phatonycmu

Folks,
I'm looking for a little friendly advice on my wife's CPO 2010 RX350. We are coming up on our 30k service after roughly 14 months of ownership (bought around 23k miles). I'm curious what's easy "fat" to trim out from a DIY angle. I've replaced air filters, etc... on other cars I've owned so I was curious what else might be simple enough for a DIY (I don't have a garage, live in a townhome complex in CA, no easy way to drain oil, etc...). Also, given the CPO angle, I was thinking that some of this stuff might have been inspected not too long ago when it was certified. Any other cost-reduction ideas?

Edmunds recommended list:
http://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenan...&mileage=30000

Looking over this list... It seems like the air filter and the cabin filter are likely simple as a DIY item.

I called the local independent shop that was recommended on the CL forums (new to the area) and they quoted me $498 for the following:

1. Air Filter
2. AC filter
3. Oil filter
4. Engine oil - Mobil 1 synthetic
5. Transmission oil
6. Brake fluid
7. Rear diff Fluid
8. Balance / rotate tires

DIY items from poking around on the forums:
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2010/2524.html
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2010/2511.html

bextreme1

These so may of these services that are not really necessary and your warranty is still in place if you don't do them according to the book. I've owned over 40 cars and almost never take them to the dealer except for warranty work. I know many will disagree with me but I'm not paranoid of getting stuck somewhere with a relatively new car especially one that was just designated a CPO.

Only things on that list to do is change the oil and filter and air filter. You can't change tranny or rear end fluid nor would you want to at low miles. Unless you smoke or live in an area with a lot of dust you don't need to change the AC filter yet. Check the brake fluid to make sure there is enough. I don't rotate my tires very often. More important is to be sure the wheels are aligned properly. IMO. a lot of these "services" are just so the dealer can make money! You should be able to go to a local garage and have the whole thing done for under $100.

corradoMR2

I take mine to the local Toyota dealer for servicing at about half the cost at Lexus. Mechanically, the RX = Highlander so you can service your vehicle there in complete confidence and peace of mind if there's ever a warranty issue. I avoid the "packaged services" that include the "fillers" like checking lights, horn, greasing door hinges, checking tire pressure, brakes, etc all stuff I can easily do. I have Toyota do the major stuff like change the fluids in the diff, tranny, brakes, and engine so if ever there's a problem, I can go back to them on these expensive components.

markrivers

+1 on bringing the Lexus to a Toyota dealer.
Oil Change is the MUST. tire rotation, you can have it done at a tire store for $20 or cheaper.
if i remember it correctly, my 30,000 miles was around $218.00 before taxes.
IF you use a coupon or book online, you get 10-20% off.

mbrahmer

You can replace the engine air filter and cabin filter yourself in just a few minutes. Also, unless you have an AWD model you won't have a rear differential. Like the OP said, go to Toyota for the oil, transmission and brake fluid change; these are necessary. Your tire shop will handle the rotation and balancing as well as alignment.

2008M3

I thought the transmission was not necessary?

dctex99

36 Months or 30,000 Miles
❏ Replace engine oil with 0W-20 oil; replace oil filter
❏ Reset maintenance reminder light
❏ Rotate tires
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Replace air conditioner filter
❏ Replace brake fluid
❏ Replace engine air filter
❏ Inspect the following:
___Axle shaft boots
___Ball joints and dust covers
___Body
___Brake lines and hoses
___Brake rotor thickness and runout
___Engine coolant (see page 70)
___Exhaust pipes and mountings
___Fuel lines and connections, fuel tank band
and fuel tank vapor vent system hoses
If you drive primarily under either of these special operating conditions, perform these
additional items:
Driving off-road, on dirt roads or on dusty roads:
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier or heavy vehicle loading:
❏ Replace rear differential oil (AWD)
❏ Replace transfer case oil (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
___Fuel tank cap gasket
___Rack and pinion assembly
___Rear differential oil (AWD)
___Steering linkage and boots
___Transfer case oil (AWD)
___Transmission for signs of leakage
❏ Replace Smart Key battery
❏ Visually inspect brake pads, calipers
and rotors
❏ Check installation of driver’s floor mat
❏ Road-test vehicle

mbrahmer

08M3 - You are correct,30k is a little early for the transmission fluid, unless you tow something.

phatonycmu

So to close out this thread... (my car is an AWD, no off-roading, no towing)

-Oil change & filter
-Tire rotate / balance
-Rear diff
-Transfer case
-Brake fluid

DIY:
-Engine air filter
-A/C filter

Thanks all!

felix168

not sure about 2010 models, but my 2011 has a sealed transmission and lifetime fluid.

LeoDLion

I agree that some of these fluids do not have to be replace except the engine oil and oil filter; Tranny oil, brake fluid and rear diff fluid at 30k do not need to be replace. Inspect the level of the brake fluid and top off if low. In fact just check all the fluids in the engine compartment e.g. windshield washer, coolant, power steering fluid) and top off if low. I don't rotate the tires often.

MjThind

I paid $600 to get my 30k done at the dealer, gotta pay to play...

benzo555

iTrader: (11)

Its the same for 2010. Even Lexus wont touch the tranny fluid if you are not over certain amount of miles.

2008M3

Wow, what did they do for $600?

phatonycmu

Thanks folks. For other folks who may want to look this up later... By yanking out the transmission fluid (too early, don't do any towing with the vehicle) and doing the air filters myself it brought the cost down to $260 + the cost of the air filters (< $75 for both from a quick of Amazon, prices could vary). Total cost ~$335.

• Engine Oil - Mobil 1 synthetic
• Brake Fluid
• Rear Diff Fluid
• Balance / Rotate Tires
• Check brakes
• Top off fluids (e.g. coolant)