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Don't let the dealer touch it! Based on the fact that transmission services aren't required by the log book on US delivered GS350s, they wouldn't know what they're doing anyways - especially the younger mechanics. Given they probability that they have never opened a 4GS transmission before I'd disregard any advice dispensed.
If you wish to have it serviced, take it to an expert - your local recommended automatic transmission specialist are the experts in the field, they'd have forgotten more than a dealership ever knew about transmissions. If you have a trusted mechanic, don't be afraid to ask them who they farm tranny jobs to that fall into the too hard basket.
Hell no, that is the worse advice I've heard in a long, long time - quite pathetic in fact!
Lexus technicians can easily run a diagnosis on the transmission to make sure all the MANY sensors and solenoids are working correctly without ever opening the transmission. A Lexus technician is far more experienced than a 'local recommended automatic transmission specialist' would be!!!
A Lexus technician is far more experienced than a 'local recommended automatic transmission specialist' would be!!!
I think this is short sighted. By this logic nobody but a Lexus technician should ever work on a Lexus transmission. You can't claim that every single Lexus service department is the best option over ever single independent shop.
I think this is short sighted. By this logic nobody but a Lexus technician should ever work on a Lexus transmission. You can't claim that every single Lexus service department is the best option over ever single independent shop.
Very true. Plus the majority of the cars they see are late models so they never really get to see the problems that plague the vehicles when they are long out of warranty with many miles. Those are the cars that will make it into reputable independent shops.
I think this is short sighted. By this logic nobody but a Lexus technician should ever work on a Lexus transmission.You can't claim that every single Lexus service department is the best option over ever single independent shop.
You are twisting what I said! I did not say; "nobody but a Lexus technician should ever work on a Lexus transmission". In my opinion you would have to look far-and-wide among local recommended transmission specialists to find one that is better capable of diagnosing, troubleshooting and repairing a Toyota/Lexus transmission.
I did not make the claim that every single Lexus service department is the best option over every single independent shop. I'm sure there are some independent shops across the country that may be equal, but it would be somewhat rare. What I did say was "A Lexus technician is far more experienced than a typical 'local recommended automatic transmission specialist' would be!!!" Maybe I should have added the word 'typical'.
Many 'local recommended automatic transmission specialists' are more like your local Jiffy Lube oil change specialists.
"A Lexus technician is far more experienced than a typical 'local recommended automatic transmission specialist' would be!!!"
I doubt that very much. I agree Lexus have diagnosis equipment but so would any good transmission specialist. These are people who fix transmissions all day every day not once in a blue moon. It's not a McLaren, it's a Toyota.
Think about it, if your transmissions are never serviced at the dealership and there's no record of them failing, how would Lexus techs ever learn how to work on them? They'd be following written procedure without practical experience like they were still in mechanic school. They would be inexperienced at best.
Originally Posted by azipod
Very true. Plus the majority of the cars they see are late models so they never really get to see the problems that plague the vehicles when they are long out of warranty with many miles. Those are the cars that will make it into reputable independent shops.
Spot on. I'd bet my last biscuit that most dealerships in America have little to no experience with 4GS transmissions. At best they may say "computers say ok so there's nothing wrong". A good indy specialist would know these inside out - like mine does. I walked in and as I stated I wanted my 4GS serviced, off the top of his head he rattled off the different possible gearboxes numbers that my car could have contained. THAT is who you want working on your car, not someone upholding corporate policy.
They simply cannot be an authority on a piece of equipment they have little experience with. I'll guarantee that when the boxes do start to slip they'll offer to put a whole new one in - they wouldn't know how to repair a gearbox.
I doubt that very much. I agree Lexus have diagnosis equipment but so would any good transmission specialist. These are people who fix transmissions all day every day not once in a blue moon. It's not a McLaren, it's a Toyota.
Think about it, if your transmissions are never serviced at the dealership and there's no record of them failing, how would Lexus techs ever learn how to work on them? They'd be following written procedure without practical experience like they were still in mechanic school. They would be inexperienced at best.
Do you think Toyota/Lexus technicians just learn to make repairs without any specialized training? How are the repair specialists at independent transmission shops trained?
Read some of the reviews about AAMCO, one of the largest transmission specialist with shops all over the U.S. Do you really want them, or heaven forbid some shade tree mechanic, working on your transmission and learning how to do it on-the-fly?
Do you think Toyota/Lexus technicians just learn to make repairs without any specialized training? How are the repair specialists at independent transmission shops trained?
Read some of the reviews about AAMCO, one of the largest transmission specialist with shops all over the U.S. Do you really want them, or heaven forbid some shade tree mechanic, working on your transmission and learning how to do it on-the-fly?
You should look into the FRS valve spring recall debacle. There are article from big car sites writing about it and many very disappointed customers that have had their complete engine totaled requiring a new engine. https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133095 . That is just one forum with around 90 people who have had engine failures post recall. In my city alone I see 5 FRS for sale completely great condition but requiring new motors. So I wouldn't say that Toyota and Lexus techs are the be all end all techs for our cars with very specialized work.
Do you think Toyota/Lexus technicians just learn to make repairs without any specialized training? How are the repair specialists at independent transmission shops trained?
Sorry, BC I disagree. I know quite a few Lexus techs and I'll tell you just like independents you'll get some great ones, some good ones and some mediocre ones. There are those that follow the 'easy' path and those that truly understand the inner workings of the transmission.
For example, I had a slight leak of transmission fluid noticed during one of my LS430 service visits at a local Lexus dealer last year. The service advisor came out and said with a straight face "our technician thinks you should replace the transmission, it'll be $3,500 do you want to do that today?". For. A. Very. Slight. Leak.
Spoke about the issue with one of the top master techs I know personally and his solution was "All you need to do is to drop the pan, clean out this little mesh screen and then put it back with a new gasket. takes a couple of hours. But if it was me with such a tiny leak I'd just leave it and monitor it. When it's time to do the service for the mesh screen cleaning let me know - there are only two techs at X dealership I'd trust to do it".
Those top knowledgeable Lexus techs don't always get assigned unless you know who to ask for... it takes some digging (or luck of the draw) to get the right person to do this very specialized work, either at the dealer or at an independent. Same risk.
I spoke with a Lexus technician recently about this topic. Here's how the conversation went:
Me: How often should I change my transmission fluid on my GS?
Tech: Lexus says that it's a lifetime fluid.
Me: Do you personally believe that?
Tech: Umm... No.
Me: So should I change my transmission fluid?
Tech: Well, you sometimes see problems with slipping after changing the fluid, so there might be a risk.
Me: So, should I risk it?
Tech: I wouldn't.
I found the conversation interesting. The tech didn't believe that the fluid is lifetime, but still wouldn't change it because of the risk of transmission problems arising after changing it. He felt that the risk wouldn't outweigh the benefit. So..it sounds like I'll be saving $400-$500, then.
Sorry, BC I disagree. I know quite a few Lexus techs and I'll tell you just like independents you'll get some great ones, some good ones and some mediocre ones. There are those that follow the 'easy' path and those that truly understand the inner workings of the transmission.
For example, I had a slight leak of transmission fluid noticed during one of my LS430 service visits at a local Lexus dealer last year. The service advisor came out and said with a straight face "our technician thinks you should replace the transmission, it'll be $3,500 do you want to do that today?". For. A. Very. Slight. Leak.
Spoke about the issue with one of the top master techs I know personally and his solution was "All you need to do is to drop the pan, clean out this little mesh screen and then put it back with a new gasket. takes a couple of hours. But if it was me with such a tiny leak I'd just leave it and monitor it. When it's time to do the service for the mesh screen cleaning let me know - there are only two techs at X dealership I'd trust to do it".
Those top knowledgeable Lexus techs don't always get assigned unless you know who to ask for... it takes some digging (or luck of the draw) to get the right person to do this very specialized work, either at the dealer or at an independent. Same risk.
I totally agree that some Lexus service advisors (and technicians) may attempt to talk customers into service they do not need. That happens all the time with fuel injection cleaners and A/C deodorants, and alignments, and tires, etc. I think that happens most everywhere and with most any type of service imaginable.
I was not taking about dealing with a minor transmission leak from the pan or whether an older model transmission needs to have routine servicing. I was referring to a Toyota/Lexus transmission that has a 'real' problem - like an upshift or downshift that fails to happen due to a failed shift solenoid, or a split front planetary ring gear, or a broken direct clutch return spring sub-assembly, or a screeching output shaft thrust bearing, or worn or broken brake clutches, etc., etc. That is where I consider the Toyota/Lexus technicians that have been thoroughly trained by Toyota to be far more of an expert than a franchised transmission shop or an independent shop unless of course that particular shop has a Toyota/Lexus trained and experienced technician that works there. But, even still - does that independent shop's expert keep up with the ever-changing need for further education to stay abreast of all the technical bulletins? I doubt it because he needs to stay in his shop - he cannot afford the time or expense to go to Toyota schools in distance states 'if' he was even allowed to go. Further, does the expert and the local independent shop have all the specialized tools needed to take the 8-speed transmission apart and put it back together again. How about the specialized diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot transmission problems? It's not like an independent shop could afford all that.
If I ever have a problem with a Lexus transmission I personally would only trust a qualified Toyota/Lexus technician that has all the diagnostic equipment, specialized tools, and is up-to-date on training to work the transmission.
Doesn’t matter minor or major, it’s the same exact concern I posted either way. Some techs still are good and some aren’t and both have had the same training. Fact is so few ever have to touch the Lexus transmissions that they don’t have a lot of expertise.
I’d probably take it to Lexus as well, BUT assigned only to a known and independently vetted/recommended tech. Not everybody has that luxury. If I had that same type of recommendation on an independent (likely one who used to be a Lexus employee) I would go there as well without hesitation.
Doesn’t matter minor or major, it’s the same exact concern I posted either way. Some techs still are good and some aren’t and both have had the same training. Fact is so few ever have to touch the Lexus transmissions that they don’t have a lot of expertise.
I’d probably take it to Lexus as well, BUT assigned only to a known and independently vetted/recommended tech. Not everybody has that luxury. If I had that same type of recommendation on an independent (likely one who used to be a Lexus employee) I would go there as well without hesitation.
Reminds me when I had this Caddy a few years back. The original tranny went out and I opted for a GM rebuilt direct from GM for $1100. I literally had it installed in 2 hours. That car was so easy to service.
You have this saved as a script on your computer and just paste it each time the topic comes up? lol. I don't mind, just curious lol
It is the only comment by a Lexus trained Service Manager again who has been trained at the transmission factory in Detroit. The only other comment from a trained person was a Lexus mechanic who confirmed it can cause more damage than good. This is a common post on most of the different models. Find so funny the experts with ZERO experience contributing their opinion and telling the OP you must change the fluid because nothing last forever. The funniest ones are the conspiracy theorist that state Lexus tells us never to change the fluid because they know the transmission will fail right when the warranty expires. If I truly felt my manufacturer was doing that I would sell my Lexus and never buy another one.
I spoke with a Lexus technician recently about this topic. Here's how the conversation went:
Me: How often should I change my transmission fluid on my GS?
Tech: Lexus says that it's a lifetime fluid.
Me: Do you personally believe that?
Tech: Umm... No.
Me: So should I change my transmission fluid?
Tech: Well, you sometimes see problems with slipping after changing the fluid, so there might be a risk.
Me: So, should I risk it?
Tech: I wouldn't.
I found the conversation interesting. The tech didn't believe that the fluid is lifetime, but still wouldn't change it because of the risk of transmission problems arising after changing it. He felt that the risk wouldn't outweigh the benefit. So..it sounds like I'll be saving $400-$500, then.
My mechanic changed the transmission fluid on two of my Toyota vehicles within the last few years. Can’t remember what it cost but it was in the $100-125 range, if that. That’s with Toyota fluid.
12-18-19, 08:48 AM
