RX330inFL

[quote=phatonycmu;8187013]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.
/quote]

Filters should cost no more than say $40 total:

ssolomo

My mother just dropped her 2010 RX350 off at her dealer for the 30k service. I asked (on the phone) the service guy what it includes and he rattles off all the factory stuff but added on a "carbon cleaning" where the fog the intake manifold with Seafoam-like stuff. I told him that I was surprised Toyota / Lexus had that as required maintenance and he said "we only recommend what the manufacturer requires". Of course, 5 minutes later once I brought up Lexus's website 9which is pretty slick, I must admit), they don't list the intake manifold cleaning.

I know Hondas are notorious for carbon buildup (with the cylinder deactivation, the heads cool and carbon deposits) but even Honda does not recommend this service (just got our Odyssey back from its 30k service). Anyone else on here seen a buildup of carbon on the 3.5L?

Thanks

RXRunner

Our next service will be the 30k. I looked the list over and there are a lot things to be worked on and checked out. I think the estimated price is around $500. I look at it from the CPO Warranty perspective. In the warranty booklet it mentions two times about the responsibility of the owner to have the service performed as per the OMM. There are many of the items I could do. I would rather have all the records at the dealer and that should prevent any warranty questions if something needs repairing. I look at all the benefits I have received since owning a Lexus. Loaners I have used (our GM dealer refers you to the Enterprise rep desk), free car washes I used to pay for, special events I have attended as a Lexus owner. Owning a Lexus isn't a cheap date, the key is taking advantage of all the dealer benefits they offer. Plus our RX350 is a great vehicle.

kitlz

RXRunner, go ahead and take care of the few things you can do yourself. Then you can add it to the Lexus owners' website so everything is in there. Just keep the receipts. That's what I did when I had the tires replaced and aligned. It's super easy.

vlad_a

Direct-injected engines are notorious for carbon build-up. RX350/450h does not have such an engine - it is port-injected. In fact, most Toyotas do not either. And the kicker is that seafoming does little to clean it.

vlad_a

I will respectfully disagree. Owning a Lexus can be a drain on the pocket, or it can be as cheap as owning any other Toyota vehicle. I owned my IS300 for more than 11 years and I have spent very little at the dealer. I do most services DIY and only do what is needed. Overall, it has been very inexpensive to keep running. I get my parts from an online Toyota dealer.

mcomer

If you go to www.lexusdrivers.com and join (free forever...) with a username & password you will be able
to access the Lexus Service History. The original post described having bought a CPO with 23k miles, this
site will show what was (and wasn't) done to Certify it and the original owner's efforts.

ssolomo

I've read that one of the reasons Subaru went with the Toyota D4S dual port / direct injection system on the Toyobaru boxer twins is because of carbon buildup - the port injection helps keep the valves nice and clean. Also something to do with cold emissions.

vlad_a

Same can be said about IS/GS350.

ci4me

Thanks for your input. My dealer in Scottsdale wants $900 for the 30k service. Definitely looking for alternatives in AZ!

RX in NC

DIY is the only way to go.

mcomer

My mom is going to have a tough time with DIY beyond "step on brake" and "push button".

RX in NC

^^ Then perhaps you should DIY for her.

Clutchless

Any import shop that works on Toyotas can do this for far less. Use this link to find a good shop near you that was recommended by listeners of NPR's Car Talk radio show. https://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files

At 30,000 all you need is the oil & filter, changed, engine air filter changed, cabin air filter changed, rotate tires, maybe do a brake fluid flush if over 2 years, and inspect the brake pads for wear, plus inspect other drivetrain and suspension components for wear or damage.

budwom

My experience on all this leads me to two conclusions: 1) find a good Toyota dealer to do the work if you're not a DIY person. (we have a good one and a bad one locally). 2) Do NOT ask for a specific, e.g. 30k service...that often bumps you into some kind of automatic charge, which others have pointed out consists of a lot of fluff and inspections. Just specify specifically what your manual says needs to be done, e.g. oil change, inspect this and that, tighten some nuts, etc.

As such I have found that I consistently save a full 60% versus the official Lexus service price guideline I found when I bought the car. (The Lexus estimate for the 30k service was an astounding $473...for an oil change, two filters, and changing the brake fluid).