Charlie Brown

There is an association called The Auto Locksmiths Association. I have used one of their memebers in South Gloucestershire. They are not cheap mind but doa fantastic job in my view. They have a member down your way. Check out his link. https://jwlocksmith.co.uk/vehicle-key-replacement/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAqXKpd1-Bc0GlRRpMm8NphZtZxOfe&gclid=CjwKCAjwwLO_BhB2EiwAx2e-30Jn-9cIMHIzezLc77jsbofQw8N6kNpnladrc7B5DxcTW3WVICOtdhoCluAQAvD_BwE

When we broke a rear side window, we sourced a replacement from our local Toyota dealer, Listers in Cheltenham. They were very efficient and fast in ordering it from Japan. With the registration and vehicle number, they could find all the necessary information on their system. It was expensive though.

The handbook calls for an API SL, or ISLAC GF-3. These days these specifications are at API SP and ISLAC GF-6. So any good quality engine oil will do the job. Also, the viscosity needs to be considered. Here, the handbook calls for anything from an SAE 5W-20 to an SAE 10W-30, depending on ambient temperature. Personally, I use an SAE 5W-30.

I think this is a feature of many automatic boxes for many years. I think it is actually sensing that you are braking on a hill and changes down to give you some engine braking. When you accelerate it changes up again. I've had this feature on autos before and our 2008 Aplhard does it.

We bought a large piece of memory foam from ebay for about £30. Ours is about one inch thick, but you could get thicker if you needed it. It all rolls up with the duvet and just fits behind the seat when we put the seats up. We were tempted to cut it to fit but didn't, which turned out to be a good choice as it has a few inches spare each side which really covers the hard edges either side of the bed. We tried Duvalays but they were really bulky. This arrangement folds up much smaller.

No, never found a solution, but not really bothered as the cruise control works fine.

The handbook states the oil to be used as Toyota Auto Fluid Type T-IV. I believe it is available from Toyota dealers and many other outlets such as ebay. The handbook says it takes 8.6 litres.

Just renewed our insurance with Lifesure, who are brokers for Axa. £483.98, which is £55 more than last year. It is a motor home policy, and is recorded as a converted camper van with them. Includes Motor legal expenses of £30.00. Full NCD. I am 72.

The handbook calls for an API SL, or ISLAC GF-3. These days these specifications are at API SP and ISLAC GF-6. So any good quality engine oil will do the job. Also, the viscosity needs to be considered. Here, the handbook calls for anything from an SAE 5W-20 to an SAE 10W-30, depending on ambient temperature. Personally, I use an SAE 5W-30. For the transmission the handbook is much more specific, calling of a Toyota product, Toyota Auto Fluid Type T-IV. I believe this is readily available from various outlets. I hope this helps.

The handbook says 'SECURITY DISPLAY LIGHT. The display light will flash when the key is pulled out of the ignition and the security system starts operation.' On our 2008 model it goes out when you lock the car.

On our 2008 face lift model, it is hard plastic. I have the same problem. In places the wood finish has worn through to the black plastic underneath.

Our Alphard is registered as 'Body type MPV', and the 'Taxation class' is PRIVATE LIGHT GOODS (PLG). I believe it was registered as this before it was actually converted to a camper van. Since conversion there has been no contact with DVLA to change it, and I further I also believe that there is no requirement from DVLA to do so.

The leisure battery is on its own tray. The fittings look the same as the one that hold the starter battery. I don't know for certain if the starter battery tray is original and in its original place, but it looks it. It is a great use of space but the relatively small leisure battery mentioned previously, only just fits. Anything bigger would not fit. Let me know if I can be of any further help.

Very strangely, I had exactly the same experience last year. I obtained one from the nearest Toyota main dealer to me. This was Listers at Cheltenham. All they needed was the registration number. It did have to come from Japan, which they said would take up to a month. It actually took about two weeks. From memory it was about £470. I then got a local window fitter to fit it. In the mean time, many layers of duct tape and cardboard kept the old window in place, as it had shattered but not actually fallen out.

I recently had a smashed side window. It went through my insurance company but I sourced the part and the company that fitted it and sent the bill to the insurance company. I bought the part through the local Toyota dealer. All they needed was the registration number, with which they confirmed the serial number of the vehicle. It had to come from Japan. They said it would take up to a month but in fact came in less than two weeks. It was about £460 but the insurance paid for that. The parts department could not have been more helpful, but the service department didn't want to know about fitting it, but I used a small local company.