when i purchased my RX350, dealer told me i just need to change oil every 10K miles. i drove around 15K miles and Maintenance warning showed up on dashboard. i called the dealer to turn off the warning and i had to bringing it. they said every 5K i need to bring in for service. without knowing detail, i brought in to dealer and cost was $175 for bunch of inspection. only part that was replaced were key battery. key was fine and i was not sure why they changed the battery.

RX350 is wonderful car but i just experienced the dealer ripping off.

 

Welcome to Club Lexus, hanjava2.

Question for you... have you read your Owner's Manual? Specifically the Warranty and Services Guide?

http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/do...350_WSG_lr.pdf

The dealer is correct in that your oil changes are on a 10K interval. The dealer is also correct in that there is also a 5K service interval for a tire rotation and other items depending on the mileage interval. Much of the 15K servicing is nothing but a list of inspections. They replace the key fob battery as a proactive measure so that you do not run into problems should it go dead.

The instructions for reseting the Maintenance warning light is discussed in your Owner's Manual as well in the DIY thread and here as well:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...g-message.html

There a numerous conversation threads here at CL on this very topic. Yes, every 15K you can replace the key fob battery yourself. They are easily obtained. Yes, you can take your vehicle elsewhere to have the tires rotated. And yes, you can even have your oil changes performed by an independent mechanic or even at a local Toyota should you choose to do so. The only thing you would have to bring it to the Lexus dealership for would be any warranty work. If you decide to go elsewhere just be sure to keep your receipts in case there are any warranty questions.

Finally, many of the questions you might have about your vehicle have more than likely been discussed previous. Take a moment to get used to the search features available to you. They are your friend as there is a great amount of information here at your fingertips.

You may have the feeling the dealer ripped you off. However, that is the going rate for this type of service and can be true of most any new vehicle on the road these days. Perhaps the labor rate for Lexus is a bit higher than many, but you get a loaner while your vehicle is in the shop as well as a car wash as part of the service.

 

Your car should come with a scheduled maintenance manual, showing all the recommended service intervals and what will be done for each visit. You should read through it and see whether or not the things that they will do at each visit can be done at home on your own. That way, you'll save some money.

I usually do all the oil changes, brakes jobs, tire rotation, and the usual regular maintenance at home.

 

Just wanted to add that service items such as the cabin air filter can be done yourself. It is an item which should be regularly cleaned and/or replaced, is easily done and which if done by the dealer is very much overpriced. You can even get the filter in most any auto parts store such as AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, NAPA, O'Reilly Auto Parts, etc.

 

hanjava2, welcome to CL. I have to ask, did your service advisor go over the work to be performed including price before you handed over the keys? That's typically what's done and gives you the opportunity to decline those things you find unnecessary, like the fob battery change. Also for future reference, your 15K services (15K, 30K, 45K, etc.) are priciest and don't always include an oil change. The others are minor and will cost less. I'd recommend doing a little homework beforehand. There are many threads here discussing the various places you can take the RX besides the dealer.

 

You can order the services done at the 5k service intervals al a carte. Things like the key fob battery and cabin/engine air filters can be done in less than 5 minutes and require no tools other than a dime to pry open the key fob.

Oil changes and tire rotations are the other 2 common services performed which are also easy DIY's, but for those you'll need a bit more equipment.

If you can do all of the above, all you'll really pay for in terms of regular maintenance (aside of new tires) are brakes, inspections, and some fluid changes.

 

$175 is a rip off, indeed. No wonder why people call them stealership.
It's easy to reset the maintenance warning. It's in the owner manual.

 

I have felt the pain from the "stealerships" also..... My last major service was 2000+ $

 

How did you manage to spend that? That must have also included some repair work too?

 

With that price, i expect NEW tires on my RX

 

Keep in mind that Lexi011 has a 2006 RX400h. Perhaps that included their timing belt and water pump service?