the vehicle, and we were provided a 800 number with specialists who could answer questions at odd times of the day. This type of experience makes a huge difference when spending so much on a vehicle. Four key discoveries of mine follow – Hopefully they will save you time.

1. If you want to bring your own music, as others have shared, you’ll have to do so on an USB key drive. Find a low-profile key drive as the only USB plugs are behind a front-facing door in front of the cup holders. You’ll have to keep this door open and remove a rubber grommet to plug in your USB key drive. And, it will get hot if you leave it plugged in. So, I plug mine in for only long trips. Otherwise, I don’t plug in my drive and I stream from my iPhone instead. But, music does sound much better over a physical drive than with streaming. If you have a Mac at home, get the excellent Playlist Exporter app from the Apple store. It will allow you to copy your iTunes songs from your Mac for easy 1-step use in the LX. Make sure that your USB key drive is formatted for FAT32 before starting.
2. It took me 2 weeks to find a way to automatically change the GPS map to a “night mode” so the screen has a lower contrast at night. When I purchased the vehicle, the map and display would stay bright and at the same contrast level all the time. Three calls to two separate Lexus dealerships didn’t help me. Their technology guys told me that the vehicle didn’t have a night mode and I was advised to manually change the contrast for the map using the “display” selection on the main menu screen. It does have a night mode. But it will be disabled if the brightness of your cluster display is turned all the way up. Take it down one step and, hey! Night mode.
3. Are you interested in having your main screen on a setting that is less busy than the map? I was as I don’t like the distraction if I’m not using the map. You can’t, though, set up the main display so it will stay on the main menu by default. If you shut the car off or use the park assist, the map returns. Here’s a solution, though:
   • First turn off “Auto Screen Change” on page 2 of “settings.”
   • Choose a less busy menu selection that is one layer deeper than the main screen. I leave mine set on the radio screen which is less busy than most. Now, when I turn the car off and on again, the main screen defaults to the radio screen.
4. The heads up display has a "media" setting that would lead you to believe that the name of a playing song will appear in the heads up display (like it does in the excellent BMW heads up display). Alas, the only media details that appear in the heads up display are the volume level (when changed) and the input (when changed). But, you will see the current temperature appear in the heads up display when you start the car and if you don't blink. BMW doesn't have the temperature in their HUD...yet. ;-)

Anyhoo, I love my LX. I just wish that the technology delivery wasn't an afterthought.

yakim

Thank you for your keen observations re: technology of your new LX....I don't have any idea what it is that you're trying to say but I am glad you're liking it. Just relax and enjoy the ride! A friendly word of caution: on this forum occasionally you'll run into some characters who'd try to convince you to immediately change your beautiful 21" wheels and tyres into some sort of puny 17" doughnuts with spikes so you could roll in mud...in the name of all that is holy, stay away from those very dangerous people for your own sake!

ClaytonW

First, congratulations to your purchase! Excellent choice!

Just a few notes:
It's much better to format your USB drive to FAT 32. It works fine and it does not have the limitations of FAT 16 (4GB max. size). The USB drive can get little bit hot but it's not a problem. I keep it plugged and it survived about a year and half in my '16 LX. No problems.
Don't try to call your dealership about your audio/navigation. They are not usually able to give you any advice. Just read the manual, it's usually much easier :-)

Yakim is absolutely right. You don't need 17" wheels and mud tires. 18" wheels and some decent AT tires are perfectly fine. Just throw away those terrible 21" craps as soon as you can; they really do not work for an SUV designed for off-roading :-)

Chocolate

LOL...

What he said. I switched from the factory tires because of the high replacement price and proprietary size of the tires, low tread depth, lack of impact absorption, and total lack of protection for the wheel to protect the wheel or tire from either being visibly damaged or just going out of round. I also understand the curb appeal of the low profile wheels and tires. 18" is the most cost effective way to go, you can pick up a nice set of light OEM 18" alloys for the price of 1 21" tire.

Regarding the USB drive, I was using a regular sized one but recently picked up a low profile Sandisk. Minor thing but I like how it's totally out of the way when plugged in.

Weathertop

Thanks for this tip, ClaytonW. I have to admit that I didn't try FAT32 as I wasn't sure that the LX could handle it. I've made a correction on this count to my post above. I'll also reformat my drive this weekend and I'll keep it plugged in more often - appreciate it!

Weathertop

Great point on the wheels and tires, Chocolate. I've read many of the posts here about tires and wheels but didn't gather that the stock tires/wheels are proprietary-sized. Due to this and as the 18" OEM wheels are the cost of a single tire, I'll be making this switch soon. I'm sure I'll curb one of the 21" wheels in the coming weeks and have to make the switch then.

Bimmer32

Atomic Silver blends in well which is what I like too. Comparing BMW technology to Lexus is like comparing apples to oranges. No competition here. Tear up the pimp 21" and then get 20" with thicker walls.

Weathertop

Yeah, I expected as much as I had multiple test drives. Like with other vehicles in the past, I always knew more about the vehicle and the onboard features than the sales folks.

But, my technology overview was 15 minutes and I was sent on my way. This wasn't so bad, but my follow-up questions weren't answered correctly and they took days to respond to my questions (it appears that Lexus has only 1-2 technology guys for each dealership).

As others have pointed out as a solution, I read the manual. In fact, I've been reading the .pdf version of the manual for months. But these 4 key dimensions weren't all that clear to me.

Anyhow, I'm glad that we have a Lexus and a BMW in the family. The LX feels rock-solid. The BMW, less so, but my wife finds the tech far easier to use. For now, we've got the best of both worlds.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

congrats Weathertop - you have a coddling ride to enjoy in anything New Jersey can throw at you.

FGetty

I use a 64GB Samsung low profile USB 3.0 that was reformatted to hold my music for on the go. I would have preferred a microSDXC memory card reader. My Chrysler 300 rental had it. takes less space. Also means I don't have have to leave that lid for this area open all the time.

The owner's manual says to change the display mode by going into the screen adjustment page (p.37) and setting "night mode" when it does not exist and as Weathertop pointed out all you need to do is to set the instrument panel light control to its max right before it clicks onto the max brightness setting.

Weathertop

Before I start a new thread on this point, a question for those reading this discussion thus far:

When you swap out the 21" wheels for 20" or 19" wheels, do you also need to swap out the wheel size with the spare?

I would think, yes. Seems like if you need to use the spare tire, it would kinda be nice for it to be the same size as the rest of the wheels.

Thoughts?

ClaytonW

It's better but not necessary. If the tire diameter is within 2" difference, it's usually considered O.K. to use it as a spare tire. And your tire will probably have almost the same diameter. So it's not a problem. Temporary spare tires on some cars are even much smaller.

FGetty

Agree with ClaytonW. Unless you are going off road you don't necessary need the spare to be identical.