Gekko

I've posted this before, but I want to know what you all think about this schedule. I took various Toyota and Lexus Dealer recommended schedules as well as the Lexus manual recommended schedule and cut out all of the services which I thought were B.S., added some of my own things - and came up with this. Any comments? Any additions or deletions? Am I missing anything???

LEXUS MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE

Every 3,750 Miles:
Oil and Oil Filter Change

Every 30,000 Miles:
Radiator Coolant Flush/Change
Air Filter Change
Transmission Fluid and Differential Fluid Flush/Change
Brake Fluid Flush/Change

Every 60,000 Miles:
Spark Plugs Change/Tune-Up
Power Steering Fluid Flush/Change
Fuel Filter Change
Battery Check/Change

Every 90,000 Miles:
Timing Belt Change
Water Pump Check/Change

Every 1 Year:
Exterior Wax/Detail
Interior Leather/Wood Cleaning and Conditioning/Detail and Carpet Shampoo
Wiper Blade Inserts Change

gs400998

I rotate the tires every 7,500 miles. In addition, I check the interior air filter every three months (lots of road constructions here thus a lot of dust.)

RA40

iTrader: (6)

I like the list.

My thoughts:

Oil at 5K with synthetic.
I do an inspection of belts, brakes, hoses, suspension with each oil change since I'm under and above the engine bay.

Radiator flush at 15K intervals along with thermostat.

30K belt change. A/C system check.

90K I've replaced the idler and tensioners and certain oil seals since the front end is open/accessible. YMMV.

I have been debating a compression check after 90K and periodically there after. Most Toyotas are more than capable of exceeding 150K if not 200K. Sometimes knowing where the compression is during the later days can be an indicator of when it may be due for major service. Worn rings, valve seals...

bob2200

Comments (largely from experiences with other cars and what I've read on this forum):

- At least on the newer models, Lexus doesn't seem to recommend transmission fluid changes, so I think I'd go with 60k-mi vs. 30k-mi.

- I concur with comments on changing thermostat (30 k-mi), changing water pump with timing belt (90k-mi), and rotating tires (7.5 k-mi). I'd add check brake disk-pad wear to the tire rotation task.

- I think the fuel filter change is probably unnecessary and once-a-year wiper blade replacement is probably too often if the car is kept out of the sun (i.e., garaged).

- I'd be tempted to change the battery at the 5-year point as a preventative measure.

bob2200

I forgot to also concur with the comment on checking/replacing cabin air filter several times a year. I've read on this forum that they can be cleaned/washed but haven't tried that yet.

Gekko

Thanks for your feedback. I want to create the definitive maintenance list. How does this look? What about "Caps and Rotors Change"? Is that typically part of the "Tune Up"???? Is it important???? Would you change anything else? THANKS AGAIN!


LEXUS MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE

Every 3,750 Miles:
Oil and Oil Filter Change

Every 30,000 Miles:
Coolant Flush/Change
Air Filter Change

Every 60,000 Miles:
Spark Plugs Change/Tune Up
Transmission/Differential Fluid Flush/Change
Power Steering Fluid Flush/Change
Brake Fluid Flush/Change

Every 90,000 Miles:
Timing Belt Change
Water Pump, Thermostat, Cam Seals, Idlers, Tensioners, etc. Change

Every 1 Year:
Exterior Wax
Interior Cleaning
Wiper Blade Inserts Change

SeattleGS400

iTrader: (1)

Spark plugs: if you have Iridium plugs, factory recommends 90K (at least on the GS4)

A/T fluid: manual recommends 30K (for a '99 GS400), but I'd do it at 15K for good measure--but your best bet would be to monitor it (i.e. at least check it, if not drain and refill the ATF at 15K)

Waxing: at the very minimum, wax the car at least 2x a year

Gekko

What about "Caps and Rotors Change"? Is that typically part of the "Tune Up" at the Lexus/Toyota Dealer???? Is it really important for the longevity of the car???? THANKS.

panos

I'd add "or 6 months" for oil changes, particularly if synthetics are used. Some absorb moisture more readily.

I'd make 4 wheel alignment mandatory at 60,000 miles or every four years.

I'd add "battery and brake pads as needed"-they reaaly depend on use (long v. short trips), temperatures, driving style, terrain.

I'd add: "inspect/clean/replace cabin filters" every year.

Got to do "serpentine belt" at 30K or 45K - you don't want that belt to break on the highway...Mine was terribly cracked and brittle at 45K (and 10 years on the car)

parula

Panos, what do you mean by serpentine belt?

panos

It's the belt that powers accessories and pumps. It is entirely different form the timing belt. The serpentine belt can be easily reached and visually inspected once the air intake that sits on top of the radiator is removed.

airahcaz

does anyone clean guck that can accumulate in front of the radiator? Secondly, I just got an ATF flush, never a radiator flush (I need to check the levels soon I guess as well).

Odd questions, will a radiator flush actually help my car's interior cool more quickly via AC in the summer?

Will a brake fluid flush enhance braking?

Gekko

After reading my new 2004 ES330 owner's manual, I have once again altered my schedule. The differences are the manual said every 5k for oil/filter change, but I will do 4k. Also, the manual says every 10k for the AIR CONDITIONER filter change - but I will do every 30k. The manual does not mention power steering fluid change which I will do at 60k and it doesn't mention the water pump which I will do at 90k along with timing belt. Coolant and transmission was stated at about 100k in the manual but that kind of scares me to go that long so I will do both at 60k. What do you think?


LEXUS MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

2004 Lexus ES 330

Every 4,000 Miles:
Oil and Oil Filter Change

Every 30,000 Miles:
Air Filter Change
Brake Fluid Change
Air Conditioner Filter Change

Every 60,000 Miles:
Coolant Change
Transmission Fluid Change
Power Steering Fluid Change
Battery Check/Change

Every 90,000 Miles:
Timing Belt Change
Water Pump Change
Hoses and Belts Check/Change

Every 120,000 Miles:
Spark Plugs Change/Tune Up

Every 1 Year:
Exterior Wax Application
Wiper Blade Inserts Change

airahcaz

waiting 60K for ATF, etc, will you do other interims of simple drip and replacements before full flushes?

Gekko

>"waiting 60K for ATF, etc, will you do other interims of simple drip and replacements before full flushes?"

no since the manual says 100k