General Car Conversation 2024 - part 1
#2357
Lexus Test Driver
something else to factor in here, i'd wager that the average toyota/lexus owner doesn't look after their car as well because the assumption of reliability is stronger... the maintenance is more likely to be neglected on a toyota/lexus
#2358
Lexus Fanatic
I bet Mercedes owners are more lacking on following scheduled maintenance than Toyota owners are. Especially the younger MB owners who buy them second hand.
I don’t think I have ever seen a Toyota having to replace the fuel filter ever 5 years or 60K
Do you really think MB onwers follow this?
I don’t think I have ever seen a Toyota having to replace the fuel filter ever 5 years or 60K
Do you really think MB onwers follow this?
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 03-15-24 at 10:52 AM.
#2359
Lexus Fanatic
Do you really think MB onwers follow this?
I don’t think I have ever seen a Toyota having to replace the fuel filter ever 5 years or 60K
#2360
Lexus Fanatic
But that doesn't get away from the "Scheduled maintenance" of the Mercedes I posted. I bet most skip this service. (that doesn't exits on other brands)
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 03-15-24 at 11:06 AM.
#2361
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
I bet Mercedes owners are more lacking on following scheduled maintenance than Toyota owners are. Especially the younger MB owners who buy them second hand.
I don’t think I have ever seen a Toyota having to replace the fuel filter ever 5 years or 60K
Do you really think MB onwers follow this?
I don’t think I have ever seen a Toyota having to replace the fuel filter ever 5 years or 60K
Do you really think MB onwers follow this?
In that regard, "skipping" the scheduled change on a Mercedes is much the same as not making an unscheduled change on a Toyota. You can probably get away with it on both brands. Right up until you can't.
But you see this stuff in various places. BMW claims that both their coolant and transmission fluid are "lifetime", and they clearly are not--in the case of the trans fluid, the actual manufacturer of the transmission specifies a change interval. Toyota makes the exact same bogus claims about their coolant and trans fluid. I change them because it's the right thing to do, even though the mfr doesn't tell me I have to. Others will make different choices.
Last edited by geko29; 03-15-24 at 01:15 PM.
#2362
Lexus Champion
Oh yeah.....lord do they just lean on that reputation. Then they are shocked when it needs anything at all
#2363
Lexus Fanatic
You're probably not wrong about some services being skipped, but just because a thing isn't specified, doesn't mean it shouldn't be done
I found posts from folks who changed the "lifetime" fuel filter in their Toyotas at 100-150k, and reported that the fuel that poured out of the intake side looked "like mud". Some even posted pictures of their filter media after cutting it open, and they were pretty ugly. Probably changing it was the right idea, even though Toyota says it's not necessary. .
I found posts from folks who changed the "lifetime" fuel filter in their Toyotas at 100-150k, and reported that the fuel that poured out of the intake side looked "like mud". Some even posted pictures of their filter media after cutting it open, and they were pretty ugly. Probably changing it was the right idea, even though Toyota says it's not necessary. .
the actual manufacturer of the transmission specifies a change interval
Toyota makes the exact same bogus claims about their coolant and trans fluid.
I change them because it's the right thing to do, even though the mfr doesn't tell me I have to.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 03-15-24 at 02:33 PM.
#2364
Lexus Fanatic
So a big difference between German cars insofar as maintenance is concerned and Lexus/Toyota is the Germans tend to require more maintenance than is required to keep the car running at peak performance, where with Lexus/Toyota they are more content to allow a level of diminished performance as the car ages. Hence spark plugs in my S560 at 50k miles, nobody who has replaced them has found they needed to be replaced, but Mercedes clearly found that performance tends to drop off after 50k miles so they recommend replacement at 50k miles.
You can likely never change the fuel filter on a Mercedes either...
Like was said before, all Toyota/Lexus specialists suggest maintaining those cars more frequently than the manufacturer recommends
You can likely never change the fuel filter on a Mercedes either...
Like was said before, all Toyota/Lexus specialists suggest maintaining those cars more frequently than the manufacturer recommends
#2365
Lexus Fanatic
So a big difference between German cars insofar as maintenance is concerned and Lexus/Toyota is the Germans tend to require more maintenance than is required to keep the car running at peak performance, where with Lexus/Toyota they are more content to allow a level of diminished performance as the car ages. Hence spark plugs in my S560 at 50k miles, nobody who has replaced them has found they needed to be replaced, but Mercedes clearly found that performance tends to drop off after 50k miles so they recommend replacement at 50k miles.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 03-15-24 at 02:41 PM.
#2366
Lexus Champion
I have never had to change a fuel filter in 30 years of Toyota/Lexus ownership. I have always just followed the scheduled maintenance recommendations. Although I have skipped on some items here and there
I don’t agree with this. for example, Mercedes claims that owners are supposed to change their brake fluid every two year…but a Lexus the brake fluid is supposed to be changed every three years… I think the manufacturer is right
I have heard this. But I have never seen the evidence
You are incorrect on the coolant part. My 4Runner for 2021 is 10 years and 120k and then after that, it’s always 5 years and 60K after the initial change. As per transmission oil, my SUVs say to change it if I tow or it if haul heavy loads
Would you change a timing chain? When the manufacturer never says to do it?
I don’t agree with this. for example, Mercedes claims that owners are supposed to change their brake fluid every two year…but a Lexus the brake fluid is supposed to be changed every three years… I think the manufacturer is right
I have heard this. But I have never seen the evidence
You are incorrect on the coolant part. My 4Runner for 2021 is 10 years and 120k and then after that, it’s always 5 years and 60K after the initial change. As per transmission oil, my SUVs say to change it if I tow or it if haul heavy loads
Would you change a timing chain? When the manufacturer never says to do it?
Timing chains fail often, I did 3 this last month and I have one coming in next week. If they have an issue then they need fixed. Simple as that. Toyotas fail less since they overbuild to account for owners not maintaining properly, same reason they have unusually high coolant capacity vs rival brands. That allows it to last longer when people without a doubt never service it since "it's a Toyota"
#2367
Lexus Champion
So a big difference between German cars insofar as maintenance is concerned and Lexus/Toyota is the Germans tend to require more maintenance than is required to keep the car running at peak performance, where with Lexus/Toyota they are more content to allow a level of diminished performance as the car ages. Hence spark plugs in my S560 at 50k miles, nobody who has replaced them has found they needed to be replaced, but Mercedes clearly found that performance tends to drop off after 50k miles so they recommend replacement at 50k miles.
You can likely never change the fuel filter on a Mercedes either...
Like was said before, all Toyota/Lexus specialists suggest maintaining those cars more frequently than the manufacturer recommends
You can likely never change the fuel filter on a Mercedes either...
Like was said before, all Toyota/Lexus specialists suggest maintaining those cars more frequently than the manufacturer recommends
Same reason the LS460 had a much shorter spark plug interval for the first year and shorter oil changes, but Lexus decided to lower total cost of ownership and "environmental fees" by moving many things to longer interval or "lifetime" specs.
A lot of fluid specs are lengthened due to that last one, the most telling proof is when you call the makers of the gear unit or look at the same engine in an industrial application. Intervals are drastically shorter
#2368
Lexus Champion
Nice try and nice spin. Lexus and Toyota have spark plug intervals early like your S560 as well, but only when they are turbos. (or specific Toyotas that do not have long life plugs)....the naturally aspirated engines do not necessarily need the spark plugs changed for a long time (depending on the model) and this counts for some AMG products like the ML55
But hey, if you don't demand much or need much then if it drives it drives right?
#2370
Lexus Fanatic
Nice try and nice spin. Lexus and Toyota have spark plug intervals early like your S560 as well, but only when they are turbos. (or specific Toyotas that do not have long life plugs)....the naturally aspirated engines do not necessarily need the spark plugs changed for a long time (depending on the model) and this counts for some AMG products like the ML55