service and warrenty
- Thread starter dsmith
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AFAIK, in general there is no need to go to a Dealer to keep the warranty valid, but be prepared to show that the maintenance was done by a qualified individual if there is trouble so they don't have a good excuse to wiggle out of warranty work. (Check you warranty manual, of course.)
Having said that, it may be a good idea to cultivate a good relationship with a dealer in case something goes wrong. That may well be worth a few hundred $$ of overpriced maintenance.
Having said that, if you read enough horror stories about dealers on this forum you may reconsider.
Guess that wasn't too helpful, eh...?
E
Having said that, it may be a good idea to cultivate a good relationship with a dealer in case something goes wrong. That may well be worth a few hundred $$ of overpriced maintenance.
Having said that, if you read enough horror stories about dealers on this forum you may reconsider.
Guess that wasn't too helpful, eh...?
E
David, part of the benefit of owning a Lexus is going to the dealer for service. You already paid for that perk in the price of your ride 
. Just don't ever buy their service packages. Read your owners manual and maintance guide. You will notice that 90% of the items are "check" this and that and a few of them are "repack the front wheelbearing" "change the oil and filter" "change the air filter" you get the idea. Take a look at the checklist that they give you for items that the Lexus machanic checks when they do the regular old oil/filter change. Keep a copy of that list, because it has every item on the major service list that they say needs to be checked. So now from a warranty standpoint you are more than covered for the items that need to be checked, by just having the dealer do the 5K miles oil/filter changes. Now when you need one of the items performed that is indicated in the maintance guide as "change" this or "replace" that, instead of paying example $500 for the 15K mile service, you will now ask them the cost to change your oil/filter, and change the air filter and change the rear differential fluid and they will quote you a price of example $120.00, net saving for reading the guide and ordering what you need versus a service package $380. I've owned 3 Lexus vehicles, if you pay attention you get the good Lexus service, resonable price and they will give you a free loaner car (a new Lexus) filled with gas to use for the day while they do your service. I would not have anyone else touch my $65K+ new Lexus while it was covered under the Lexus warranty. You might save a couple of dollars but you might end up with a problem if you have a problem. You know Lexus pointing at your machanic and your machanic pointing at Lexus and you in the middle holding your, well you get the idea.
. Just don't ever buy their service packages. Read your owners manual and maintance guide. You will notice that 90% of the items are "check" this and that and a few of them are "repack the front wheelbearing" "change the oil and filter" "change the air filter" you get the idea. Take a look at the checklist that they give you for items that the Lexus machanic checks when they do the regular old oil/filter change. Keep a copy of that list, because it has every item on the major service list that they say needs to be checked. So now from a warranty standpoint you are more than covered for the items that need to be checked, by just having the dealer do the 5K miles oil/filter changes. Now when you need one of the items performed that is indicated in the maintance guide as "change" this or "replace" that, instead of paying example $500 for the 15K mile service, you will now ask them the cost to change your oil/filter, and change the air filter and change the rear differential fluid and they will quote you a price of example $120.00, net saving for reading the guide and ordering what you need versus a service package $380. I've owned 3 Lexus vehicles, if you pay attention you get the good Lexus service, resonable price and they will give you a free loaner car (a new Lexus) filled with gas to use for the day while they do your service. I would not have anyone else touch my $65K+ new Lexus while it was covered under the Lexus warranty. You might save a couple of dollars but you might end up with a problem if you have a problem. You know Lexus pointing at your machanic and your machanic pointing at Lexus and you in the middle holding your, well you get the idea. 
yeah! what pitbull said, couldn't have put it any better myself. you just dropped $65k for your ride and get the oil changed at jiffy lube??? no way, have the dealer service it, they will keep complete service records for your vehicle, something that will be looked at carefully when you decide it's time to trade. you are in a position for "goodwill" repair work if your 4yr/50k expires and something goes wrong. lexus will bend over backwards to help owners who have been loyal service customers, especially.
in summary - GO TO THE DEALER!!
jeff
you just dropped $65k for your ride and get the oil changed at jiffy lube??? no way, have the dealer service it, they will keep complete service records for your vehicle, something that will be looked at carefully when you decide it's time to trade. you are in a position for "goodwill" repair work if your 4yr/50k expires and something goes wrong. lexus will bend over backwards to help owners who have been loyal service customers, especially. in summary - GO TO THE DEALER!!
jeff
Jeff that is a great point. When I was looking at used LX470's I would go to the dealer and have them pull the records. If they showed missing oil and filter changes or other service work I would not even consider the vehicle. You expect with a Lexus that anyone that buys one new will have it serviced at the dealership. I am sure it would cost you more in resale value then you could ever save by having anyone other then Lexus service your ride.
