I dropped my 02 SC off at the local Lexus dealer this morning for an oil change. The car only has 27K on it, but it's our tof warranty due to age. Anyway, the service writer acted like I had committed a mortal sin against nature because I haven't had the 18K (or something like that) service performed. In fact, the car had 12K on it when I bought it, and had just had its 12K check-up. Since then, I've only had the oil changed. So, she (the service writer) tells me that she thinks I should get the 30K check done, at a whopping $579. I say "NO thanks", as I've always believed that the service interval checks are overkill - however, this is my first Lexus so I'm not sure what really mattters. Anyway, after they changed the oil they called me and said that they recommend the following: tire rotation, balancing and alignment. (I said okay to those items and it will be like $200 for these), a power steering fluid flush ($199, I said no given that I had never heard of this before and the car only has 27K on it), and a carbon clean-out ($99, I said no, and I reallly didn't even get the concept). Can anyone offer me advice about what really matters and what is just money down the dealer drain?

 

At 30K,
The transmission fluid drain and filled, Toyota type IV factory fluid. The brake fluid replaced, Dot lll. The coolant replaced, Toyota super long life coolant. The power steering reservoir drain and fill, dexron lll transmission fluid. Engine oil and filter
Replace the engine air filter and the A/C cabin air filter. Inspect flat drive belts.
Lubricate locks and hinges. Remove wheels and check for excessive brake pad wear. Insure the absence of any fluid or oil leaks. Check the tightness of all suspension components. Inspect all rubber dust covers, including the axle swing shafts. Inspect exhaust system for leaks or damage. Inspect fuel system. Insure wheels lugs are torqued to 76 Ft Lbs or rotors may warp.

You'll find the Lexus runs better with fresh fluids. The original fluids are four years old. As long as you run good brands of fuel, carbon cleanout shuold not be needed unless you have performance or idle problems.

 

for 30k and the age of your car, i would change the oil, change the air filter (if it wasn't done before), change tranny fluids, change differential fluids, bleed the brakes (seems like it's at least 4 yrs old already)

that's almost all i would do

 

hey whats that CPO or new lexus thing? First oil change free or first maintenence free? because I got my CPO at 25k so at 30k I would bring it in and hmmm

 

I bought my CPO '03 SC with 29k + so the 30k service was done prior to my purchase as part of the deal. They also included the 35k service(oil & filter) free.

JTMav

 

the prices at the dealer are ridiculous to what seems to be just a few fluid changes and inspect this and that at every interval... and from what i hear, alot of times they dont even bother doin all those inspections and just change the oil...
every 5000 miles its like 160 or something like that for something like oil change and a few inspections...

 

oh yea thats not even synthetic either... synthetic is like 40 bucks higher or something...