$32 to install wiper inserts? Really?
11-22-12, 04:59 PM
#16
Go buy the blade insert from Toyota, I don't have the # off the top of my head, but the driver side is the same as a 3rd gen Prius while passenger side is the same as a Venza. I think I paid <$6 for each one. You just need a flat head screwdriver or really strong finger to do this job
11-22-12, 05:24 PM
#17
No, I don't play soccer!
Good to know, cossie. The one time I went to a Toyota dealer to see about getting the refills, the parts guy told me I had to get the whole blade and he didn't have anything that would fit. Needless to say I walked out of there.
11-22-12, 07:51 PM
#18
Lexus Champion
That's the same problem if you go to Walmart or Autozone, what they have to sell is a whole new wiper arm but it makes no sense to throw away the standard Lexus arm, it's a high quality item. About the only way to just get the inserts is to go to Lexus (or Toyota), or order them online from a place like Sewell.
11-23-12, 09:57 AM
#19
Driver side refill
8521468020
Passenger side refill
852140T040
Rear refill
852140E050
Sewell are good people and I have purchased from them before, but I have a Toyota dealership 20 minutes from my house that I get Prius parts from. So I just go there and they usually give me 20% off list. Toyota list price is like the Sewell Lexus price. Lexus dealers sell them at even more.
Toyota is weird with their wiper. WIth my Nissan, the cost to replace my wiper blade vs insert was like $3. With Toyota, the actual blade is 4-5x more than the refill. It really isn't hard to do yourself, it will probably take me 15 minutes to do all three taking my time.
Here are some brief steps
#1 Lift the cover for your wiper blade with a flat head screwdriver
#2 Slide it out of the slot, no popping anything
#3 Pull the wiper blade insert out on one side
#4 Note the position of the two metal pieces on each side of the insert
#5 Put the metal pieces at the same spot on the new insert
#6 Slide the blade back into its slot
#7 Put it back on the car and snap the little cover back and you are all set.
11-23-12, 10:35 AM
#20
No, I don't play soccer!
Thanks again cossie. That's a great idea about just giving the Toyota dealer the part numbers. I usually buy them from Sewell but shipping is pricey if that's all I'm getting. I like to change the refills every 4-5 months because I hate streaking.
Two steps I'd add when replacing the refills - put a towel underneath the blade to avoid scratching the windshield and slide the thin end of the refill in first so the thicker end winds up being closest to you. It'll make it easier to get the refill through the catches that hold it in place.
Two steps I'd add when replacing the refills - put a towel underneath the blade to avoid scratching the windshield and slide the thin end of the refill in first so the thicker end winds up being closest to you. It'll make it easier to get the refill through the catches that hold it in place.
11-23-12, 07:06 PM
#22
Driver
Thread Starter
Today I got a phone call as a follow up on my service. I said I was happy except for this wiper blade charge.
It wasn't actually the dealership that called but a company they hired to do the follow up survey..
We'll see what f anything comes of it.
It wasn't actually the dealership that called but a company they hired to do the follow up survey..
We'll see what f anything comes of it.
11-24-12, 10:07 AM
#24
I expect to pay more for service at a dealership, although I really don't understand why. But it REALLY bothers me that Lexus dealerships take gouging their owners to an art form. They know they do it, and they don't care. People simply accept it as the price of owning a "premium brand". Many of us have experiences to share, but they all say the same thing.
.... I don't think gouging is funny, and I don't think we should have to give up factory trained and approved service to avoid it. It's a good thing they don't break very often, because going to the Lexus service department is about as much fun as getting an invitation to an appointment with an IRS agent. Even though they ply you with soft chairs and free bottled water.
I guess this is an example of the downside of a free market.
.... I don't think gouging is funny, and I don't think we should have to give up factory trained and approved service to avoid it. It's a good thing they don't break very often, because going to the Lexus service department is about as much fun as getting an invitation to an appointment with an IRS agent. Even though they ply you with soft chairs and free bottled water.
I guess this is an example of the downside of a free market.
A lot of times the oil change in the luxury dealerships is done by a "qualified person", not the service tech.
I personally bought RX so I don't have to go to the dealer (hopefully), because: round trip takes 2 hrs;
most of the maintenace I can do myself such as "checking fluids level, windshield inspection for cracks", and other BS. And the oil change can be done my trusted indy mechanic who see almost every make and model in his shop.
After I found out that a remote start module was installed at the Lexus dealer by attaching it to something else with double-sided tape, because the tech did not want to remove knee airbag and the glove box to istall it properly, they lost me as a potential customer.
11-24-12, 03:30 PM
#26
11-24-12, 08:10 PM
#27
No, I don't play soccer!
The GS with the optional cold weather package has a windshield wiper deicer. But I'm not aware of the wipers sitting up higher. Not sure how that helps. I lift the wipers off the windshield before it snows and make sure the rain-sensing wiper feature is turned off. Works for me.
11-25-12, 01:28 AM
#28
Lead Lap
Join Date: Feb 2012
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I always get all the services they pitch at me because I want my car to be certified when I go in to trade in my car to get the extra cash to put into another car, because I typically buy my things full down because I hate payments the only loan I have is on my house in Calabasas LOL...
11-25-12, 06:00 AM
#29
Just clean the wiper blades.
Thanks again cossie. That's a great idea about just giving the Toyota dealer the part numbers. I usually buy them from Sewell but shipping is pricey if that's all I'm getting. I like to change the refills every 4-5 months because I hate streaking.
Two steps I'd add when replacing the refills - put a towel underneath the blade to avoid scratching the windshield and slide the thin end of the refill in first so the thicker end winds up being closest to you. It'll make it easier to get the refill through the catches that hold it in place.
Two steps I'd add when replacing the refills - put a towel underneath the blade to avoid scratching the windshield and slide the thin end of the refill in first so the thicker end winds up being closest to you. It'll make it easier to get the refill through the catches that hold it in place.
There is a well known trick to extending the life of wiper blades. If they are not cracked or torn, simply clean them with windshield washer fluid. Put some fluid directly on a paper towel and wipe the blades clean. This often eliminates any streaking.
11-25-12, 07:03 AM
#30
No, I don't play soccer!
I wash the wipers every time I wash the RX (basically every week), put 303 wiper treatment on them every once in a while and Rain-X on the windshield. I'm sure I can go longer but I like having newer refills. Last thing I need is for them to fail in a snow storm. It happened once on the 300. I vowed never again. It's worth it IMO.