thepen

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the site. I have a 2008 RX350 which I purchased in September 2007. I do the proverbial drive to church and special occasion driving with my RX, leaving the hard stuff for my Camry. As a consequence I only have 7700 miles on the RX350. My challenge is that whenever I go into the dealer for maintenance/servicing I always have the feeling that I am being pushed into getting more done than needed.

The car runs well, so from time to time I protest some of the steep items suggested on the standard mileage/time intervals (especially when they are repeated within short mileage intervals- e.g. tire rotation). Are there many more of you out there who have similar feelings, and if so how do you handle the push for what appears to be unnecessary maintenance items?

thomas1

Just say thankyou, and tell them you will think about it, and drive off....simple.

infinirx

I totally avoid dealership service. However if you do not know what you are turning down, not a mechanic or do not have a mechanic that will do the work they suggest I think you should look into one. Just a thought for the future. At such low mileage it's really is not as much of a concern. What did you turn down?

Rainbird

I assume you have the Toyota dealership service your Camry? Have them service your RX350 as well. I have all my routine service work done at Toyota at a savings of about 50%. I use the Lexus dealership only for Recalls and Warranty work.

The reason Lexus is bugging you to do routine service is that the maintenance interval is every 5,000 miles or six months whichever occurs first. Obviously, they base your service due, on date not mileage.

mandyfig

Welcome to CL. If you take the time in perusing over the many threads on maintenance intervals, you will feel much better about your car.

Some of us take the Lexus in for service, that's fine. Some of us (me included) are regular DIYer's and do our own regular maintenance.

Are you a DIY'er?

If not, your best bet is a Toyota dealer.

Post a few pics opf your ride.

Again happy surfing. tons of gold out here.

mandyfig

The RX has seen the dealership on many TSB's and repairs covered by warranty. I purchased the extended warranty and in my case iot was well worth it.

However, on the low side when it was my turn to ask for goodwill (for an item out of warranty), guess what the answer was...big No! Both from the Dealer and Lexus Corporate. Nothing lost. I eventually fixed the issue myself. This is the famous headlamp condensation problem.

thepen

I do something like that, when I get fed up I just ask for an oi, lube and filter change.

RX330inFL

If that is all you are looking for in most cases I would look for a Toyota shop in your area and look to see if it has a Express Lube service. In and out in under 30 minutes. They should be able to handle your RX without problem. Just talk with them in advance.

http://www.toyota.com/dealers/servic...ress_lube.html

Rainbird

The Lexus RX350 Uses the same engine as the Toyota Highlander and shares many other parts as well. Here is an example of the difference in price for minor service and tire rotation here in California. Taken directly off the invoices that I always keep on file:

Lexus Dealership $120.76
Toyota Dealership $54.25

thepen

Thanks for the input guys, I will check out the Toyota near me. In response to infinirx's question I have made a chart to indicate my service record and what I have turned down:


2008 Rx 350
Lexus service my milage
10-25-07 Lex1000 mile service- 505 OLF and 24 pt. inspections, gratis
03/27/08 Lex 5K serv 1777 OLF and 24 pt. inspections, gratis
09-16-08 Lex 12 ,mos 2644 OLF and 24 pt. inspect, DECLINED LX 12 mos srv- inspect axle bts, ball joints etc 75.43

03-25-09 Lex 18 mos sv 3430 OLF and 24 pt. inspect, DECLINED LX 18 mos srv- tire rotation, clean A/C filter $68.17

9-24-09 Lex 24 mos sv 3973 OLF and 24 pt. inspect, DECLINED LX 24
mos srv- tire rotation, road test $62.95

03-19-10 Lex 15k srvc 4938 15K srvc Per lexus manual $442.59
03-24-10 Lex Warranty 4971 oil cooler hose/kit, fuel/wash SC $0

11-01-10 Lex 36 mos sv 5647 OLF and 24 pt. inspect, DECLINED LX 36
mos srv- $442.59 inpections per LX mnl $63.70

04-27-11 Lex 20K sv 6562 20K svc Per lexus manual $116

09-21-11 Lex 48 mos sv 7361 OLF and 24 pt. inspect, DECLINED LX 48
mos srv- tire rotation, road test $72.25

03-19-12 Lex 10k srvc 7816 10K svc Per lexus manual (last adv had
recommended 8k but internet site only
10k, I went along with it $252

11-19-12 Lex 60 mos sv ? I plan to Decline and get a LOF?!?

thepen

Thanks Rainbird, I will check them out.

thepen

Yes, Rainbird I understand their logic, I just do not agree with it. They are playing on the safe side by taking averages instead of special cases like my case. They have these guys sitting around in the showroom called advisers. I am disappointed that they either can not or will not consider a different plan for someone like myself with driving mileage skewed much lower than the norm for typical driver.

thepen

Thanks for the welcome and the Toyota suggestion, mandyfig, no I am not a DIYer,

Adamjeeps

I would suggest making a list of the required maintenance from the owner's manual and tell the shop that is all you want done.

Also, if you ever plan sell your RX, list it here first, you have basically a brand new car!!

thepen

Thanks Adamjeeps, that sounds like a plan- for both of your ideas!