sderman

My wife and I own a 2007 ES-350 with about 55,000 miles and a 2007 RX-350 with about 35,000 miles. Both are driven under usual conditions. I change our oil myself (use a synthetic) and routinely replace the air and cabin filters, and routinely check the tire pressure. I find the routine care suggested by the manuals to be quite excessive (and very expensive at the dealer) so I would like to hear what others suggest should actually be done and how often. Basically, I am wondering if I have overlooked something. Thanks much!

garsarno

Had the same thing done on my 2007(traded in at 58,000 miles) at local garage. Replaced the battery before it conked out as a preventative measure in Fall 2010. Did nothing else outside of what you are doing with exception of brake pad replacement.

jkutti2000

Correct, apart for OIL changes. and checking overall.. etc. I dont see anything.
the brake fluid flush and transmission flush.. both are controversial.. some recommend.. to not touch it.
logic for Transmission flush is. that the original system is sealed nicely. once u open it. may actually make it worse.
TALKING about the ES350.. from 40 K to 80K.. lets see what major services are reqd.? DO we need a brake fluid flush. A Transmission flush... ? Brakes servicing. that depends on individual use.. what else?

Macklin

Tire rotation and balance is a must for me. I just had my 45K service done at my local shop. (Lexus is convenient for me as it is right down the street from work...but their prices are just rediculous.) My tires were due to be rotated for the first time. They charged $19 per tire one time fee for balance and rotation.

I think that is a pretty fair deal when they will do this every 5K miles for the life of the tires.

mlacomb

I'm planning on doing the same with a CPO new to me 08 ES. Now - per the 5 year 100k warranty I also purchased at the dealer (extends the normal 3yr to 5yr) - it states that I have to keep ALL documentation regarding repairs / maintenance work done on the car. Just keep that in mind if you have a warranty left on the car. I too do not plan on taking my car to the dealer to pay inflated prices (it's just a car!). I can change my own oil and get a little dirty, thank you very much.

garsarno

My garage has all the service records on their computer if ever need records for warranty work.

Brian@Vossen

Doing recommended service also helps if something goes wrong in a big way or after the warranty slightly. Lexus is more apt to do a "goodwill gesture" if the car has been maintained compared to one that the dealer rarely ever sees.

rx300mm

I read in this forum that ES350 does not need transmission fuild changed (at least not for 100k miles) .. mine for done only 53k, I do oil changes myself. So far I have new brake pad front and back, new tires, new FOB batteries and both air filters.
Have not changed coolent .. not sure when to change it.

sderman

Thanks all for your input! I still remember from years back that the brake fluid should be flushed ocassionally since it was hydroscopic and could pick up water. But as said by another, you risk doing harm by tampering with a factory closed system (I first started doing all my own work about 30 years ago when a dealer flushed and refilled my anti-freeze and failed to tighen the drain bolt. Regarding the comments about tire rotation, I have found that with both cars, the front tires wear so much faster that I simply buy two new ones of the same type from Tire Rack and bring them to Lexus for mounting on the front. When it comes to tire mounting I do use the dealer since I think they do a more careful job. I keep all at 3-4 psi over factory and, knock wood, have never experienced uneven wear. Regarding warranty service: I keep a log for both cars of all services I perform...and whenever I buy oil, filters or other maintenace items I place the receipts in a file to support future claims.