So I'd like to keep my HS a few more years for my daughter, and have done all the recommended fluid changes. But there's nothing about belts and hoses. In the old days they wouldn't last more than 8-10 years before becoming brittle. Is that still true? Someone recently posted about their inverter coolant hose breaking. Have others had hoses or belts break? Is replacing all of them a good idea, or overkill? She's just hitting 140k miles.

 

Way back, when I used to work at an import auto repair shop many moons ago, our rule was that tyres and belts would be replaced before the ten year mark, no exceptions. Rubber hoses older than ten years were inspected at every servicing. After fifteen years of age, they were replaced with new OEM or Silicone Aftermarket. Also, anytime rubber hoses for cooling system were replaced, the cooling system was flushed. When rubber hoses for power steering systems were replaced, we would replace all power steering fluid. At our shop, we never saw any catastrophic failures of rubber components on vehicles that we regularly serviced.

 

Thanks! I will now inspect all the hoses on my HS250h!

 

So i just got back from the lexus dealer. i told the service mgr my concerns, and he said in his 23 years there, doesn't recall ever needing to replace any hoses. Did my oil/filter change and inspection, and the tech said the belts and hoses were still in great shape. Given they charge $100 for an oil change, i figure if they are passing up $$$ from a customer almost begging them to spend more of his money, i have to trust their judgement not to worry about them.

 

Interesting. Most German Car Manufacturers say belt/hoses should be replaced at ten years. Perhaps, Lexus uses a composite rubber/silicone composite hoses instead of rubber only? I know silicone rubber hoses have a lifespan of 25 years, generally the lifespan of the car. $100 for an oil change isn't bad, my local Toyota Dealer normally charges $109.99, though they occasionally send out a discount coupon for $79.99.

 

They eventually go bad especially the upper rad hose. Can take 30+ years. Don't know the exact rubber type they do not tolerate motor oil well.

 

he said it was a mix of rubber, metal and fiberglass. I'm assuming he meant the hoses, but could be he was talking about the belts.