Manual says change hydrolic fluid at 60K.

Lexus dealer says its a waist of money. Do it at 120K

 

Why does your SA claim it's a waste of money while Toyota is advising its customers otherwise? I am guessing that the hydrolic fuild has an operational life expectancy which is why Toyota recommends it be changed at 60k miles.

If it were me and I planned to keep the GX until 100k+ miles I would stick with what Toyota recommends. I imagine the KDSS would be very expensive to repair.

 

Hard to know?

Lexus also says no tranny fluid change (life time). Which I do not believe in.
But my Lexus dealer say every 60k. Which is fine by me.

 

Just opened Lexus maintenance schedule (2008 GX), there is the list for 60K

--------------------------------
72 Months or 60,000 Miles
❏ Replace engine oil and oil filter; reset reminder light
❏ Rotate tires
❏ Lubricate axle shaft bushings (LX)
❏ Lubricate drive shaft, re-torque nuts and bolts (GX, LX)
❏ Replace active height control system fluid (LX)
❏ Replace air conditioner filter
❏ Replace brake fluid
❏ Replace engine air filter
❏ Visually inspect brake pads and rotors
❏ Road-test vehicle
❏ Inspect the following:
___Axle shaft boots
___Ball joints and dust covers
___Body
___Brake lines and hoses
___Charcoal canister (GX)1
___Drive belts
___Engine coolant (see page 68)
___Engine valve clearance (GX)
___Exhaust pipes and mountings
___Front differential oil (GX, LX)
___Fuel lines and connections, fuel tank band
and fuel tank vapor vent system hoses
___Fuel tank cap gasket
___Rack and pinion assembly
___Rear differential oil (AWD/4WD only)
___Steering linkage and boots
___Transfer case oil (AWD/4WD only)
___Transmission fluid (RX)
___Transmission for signs of leakage
(GX, LX)
Additional Maintenance Required If You Drive Primarily Under the Following Conditions
Driving off-road, on dirt roads or on dusty roads:
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Driving while towing:
❏ Replace front differential oil (GX, LX)
❏ Replace rear differential oil (AWD/4WD only)
❏ Replace transfer case oil (AWD/4WD only)
❏ Replace transmission fluid
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
--------------------------------------

But if your manual recommend replacement for your driving condition, I would do it.

Dealers knows nothing about long term effect of the maintenance. But dealers usually recommend to do it more often then manufactures, and until I see a single study done by a dealer, I consider all dealer recommendation to be useless, driven by profit only. Lexus technicians are technicians, not engineers, Lexus advisors are sales people. So it is kind of strange that they recommended to postpone maintenance.

 

Now that we have established that dealers don't know anything

Anyone know how to service the KDSS?

Might be time to buy a shop manual.
Sounds like fun!

 

You cannot do the service outside privately as it requires re-calibration after the replacement thru the ECT to record the information. This can be established only at the dealer. As the input for programming is done via the Tech stream Tool. Thus changing the vehicle condition current calibration data to the updated data.

 

But where does it say that KDSS needs preventive maintenance? and how often?

 

Manual says new fluid every 60K.

At this point I do not understand enough about the system to know if it need re-calibration etc.

 

There is no preventive maintenance for the KDSS, as when the dealer or the tech staff complete the check list of the maintenance or service requirement, KDSS check is done for any observation of leaks on the hydraulic side. And it is the part of their SOP which will not be mentioned in the Service Schedule.
But as far as I know, My vehicle since 2004 had the KDSS fitted in 2006 and not even a single problem so far.

 

Sounds great

Thanks

 

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

Sorry Vad, did not read ur part.
Kutsy just to re-affirm you, the KDSS system is really a tough system built by Toyota, There could be few cases on damage, and this happen while on off roading. Damage was due to exterior object or rocks hitting on the cylinder or frame struts. Otherwise,it is totally dependable and worth every penny.

 

I know it Just wasn't sure if for earlier years Toyota recommended anything. But it was nothing more than [profit based] dealer's sales pitch "we recommend 120K maintenance because our technician and sales people know car better then engineer who actually designed, studied and tested the system/car".