Using Desiccants to Freshen Up the Interior?

A few months ago during a business trip to Hong Kong I made time to meet up with my friend Matthew, who owns and actually drives one of the world's most pristine Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R.  Not only was his car clean and very stock looking on the outside, but the interior was super clean and moreover, smelled new!

Here is a bad photo, taken at night:

Part of that might be these new (gorgeous!) NISMO seat covers he recently installed, but in scrolling through his car build album on his Facebook page, I found that he has also this nifty trick to ensure that the perpetually humid Hong Kong air doesn't cause "stuff" to grow and possibly cause some smells.  Obviously, what separates a clean car from a pristine one (OCD approved) are the details - note clever use of the coat hangar (I'll explain why this is genius down below):

From his Facebook page. Thanks Matthew!

It's currently somewhat rainy in Japan (with its four seasons the country always seems to be raining every 3 months or so, with the change in seasons) and that means lots of humidity (right before summer is the worst though actually).   As I posted earlier, my car has some weird lingering odor, and I THINK (based on the last time I drove it) that the humidity is making it worse. So it is probably a good idea to see if I can eliminate the humidity in the car, especially as driving in the rain means wet footprints left on the car mats.

In Japan, there are many different types of these humidity reducing, desiccant containing products, usually shaped like the ones Matthew used, placed strategically throughout one's residence to keep moisture from building up - e.g. in clothes and linen closets, under sinks, etc.

Here are some of the more popular ones you can find for a few hundred yen each at your neighborhood drugstore or supermarket:

They usually come in packs of three - as they contain calcium salts which absorb water,
the white granular salts get replaced with a liquid.

some versions also contain charcoal 

Others are "flat" types that you stick directly in your clothes drawer,
however these are silica gel based so the hard crystals turn mushy. Not much drying power 

This is what happens at the end -
you have to punch a hole and pour out all of the liquid that's collected before disposing in the trash.
Caution, this is NOT water...

I had actually a long time ago purchased a car specific desiccant product for my GT-R, however running to AutoBacs and paying a premium isn't exactly the smart thing to do. Car specific models tend to be those modified "flat" types or flattened versions of the carbon/calcium salt versions designed not to tip over in a car.

As Matthew figured out, using these desiccant products is key. However, the stuff easily found, while it works well, has a tendency to tip over and possibly spill.  Thus, I was impressed by his genius in using a coat hangar to make a quick and easy custom rack to secure the desiccants around the transmission well.

Inspired, I was going to do the same thing, but then found these:

Super Compact Type! And with 350ml capacity, only 50ml less than those larger box versions!

 The trick of course is to make sure they don't tip over and spill. In my case, I decided to place these under the front seats, as they are flat enough to do so.  And, they are tall enough so that they won't tip over, however I was still concerned that they might end up moving about and ending up in the rear footwell, where someone could knock if over.

Hence, for the time being, I've decided to just stick them under and in front of the front seats.

You can see the all weather mats doing a great job catching all the dirt that would otherwise end up in the carpet!

I will check in a few months to see if moisture accumulation is indeed, a problem. Meanwhile, for 2016 I am planning more serious mods/repairs. Stay tuned...

First "Performance" Mod!

So even before I took delivery of the ISF, I started thinking about how different this car was going to be from my GT-R. Smooth, refined, and... quiet?

I kept hearing about how the car was quiet enough that you often surprise yourself at how fast you are going.  Perhaps that's why I've never gotten a speeding ticket in my GT-R? The anonymous silver color that hides the car in traffic, coupled with the excessive noise which makes me painfully aware of how fast I'm going?  In any case, I realized that driving a very BLUE car, and a quiet (to me) one, increases my chances of getting a speeding ticket.

In Japan, not only do the police engage in catching speeders (using speed traps, undercover cars and highway patrol motorcycles), but there are also the photo-radar machines, both permanent and moving-type, called "ORBIS."  I don't see many black and whites doing speeding duty, and just like back home in the US, undercover cars are painfully obvious if one is paying proper attention when driving.  The white motorcycle "shiro-bikes" are probably the most deadly, however I have been lucky enough to avoid having to deal with them. (Knock on wood!).

Here are some examples of these ORBIS machines, just in case you find yourself driving in Japan:

"H" system type ORBIS. From https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/自動速度違反取締装置

Example of speed camera (ORBIS) commonly found in the Tokyo Metropolitan area (i.e. Wangan).
From: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/自動速度違反取締装置

"LH" system ORBIS example: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/自動速度違反取締装置

In all fairness, the government DOES warn you when you enter an area where these ORBIS machines are set up:

Admittedly these signs are relatively easy to miss...
From https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/自動速度違反取締装置

On my GT-R, my aftermarket Navi has all of these ORBIS locations programmed in (and updated annually).  And warns me very annoyingly when I am fast approaching one. While sometimes you can't avoid the cops, a stationary radar machine can certainly be avoided.  Unfortunately, I found out that the OEM Navi in the Lexus, however, does NOT have such a warning feature. So at minimum, I would need some method to let me know where these ORBIS are.

This meant the purchase of a JDM radar detector, as I'm not about to replace the OEM Navi (which in true Lexus fashion has some pretty impressive features).  Although I did some research, I could not definitively determine whether or not the radar systems used here operate on the same frequency as in the US (I really like the Valentine unit).  So, I decided that I would stick to one of the 3 main manufacturers of detectors here: Cellstar, Yupiteru, and Comtec.

Market competition has ensured that all of these radar detector products have the same features - GPS positioning, TFT LCD screens that display maps in a very navi-like way (showing exactly where the speed traps are), ability to upload new maps, compact size, OBDII connectivity, etc.  I had done the research online and it appears that the actual radar-detection performance is pretty much the same. So it then became a matter of figuring out which unit had the optional stuff that best fit in with my needs.

For example, I wanted to be able to upload new maps by Wi-Fi (or via iPhone).  Some of the units require the user to take out, from the unit, the micro SD card, plug into a PC and then download new maps.  I also wanted FREE updates, and some charged per update. So I eliminated those types.  I also wanted something that could mount on a visor, but these all would end up with their physical buttons upside down (the screen would flip but not the labels on the physical buttons) which of course would drive me crazy.  I also wanted one with the ability to mount on the dash but without causing permanent damage, whether in the form of holes or double sided tape.

I ended up choosing this model from Cellstar: The Assura AR-282GA (you can check out the videos they have there).  Despite the unfortunate name, (they were probably trying to modify the word, "Assurance"?...) it has some pretty nifty features:
- pre-installed 125,000+ GPS points (includes restaurants, gas stations, etc.)
- pre-installed 41,000+ known speed traps (including ORBIS)
- free WiFi map updates
- OBDII linkage to provide over 180 engine data points
- 3.7inch WVGA screen
- connectivity to a driver recorder (dash cam)
- use of a "gel mat" to mount on the dashboard
- and yes, made in Japan (vs others which are made elsewhere...hey gotta support the local economy!)

So the Friday before I was to pick up the car (yes, I wrote this post a long time ago but forgot to publish it!!), I went ahead and ordered it, and (thanks to Japan's amazing package courier system) it arrived the next morning!

I ordered the optional OBDII cable because I knew that the ISF was a non-smoker's car (so the center console cigarette lighter was deleted), and was worried about the 12V outlet in the armrest being too far away - plus might not the cord (extending to the center console) get messy?

I first had to locate where the OBDII plug was - which was under the steering wheel (I borrowed this photo, as I forgot to take a photo)

From: http://minkara.carview.co.jp/en/userid/917564/blog/28163144/ 

Then mounted according to the instructions - not too close to the windshield, and hopefully at an angle where the GPS and radar can still be detected.  Cellstar kindly provides a type of "sticky pad" which allows you to mount it without permanent damage to the dashboard... when it loses its stickiness you just wash it and it revitalizes.

However, it failed to turn on via the OBDII port (I have to figure out why still), so I eventually resorted to plugging the unit into the cigarette lighter plug in the center armrest.

Also, yes there is another unit I was interested in, which hooks directly into the OEM Navi, but I have another reason for picking this particular model... which I'll post in a future post.  In the meantime I'm counting on this Assura unit to keep me ticket free.

My impressions? Well the unit certainly does give you plenty of warning of EVERYTHING that could possibly come at you. Not just these ORBIS things, but it warns me when there is a Koban (police box) nearby, or a marked police car (it doesn't work with undercover cars, as I soon learned... that's a story for another post...). It also warns when you enter a zone where police are known to set up speed or other types of moving violation traps.  In short, it's almost TOO noisy...and because it IS too noisy sometimes I have the stereo turned up and sometimes I don't hear all the warnings...

In any case, the psychological effect of having this is nice. Although the reality is, if you pay close attention and don't drive like a maniac here in Japan, then you shouldn't get in trouble with the law. Hopefully. Stay tuned....

Parking in Japan...Good and Bad

While I have the luxury of a two car garage, whenever I take the IS F out for a drive, I always try to find a safe location to park it.

You might think that, because Japan is such a crowded country that parking would be a premium, and that most spaces would be as tightly packed as possible. And sometimes cars barely fit into their spaces. And this is true.

From, http://girigiriparking.blog34.fc2.com/blog-entry-41.html

However, Japan is also home to probably the most number of mechanical parking garages. This usually involves a pallet onto which you drive your car, and then that pallet moves about in a certain geometric manner to maximize use of space.  These garages can be simple - a pallet that just goes up to fit 2 cars in the space of one, or can be mechanized to move horizontally as well as vertically,  for example 3 cars wide but 5 cars tall, sort of like a Tetris game, with one unused space like those puzzles.

With my GT-R, when I lived in Tokyo, I absolutely hated the parking structure.  This was because not only did it take forever for my car to appear, but also because humans were able to walk into the structure (on the ground level), and as the cars where tightly packed together, someone's bag or zipper would cause scratching. That, and as my car is lowered sometimes I'm not able to use the pallets!

Check out this old link on my GT-R Blog for photos.

Anyway, the other day I had to go to Chinatown in Yokohama for dinner. And was pleasantly surprised that 1) my IS F did not scrape the pallet, but 2) the car has a surprisingly wide tread, I only had a couple of centimeters on each side of the wheels as they fit into the pallet's track.

When we parked, the car simply vanished up, as if being vacuumed. But on the way down, there was more of a performance.

Enjoy the video:

Quick Trip to Hakone...and the Mazda Turnpike

So just today I took a quick trip up to Hakone with an old friend of mine visiting from the US.  No trip to Hakone would be complete for a car guy without a quick blast on the Mazda Turnpike (what used to be known as the Toyo Tires Turnpike). Here is a link for a further description, including how Mt. Fuji is viewable on a good day.

In any case, this post will be light on words and heavy on pictures. Enjoy!

Here is where we ended up, the Hakone Jinja (shrine) with these Tori gates on Lake Ashinoko...

Shortly after blasting through the turnpike tollgate on the Odawara side, our first photo op...

The rainy weather meant for some slippery roads...so we weren't able to drive at more than 7/10ths!

The roads weren't THAT slippery, but you had to watch out for clumps of wet leaves.

I just thought it was cool how the water mist sprayed up.

Still OEM exhaust, but hearing it from outside the car on full throttle was awesome!

Another stop for some more scenic pictures:

Was too cold and rainy to see Mt. Fuji

I asked my friend to keep driving, and stood on a boulder to get this shot.

And this one...

Yep...have to trust my friend to come back with my car...

Just as I was watching that red Mustang go past

Here he is carving up the road.

After I got back in the driver's seat, we drove to the Hakone Jinja (shrine)...
the local town is dotted with those red Torii gates.

Parked right in front of the shrine's Torii gate.

Here is a closeup of the gate behind the car...

(A different gate...) We parked the car and hiked up these stairs...

To the main shrine buildings 

Note Imperial crest... the non-Japanese Asian tourists didn't seem to even notice or care... 

So that is a lion... or maybe dog...covered in moss... guarding the shrine...

We then turned around and checked out the Torii gate on the water of Lake Ashinoko

And then got back in the car to continue exploring some more backroads...

I have to admit, compared to my GT-R the ride, while firm, is just right for these kinds of roads. As is the steering - which yes could be more communicative but felt just right on these roads. And the power - it sure was nice to have it when we did some quick overtaking of, uh, ehem, other more horsepower challenged vehicles out there.  

In any case, next time hopefully the roads are dry so we can have some proper fun!

I Violated My Own Rule On Always Washing by Hand and...

Yes folks - after having left my car outside for 2 weeks while I was doing a job away from home, plus with all the rain, the car badly needed a wash.

Except I had no time - I had to prepare to go to a relative's wedding later in the day... what to do?  As I pulled into my local gas station, I realized that a car wash would only cost me about 500 yen... and yes while not the TLC I typically expect of my cars, I have yet to take my car to be professionally detailed where all of the existing scratches in the paint would be taken out.

So, I figured one time in a mechanical car wash wouldn't be devastating to me...what's a few more scratches right?....

So with a deep breath:

Since I was taking some video as well you might as well see how these machines in Japan work.
Part 1:

Part 2:

And finally:

After the damage was done, the car was pulled around so that the interior glass and the mats could be cleaned:

Meanwhile, I was getting many upset messages on my Facebook account after I posted the first photo...

Still, it's nice to have a clean interior - after a week of rain which meant lots of dirt inside.

The attendant did remark that he'd never seen the water literally slide off the car, the "coating" as he said must have been very high quality. I DID tell him that I had only gotten the car about 6 weeks ago, and that the dealer may have put something on it.

When I thought about it though, I realized that what was probably happening was my habit of using a spray detailer - in particular this:

From: http://www.zainostore.com/product/Z-8.html

I use this on my GT-R, which is silver, with great results. With a darker car, the results are even better, as this guy with a black Ferrari demonstrates:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2wgk8i

Each time I go to the dealer, they wash the car. So, as soon as I get home I'd do a quick spray on of this detailing spray, just in case. I like having the smooth slick feel to the paint, plus it really does make the car look better.  I can't wait to get the car professionally detailed, but I've been so busy with work and life that I haven't had the chance as of just yet.

Hopefully soon before the winter months...

My OCD Almost Killed Me!

Ok, a bit of an exaggeration perhaps, but this experiment in cleaning/disinfecting left me with watery eyes and a cough that lasted a few hours...

If you recall back in August after I first took delivery of the car, one aspect I thought was odd was the interior smell.  Kabe-san at Rapt assured me that the smell was consistent with the Lexus IS smell, but I just wasn't sure...

So I began to research - I didn't want some perfume-laced gel or thing-that-hangs-down-from the rearview mirror that covers up smells. I wanted something that would attack the source of the smell, and eliminate it. Leaving only the actual smell of the plastic, wool and leather in the car.

I also realized that the smell that was bothering me was not from the seats, the leather or plastic - it emanated only on start-up when the A/C had not yet kicked in fully. Thus, I suspected something in the A/C system was the origin of the smell.

Without disassembling the A/C system, the only way is to use a device which uses chemicals in a gaseous form that recirculates in the system.  I soon found this - it was cheap enough (few hundred yen), so I went out and got this:

It got pretty good reviews on the Japanese car blog site Minkara...

Basically, you mix water and a chemical which causes a chemical reaction that releases a gaseous disinfectant.  I couldn't find many versions for cars - although this aerosol concept is well known in Japan for getting rid of mold and insects.  There also are lots of products available here in Japan for tablets you place in the car (that absorb smells) and sprays that you spray into the A/C vents (but this doesn't reach far enough I think), but I wanted something extremely thorough - hence this aerosol product seemed to be the answer.

I bought this version because of the claim of "odor-less" and because the manufacturer Earth Chemical is a well known consumer products company known for their anti-pest (insects, rodents, etc.) products and household cleaning products.

I was a bit hesitant to use it - until this past Sunday, when I took my car into the Lexus dealer for its "12 month checkup" (post coming soon) and Ishikawa-san, the chief service tech himself said that he too sensed something was slightly off in the A/C system when he went for a test drive - however he felt it was within what would be found in a used car.  But it inspired me to go home and throw caution to the wind and try this product.  Even though it was evening and it was getting dark (hence my photos aren't the best).

Anyway the instructions are clear - open it up:

It even comes with pre-measured water so you can do the disinfecting anywhere!

Remove the cartridge from the silver and green aluminum wrapper, place into cup, then pour water over the cartridge.

And then yes wait for the smoke to begin emanating - it got really thick shortly after this

The car should be set up to recirculate on AC mode, and full blast. As the smoke thickens, keep the engine running, windows up, and the smoke should circulate throughout the car nicely. I unfortunately sat there like a stooge after setting the product on the passenger floor mat as indicated in the directions... and then had to stumble out of the car when my eyes began to water and I began to cough...

After 10 minutes, I followed the directions to the letter and shut off the car and open all the windows to air out. Sounds simple, except...

When all was said and done, the car smelled like insect repellant!!! Not fair, I thought this was supposed to be "odor-less" but when I think about it, makes sense as insect/pest repellant is what Earth Chemicals specializes in...so I decided to drive around for awhile with all the windows (and moonroof) open, in the hope that the smell would dissipate.

Unfortunately, this did not immediately remove the smell, apparently the chemicals really get into the A/C system...

In any case, I was resigned to waiting for the smell to gradually, and hopefully, naturally fade.  However due to having to leave the car at a work site, I ended up leaving the car outside, in the sun, for a few days.  And, guess what... the smell went away! Success?

Maybe - the old weird smell is gone, yes - but it's been replaced with another weird smell, hard to describe. I may have to repeat this experiment, will do so after I take my car in for a full detail (soon).

Disappointment... in the Lack Of Tuning Parts!?

So coming from the GT-R world, where there are plenty of magzines and "Mooks" (Magazine+ Book) which are literally catalogs of tuning parts available for the GT-Rs, I've been searching for something similar for the IS-F.

Something like this:

I see these for the Civics, RX-7s, GT-Rs, even Toyota Crowns and
Celsiors (=LS400) and Altezzas (IS200)... but NOT the ISF

It turns out that, as Lexus has only been in Japan for the last 10 years, when they did begin selling them the two "new" models were the IS and the GS, which were clumped together in a lot of the Japanese press.  So I finally found this:

FYI, the LS was already sold as a Toyota (the "Celsior") and the SC was sold as the "Soarer" and even the previous IS was sold domestically as the "Altezza."

In any case, I eagerly ordered the Mook (from a used bookstore) hoping to find some cool parts I hadn't come across before on the Internet.  Strangely, no matter how hard I looked, I also could not find a "Volume 2".... ok this is not a good sign...

It arrived nicely wrapped not just in clear plastic, but also this protective foam:

I eagerly opened it up, only to find:

ARGH! My eyes!!!

What kind of junk is this? And then I really wasn't expecting anything IS-F related, but then:

Sorry, but what IDIOT would run around with these heavy cast wheels?

The other wheels they had weren't much better either, at least for me:

Yeah not for me.

It's really strange - with the RB26 GT-Rs, it was almost required to change out the wheels to something more aggressive, fatter, and bigger.  With the IS-F, I think the OEM BBS designs are all great, even though I have yet to see the versions other than the ones on my car now.

In any case, it means that, other than OEM items, I will have to rely on these shops for cool aftermarket parts, at least here in Japan.

Let me know please if there are others outside Japan I should know about!!

Meanwhile, I guess maybe they didn't make enough numbers of the IS Fs to make it worthwhile to publish more dedicated magazines and books? Although this really was Lexus' first supercar...?