its is for just the plugs. Apparently a LOT of labor involved which they indicated.

 

Yes, the wiper cowl section and upper intake manifold has to be removed to "properly" access the rear bank spark plugs.

Yes, some DIY owners claim to be able to blindly squeeze a hand under the intake manifold to access the rear bank plugs without removing the intake, but no dealer service tech will try that method I believe.

 

The RX450h requires additional labor for replacing the spark plugs; the EGR cooler must be removed to access the spark plugs on the rear bank. The labor guide shows 4.4 hours, but some technicians will want more labor time for this job.

 

I think these damn engineers are in cahoots with dealers to bleed us dry for maintenance items, such as these very high labor intensive spark plug replacement procedures.

It is easy to say, "just follow the manual on service intervals" but when you have to shell out $800 for replacing parts that should be easy to reach for maintenance, we have to think outside the box.

All that to say, our 2015 is at 167K miles on original plugs. Scan shows zero misfires, so....I'm not doing anything; and...car accelerates pretty much as new.

There are ways to tell if you have bad igniting of the gas in the cylinder and one is how does your car perform on when get on the gas really good to pass, or from standstill. Does it hesitate, or bog any? Also, such could be clogged injectors, or other reasons.

If you are concerned about plugs, you can pull the front three that are most accessible and look at their condition. Check that they are not oil fouled, check if the gap is right and that the porcelain isn't deteriorating. It is likely, but not certain, that the back 3 plugs will reflect a similar condition.

 

I'll say if I can access the back three without taking the manifold off, I'll do it. I have new OEM plugs for our 2015 ready to go when the time comes, so I haven't checked how many extra joints my arm and fingers have to accomplish this ha ha.

 

Now days, this wouldn't surprise me in the least. Related but separate, home insurance companies think me shelling out an extra $4K a year (I don't, but they try) for the same crap insurance as last year is "acceptable" and somehow I generate that extra money out of thin air.

 

Guys I understand the unhappiness in parting with money, but keep in mind every machine is required to have maintenance schedule. When you drive Lexus, you will be paying the highest labor costs per hour for Asian origin (what ever it is now) vehicles. Is it the most expensive labor rate? No. Check Porsche rates, Benz rates, BMW rates, Audi rates and also Cadillac's.

As far as Engineering is concerned, millions of owners and wannabe owners think Toyota/Lexus are least expensive to maintain. Not that every decision they have made has been great but this is the general impression.

If we expect 480K miles service out of a vehicle, a 3 times expense of spark plug replacement is not bad. In olden times if the vehicle reached this ripe age, they would have required spark plug change 10-15 times. Where we are today, with 30mpg, requiring fuel injection and calibrated air intake, has pushed the location of the spark plugs much deeper than in the past where they were at the top. Predominantly front wheel drive has spun the engine sideways and body styling has pushed the firewall under the dash. All this has made bank1 plugs harder to reach.

I highly suggest, learn DIY skills or switch to electric only. Not that electric only is a panacea but maintenance needs will be lot less.

YMMV.

Salim

PS: Before a plug gives up, there is a period of weak spark producing loss of power and your pocket book silently drains out.

 

I will happily remove the manifold. Its not that bad of a job and allows you to clean stuff up and fix any broken coil connectors easily.

 

^^^^^ This.

Everyone has their own economy in mind regarding their vehicle. My wife recently paid $9,000 for a 2010 RX350 garaged creampuff with 107k miles. 120k miles (plug replacement schedule) will be on the odometer in the next year or so. Not the least bit interested unless there's some measurable signs like MPG falling or the engine not running silky smooth as it does now. Resale on these vehicles is getting pretty low so it's reasonable to ask if $1,600 (OP quoted) is necessary vs delaying. Hell, if her RX lasts three years absent any pricey repairs I'll consider the car paid for itself and move along. 6 months... so far so good.

 

I did mine myself when I got my 14’ RX in 2024 with 61k miles. Paid 9$ per plug OEM, intake gasket 10$ OEM, pcv valve OEM 7$, and pcv hose 25$ OEM, throttle body gasket 6$, broke and replaced 3 front coil connector 5$ each.

should I have done it at early miles? Probably not lol I was just excited when I got the car new. Nice piece of mind tho with new coolant (drain n fill x2 radiator and both banks), transmission fluid drain n fill, brake fluid.

All DIY since I love doing it myself

Atf ws 5$ per qt
sllc OEM 10$ per jug
Get these from a friend inside the local dealership.

not bad