I'm sure there a few "Lemons" out there, but I have owned 12 Toyota's and 3 Lexus vehicles(GS, SC and LS460), all purchased new, and all have followed the recommended maintenance schedule. I have never had one car use any oil. Thankfully, neither car has ever had a mechanical problem. The only repairs have been a dash sensor light,one tail light bulb, and an O2 sensor and that was all on a 96 4RUNNER.. I think that is an amazing track record. I typically drive 10 to 15 miles per hour over the posted limit on open highway. I have driven all over the Western United States (lived in California for 28 years) and have driven across country a few times and now that I live in Delaware I have made a few round trip drives to Florida for the winter season. When it comes time to replace present vehicles I would only look at Toyota/Lexus products and decide which selection to make. I have been driving Toyota products since
1978. Usually purchased two at a time... one for my wife and one for myself.

 

I think its great you've never had a major problem. Neither have I, until now. So doing the math, you and your wife generally keep your car for 4 to 4.5 years. Assuming 20K miles per year, that's 80-90K before replacement. There are few cars made today that don't go to 100K without major issues with modern machining standards, the market doesn't allow it.

As far as blind loyalty is concerned: count yourself lucky that you didn't have any of the Lexus' with sludge issues (RX, btw Lexus denied and blamed customers at first...) or piston ring problems (IS, GS 300) or engine problems (2007 LS 460), I need not continue, there are plenty more examples.

Lexus as with any other major has its problems. The difference is that we're (myself included, until recently) under some sort of trance that makes us think that when we do have issues they will deal with us in a respectful and honorable way.

I'm sharing my story to make people aware that "looking only at Toyota/Lexus products" may deserve a second look now that seemingly market share is more important than customer satisfaction and loyalty.

 

Every Lexus I have owned including my current LS 460 never use any oil between services . I do a lot of mixed driving and idling in city traffic and then long highway drives which is when the oil consumption will show up as any moisture content in the oil is burned off .
Use synthetic oil too and do your engine a favour 😃

 

I have 80k miles on mine and have to add a quart every 1500 miles or so. I'm using 5w20 synthetic.

 

Worth mentioning IS250 carbon deposits too...

I think objectively, they have fewer problems than other companies and when there are problems, they tend not to leave you stranded on the road (though performance may be an issue).

Now, it's terrible that you're getting the run-around since your car is out of spec.

1) Which paperwork do you have? When I bought my car, I remember a huge piece of paper that was dot-matrix printed where Lexus Extra Care was listed. Is that the one you're talking about?

2) Did you pay for the price of the decreased or increased warranty?

3) Have you tried calling Department of Insurance Consumer hotline for CA? Then you can see who is right.

If they charged you for the short-term Extra Care and the final price was lower than the paperwork you have, then you're probably out of luck.

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Last, I use Penzoil (as does Lexus Serramonte). For your car, you might want to try Mobil 1 High Mileage for the next fill.

It comes in 5W-20
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...leage_Oil.aspx

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...mance_Car.aspx

Seems to suggest that Mobil 1 HM can help with re-conditioning of leaking seals,

 

Add my car to the list of LS460's that is losing oil at a rate 1 litre every 1500 KMs.

The car has 206,000 KMs on it.

Had it for six years. The engine oil light only started coming on about 2 years ago.

 

My consumption has dropped to about a qt every 5k kms (3k miles). I use TGMO synthetic 0W20, but might try a heavier oil next change. My Blackstone oil samples are returning with great results, so I'm not concerned. I have 105k miles now (165k kms).

 

This is my second time that I was about due for an oil change and my "low oil" message came up. Checked my dip stick and no oil was seen. Took it to the dealer and they drained what was left and refilled the oil. I have to go back in a week to see how this goes. The mechanic said I was probably burning oil since there was no leaks.

 

I burn somewhere around a quart in five or six thousand miles, I think the 0w20 does this engine no favors...it's so thin...combined with low friction oil rings...a timing chain...and a complicated valve train (4 cams, 32 valves, cam phasers, 32 rockers). All these things lead to oil shearing, and the oil is already light to begin with. I'm seriously considering switching to a 5w30 oil.

If I put 0w20 in any of my other cars the same thing happens...I use oil.

 

In my LS400 with 0-20 I would smell it bad burning out the tailpipe. 10-30 and no problem. Co. Springs Lexus where my LS460 first owner exclusively maintained her car has 5-30 oil on all the many receipts I have.