My wife is taking our `04 GX470 to the dealer for the 25K service this morning and it struck me a moment ago that there was a 20K service performed some months ago. My question is two-fold: other than the needed oil change, why didn't the dealer perform certain of the 25K service items when they performed the 20K service (which cost me about $250) and, with cost in mind, what are folks paying for the 25K service?

Thanks in advance!

 

OK, here's the answer to my question in case anyone here is headed for the 25K service. It's an oil and filters change, fluids check and fill, tyre rotation and brake check, and car wash all for $168.50.

 

Is that filter change (along w/ the oil filter) the cabin air filters? If not, that's an awlful lot. By 25K mi service, do you mean really the 30K service? There's no way you need service this often. This is how lexus makes their money (since the cars are so reliable, they seldom break down). An oil and oil filter change is like $50 incl the car wash. Engine air filter is ~$27 list (you can install it yourself in < 1 minute. The fluid check I think is just the brake and PS fluid. No way they are going to check the ATF, front/rear diff, or t-case fluids since that involves removing the fill bolt and installing a new gasket.

This is (off the top of my head) basically what should be done at 30K mi:

-change engine oil/oil filter
-flush brakes
-change front/rear diff fluids
-change transfer case fluids
-grease f/r driveshafts, retorque bolts
-change engine air filter
-change cabin air filters (2 of them)
-rotate tires
-check stuff (brakes, steering, suspension, serp belt, PS fluid)
-repack front wheel bearings (big job, like ~4 hrs labor, $300-350 alone)

Since you have the '04, it uses the WS type ATF (lasts ~90K mi) and super long life coolant (lasts about as long), so you don't need to do these.

When was the last time you changed the engine oil? If at 20K, I'd shoot for the 30K service around 27K and save yourself some $$.

 

Thanks for the info Jim! The 25K service I described also included the cabin filters. I had the dealer do the scheduled service and have no complaints. My wife is the principal driver of our GX and, at the rate she drives, it will be another 8-9 months before the next scheduled service (30K) is needed.

 

Thats a awful lot of money for a oil change and a cabin filter.

 

It's a relative thing. The cost for this was well within my "pain threshold."

 

That reminds me of when I remodelled my house! :-) At least for the LX, you can get the cabin air filters from denso products online for $26 for TWO. Dealer charges like $40 EACH. My stealership charges $750 for the 15K service for my LX!! That's way beyond my pain threshold for what one gets (oil change, air filter, cabin air filters, f/r diff fluid, drain & fill ATF pan w/ 3qts of T-IV ATF). Besides, the ATF drain & fill every 15K ('03 and earlier vehicles) is unnecessary (even the tech told me this on the side!). Keep in mind that a lot of the stuff the lexus dealer "recommends" is totally unnecessary; it's mainly to pad their profits. Where do dealers make the real money? On service and selling used vehicles, not new cars. Look at the recommended service at the Toyota dealer for the 4runner...I'm sure it's less maintenance. Toyotas are famous for taking a lot of abuse. A buddy of mine who owns a '01 landcruiser did no maintenance in the first 80K mi other than changing the engine oil every 7.5K, air filter at 30K, and brake pads w/ no issues. If you look at the owner's manual, it doesn't even specify to change the diff/t-case and ATF fluids unless you primarily tow.

 

I changed the cabin filter myself last weekend, it's definetly takes more than 1 minute to do. stealership charged $34 for the filter element. My neighbor has a great idea. he buys a regular house heater filter from home depot and cuts it to size. That way you get about 6 filters for $7

 

It would have to be a Hepa filter right? What does he do for the filter housing?

 

I do the same thing. I get four out of it.