In investigating the purchase of the IS350, I have looked at the factory recommended service. It seems they are recommending service every 5,000 miles.

This is actually more than Audi/VW, which is once at 5,000 miles, and thereafter at 10,000 mile intervals. So it seems this vehicle is actually more expensive to maintain, *at least while in warranty.*

Looking at Lexus recommended services, it also looks like the *real* service is at 10,000 mile intervals (the oil change), and the other 5,000 mile services are just fluff and a profit center for the dealerships. Do any of you see this differently? Does some annoying light go on if you ignore the non oil change interval?

 

In my experience, the 5k and 10k service are no-charge (at least from the dealership where you bought the car), so don't spend a lot of time worrying about those. I maintained my '09 IS every 5,000 through the dealer, and it does get expensive.

The most expensive services are at 30k and 60k, followed by 15k and 45k. I spent around $160 for the routine 5k service and up to $350 at 15k and 45k.

 

find out if the dealer gives you free oil changes with purchase of the car too. Usually give you a couple years of oil changes free. At least they do around here. But yea most of the items on the service intervals are fluff. I think theres a light but there is a sequence to reset it. Is the Audi/VW with synthetic oil? Some auto makers are moving to 10k intervals with synthetic.

 

There really is no need to do the 5K as they are not changing the oil they are just doing visual checks and rotating your tires. The rotating the tires is all you really need.

 

Unless you have staggered width tires, in which case, you don't even need that. So, after the complimentary 5K and 10K services, every 10K will be my service interval.

 

I believe the 2 complimentary services can be done at any Lexus dealer. They are free from Lexus not a dealer.

 

first 2 are complimentary here in Canada

 

They change the oil every 5K

 

Yep that also.

Yep correct not offered by dealership a Lexus complimentary service.

No they don't, the new IS, ES, and GS are all 10K intervals for oil change, some may choose to do it at 5K but the manual states 10K intervals for oil changes.

 

I go every 5k when i had my 2IS and if i didnt the maintenance light would come on soon after, i will be doing the same with my 3Is every 5k plus i wont be paying for it this time around

 

oil changes are recommended every 10K. Look at the invoice on the 5K check in...mine did not mention the oil change but my 10k did. My advice (here is where I become preachy - sorry) to anyone with a Toyota...Learn to do these things yourself. An oil change should cost (filter and oil) a little under $50. Filter around 5 bucks and lets say 7 quarts of synthetic around $6-$7 a quart. The initial investment will be the biggest hump because of the oil can, funnel for the new oil, tools and so forth but in the long run it is worth it. The more expensive the vehicle the higher the maintenance fees, not because the maintenance is different but because overhead is higher and "YOU" can afford more. Just always keep in mind, no matter how nice they are, dealerships are always looking out for their bottom line, not you!

Regular maintenance on a Toyota?

• oil change
• transmission fluid change (30-100k depending on type of fluid and conditions) I actually recommend the dealer or shop for this one.
• break changes
• tire rotations (depending on rim and tire combo)
• refill the windshield wiper fluid (if you can't do this...well...)
• Bulb changes (non-LEDs)
• thats it...

If it's a major electrical or engine problem your car will let you know. Fixes are random and subjective to driving conditions so...I don't factor that into maintenance. But this stuff is easy to learn, takes no time at all to do, there are plenty of video DIY's for these, and will save you so much money in the long run. And the skills are transferrable to any vehicle.

BTW...your manual has a whole section on DIY maintenance...just trust yourself...you won't break it.