Your maintenance manual will outline the mileage (or time) that service is needed. There is actually very little that you need to do other than oil and filter changes every 10,000 miles, and tire rotations every 5000 miles. I do all of my own work so both of those are very quick, easy and cheap. I created an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of what to do and when. Most dealerships love to get you in for jobs that are not required so that they can keep those beautiful showrooms up to date. If you are at all handy then do your own work, or find a local shop that you trust (or try a Toyota dealership which in general will be cheaper than Lexus service). For example a front brake job will cost me maybe $200 at home, but Lexus will want at least $500, and probably much more. The manual is your friend.

 

I would follow what the manual says, but don't make an enemy of the dealer as you are already NOT in compliance with the factory service schedule by 1,000 miles and if any warranty repair is needed the dealer may have to go to bat for you.

 

Read whats recommended for the certain mileage interval. I never get the 5, 10k etc services they suggest. All dealers do it not just Lexus that’s where they make there money.

You go in there thinking $80-$100 for an oil change and tire rotation but nope the service guy says you really need an interval service which is $250-$500.

Then you read over what was done and it was the oil change, tire rotation, a ton of visual inspections, maybe swap out the cabin filter, grease this grease that and you were just taken for allot of money. Most of the fluff stuff you don’t really need and or even better you can do it yourself.

My wife years back had a leased Mitsubishi Outlander I took it in for its second service at 20K. Asked for the typical oil/ tires service with my $49.95 coupon I’d gotten in the mail. The guy goes ohh no you live in a city environment that’s considered harsh driving conditions you need the harsh driving conditions package that’s $950. After I stopped laughing he told me it included all the filters, spark plugs, ATF flush and differential service. Mitsubishi had all of that stuff being needed at 100K. That’s not a Lexus experience but they all try to upsell and eventually they’ll find someone to take them up on the offer.

 

I did not realize that I had already posted in this thread previously. If you look at post #67 you will see the spreadsheet that I use for my cars. This one is for the RX non F sport. It has the mileage intervals and the part numbers for each item. I put on many miles per year, so it is set up for mileage and not time. If you do not drive a ton of miles you may have to pay attention to time. Makes keeping track of what needs to be done when (or was done).

 

Just had Service-Interval #2 (CA$184) @ 83K kms inclusive of oil change. Took 11 months to reach 16K clicks after last Service-Interval #3 (CA$359)

Additionally, brake pads @2mm and had them all replaced (CA$995) with rotors-machined. What a day

Lastly, I don't mind paying CA$80 for Service-Interval #1 (mid-checks) as my dealer includes interior/exterior detail cleaning as part of any of their service-intervals.

 

Do you use Lexus of Edmonton or Calgary by any chance? I looked at the service pricing for Edmonton and it seems a bit cheaper than what we pay in Ontario. My dealer's price list suggests Service #1 is $75, Service #2 is $277, and Service #3 is $295 before tax. I have the ECP still so the only thing I've paid out is $158 incl 13% tax for an early first oil w/ filter change. I've entertained the thought of timing a major service to be done in Alberta for the 8% lower tax. Cheaper pricing would be a cherry on top. If only I could've paid just 5% tax on the purchase price of the car

 

My dealer is Lexus of Royal Oak, 2nd dealer in Calgary. The prices you've mentioned has not that much difference from here

 

I would also check out Lexus South Pointe in Edmonton if you're solely fixated on getting the lowest cost possible for service. I know Lexus of Edmonton is the preferred one of the two dealers in Edmonton, but when I lived in Alberta, the bill for service at South Pointe sometimes came up a bit less. That said, it wasn't a significant difference and after a few hiccups, I stuck with Lexus of Edmonton for service and haven't had a single bad interaction.

I've heard the two Lexus dealers in Calgary: Lexus of Calgary and Lexus of Royal Oak are owned by the same people. Not sure if that's still true or not, though.

 

I thought the same too when I was buying from my dealer (Lexus of Royal Oak). I did ask and got NO for an answer

 

bud605, your' comments got me thinking about the brake fluid change topic. I know my Harley requires both brake and clutch fluid change at a scheduled interval. A little research revealed to my surprise most car brands recommend brake fluid change. Here is a link on the subject which I found interesting. https://www.cars.com/articles/how-of...1420680336417/
Bill

 

FWIW Toyota/Lexus DOES recommend a brake fluid change every 3 years and not as the article stated just an inspection.

 

May I ask how much Lexus charges for machining rotors? My front brake pads are sitting at 3mm right now so I have a decision to make on whether to machine or replace.

 

• 18LEZZ01A - Replace front brake pads and machine rotors = C$308
• 18LEZZ01B - Replace rear brake pads and machine rotors = C$308
  • Total = C$616

 

My dealer informed me that a Transmission/Oil service every 96K or 4 years is recommended but can't find this in UM nor on maintenance itinerary generated with Lexus Canada (see table/pic). I'd still do the tranny service on scheduled interval to be safe as it only cost $225.

Note that brake fluid service is every 48K or 2 years.

 

I can only find transmission fluid service on the service schedule if you tow (72 months or 60k miles), but I plan on doing it around 50k miles, and at least every 50k...probably do it closer to 30k. Will do myself. Cheap and relatively easy. Don't forget the transfer case and rear diff if you have AWD which is listed in the maintenance schedule.