The G Man

Lexus recommends a schedule maintenance / inspections every 5000 miles, just wondering does anybody actually do this every 5000 miles? In my opinion, besides the oil, fluid and filter changes, a car should not have to be inspected every 5000 miles. These Schedule Maintenance / Inspections are not cheap, they cost anywhere from $300 to $600 dollars. On my last couple of vehicles, I do most of inspections myself and have the dealer or my mechanic do the oil and fluid changes, front wheel alignment or wheel balancing, etc. I am trying to figure out if I can get away with doing the schedule inspection every 15000 miles on the GX and save a few bucks.
How often do you guys or gals do the schedule inspections??

bgsntth

There have actually been quite a few group therapy sessions (i.e., threads) around dealer rapings at scheduled servicings/inspections. It seems almost all dealers will charge you for work on the car that is neither recommended by Lexus or in your maintenance book. For example, Marin Lexus changed my differential and transmission fluid at the 15K service. The differential fluid change is actually recommended if you are towing, but I do not even have a hitch on my GX. Replacing the transimission fluid, by the Service Manager's own admission, was theivery.

The consensus solution was perform and document the inspections yourself, use a Toyota dealership, or like me, ask for an oil change and tire rotation only for 5K servicings. The latter will cover all the inspections, though I would confirm with the service writer, and be at least half the cost of normal 5K servicing. At 15K services, just have the book with you when the service writer is writing you up. Also reserve and secure your loaner before you break out the maintenance book

loflin

It can be really simple, unless you have a real snot for a Service Manager.

When you bring your care in for ANY mileage based service appointment (ie. not for a problem to be fixed), as what the "recommended" procedure is and how much for each part of the service. Then talk with him/her about what you believe needs to be done. There is NO requirement for you to do all the "recommended" services various dealers have on their menus. Then agree (or you pick) what you want done. I've used this method over and over. But I love my Lex dealer and my Service Writer. Both excellent.

I use the same method with my boat.

Service providers will sell you any service they can, and if you don't specify or inquire what is being done, they will do the "full service".

BTW, the first 5K service is free, including oil change. Or at least it is at my Lex dealer.

For the 10K service, I just did the most probably items (including oil changes) and it was about $110.

So net so far for two 5K services is about $55 each.

stl2chi

Ok... just did a few calls around here (chicago)

My local dealer
10k service -109.95 (oil, rotation, air filter and belt check, etc...)
oil only - 44.95 (5w30)
Synthetic - 95.95
rotation only - 55.99

Next closest dealer
10K service - $129
oil only - $50
synthetic - $85
rotation only - $45

Local Toyota dealer
10k service - $90

Questions - Are you putting in the synthetic? Is it needed / necessary?

The G Man

That what I did on my last couple of vehicles, I had the dealer do the maintenance a la carte style. Did they change your air filter at 10000 miles or simply check it?
The price on the 10000 mile schedule maintenance is not that bad, its the 30000 and up that cost an arm and a leg.

loflin

Nope just checked everything, no replace (except oil). Rotated tires, also, checked brakes, etc.

jacksonian

I just took our 2 GXs to the Toyota dealership for their service visits.

15k service was $300
30k service was $400

But I think they credited me $25 each time because some fluid only needed to be replaced every 100k miles.