dpalavage

Hi, my wife has a '05 RX330. I usually keep up w/ the routime maintenance myself (oil changes, etc.) We just took it in to the dealer for a power steering fluid leak. Of course we were talked into the (expensive) 30,000 mile service. no big. Then my wife gets a call. It needs front brakes (rear not so good either). I can accept this. Needs an alignment. okay. Lastly, the fuel system is gummed up (?)...needs to be cleaned (rather expensive service). Two questions. I was going to take the car to one of the chain brake shops for brake service (I've never had any problems w/ these outfits before). Have other's done this with their cars? Secondly (and more importantly) what's with this fuel system gummed up report? They told my wife that this is usually a routine service on a Lexus. I never heard of such a thing! We burn higher grade fuel in her car. I've never had a car (especially at 31,000 miles) that needed the fuel system cleaned? Any thoughts? Thanks.

xfirechief

Can you say,"RIP OFF!!"
Add a gas additive like Amsoil has to clean the system, then do that every 8 - 10K. Put 65K on my front pads before replacement & rear looked like they have 30K to go. I have 84K & still no brake problems with the rear.
PS_ I did it for about $50 for the fronts pads. Gas system cleaner around $5. I did flush out the old brake fluid & put in new synthetic fluid so that was another $20.

Boognish

Is the car running well? My guess is that the dealership told you the fuel system is "gummed up" to pad their own pockets with your hard earned money. They don't call them "stealerships" for nothing.
As for the brakes, 31K miles seems too soon. Did they give you caliper measurements? Have you heard the wear indicators? My other car is a Subaru, and last time I was at the dealership they were replacing a woman's brakes on her car at 30K miles under warranty...I would expect Lexus to do the same for me or I would never buy another one! These vehicles are too expensive for Lexus not to treat you with kid gloves.

dpalavage

the car has been running fine (except the power steering leak). I'm going to speak with the service tech tomorrow (he only spoke w/ my wife). What's with hearing the "wear indicators"? I'm not familiar w/ this.

Claude7629

Some folks call them squealers. You can hear a squealing sound when the pads get low, but before you get so low that it causes damage to your rotors.

ecount00

it's always hard to tell but when it sounds iffy, it probably is. Never heard of the fuel gummy. You can always say no. If you've got an option, get a 2nd opinion next time. It's a pain but worth it to know what the real deal is. Brakes are very influenced by driving habits.

LexRexBlue

I would talk with the service advisor and then probably get a second opinion. I've always had complete honesty with mine (Warnock), but not all Lexus dealers are the same. I've learned, not just service, but sales, too. Ironically, they were all Elite Dealers, too.

The G Man

Get a 2nd opinion on the brakes. If your car is running fine and have no decrease in gas mileage, just pour a bottle of the Techron injector cleaner in there with every oil change.

Boognish

Precisely. You will know them when you hear them. The wear indicators make an extremely annoying squeal every time you hit your brakes and are designed to notify you to change the pads before metal on metal contact happens and you trash your brake rotors. If you've been hearing the squeal and ignore it, it will eventually go away...I found this out in college when I was very broke. Looking back on it I was a definite menace to society rolling around without any effective braking force on the back two wheels!

C/N: start doing some research on brake shops you trust, and take the rig in for brake pads only after you hear the wear indicator screeching at you like a monkey in heat.