Spark Plug Service Done Some Dealers Charge $700 Yikes!
08-05-17, 07:32 AM
#1
Spark Plug Service Done Some Dealers Charge $700 Yikes!
I just got done changing the spark plugs in my wife's 2013 GS350 and it was super easy! I have read on here that some dealers are charging over $700 for this service -- my local dealer wanted $350 for the job (reasonable). Do NOT pay $700 for a spark plug change on your GS350 as it's a complete rip off! This was my first time doing this job and I had everything back together within the hour and that was while I was filming a DIY video. An experienced Lexus mechanic who has done this service before should be able to complete it in under an hour. I'm here to say that if your on the fence about doing this service don't be intimated, it's a very easy DIY. Simple put, paying a dealer over $700 for this service is laughable at best.
If you think the spark plugs don't need changing at 60k intervals, take a look at the enclosed picture. My car only had 58k miles on it and they were due for replacement. The center electrode was starting to show signs of wear and had numerous carbon deposits on them. At only 35 dollars in parts and maybe an hour of my time, it's cheap insurance for making sure our car stays running in tip top shape.
Dan
If you think the spark plugs don't need changing at 60k intervals, take a look at the enclosed picture. My car only had 58k miles on it and they were due for replacement. The center electrode was starting to show signs of wear and had numerous carbon deposits on them. At only 35 dollars in parts and maybe an hour of my time, it's cheap insurance for making sure our car stays running in tip top shape.
Dan
08-05-17, 07:42 AM
#2
Thanks for the videos. I paid for the 60K mile service on my car but with your videos, I'm gonna save tons of money and do the work myself on my wife's 24K mile car and my car in the future.
I never realized these cars are so easy to work on.
Thanks again.
I never realized these cars are so easy to work on.
Thanks again.
08-05-17, 08:28 PM
#7
Driver School Candidate
Dealers vs DIY
I agree, changing your spark plugs, and a few other maintenance items are inexpensive and rather easy. Typically though, it is the older demographic with disposable income that pays the dealers that money. Mostly for convienience. Most dealers don't make their money in maintenance due to competition and undercutting. They really make their money in recall repairs and mechanical repairs. If you can DIY, great. If you don't have the time and have the money, shop around and see who gives the best deal.
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08-07-17, 06:11 PM
#14
The spark plugs on this car are some of the most easy to access plugs ever. Just remove the ignition coils, you might have to remove some stuff around to get to a few of them, but nothing major. Then pull out the plugs and put in the new ones.
Here is a guy doing it on a IS350 which is pretty similar to the GS350:
Here is a guy doing it on a IS350 which is pretty similar to the GS350:
