RadiantX45

I'm looking at a 2015 NX200t with exactly 100,000 miles. Lexus website service history for this vehicle shows oil changes every 10,000 miles and no record of spark plug replacements.
Can't count how many times I've had NX loaners and this 2015 drives exactly the same as the rest I've driven.

But would I be gambling with the service history? The 10,000 mile oil change intervals and the lack of the spark plug services worries me. Still worth buying?

LexMan2003

Personally, I change my oil every 5k - Mobil 1 synthetic and OEM filter.
I've also already changed my plugs at the first 35k, and will do so again every ~35k. I believe the manual for my model year (2020) recommends every 40k.

I do the work myself, and I have to say that changing the OIL, FILTER, and PLUGS on this car are the easiest of ANY vehicle I've owned in my life. I've probably had about 20 different ones! I don't even have to life the car to get to the oil & filter, nor do I have to be on an incline. The plugs are VERY easy to get to also.

If the car was otherwise well-maintainted, I don't think I would have a problem with 10k oil change intervals. Although I am of the opinion that a 5k interval vs 10k would only come into play at the later age/miles on a car. So at 100k you're getting up there and that's where it MAY have importance. Again, just MY opinion.

As for the plugs, I really cannot offer an opinion. I'll let someone more knowleldgable weigh in (I'm curious myself).

The only other thing I can suggest is that wherever you're looking at that info, you have to be careful. If you were to look at the Lexus info on my vehicle, you will only find perhaps 2 or 3 services performed by Lexus. You WON'T see the fact that I've changed my oil/filter every 5k, changed the plugs and all filters regularly, rotated my tires every 5k, swapped out some of the fluids occasionally, and I'm about to replace the drivetrain fluids soon. So unless you have the ability to speak to the previous owner, you really don't know the whole story. Even then, you'd have to have some trust in what they tell you.

RadiantX45

@LexMan2003 thank-you for the info. Selling dealer is not allowing me to take the NX across the street to Lexus for a pre-purchase inspection. Can only mean one thing really… Oh well. On to the next.

Lexuswiz

iTrader: (1)

Official NX service manual suggests changing plugs every 40K miles due to being a turbo forced induction engine. I changed mine myself at 45K and they were not terrible but definitely dark with a but of oil. New plugs woke the engine up a bit but its not an ISF.

I also do oil changes at 5K miles out of habit and because I am DIY'er. 10K miles is fine if done on the dot and using full synthetic quality oil, oil technology has come a long way.

Any used car is a gamble but if the service history is there, car history is clean and clear, no CEL or codes, and it drives smooth - trust your gut. But if dealer is shady, forget it, can't support them even if the car is worth buying.

Torii

i changed the plugs at 40k and they were so dirty/nasty/black/sooted....i think its prob good idea to change em.

claarn

If they weren't letting you do a PPI I would run but I guess the biggest concern I would have if there's not any history on plug replacement would be premature damage to the cats (fed warranty on emission is 8yr/80k I believe) + as you said, what else didn't the previous owners care for or maybe they beat it to hell. I just changed plugs on our '19 NX currently sitting at 34k miles. FS oil changes every 5k and Costco 93 fuel.

chuyrobles

These oem plugs, from my sister’s 15 NX200t, have 115K miles. I pulled them at 70K to inspect/clean. Car ran fine before and after replacement. Lexus’ 40K recommendation is under the emission’s agreement. NGK says Iridium plugs will last 100K. Lexus says 60K on our 18 RX350 and daughter’s 20 RAV4, but 120K on our 07 ES350 and, other daughter’s, 24 Corolla. I will replace all at 100K with Denso Long Life wherever possible - I say that cause Denso don't list plugs for the NX.

Lexura16

While on lease, dealership changed the plugs @ 40K miles ( or 65K km up here in Canada land ) as per manual's interval. Vehicle is only @ 60K miles now. I'll check their conditions @ 80K miles, then decide if new ones be warranted.
My '05 4 Runner plug changeout is 160K miles per factory schedule and '00 Acura RL is 100K miles. All plugs used were laser Iridiums. And both vehicles were running well prior to the changeouts.
The NX is my first and only turbocharged vehicle, hence I was thinking that the shortened service interval may be associated with that or I'm way out in left field with this thought. I'm ready to be schooled on this.

chuyrobles

@Lexura16 As I understand it, the shortened plug recommendation is per the emission’s warranty. If a covered component fails during the warranty period, and plugs were not changed, a claim could be denied. After the emissions warranty period expires, you can go back to 100K plug changes, or whatever the plug manufacturer recommends. I think the general emissions warranty period is 7yr/70K for most components, and possibly 10yr/100K on others.

Lexura16

@chuyrobles Much thanks for the information. I'm just bugged to throw away components when they are obviously still good to go a while longer ( especially laser iridium plugs which are not cheap to begin with ).

chuyrobles

I hear that. Take some solace in knowing the plugs are easy to replace on these engines. I will be replacing plugs on our RX350 V6 which requires moving aside the airbox, throttle plate assembly, and plenum intake assembly to get to the three plugs hugging the firewall.

You could save the old plugs and re-use them after the emissions warranty period expires.

Lexura16

For sure I'll be keeping them around for reuse.
I'm familiar with the extra efforts and subsequent frustrations doing maintenance chores in todays vehicles where everything is shoe-honed into a tiny engine compartment.
This past summer, mice ate thro' the wiring harness to one of the knock sensors in my 4Runner V8. To repair it ( harness was in the valley of the V8 ), the intake manifold, umpteenth vac hose & electrical connections and fuel lines had to be removed. I'm a retired old trouper, so time I've got in spades. When I do these types of work I'm often reminded of times when plugs and ignition points were changed once a year in engine bays spacious enough to crawl inside and take a nap. Them were the good ole days for DIYers in IMHO.

nigel821

iTrader: (2)

I guess I'm in the minority. Spark plugs are cheap. They are $20 at the Toyota dealer here. Get the same plugs at the Lexus dealer and you are paying close to $40 a pop... But why on earth would you re-use old plugs even if they had only 40k miles or so. I normally change plugs at whatever the manufacture recommends but it's so easy to pull a plug on our engines and look at it. If they look bad, buy new for $80 and be done with it for another 4-5 years. I wouldn't for an instant be worried about buying a car knowing someone didn't change plugs. Heck the certified CT that I bought they didn't change plugs and that was at almost 80k miles... I bought new plugs, and put them in, and noticed zero difference...lol. Most modern cars which use modern plugs are nowhere near what old cars and plugs used to be. I've yet to notice any type of difference driving as long as OEM plugs are being used. It's a maintenance item. Buy new, throw old out and be done with it. I feel like $80 in the course of almost 5 years to change plugs is super cheap compared to a lot of vehicles I've owned/own currently.

Toyota part number : 9091901276

-Nigel

AMTMJ

Agree. They’re so inexpensive in the main scheme, especially when purchased from a legitimate online retailer like Rock Auto, and as easy as changing the oil. I’m all for following the Mx schedule or bringing it in earlier, never later.