LSorBS

I've searched through the forums and the majority of the posts kind of stopped regarding this service. My maintenance log is telling me that I need:
Oil/Air filters and a change
Possibly a transmission fluid flush
New spark plugs
Tire service
and general screw tightening and inspection...

Both of my local dealers are insisting I need some astronomical $2200 service :/

What exactly do I need to get done? Simply whats in my log?

Regards,
Mike

sojah

iTrader: (1)

I just got mines done by my fav lex tech on the side for 350 cash which included:
Oil change plus oil filter and air filter, cabin air filter, rear diff fluid change, brake fluid flush, inspected and tightened just about every piece on the car, trans apparently was good till 90k according to him since I had had it done at like 40k, radiator coolant flush and fill, wash.

Spark plugs aren't due till 90k I am almost sure of. I got a quote of like 700 by lex after talking them down and getting a 15% discount. But this was still way too much for what actually gets done to me.

~bbr

randal

My manual shows:
-cabin filter
-replace brake fluid
-replace engine air filter
-replace engine coolant
-replace engine oil and filter
-re-torque drive shaft flange bolts
-rotate tires

and a bunch of inspections. Brake pad inspection is very important and your front pads could be nearing the end of the trail. Very common to need front pads at this mileage depending upon your driving style.

If you can drain your tranny fluid, I would. It is not really a flush, just 2 quart drain/refill.

Spark plugs for an LS are good until 120k miles.

Kansas

The maintenance schedule for your 2005 LS430 is the same as for my 2000 LS400 -- your spark plugs aren't due to be changed until 120,000 miles -- attached is the 60K maintenance requirements for your car ... should be the same page as in your maintenance booklet.

I had the spark plugs changed for the first time a few months ago at the 120K maintenance -- the original ones looked as good as new after 120,000 miles and 9 1/2 years.

When I had the 60K maintenance done in 2005 the price was $370 not including tax but included a rear diff fluid change that was not required. I did have the transmission fluid changed but not flushed -- IMO, flushing is not a good idea. Otherwise the maintenance was "by the book" and performed by a former Lexus dealer mechanic at an independent repair shop specializing in Lexus.

Jabberwock

$2200 dealer is crazy. First - find another dealer or a good independent. Second - tell them you are not interested in and cannot afford their maint "packages". Instead insist on them performing the required maint per the owner's manual and paying ala cart for those specific tasks.

And definitely change your own engine air filter, and your cabin air filter - its easy. Also change your own windshield wiper refills.

I suggest you get the oil, brake, radiator, and trans fluids changed if they look dirty or oxidized.

Also if you don't want to do yourself, find a dealer or a good independent that has a deal where they rotate the tires as part of the oil change, and during the rotation, they also inspect your brakes. I know our Toyota dealer runs this "oil change and tire rotate" special almost every month for $39.

Personally I think its crazy to pay the huge $ for Lexus dealer "package" maint prices except for some folks that have so much $, that it doesn't matter to them, and they would just rather just save a little time.

One other note on the power steering fluid, it can get pretty dirty also. I bought a quart of the appropriate fluid and just drained the reservoir from the lower hose into a cup and then replaced the drained fluid with fresh fluid. I did that 4 times over the course of 2-3 weeks. Took 5 minutes each time, easy job. At the end, I had nice totally clear PS fluid again - total cost was about 6 bucks for the quart of fluid. I think the dealer wanted $80-100 to flush PS fluid for me.

AlexusAnja

Well... for an '05 (or '04-'06) the transmission is sealed WS transmission which supposedly "never" needs to be serviced. So, really depending on what you had done leading up to the 60K, not sure what you would really honestly HAVE TO do at 60K.

1. Brake fluid I would consider doing only because at 60K of driving, the fluid is probably pretty dark and broken down.

2. Transmission flush I would hold off until 100-120K, I would not let it be in there forever.

3. Rear diff. I would do with transmssion.

Oil, air filters, and others should just be regular maintenance.

airtime

As Jabberwock said above, do as much as you can comfortably yourself. Air filters can be ordered online for a lot less, cabin, engine, etc. Super easy to swap out. This will reduce the cost significantly.

Also, remember you can take it to a Toyota dealer for maint too.

Jabberwock

I have done this same routine at Acura by talking with the service writer and asking politely that they hook me up with just what is required per the manual, and to avoid the ultra expensive all encompassing "packages".

I try to be honest, polite, and humble with the service writer while letting them know that I will not go with the expensive packages, instead I am on a budget, I am a savy car owner, and I am interested in economizing without skimping on required maintenance. And that I am willing to do some of the simple stuff myself.

95% of these guys will understand exactly where you are coming from when you use this approach as most of them are on a budget also as they typically don't make huge $ at Lexus. If they can't relate to you and your request find another service writer immediately. Unfortunately I can't speak from experience at Lexus as I have had exactly 1 oil change since buying my car- it had 15 k on it when purchased. And the first oil change was free since it was a CPO car. Had the car since Aug 28, 2009, maint cost to date - 0.00

LSorBS

Ended up going to my local Toyota dealer and having them do everything on the service log:

out the door was <470. What a joke. Kind of sad I have two terrible Lexus dealers here in Tucson. :/

drpatel77

iTrader: (2)

me as well ... wondering where to service mine... any lexus mechanics at independent shops in Cali... around OC...??

sojah

iTrader: (1)

i would say to check your local CL forum like celoc or whatever it is called and search for some techs ^ ^ ^.

et025

I noticed that most Lexus owners follow the maintenance by mileage only. The maintenance schedules also give a time line. I have 30,000 on my 2001 Ls430, should I do my 60,000 service done? Sorry I don't mean to thread jack but I thought that this would be an appropriate place for this post

StanVanDam

Some fluids degrade over time. I would change coolant every 24 months or every 24000kms, whichever comes first. I would also change brake fluid every 36 months or every 48000kms, whichever comes first. For the other fluids and services, I plan on going by mileage unless someone makes a convincing argument otherwise.

Your maintenance schedule would depend on your prior service history. Assuming you followed 7500mile service intervals, the 30k interval is the Maintenance Service, specifying new brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil. The 60k interval is the same.

airtime

Dont forget to change tires too. If you have an 2001 and running on original tires, check for cracking and such.

et025

I bought the car with about 23k and the 30k Maintenance service was done already. I was able to obtain the previous service records from the dealership and it looked like it was serviced regularly. Im not on original tires, so I know im safe in that department.