BEARCATJER

My 2015 RX350 is due for service at 20,000. The dealership is 35 miles away and i dont feel like driving all the way down there unless there is something involved other than the usual oil change, filter etc. For the past 25 years i have always had my Lexus cars serviced by local places because i usually lived far from a Lexus dealer. In all that time i never had a single problem. Just wondering what other owners think of using non Lexus dealers for routine oil and filter changes. I have never seen it be a factor in how much i could sell a Lexus for or get on a trade in. Thanks for any feedback.

Clutchless

You can take it to a Toyota dealer as many others on this forum have done. I bet there is one of those closer to you. Some have advised that the Toyota dealer even entered the service record into the Toyota/Lexus online database!
Even an independent can do the service to maintain your warranty. All they do at 20 thousand is change the oil, rotate the tires and check stuff. You may or may not need a new air filter and cabin air filter.

kitlz

The 20,000 mile service list is on page 50 here. You should have the maintenance booklet with the other manuals.

Nimimi

I'd like to tag onto this thread. I'm having my AWD RX350 serviced at the local Toyota dealer, however, I'm replacing both filters and the key batteries myself. I'm basically having them change oil and rotate tires on a special ($55) and adding on replacing the brake fluid. The schedule says to "Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)," however, they won't do that unless I buy the major, 30,000 mile service and I don't want to do that. Can anyone supply me with the torque specs for these nuts and bolts?

Clutchless

I did this once, maybe will check again this Summer, it only takes a few minutes.
I just checked at the Highlander site and the torque is 54 ft lbs where it connects to the rear diff and where the 2 prop shafts connect in the center.
I just set my torque wrench and pulled on each of them until it clicked. None were loose. I read they added this maintenance in 2009.

BEARCATJER

Thanks for the feedback on my inquiry. I finally decided to get the oil changed, filter etc at a local place...used synthetic oil....they said the lexus specs required it...i didnt mind but wondered if it was actually required vs optional..I have a toyota dealer about 1 1/2 miles from my house so that will be my future go to place for service.
Does anyone know if the synthetic oil is necessary vs optional for the 2015 RX350? Went on a quick weekend trip to Cincinnati...hometown..the car ran like a top ...averaged 26.5mpg...which i was very happy with , especially with regular gas. This is my 4th RX....they all seem to ride/perform like a dream. More importantly, my wife loves it ...nuff said. Thx again.

carguy75

I agree with you about 54ft/lbs for the drive shaft nuts.

I downloaded the service information from TIS and it does states 54 ft/lbs.

I will check my bolts soon as well.

I hope that mine are good as well.

FYI, for the OP just go to a Toyota dealership to have your maintenance work done if you do not like to do your own work, it is cheaper and still allow you to satisfy the OEM warranty requirements.

Clutchless

Bearcatjer - Lexus specifies synthetic oil. That is so it survives the 10,000 mile oil change interval and keeps protecting your engine and investment. The 0w20 is so it provides better mileage. Toyota synthetic oil is made for them by ExxonMobil to Toyota's specifications. Think of it as Mobil 1 with a better additive package.

Leap

When you bought it did your dealer give you the first two services free? It seemed to be a common thing at a couple of the dealers I went to when buying mine. That might be a reason to make the drive for your second service.

BEARCATJER

thanks for the feedback on service. I bought my RX350 used...11,000 miles on it...no free maintenance was included. I think i will give the Lexus dealer a try for next service. I have always heard that if you use synthetic oil you can go 10k miles between oil changes. Shouldnt the synthetic i had installed at the local oil change place last 10,000 miles? i have always changed oil every 3000 miles on all of my previous cars..non synthetic....havent had a mechanical problem in last 25 years so i think it was money well spent,but who knows?