Wow, is that everything? I was quoted $100 per differential, but what else in there is going to cost so much? Basically totals to about what mine would have come to, doing all the fluids and a "major" service, around $1500Can.

 

So i got a second more detailed quote which I asked to remove the plugs from the service list..OPERATION: MMENU 60K Miles or 72 Months A/T 2WD
60K Miles or 72 Months A/T 2WD
M883989 Air Conditioning Cabin Filter, Front, r&r (If Equipped)
14/19 Value High Perf Act Charcoal
MBAS Clean & Apply Battery Terminal Corrosion Protectant
MBCLK Lubricate Brake Caliper Slide Pins
MBPTRR Measure Brake Pad Thickness & Rotor Runout
MCDFM Check Installation Of Drivers Floor Mat
MCUHF Check All Under Hood Fluids
MFIC Clean Throttle Body & add Decarb Treatment to Fuel
MFTCG Fuel Tank Cap Gasket, r&r
MIBJDC Inspect Ball Joints & Dust Covers
MIDSB Inspect Drive/Axle Shaft Boots
MIEPM Inspect Exhaust Pipes & Mountings
MIEVA Inspect Valve Clearances(audible insp)
MISLB Inspect Steering Linkage & Boots
MLDHL Lube Door Hinges & Latches
MPCV PCV Valve, r&r
MRBF Replace Brake Fluid
MRESETLT Reset Service Maintenance Required Light
MRSKB Replace Smart Key Battery
MRTV Road Test Vehicle
MSRD Service Rear Differential
MSYNOILROT OIL & FILTER CHANGE / NO ROTATE
MTNBC Tighten Nuts & Bolts On Chassis (See SMG/WMG/WSG)
MWBR Front Wiper Blade Refill, r&r
MWSHFLD Check and Top Off Washer Fluid

QTY PART NUMBER PART DESCRIPTION PART PRICE EXT PRICE
1 LE87139-YZZ38 ELEMENT, AIR REFINER 45.22 45.22
1 LE00000-BATTK-IT BATT CLEAN KIT 0.29 0.29
2 LE47769-50010 BUSH, CYLINDER SLIDE 2.07 4.14
1 LE00000-MX231-2NS 2PT DECARB KIT 25.50 25.50
1 LE77316-06070 GASKET, FUEL TANK CA 25.53 25.53
1 LE12204-31050 VALVE SUB-ASSY, VENT 11.74 11.74
2 LE00475-1BF03 BRAKE FLUID 7.29 14.58
1 LE89745-50020 BATTERY, TRANSMITTER 3.80 3.80
2 LE12157-10010 GASKET, DRAIN PLUG 2.91 5.82
2 LE00000-GEARO-IL 75-90 SYN GEAR 14.46 28.92
1 LE04152-YZZA3 REPLACEABLE ELEMENT 8.26 8.26
1 LE90430-12031 GASKET 2.04 2.04
7 LE00279-0WQTE-01 0W20-SINGLE QUART (W 9.84 68.88
1 LE85214-33180 RUBBER, WIPER BLADE 11.88 11.88
1 LE85214-06140 RUBBER, WIPER BLADE 11.10 11.10
1 LE00000-WASHE-RFLD WASHER FLUID 1.75 1.75

LABOR $: 649.46
PARTS $: 269.45
GOG $: 0.00
MISC. $: 0.00
TAX $: 22.23
------------------------
SUBTOTAL $: 941.14

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LABOR $: 649.46
TOTAL PARTS $: 269.45
TOTAL GOG $: 0.00
TOTAL MISC. $: 0.00
TOTAL TAX $: 22.23
--------------------------------
ESTIMATE TOTAL $: 941.14

CUSTOMER SIGNATURE _____________________________________________

 

I paid $100 per differential at the dealer. My 60k service cost me close to $1000 USD and i didn't get the spark plugs done. Spark Plugs were an additional $600

 

The Supplemental Manual isn't online as far as I know.
It's very thin compared to the Owners Manual and Navi Manual...and would have come with the car.

I'm gonna check the one for my 2014 Highlander as well to see what it says.
I've read both, so I may be mixing the information in my head lol
But for sure the Lexus one recommends Coolant at 160K kms and plugs at 96K kms.

Realistically my Highlander has the same family of engine, 3GR-FE, and a sealed tranny that uses WS fluid, and it's AWD...and the same year as my Lex.
So from a very basic mechanical sense, if there are service recommendations for one, they should really apply to both.

 

Right, I definitely found both of those in the servicing schedule, although at least one of the dealerships claimed 60K kms for coolant to be done. In the guide it even specifies "for Canada" recommendation of 160K. The schedule also has 30K or every two years (as I recall) for brake fluid change.

Pretty sure the "thinnest" manual I found in the owner's package was the Warranty and Servicing one, and would have certainly noticed any sort of supplemental, as I was specifically looking for all servicing info I could find.

 

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with your point. I like it actually, and think it's a great argument.
I could pull up maintenance schedules for other cars but eh. Trans/dif. fluid change has been a recommended part of car care for decades.

What I've really come up with are some good questions I which helped to resolve this dilemma for me.....

Is this transmission a entirely new concept made with entirely new materials?
Is this some new magic trans fluid recently invented?
What has changed so drastically that suddenly a "sealed transmission" doesn't benefit from having fluids changed?
If my trans fluid is just as good at 80k as it was brand new, shouldn't we put used oil right back into new cars?

Top reliability, minimum maintenance hassle/cost. Marketing scheme (tailored probably to US buyers).
Too good to be true.


Thanks for clearing that up. I in no way intended to sound as thought it should be time to change at any specific interval.
Disclaimer: When I said "can wait until next time" I was speaking to my own personal preferences.

I only meant that anytime I do (or did) a job I generally replaced and/or thoroughly cleaned anything I touched.
Replace any gaskets or worn hoses along the way since you're already there. As a mentality, not a rule.

Or, a recent example would be the suggestion to replace the serpentine/drive belt when doing water pump.
Is the belt really bad yet? No, but you'll be there anyways and therefore now is the time to change.

PCV valve is really not an invasive "job" so easy enough to fix/replace hose anytime if/when needed.

 

Thank you, when are we supposed to change the transmission fluid?

 

It also begs a number of other questions:

- why did they not only make it a sealed "non-serviceable" unit, but did not even put in a dipstick to check it? Seems like going out of the way for people to leave it alone.
- why does their service manual specifically state to "inspect only" and to NOT service it? Surely they want their product maintained properly.
- why does the service manual state "periodic checks and replacement of the transmission fluid are not required"? Why not even at any point -- 100K, 200K? Never ever?

When we then consider who Lexus is, their #1 reputation is that of reliability. Why would they potentially sacrifice that by purposely telling people to NOT service something, if the presumably inevitable increased wear and failure could be the result? While transmission-related drivetrain components certainly do heat up, there is good reason why crankcase oil is changed much more frequently, as it is also being used in and around detonation chambers. I presume the fluids are all synthetic so perhaps the temperature and other particulars in a transmission extend its longevity, but to where -- as long as the engine? Indefinite?

For me, I would gladly spend the money if I knew it was for a good or reasonable purpose, as I bought the car with reliability in mind and plan to keep it for many years. It's only in my best interests (and theirs). But forking over money needlessly just because someone who didn't even design or build the car "says so", especially when the manufacturer says the opposite, just doesn't seem rational.

What happens if a dealership does a tranny flush on an in-warranty unit and it causes it to fail? How would they then explain that to Lexus, when they went in direct contravention to how they were told to properly service the product? On the contrary, what if the book is followed, no fluid checks or changes are done, and the tranny fails, with a potential cause being aged/broken-down lubricant? Sounds like potential legal implications, or even class action.

I haven't followed the other threads on the topic, but this would seem to be an issue for Lexus to actually officially address, because from what I can tell their dealers are just going it on their own, and in many cases AGAINST what Lexus themselves explicitly state.

 

Nice! I have read some of the other threads and you make perhaps the best argument imo.

I'll still change the fluid myself personally but once again at least for me, I cant say which is the right answer. So leave it to who CAN and DID answer that question, like Lexus right? And around we go.

 

Haha, well thanks but I'm just trying to figure it out myself! Certainly "better safe than sorry" applies, but seemingly going against what the manufacturer says... I just need more info, and can't help but trust the manufacturer more than the ones trying to sell/profit from me on servicing it.

The manual says "not required" rather than "don't ever do it", which says to me it's optional and up to the owner but not in any way necessary or harmful, as there's no warning attached. But it does seem to imply "leave it alone unless absolutely necessary".

Again, I think the "safe" middle-ground is to simply do a change-out of the fluids at some point. Can't see any harm in that, and it certainly won't cost the $300 that dealers here want to flush the transmission, nor chance the potential hazards. Btw, they told me the transmission and differentials are supposed to be flushed/drained every 40,000kms/25,000mi and transfer case every 2 years.

 

Yeah it does seem to imply "leave it alone unless absolutely necessary".

Every 25k miles / 40k km seems like their motives may be greedy, that's too often.

I had drain and fill on mine, and replaced rear differential fluid. Not at a dealer.

 

When did you do it, and how did the fluids look? What did they charge you for it -- I'd imagine the cost of the fluids plus maybe 1/2 hour?

Oh, and someone please tell me our spark plugs aren't $100 each?!

 

Fluids looked fine. And I was too chicken to do myself so I paid ~$250 maybe? More than I expected, but less then they usually charged. They're a more expensive shop but I trust them. They drove in between drain/fill a little so it took them over an hour.

I just ordered plugs Part Number: 90919-01249 (IS350)
$14.39 ea right now online.

 

Fxturbo: Follow owners manual is most accurate answer in understanding which services are due.
Transmission fluid is the item some of us would like done, but dealers are instructed not to change. There is even a technical service bulletin that instructs dealers to only inspect the fluid at 100K mile interval.