20,000 Mile Service Coming Up

[RXREY]

I'm due for my 20,000 mile service and I am wondering how many of you take your Lexus somewhere other than a Lexus dealership. Can you simply take the manual with the list of items needed to be done to a good,trusted mechanic? I got a coupon book when I bought my 400h but all that it gave me was free oil changes for the first two years. I don't mind paying but I am also careful with money...but never at the detriment to my cars or my health, etc. Thanks, Rey 1007

[mrc88dal]

I take my cars to the dealership. With my last Toyota(Sequoia), the manifold needed to be replaced and Toyota agreed to pay for the replacement, "out of warranty", because the dealers record showed that I had completed all the required service by Toyota mechanics. The cost of this repair was +$1200.00 so I'm glad I used the dealership, even at perhaps a premium price.

[RX400h]

I don't take my RX in for "scheduled maintenance "services", since many of the items on the list are "check this" or "check that" type of things. Instead, I scrutinize what fluids or filters that need to be changed and consider how difficult it would be for me to do the task. I change the oil and filter, so most of the time, I have the dealership rotate the tires (until I get a nice compressor that accomodates air tools) for $22, including a wash. Thus far, at 24,000 miles, the only things that needed to be changed (besides the oil and filter) were the air filter and cabin filter. (every 15,000 miles, I believe).

[Gryphon]

I'm with you, RX. The only thing I do differently is to buy all of my tires (none for my RX yet) at the same Discount Tire. I know the manager well and get free rotations, balances, and repairs.

Tom

[SOMEONE ELSE'S GOT MY NAME]

I don't take my RX in for "scheduled maintenance "services", since many of the items on the list are "check this" or "check that" type of things. Instead, I scrutinize what fluids or filters that need to be changed and consider how difficult it would be for me to do the task. I change the oil and filter, so most of the time, I have the dealership rotate the tires (until I get a nice compressor that accomodates air tools) for $22, including a wash. Thus far, at 24,000 miles, the only things that needed to be changed (besides the oil and filter) were the air filter and cabin filter. (every 15,000 miles, I believe).

I'm w/ you, RX. WAY too much stuff on the 'inspect' list, and way pricy for what they do. Example: My spouse had the dealer change the cabin air filter before I could get to it myself, and they stuck her for over SEVENTY dollars !! They must of laughed at her as she drove off. We too, don't mind spending for a decent value, but that was ridiculous. A two minute job, and a $12 filter (which they buy fore even less) ... now THAT's what you call a markup.

[djspawn00]

I'd just go to a trusted mechanic... hah sounds like an oxymoron.

[Jim Nazium]

I find that not all Lexus Dealers are the same. There is one in my area (Spinelli Lexus Lachine) that whenever I call (since it is much closer to my home) and ask for the cost for the i.e. 7,500, or 10,000 or 15,000 mile inspection, they are on average $150 more Expensive. They add, in addition to the "standard" inspection and fee additional things like Brake Cleaning ($75.00 EXTRA), Wheel Alignement (at EVERY oil change Interval ????) $100+, and it goes on and on and on when dealling with them. The part that is the MOST troublesome, is that when questioning them about what is required or stated in the Lexus Owners Manual, they ignore the question and state that is what is required. Incredulous!!!

I am forced to deal with a Dealer that is further away, whereupon I am not privey to a Lexus Loaner Vehicle (since I imported my vehicle from the USA and saved 10K :D ), but at the same time the Lexus Dealer offers Service at the standard "Lexus" preset pricing. At the 15,000mile service, I asked them to be sure to rotate the tires (as it indicates in the service schedule, and wanted to be sure they were rotated) and was a little surprised at the cost. $22.00 dollars for a tire rotation? Give me a break. They have the car on the lift, and inspecting it (I am wondering what just exactly there checking for), how is it they don't include the tire rotation in the cost of the inspection?

I don't want to bother with having to keep detailed copies of my service records, and it is the reason I have the vehicle serviced at the recommended intervals. Plus, I find the oil filter location to be located in the most @ss location ever seen on a modern day production vehicle, and is assured to create a mess when changing (further proof, as I find oil drops on my driveway days after having the oil change). I will outsource through i.e. Sewell Lexus, or other OEM parts for things like the cabin air filter, wiper blade inserts etc... seeing as how if the dealer is going to charge outrageous amounts for standard fare items, I will simply do it myself.

Cheers,

MadloR

[Gryphon]

Brake cleaning can be accomplished with nothing more than a garden hose and nozzle.

Unfortunately many Lexus dealers live quite nicely on the "just do whatever it needs" customers, largely female from my observations in Scottsdale.

Surly they had the wheels off to "professionally inspect the brakes," so a tire rotation should involve nothing more than putting them back in a different place. LOL.

Tom

[Jim Nazium]

One thing I have noticed with the Hybrid 400h, the brake pads should last for a very long while. I have yet to notice any brake dust on my chrome wheels.

As for inspection and cleaning, I think it would be a good thing, BUT not at every oil change. Usually a proper brake cleaning and inspection involves removing the brake calipers, removing the brake pads from the brake calipers, spraying them down with braker cleaner. Resetting the brake pads with anti-squeal compound / and / or replacing or cleaning the brake pad anti-squeel plates. Cleaning off an rust formation around the inner and outer diameter of the brake disc (the area where the brake pad does NOT contact the disc, you will usually find a build up of rust. A file or hammer to scrape or bang up residual rust from discs. Brake caliper sliders, are cleaned and a fresh coating of brake caliper synthetic lubricant is reapplied. This process if properely done, "by the book" usually will take a seasoned mechanic about 15 minutes per disc (including a tire rotation).

As for the usefullness, well, I believe after 35,000 miles or so to be a good thing. Performed by the dealer, hmm, well that depends. If you really want it done right, do it yourself. If you don't have the time have the dealer perform it, it will prolong the life of the discs to an extent, and more importantly help avoid the dreaded brake squeal.

Cheers,

MadloR

[Gryphon]

Good post re brake cleaning, MadloR.

Unfortunately about the only way to be assured of that level of workmanship is to do it yourself.

Tom

[RXREY]

Can I trust a Jiffy Lube type place? At 20,000 miles I don't need much more than changing the oil and filter. I'll take it to Lexus for my 25K maintenance since it's a mile stone and more things are needed. I just got new tires so I don't need that.....anyway, let me know. Rey

[Jim Nazium]

Well, you have to ask yourself several questions first.

1) Do you plan on keeping the vehicle more than the typical 3 years or so, if yes, then will it be more like 5+ years and longer? If so, take it to the dealer at every 5K interval. Trust me, it will show committment, the same kind that will be shared when at the 5 or so years and you have a problem of major expense. The Dealer will have no reason not to go to bat for you against "them". "Them", being the people Toyota hire to deny EXPENSIVE claims, or rather find any reason to deny you the warranty repair.

2) If your going to change the oil yourself, then great. I won't, I tried it once and can't stand the location of the Oil Filter. I guess some Disgruntled Ex Toyota Engineer put one past the final approval team, before quitting or being laid off. If your not going to change the oil yourself, then take it to the Dealer. The jiffy lube place, remember, are hired at minimum wage and are NON certified mechanics. There mandate, is to change oil quickly. Do they really allow the time to drain the oil well? Whereas, once you are in the bay there 2nd mandate is to find ways to have you part with more of your money. Trust me, Jiffy Lube and other like quick oil and lube operations, are run as a Business. How much are you really saving, and does point 1) come into play for you?

3) At the very least, take your 400h in to service at the main and more important service maintenance schedules. If you know of more speciality like shops, for things like 4 wheel alignement (I know of one in my area, they have things like "on the vehicle, wheel balancing", very specialised equipment) where they have the latest and most advanced equipment. Usually this equipment is handled by one or two certified specialists who have been trained to use these types of sophisticated equipment. Make sure they have the right "specs" before proceeding. I am not implying that Dealers are not competent, but if you can get better, why not, right?

The real truth though, is my point 1). If you are meticulous and keep all your records and have proof that you have used the right oil and at the very least used a Toyota spec oil filter, then it will be very difficult for the dealer to deny you service. BUT, from a business point of you, will they value you MORE as a customer then say someone who visits them 3 - 5 times a year?

The other side of the coin, and perhaps the real question and thoughts by people like RXrey...

Are you/we obliged to go to the dealer to have the brakes changed? No, you are not, but unless you have the right tools (some vehicles require strange Hex type sizes, for example, tools that are not typical of most peoples tool chests) doing this type of work does require a little know how and the right procedures and tools. «I do really prefer doing the brake cleaning myself, simply because most dealers simply do not show the same level of love that I and other owners show. It's time consuming, and dealers work on billable time. The more billable time, the more profitable they will be. Hey, if they are renumerated for 45 minutes of work, and the mechanic can do it in less time and take ONE more vehicle, the more revenue is generated.»

Flushing brake fluid, changing radiator fluid, changing transmission fluid etc... is it really all necessary? By necessary, I mean, all of a sudden, the quality of these lubricants over the decades have improved by leaps and bounds, yet the interval periods have been cut in half and more so. It's incredible, by Dad's 1972 Ford LTD had oil changes, and brake pads over the years, with the once every year to 2 years, changing of air filter, spark plugs and distributor caps, and occasionally the spark plug cables. Sure, it spit up a thermostat once, but when it broke, you knew what to repair. Nowadays, I find the opposite has occured. That being everything is more reliable yet we SPEND on checking to see if everything is still within spec and we SPEND to prevent problems.

Cheers,

MadloR

[Gryphon]

Very well said, MadloR.

Just a few short comments.

I often wonder if the additional cost of complete dealer maintenance over several years might be more expensive than eating one expensive out-of-warranty repair.

A Lexus extended warranty might change the equation. It saved my bacon on a previous LS400.

Tom

[LexRexBlue]

I agree. I only need to service mine about 2-3 times a year. Yes, it cost more than the local shop, but I know that they check everything. They've replaced batteries that weren't working properly on my old RX, and when the transmission acted up at 60,000 miles they changed many things before it was finally determined that it was the transmission, and then they replaced the transmission for free. They said it was no problem because they knew I had always taken care of the car. There was also the mysterious check engine light issue which turned out to be a rodent made a nest in the car and ate through many electrical wires which all had to be replaced. They covered that, too. If you spend the $ to buy the car, and care about it being safe and in good condition, then the piece of mind knowing that it is in top shape is worth it to me.