Rojie

Hi Conrad, Check your Alphie again on the TfL xhecker. At the end of this thread you will see I was incorrect. Your Alphie should be ULEZ compliant.

Agreed on the dates. DVLA has a record of when the vehicle was produced, and, obviously, the date the vehicle was first registered with them in the UK. I assume TfL uses the DVLA database. It is no surprise that Toyota Europe were no help, they have taken the same stance on the E5 E10 issue !

Sorry, ps, my Alphie was first registered (in the UK) in 2021; if that makes a difference.

Despite what I wrote earlier in this thread; I have just entered my registration number into the TfL checker. Not surprisingly I am liable for the Congestion Charge. What I am surprised about is that that is the only charge I am liable for. So, no ULEZ charge for me, yippee. I had previously been advised by a Midlands dealer that he drives his Alphard in and out London frequently and does not need to pay ULEZ. So, has TfL updated its database since August; or did I just misread / misunderstand the website on a previous visit ?

I use Morrisons fuel too, but have no idea which brand it is or which refinery it comes from.

Hi Nov, Thanks for your answer. There is another new topic regarding E5 / E10 relative economy. They have similar findings to your own.

More Octane, more power, less use of petrol, perhaps. So Mike and Alf both see benefits of economy using the E5 fuel. Interesting. I am running E5 at the moment, but don't do enough miles for a realistic comparison.

A great bit of research. Thanks. Apart from the difference in economy, have you any other observations regarding E5 versus E10 ? Do you always use the same brand of fuel ? I have just posted, in this Forum, an Esso information sheet which (claims) no Ethanol is present in the Esso Supreme Plus 99 fuel (in most, but not all regions of the UK).

Hi Nov, Just a request for a quick update. Have you quit using E10, or is E5 proving OK now ?

The E5 E10 debate has been, to me, surprisingly quiet of late I was thinking of starting another thread on this subject but with a focus on how E10 was performing in members' vehicles; as opposed to how members were concerned about, or questioning, which fuel to use. That is, a thread based on experience rather than concerns. The above article is very interesting, and agrees largely with info that I published previously, in this Forum, from extensive research undertaken in the US on E10 on a 1MZ FE engine, albeit a very old one engine (and probably of US manufacture). There is a small error in the above article regarding E10 Super Unleaded. Super Unleaded is E5, not E10. E10 is a new fuel in the UK, whereas Super Unleaded has been around for years. I also came across an interesting 'Guide' published by Esso (Exxon) that stated all Esso E5 Supreme Plus 99 fuel in the UK is E0 in most, but not all regions of the UK. https://www.esso.co.uk/en-gb/fuels/petrol What experiences are members encountering, good or bad, when using E10 fuels. What reassurances, if any, can you offer our Alphie community.

Welcome to the Forum Bev

Hello and Welcome to the Forum. Lots to read about within. Some problems and issues, many helpful answers. Enjoy this Forum and your Alphie.

Hi Nov, How were these sidelights. They don't appear "error free". Are you getting any flashing or canbus errors with them ?

Hi Ian, Nov I needed to go to Halfords today, so I thought I would check out the side lights. Very interesting. I took a guess at the type I needed, and got it wrong. What I bought were not T10, but no big deal; they were quite cheap. W501 I think. 5W, Blue in colour but emitting 3500k white light ! However, what I did notice that most led lights on sale were (fairly) clearly marked for OFF ROAD use only ! I assume anyone fitting the 35w or even 60w LEDS as side lights may fail the MOT. I just checked your threads and links. Thanks. I should have bought W5W. No matter, no disaster. Thanks to both for your help.

Hi Sparkie, There are several threads on here re LPG, and some are very recent. Try a search for LPG

Hi Shaun, Welcome to the Forum. V6 engine, 4.5L. 4.7L including filter 2.4L engine, 4.1L and 4.3L respectively. 10W 30, (or 5W 20 for improved fuel efficiency !according to the Japanese handbook). Oils should comply with API SL/EC, SJ/EC or ILSAC (According to the Japanese handbook).

Perhaps one of the benefits of living in a rural part of the country. I pay £60/hr for my Fords, and £70/hr for my Jaguar specialist at different local garages.

Hi there, Welcome to the Forum. There are companies doing this modification, whether they use the 'Chesterfield' part I do not know. There are general plates available, and specialised ones for your Alphard. Almost certainly, you will need to remove the centre console between the seats to allow the passenger seat to swivel. I believe, you will also need to provide a cover for the 100v invertor. A company on the Isle of Wight (and others) can provide and fit a swivel, which, they told me, works on the drivers side too. The swivels are not cheap ! As another member has mentioned before, these swivels can increase your seat height, which can be a problem for tall passengers ! They are also available for the driver side Good Luck

There is a chap down your way, a mechanic, that specialises on Mazda Bongos. I feel sure he could / would fit your sensors. I forget his name. He's out near Saltram House If you need it, let me know, and I'll search for his details and you could discuss it with him.

If you are thinking of a Pop Top conversion, make sure you understand the cost to fit one, and, as another thread states, avoid vehicles with sun roofs (if considering a Pop Top). There is a recent thread that does mention conversion costs and Pop Top costs. There is a respectable selection of vehicles on sale in the UK, at least to help you understand the purchase prices. Autotrader, ebay, etc. If you are considering a conversion, as opposed to just sleeping in the van, expect a long lead time for that too. Convertors are very busy with the recent increase in popularity of these vehicles, and some conversion parts are hard to source due to reduced factory output. I would expect supply issues in March / April as the new season gets underway. My advice ? Tread carefully, do your research and buy. You won't be disappointed. They are lovely vehicles. Bon Voyage.

I assume you don't have the "sonor" system option fitted to your vehicle. If you do, its located with the air conditioning controls in the lower part of the head unit. There are two "sonors". A small vehicle legend with four green lights. One is a clearance sonor It works well, but when the warning is triggered you will already be very close to some obstacle. There is also a back "sonor". operational when in reverse, with a range of 0.5m to 1,5m I also have to assume you don't have a reversing camera, which are also very useful. Reversing camera kits are widely available. Many Alphards have these fitted as standard. If you have one , your head unit should switch to rear view when you select reverse. You will, of course, need to learn how to use the head unit (unless it has been upgraded to an English one). Much fun getting acquainted with the Japanese lady ! The reversing camera, if you have one, should be just above your rear number plate. A small black box. I believe most mechanics or auto electricians could fit some aftermarket reversing sensor / buzzers. Buying sensors ? Halfords or most Auto Factors. Try the Internet. Good Luck, I hope this has been helpful.

Good morning, Nice to have a happy ending. I would also caution members on changing springs themselves; putting themselves in harm's way. If anything goes wrong, a spring doesn't locate properly in the spring compressor (or moves during compression), or, as in my case (many years ago), a spring compressor fails under compression; a very dangerous situation can occur without notice. If an Alphard is 2 tonnes, each compressor is supporting 500kg minimum. If the tension is released instantly, a lot of damage can occur when that spring hits anything, you included. As Starider says, £62 is a bargain, and much safer than risking yourself. I doubt you can purchase a sturdy compressors for that price !

Hi Bryan, Welcome to the Forum.

55708-58050 for the Gen 2 Ensure you check the drawings yourself.

Amayama seem to have the part listed for 108 usd, plus postage. Look in Cowl panel & windshield glass for Alphard ANH10W. if that is the vehicle you have. Wherever you buy this part you will need the part number. 55708-58010