Question Re: Dealerships
Question Re: Dealerships
So I know the Lexus dealership service department is the last place I should be having work done, but this particular job (transmission flush & fill) I want done right with the right fluids, so that's where the car is going. I have one dealership within a half-hour of me, and the other two are about an hour drive. Called around to get quotes, and this is the result:
Close dealer - $350
Far dealer #1 - $850
Far dealer #2 - $180
Obviously going with the $180 option, but just wondering why/how there could be this much variance in costs for the same job? The $350 one doesn't seem that outlandish but how can that other dealer be charging twice that? Any thoughts?
Close dealer - $350
Far dealer #1 - $850
Far dealer #2 - $180
Obviously going with the $180 option, but just wondering why/how there could be this much variance in costs for the same job? The $350 one doesn't seem that outlandish but how can that other dealer be charging twice that? Any thoughts?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,304
Likes: 184
From: North Carolina
You didn't mention your mileage but remember for high mileage cars normally you don't want to flush...only drain and fill. I had mine done at Jiffy Lube at 100,000 miles and that was 10 years ago. I'm almost at 230,000 now and other than some slow shifting on cold mornings the transmission shifts fine. That being said I still have my GS400 serviced at the dealer 99% of the time...even though I have an Indy. So I would never say don't go to the dealer. Just clarify with them the procedure they are going to perform on the transmission.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 566
Likes: 46
From: SC
I agree with kevin3344.
Pricing retail customer price high, atf type t iv would be $10.00/quart --I'm guessing the dealership cost is in the $3-4 range, if not less--. For a flush they'll need 10 quarts or so. They will put a 'C' tech to connect/disconnect hoses from your car to the machine and flip a button. Do I need to continue?
Our cars have years and mileage on them. Multiple drains and refills would probably be safer, although this can be debated to death.
Each dealership is independently owned and as such they dictate their prices. Without competition prices soar, capitalism 101.
Pricing retail customer price high, atf type t iv would be $10.00/quart --I'm guessing the dealership cost is in the $3-4 range, if not less--. For a flush they'll need 10 quarts or so. They will put a 'C' tech to connect/disconnect hoses from your car to the machine and flip a button. Do I need to continue?
Our cars have years and mileage on them. Multiple drains and refills would probably be safer, although this can be debated to death.
Each dealership is independently owned and as such they dictate their prices. Without competition prices soar, capitalism 101.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 449
Likes: 49
From: Illinois
I bought a case of OEM Toyota Fluid for about $76 for 12 quarts on Amazon 2 years ago. I just did a drain and fill 4 times on 3 oil changes and the last drain and fill I changed the transmission strainer/filter, cleaned the trans pan magnets and resealed it with new OEM orange Toyota FIPG. Just as stated above multiple drain and fills are better for a transmission with higher mileage as it does not shock the transmission as a power flush would which I highly recommend you avoid.
On the different price points, you need to go over what is actually included because the cheaper places just do a drain and fill and the more expensive places do a complete power flush and will change the transmission strainer/filter as well. Keep in mind most standard transmission holds 12 to 16 quarts of fluid throughout the system but if you just do a drain and fill you will only get about 2 to 3 quarts drained out. Stick with the OEM Toyota transmission fluid for best results.
How many miles are on your GS?
On the different price points, you need to go over what is actually included because the cheaper places just do a drain and fill and the more expensive places do a complete power flush and will change the transmission strainer/filter as well. Keep in mind most standard transmission holds 12 to 16 quarts of fluid throughout the system but if you just do a drain and fill you will only get about 2 to 3 quarts drained out. Stick with the OEM Toyota transmission fluid for best results.
How many miles are on your GS?
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 73
Likes: 6
From: FL
I bought a case of OEM Toyota Fluid for about $76 for 12 quarts on Amazon 2 years ago. I just did a drain and fill 4 times on 3 oil changes and the last drain and fill I changed the transmission strainer/filter, cleaned the trans pan magnets and resealed it with new OEM orange Toyota FIPG. Just as stated above multiple drain and fills are better for a transmission with higher mileage as it does not shock the transmission as a power flush would which I highly recommend you avoid.
On the different price points, you need to go over what is actually included because the cheaper places just do a drain and fill and the more expensive places do a complete power flush and will change the transmission strainer/filter as well. Keep in mind most standard transmission holds 12 to 16 quarts of fluid throughout the system but if you just do a drain and fill you will only get about 2 to 3 quarts drained out. Stick with the OEM Toyota transmission fluid for best results.
How many miles are on your GS?
On the different price points, you need to go over what is actually included because the cheaper places just do a drain and fill and the more expensive places do a complete power flush and will change the transmission strainer/filter as well. Keep in mind most standard transmission holds 12 to 16 quarts of fluid throughout the system but if you just do a drain and fill you will only get about 2 to 3 quarts drained out. Stick with the OEM Toyota transmission fluid for best results.
How many miles are on your GS?
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Lead Lap
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 449
Likes: 49
From: Illinois
Lol, I blame a lot of work meetings with power points and people sharing their point of view for it to be over used by me to make a point.
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Thanks for all of the replies.
For reference, I have around 103k on the odometer of this 2003 GS300. I recently had a trans solenoid replaced at an independent transmission shop and am getting the flush/fill done to make sure all of the fluid in the trans is the right stuff and the same age.
For reference, I have around 103k on the odometer of this 2003 GS300. I recently had a trans solenoid replaced at an independent transmission shop and am getting the flush/fill done to make sure all of the fluid in the trans is the right stuff and the same age.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,320
Likes: 1,233
From: IL
Consider going to www.dealerrater.com and looking up the service dept reviews at
each of your intended shops.
each of your intended shops.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
I did a filter change (dropped pan) and then 14 qt. drain & fill on our '03 GS about a year and a half ago when there was 88k on the odo. Even going through 14 qts. I never got clear fluid - still had the 'black death' in it. Ever since then I've been doing the pan drain & adding 2 new quarts but the fluid remains dark. It now has 108k on it and am concerned that the 'black death' may become a reality and was thinking about a dealer flush. Not a good idea at this stage?
Steve
Steve
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 449
Likes: 49
From: Illinois
I did a filter change (dropped pan) and then 14 qt. drain & fill on our '03 GS about a year and a half ago when there was 88k on the odo. Even going through 14 qts. I never got clear fluid - still had the 'black death' in it. Ever since then I've been doing the pan drain & adding 2 new quarts but the fluid remains dark. It now has 108k on it and am concerned that the 'black death' may become a reality and was thinking about a dealer flush. Not a good idea at this stage?
Steve
Steve
Is your transmission shifting poorly or acting up?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 24
From: IL
Drop both cooler lines, run the suction side in a bucket of clean fresh fluid, discharge side into an empty bucket. Start car, wait till clear fluid comes out.
Sometimes old school ways are best.
NOTE! GS's have a cold min fluid issue that is critical for cold weather operation. So make sure there is a MINIMUM amount of fluid when cold start. Mine always had this odd "kick off into neutral" feeling when I would start at home getting out of the driveway (forward or reverse, didn't matter). Fluid hot was always good. But Checked it COLD, and alas, it was LOW on cold start. Watch for it. The pans are shallow in the GS (hence only 2 quarts comes out on a drain and fill). So in cold it can suck the pan dry really easy.
Sometimes old school ways are best.
NOTE! GS's have a cold min fluid issue that is critical for cold weather operation. So make sure there is a MINIMUM amount of fluid when cold start. Mine always had this odd "kick off into neutral" feeling when I would start at home getting out of the driveway (forward or reverse, didn't matter). Fluid hot was always good. But Checked it COLD, and alas, it was LOW on cold start. Watch for it. The pans are shallow in the GS (hence only 2 quarts comes out on a drain and fill). So in cold it can suck the pan dry really easy.
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