08 GS 350 w/85k;; No issues since day one. I have read all posts regarding the changing or not changing of trans fluid (World Standard). I have spoken with two Lexus dealers in San Diego and an independent Lexus repair facility. Their is No consistency out their. I do not believe any fluid lasts for the life of a car. Also, the process of changing portion of the fluid through multiple visits. HOW do you know if you are changing out old fluid or new fluid or most likely both. Longo Lexus (Los Angeles) as a special for $145 that changes out 4-5 qts and recommended to be done three times over a 6 month period. This sounds crazy. Next, per the postings from a guru the dealer used BG system to change out 12 qts for slightly over $200. I can not find anyone in So. California who understands this option. I even spoke with a master tech. at Escondido Lexus and he sounded confused, actually tried to talk me out of it. I personally am getting tired of Lexus with respect to the amount of maint. required (frequency) and the cost.

Can anyone provide me with a dealer or independent that they have used in So. California to get this done and done correctly.

 

Brother, I have received the same run around for a year now. I finally did get the service adviser at Lexus to tell me he would drain and fill for $405. LOL. Also Toyota said they would drain and fill For $106 plus cost of fluid. Toyota did say that some of the high mileage World standard fluid was getting pretty thick and dark. I still think this can be done by a DIYer and am having a mechanic friend check with his Lexus tech buddy on this very issue to see what special tool/fitting I would need.

 

My old 95 Accord had this as well. It is more desirable to 'clean' the fluid by draining some of the bad, putting in as much clean as you took out bad. Then... the ratio of good/bad improves. Why do this? Because as the transmission wears, it may 'need' the higher viscosity from the existing fluid to operate properly. It is possible that changing it can do more harm than good. BUT... results vary. I'm at 94k right now and have been contemplating the same thing.

 

I believe that kuwupt did a fluid change at the beginning of his build. Said that he noticed smoother shifting afterwards. Might ask him about it.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...build-log.html

 

I heard all this also and had a $185.00 service done on my AWD GS 300 at about 85K

 

I'm upset about this too because I really want to do a full flush on my GS. I had a appointment with the Toyota dealer to do it when I got there and explained what I wanted. A service tech was behind the desk listening. Then he smiled with a weird grin. I asked him what was funny? And he began to say it isn't supposed to be changed, blah blah blah, we won't be responsible if it kills the trans etc. but I just don't understand why or how it won't be changed. My gs just had the engine rebuilt at Lexus of Wilmington a few months back and it's handling great. My car has like a new motor and my mileage is 158,000. So now I want to service my trans so I can know I'm cool for another 100,000 and I'm getting the run around. If you have 100,000 - 150,000 on your car. It's just hard for me to see the logic in NOT changing the trans fluid.

 

I had the Lexus service manager pretty much tell me Lexus has created a monster with this tranny set up. The fluid is not what they thought it was - meaning it is truly not lifetime and does show serious breakdown issues in the 100k range. The monster effect is that the Tech's are scared to change out the fluid and it is too complicated for a DIYer to mess with it. I get so pissed off when trying to get this service done knowing damn good and well it is needed.

 

my Lexus service advisor told me a full flush my very well damage the tranny. He said to just drain out the three or four quarts that drain out and refill. So, that's what I did. The car had about 82000 on it when I had them do it. Car is under extended warranty. He said if I did a power flush and something goes wrong, the warranty may not cover the repair.

 

Needing an oil change every 5k is terrible. and yes, my Lexus has needed a lot of expensive repairs. Thankfully, Lexus has done much of it under extended warranty, recalls etc. I mean, cable springs two years ago, rings a few months ago...I thought Japanese cars were supposed to be built well.