I surmised that cross winds are getting under that piece and popping it right off. When that happened to me I was driving through an area known for high winds. Maybe it's a good idea to tape those down in those circumstances.

 

I assume mine are busted up from tree branches slapping them around

 

Did the same thing with mine too driving from RI to Vegas.

Heard a rattle somewhere in Indiana. Saw the passenger side trim flapping and went to the nearest Wal-Mart. Put half a roll of gorilla tape on it and sucker didn't budge the rest of the way. No leak either despite torrential rain in Nebraska.

Got a replacement once I got to town

 

1. Fitted a new Thermostat. Recently the instrument cluster temp gauge needle has not been getting to normal temp setting quickly enough (i.e. middle/horizontal). Have been getting heat fairly quickly inside the vehicle though, even in 20 degree F weather, so didn't suspect any heater core issues, thankfully. Zero coolant leaks from anywhere. So I figurred I would check the Thermostat. Good news, I think - rubber sealing piece of Thermostat was broken, and not seated correctly. Replaced it with an 'old/new' thermostat that I had in stock - my emergency spare - I know I picked this up about 3 years ago, but have not used it, until now. Will order another spare one today, just in case, and will do some testing over the next few days.

2. Also fitted new rear wiper blade. OEM size is 16", but I fitted a 17" blade. I actually think there's enough 'extra' glass to be able to fit an 18". May try that next time.

3. Made a final decision on exectly where to keep an onboard medical kit. Rear passenger side top cubby, the one that is above the spare tire kit.

Sidenote, lubed the hood cable/latch/release areas - Hood wouldn't latch closed properly. Got it closed ok, after a little while. Things do certainly behave differently in Winter.

 

 

Worth noting that the LR3 was connected to a charger at the time.

 

Sorry houm_wa, I have not experienced that before.

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when my local Batteries Plus, with a key cutting service, was able to perfectly laser cut a spare LR3 key. For $10. I had a 'spare' spare key, purchased at some point from Amazon, and figured I was willing to sacrifice this key, in order to try them out. Sidenote, the LR3 key code was not in their system, so he had to somehow cut it more 'manually'. Not sure exactly how he did it - I was not able to see it being done. In other words, your mileage may vary - your local Tires Plus may say 'sorry, not in system, can't do it'. I will be getting another spare cut, and will then be using my Gap IIDTool to properly program the new spare keys.

I also removed a significant amount of fast food garbage from the car today, donated by other family members...

 

I get it every now and then if the truck has been sitting awhile

 

Well you are very lucky to be able to get a sidewinder key cut for $10, I paid $160 for 2 keys to be cut, no one in our small city of 100K could cut one so I had to go to Edmonton for a "sidewinder" key cut. Thankfully I programmed them with my IIDTool, saving myself another $300 each. Apparently some Fords had sidewinder keys but our dealer here didn't want to cut them so I had to look elsewhere. There are some definite advantages to living in countries where the population is 10 times ours...

 

Thanks guys....yeah, and my '05 does sit for weeks at a time. I may drive it today, so I'll try clearing the fault at the midway point of the drive.

That's pretty cool about the $10 key. I remember trying to get a spare cut a decade or so ago and nobody could do it; I guess times have changed.

....also crazy to think that "a decade ago" I'd already had my LR3 for over 5 years!!