Wife's NX 350 turbo has 30k miles on it since 04/2022. Just dropped it off for an oil change, tire rotation and to check on the Lexus Safety Sense service bulletin. When scheduling the appointment, there was a "recommended 30k service menu" that listed for around $600 that was mainly "inspect, inspect, inspect..."

I'm very particular of my vehicle conditions and they always run and drive like new. While I don't want to be paying $1000's for "inspections" over the life of the car, I'd like to be sure they get the proper maintenance needed.

How many of you adhere to to the dealer recommended services vs. sticking with basic maintenance like oil changes and periodic fluid flushes at, say 60k?

As a back story, I don't have much trust for any mechanic. 2 years ago, I caught my independent mechanic of many years doing absolutely nothing when we dropped off vehicles for "maintenance". I got suspicious when he was recommending and charging for air and cabin filter changes and the ones that I installed (with my date and miles written on them) were still there. I went a step further and had an oil sample sent out to Blackstone Labs to confirm that the oil either wasn't changed recently or my engine has an impending catastrophic failure due to the amount of metals found in the analysis (I'd bet on the former). I called him on it and he gave a bunch of excuses (embarassed he got caught and scared of what I might do).

I then took my own truck to a Toyota dealer for an oil change and tire rotation. When I got home, I went to wash it and noticed the front wheels had considerably more brake dust on them than the rear. Anyone familiar with vehicle brakes knows the front pads throw more brake dust than the rear, hence the tires were not rotated. Brought it back to service manager and asked why he might think I'd be skeptical based on the dust. He sheepishly agreed and immediately drove it in and did the rotation.

 

diy and keep receipts. I do

 

That particular service interval calls for replacing brake fluid as well as an oil change / tire rotation (along with all the inspections), so it would be normal to pay somewhat more to have that included. Personally, I tend to do most of my own regular inspections and just have the dealer do the actual services, within reason. In the past on my RX I have, perhaps every 3 years had them to do a full inspection as there are things much easier to see on a proper lift. I've already been under my NX a couple times with a creeper and have have a pretty good idea now what everything looks like when its shiny new and leak free. Probably the hardest thing to properly inspect for many people are leaks as they can come from anywhere and until it gets really bad, with all the covers you might not notice. Mechanical issues rarely come out of the blue, and unless you are oblivious to changes in sounds, vibrations, power, or handling its not hard to figure out something needs attention long before outright failure. During the warranty period I plan to alternate, I will do my own "bonus" oil change and inspection at 5000m/8000k "service 1" intervals and let the dealer do the "official" oil changes at the 10000m/16000k "service 2" intervals. Once out of warranty I will likely fall back to doing ALL my own basic services and inspections and let the dealer do the more involved services that happen every 3 or 5 years etc, then they can also do a full inspection if I think one is appropriate.

 

I never go into my Lexus or Toyota dealership and say I want a 10,000 or a 20,000 or 30,000 mile scheduled maintenance. I order everything à la carte. Every 10,000 miles I get the oil changed and the tires rotated. At 20,000 the same. At 30,000 the same plus brake fluid changed. After every pollen season once a year I change the cabin and engine air filter. Takes 5 minutes to do both and cost me $45. So 60,000 miles and five years total $1,200.

 

Just curious on the brake fluid change interval- why do they recommend it at 30k? I have a tool I got from Amazon for like $12 that measures the water content of brake fluid and mine is still green. I feel like, especially in New England, the brake lines will rot first from the outside due to all the salt they coat the roads with before any water in the fluid has any effect. Then again, I'm not a mechanic...

 

That is one of those things that has actually changed a lot in recent years. Wasn't so long ago that brake fluid changes were not even mentioned in most service schedules. Then they started to add it to the schedules of the premium / most expensive vehicles, and now its pretty much a standard regular item on all cars it seems. 3 yrs appears to be the rule many manufacturers are now following in their maintenance schedules. I had a 2004 Sienna that I had for 18 yrs, never had the brake fluid changed and the brake lines were still holding when I sold it. At the same time a colleague had a 2004 Caravan that lost its brakes while driving due to corrosion inspired burst lines when it was about 13 yrs old. Parts quality probably has a lot to do with how long lines will last.

But yea, its all about water content thru absorption. If you trust the fluid tester, I personally don't see this being a big concern to letting it slide somewhat. Brake fluid changes are usually not too expensive though. It doesn't take a lot of fluid and the process doesn't require a lot of time either. Last time I had this service done on my RX450h at a Toyota dealer back a few years ago, they charged me $80CAD.

 

Lexus Dealer called to recommend it and they wanted $195.

I had a it replaced 2 years ago for the first time on my 2000 Honda S2000 and my (new) independent mechanic charged (I believe) $105+fluid

I'll hold off until probably 50k, maybe next summer.

 

Can you provide a link or name of the $12 Amazon brake fluid measuring tool?

 

Just search "Brake Fluid Liquid Tester Pen" on Amazon. The specific one I bought is not sold anymore, but they all look to be the same.

 

I don't go to dealer for services unless it is included in the first 2 years. Oil change every 5K miles on my household cars and I watch my mechanic changed them.
I do all the air/cabin filter changes. Tire rotations I go to America's Tires. On Brake Fluid and coolant flush, my mechanic does it and I have used him for years.

 

This is exactly what I'm doing. I do have the ECP running out to 5 years, so asides the attending 8000kms oil change that I do, everything is being covered by ECP.

When I hit the 5-year mark and the vehicle is fully paid for and ECP/Warranty is up, I'm switching to my meticulous DIY with receipts.