LS460: Is This Maintenance Necessary Now?
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 110
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From: AZ
LS460: Is This Maintenance Necessary Now?
I am very lucky to have acquired a 2011 LS460 in December with only 10,000 miles. I had a full-service inspection then and it needed a battery (no surprise) but everything else checked out like a practically new car. Took it in today for a 15K service: LOF, brakes and tires are good; however, the tech is recommending brake fluid; both air filters; differential fluid; coolant flush and a transmission flush. Grand total is $969.00.
My dumb question of the day: Forgetting the high price, do these items need to be done simply because the car is now eight years old despite the low mileage? Being in Arizona, I can understand the coolant and air filters, but the rest surprised me.
Thanks in advance for any feedback from my fellow 460 brothers!
My dumb question of the day: Forgetting the high price, do these items need to be done simply because the car is now eight years old despite the low mileage? Being in Arizona, I can understand the coolant and air filters, but the rest surprised me.
Thanks in advance for any feedback from my fellow 460 brothers!
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: AZ
Sounds like air filters are DIY; get the brake fluid and coolant done now and the rest can wait. They cannot see the transmission fluid so this was recommended based on the age of the car.
Owners manual is the size of War and Peace but I'll confirm what the book says. Thanks!
Owners manual is the size of War and Peace but I'll confirm what the book says. Thanks!
What a phenomenal find! Lucky Bxxxxxx! As others have said, brake fluid every 2 years (hygroscopic), coolant is ready, too (8 years od). I'm surprized he suggested transmission fluid and differential fluid - Lexus consider these "lifetime" and won't change them unless you REALLY kick up a fuss.
$1000 for this work? Find a new mechanic, he thought he'd found an easy touch!
$1000 for this work? Find a new mechanic, he thought he'd found an easy touch!
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 67
Likes: 13
From: Ohio
My 2011 AWD now has 44k on it. Pristine! Anyway, to date, I have done the following: Front diff, rear diff, transfer case. coolant flush, transmission flush (no issues with shifting), all new brakes (rotors,pads, calipers serviced) new battery and oil changes every 5,000 miles. I plan on keeping it for many more years and believe in preventative maintenance. But, I will say this, when my transmission was serviced at 30k afterwards the shifting was noticeably smoother and very crisp!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 152
From: Texas
Here's another vote for brake fluid and coolant, but forget the rest of it. Pull the filters, look at them, and you'll probably put them back for another year, or so.
Consider changing the trans oil at 80K miles, diff around the same time. I'm going to put synthetic in the diff on this car, then not think about it, again.
Consider changing the trans oil at 80K miles, diff around the same time. I'm going to put synthetic in the diff on this car, then not think about it, again.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
At nearly ten years old, I would not hesitate to change EVERY fluid in my car, REGARDLESS of mileage. Factor in the fact that the low mileage may indicate short trips, which would qualify as severe service by any manufacturer's standard. It would give me peace-of-mind to have a baseline of services done on my schedule and know it was done and when. I agree that the quoted price is off-side though. Changing the coolant and air filters is definitely DIY.
As for transmission "flush". You probably heard wrong and what they meant was a transmission fluid CHANGE. DO NOT do a transmission FLUSH. I do however recommend changing the fluid out.
As for transmission "flush". You probably heard wrong and what they meant was a transmission fluid CHANGE. DO NOT do a transmission FLUSH. I do however recommend changing the fluid out.
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Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: AZ
At nearly ten years old, I would not hesitate to change EVERY fluid in my car, REGARDLESS of mileage. Factor in the fact that the low mileage may indicate short trips, which would qualify as severe service by any manufacturer's standard. It would give me peace-of-mind to have a baseline of services done on my schedule and know it was done and when. I agree that the quoted price is off-side though. Changing the coolant and air filters is definitely DIY.
As for transmission "flush". You probably heard wrong and what they meant was a transmission fluid CHANGE. DO NOT do a transmission FLUSH. I do however recommend changing the fluid out.
As for transmission "flush". You probably heard wrong and what they meant was a transmission fluid CHANGE. DO NOT do a transmission FLUSH. I do however recommend changing the fluid out.
This is the conventional wisdom for older vehicles with high mileage. The reasoning being that a flush will disturb crud and dirt that has accumulated over the years and miles (and foul up the internal transmission solenoids and switches). For a car with less than 50k miles (or an older one that has been flushed every 30k miles), it probably wouldn't create any problems.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
This is the conventional wisdom for older vehicles with high mileage. The reasoning being that a flush will disturb crud and dirt that has accumulated over the years and miles (and foul up the internal transmission solenoids and switches). For a car with less than 50k miles (or an older one that has been flushed every 30k miles), it probably wouldn't create any problems.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 245
Likes: 35
From: TX
Where are these accounts of this happening? Please post links to people having these issues on sub 15k mile cars. As long as you ensure they do not use anything other than WS fluids, and that it is not a high-pressure machine, your concerns in a typical fluid exchange are not present.
You suggest a drain and flush because of the age of the fluid, yet your primary concern with ATF age is going to be water contamination and oxidation of fluids. To do a drain and fill is utterly pointless, because you are only removing a tiny fraction of the fluids, which will only serve to rapidly contaminate those new fluids. If you are concerned about contamination of your fluids, you need to remove ALL of it.
A drain and fill will not do that, so either leave the fluid alone or have the full contents removed and replaced.
You suggest a drain and flush because of the age of the fluid, yet your primary concern with ATF age is going to be water contamination and oxidation of fluids. To do a drain and fill is utterly pointless, because you are only removing a tiny fraction of the fluids, which will only serve to rapidly contaminate those new fluids. If you are concerned about contamination of your fluids, you need to remove ALL of it.
A drain and fill will not do that, so either leave the fluid alone or have the full contents removed and replaced.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
Where are these accounts of this happening?
If I was interested enough in this topic, I'd do the work for you (im not in a Lexus anymore). As Steve stated, Lexus doesn't like 'em and that WAS good enough for me.
But I'll give you one little snippet from one of MANY sources:
We don’t recommend it – here’s why:
We have never recommended flushing. Anyone who builds transmissions for a living would never flush their own vehicle. That should tell you something. Manufacturers have begun to warn against flushing stating it could void your warranty.
We have never recommended flushing. Anyone who builds transmissions for a living would never flush their own vehicle. That should tell you something. Manufacturers have begun to warn against flushing stating it could void your warranty.
