I just brought my vehicle in for service and had a couple of questions that I was hoping you guys could answer as they didn't make sense on the invoice.

1) I had my summer tires taken off and then the winter tires remounted on the same rims. They charged me $64 for four Nut. Hub W/Washers. What is this? Why would they need this if they were replacing on the same rims?

2) I had the "I agree" inconvenience removed through the update. I asked if there was to be a charge and was told no but then after it was done they said that they didn't realize that this update required a new hard drive for $300. They said that they would eat the cost of the harddrive but justed wanted me to pay the cost for labor ($92) which I reluctantly said was fine. I didn't think a new hard drive was necessary. Am I mistaken?

Total for these two things was $307.30

 

i don't know about 1, but for 2, it's not a new hdd needed, that's totally incorrect. but what they need is a usb drive from lexus and then d/l the information from that drive to the car and the usb drive is done afterwards

 

Yeah sounds reminiscent of earlier reports on this board where navigation updates were done, and the dealership had to acquire a new type of USB drive with the update on it.

 

#1 is correct. This is the washer, nut and rubber grommet on the tire pressure sensors. Lexus procedures are that these are to be replaced each time the tires are removed because the sensors are removed when you dismount the tires.

 

I guess they loosen the nut first then push the sensor into the tire so the machine doesnt damage the sensor,Does this sound correct?

 

Yes, that's exactly what they do.

 

Ok sounds good,learn something new everyday,now I know when I get my tires changed I will make sure they do that,Some of these local tire shops are lost and I can see them killing all the sensors .

 

I had the update done on my previous 460, and stood next to the service tech doing it. The upgrade itself is downloaded from Lexus, but the authorization one-time use software key, which unlock the upgrade is supplied on a one by one basis, whether by purchase or complimentary from Lexus. The whole procedure is quite rudimentary and has screens that are straight out of MS-DOS. The upgrade is then loaded onto the tech's laptop, and is later transferred via the USB port under the dash just to the right of the steering wheel - the same port used for the Lexus Personalized Settings, and most ECU functions.

There was no HDD upgrade, so that's a crock, and the Navi upgrade was complimentary from Lexus, and so no cost whatsoever. I think you need to call them and get a credit for the labor they charged you...

 

Thanks for all the replies guys! I really appreciate the help!

Any further comments are certainly appreciated.

 

Thanks for the info. So would other tire shops (like Costco) know how to change the tires on our LS? In fact, they won't have the parts available even if they know how to do it so having the tires changed at the dealer is the only option?

Derek