This may be a stupid question, but when should I perform the first oil change on this car?

I called 2 dealers in my area and 1 told me flat out that they no longer do it at 1k miles, and the other told me that the engine comes broken in from the factory...

Any insight?

 

True that the 1k service is no longer performed. The first one is at 5,000 miles and the car will tell you with a message on the dash so you can't miss it.

 

I have been wondering about this...I haven't had my first oil change but I just read the previous response and read that it tells you on the dash to go in for service? I'm asking because the nav system also has a maintenance section where dates/mileage flags can be set. I wouldn't think that to be necessary if the car is programed to notify you through the dash when service is scheduled. Does anyone know if the car is programmed this way for all service through the Dash (not the nav).

 

yeah 5k should be the first service, and it should be free

 

Thanks everyone. It seems that 5k for the first service is a cost saving plan on Lexus' part... I think I might just take it in now for a basic oil change... to get rid of the metal that accumulates from the car being broken in...

I don't buy the whole "car's already broken in" theory... I'd rather pony up the $30 bucks for the oil change and avoid some problems later...

Any thoughts?

 

It ain't $30 bucks. More like $100 from a Lexus dealer. It's really not necessary until 5K miles but if it makes you feel better then do it.

 

well if you really want to waste money like that at 1000 miles, no one can stop you but so many people are doing their first service at 5k and everything is still fine

 

not 100% but doesnt Lexus specifically say to leave the initial oil in there from the factory for at least 5000mi. since its a special blend to help break in the motor?

not sure if Lexus is doing this now, i know that Honda/Acura has been doing it for a while though.

 

I brought my car in with 1600 miles and they would not do anything even though they sent me a letter. They told me it was 6 months or 5k miles.

 

i got mine done @ 3800 miles.. no questions asked..

 

I replaced my '03 LS430 with a BMW, one of the BIGGEST mistakes of my life. Fortunately, it's a 2 year lease, so in January, it's back home to Lexus.

According to the BMW, the first oil change is to be made at 22,000 miles! Apparently, the car monitors the driving conditions, weather, how I drive, etc, and calculates the service intervals.

Also, there's no dipstick to check the oil level. Only a sensor that will tell me if it's low.

I sure miss my LS430

 

There must be a good reason why they set the first oil change interval at 5k. Just wait and get it done when the time comes. Actually, if you are using synthetic oil on any other car the recommended milage is about the same as well.

Helmar - what specifically do you not like about the BMW compared to LS? I'm assuming its a 7 series? Is it just from the maintenance point of view or is there anything else? I would be really interested in knowing the details from owner's perspective.

Thanks.

 

Matsui,

No, actually it was a 330xi. I wanted AWD and a manual transmission, so that eliminated the 7 series. I tried both the 3 and the 5 and felt the 3 was sportier.

It was, but it was also too small for my comfort over time, rough on the roads, and noisy at highway speed. Also, I've only had it 14 months, and it's been in the shop 3 times (once I had to pay!).

Surprisingly, I REALLY miss the Lexus touch screen navigation system. The i-Drive was easy to learn, but very intrusive to use. I miss little things like scrolling around the map by touching the screen, marking my current location by just touching “Mark”, touching another point on the map to see how far it is……

One of the main problems with the i-Drive is that after you push, pull, or twist the ****, there's a variable delay of up to 20 seconds before it's ready for your next action, during which time your attention is flitting back and forth between the road and the screen. The only thing superior about the BMW nav system is the voice recognition, which is much better than the Lexus was.

If I were keeping the BMW, I'd change the oil more frequently, but as it is, 22,000 miles is fine.

I have a deposit on an LS600hL for early 2008.

I've owned two LS's ('99 and '03) and it's about time I used it's most EXCLUSIVE feature, reliability, so I'm planning on keeping it for at least 10 years and being VERY liberal with the maintenance.

HBH