Hi guys,

So I took my car in two weeks ago to get a headlight replaced, and they told me (at Lexus) that my spark plugs need to be replaced. They said they should be replaced at 60K miles, and I have 65k. So, I made an appointment in 3 weeks to have them replaced at Lexus ($500). I got an offer for ($300) at my local auto shop. Should I have Lexus or my local auto dealer do this? And am I in trouble that I am at 65K and I still haven't replaced them? Will carbon buildup happen soon? Can I go another 3 weeks before the replacement?

Thanks

 

The spark plugs are rated to 100k but are suggested to be changed at 60k, so yes, you can easily go another 3 weeks.

Spark plugs have nothing to do with carbon buildup.

Do you have a 250 or an IS350? There's a recall on the IS350 that could reduce the labor charges in changing spark plugs.

 

I have a 250...so no reduction unfortunately. Thanks for letting me know that they can go to 100K. I am still getting them changed soon, but at least I know that it isn't an emergency.

 

Also......what is carbon buildup? Just so I know.....and how does it happen? Can I prevent it?

 

Search carbon build up in this forum https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ld-up-csp.html.
Also, find a good private local mechanic specializing in Lexus or Toyota, they will charge you about $300.00. Hopefully, your "local auto shop" specializes in Lexus. good luck

 

Have your local shop do it and save $200. It's not hard; it's just labor intensive to get to some of the plugs.

 

not that hard but the drivers side plugs are annoying because they have all the wiring harnesses in the way

 

I replaced 6 sparkplugs on my IS350 in less than 45 minutes. There are some great posts on DIY to follow. Maybe the IS250 is harder?

 

If you are having any signs of carbon buildup i would wait to do the spark plugs till you get a code or take to the dealer with spark plugs and tell them about the carbon. I am at 60k miles also, just took my car to dealer, they confirmed the carbon buildup, performed the TSB, and they changed the spark plugs for free (i already had parts from sewell). Good luck.

 

One way to reduce/not get carbon buildup is to actually beat in your car once in a while. I tach or out in second usually once a week to get the buildup out. You'll see a puff of black smoke in rear view when you do this. It's the babied cars that see more carbon buildup issues than the aggressively driven ones. This motor likes to be driven hard.

 

Not true my GF baby here 250 it has 96k and not one issue with carbon build up. It a hit or miss with these cars some get them others never.

 

That may be true but just from what I've heard it's more likely if you baby it. She's just one of the lucky ones. I've got 77k and I know when I tach it out I see that little puff of smoke and I know I'm doing my chimney sweep job

 

On lexusdrivers.com, the maintenance schedule for my 2012 IS 350 (50K miles) does not list the spark plug as needing replacement until 120K miles. Are the spark plugs on the 2012 model different than older models?

 

yeah beating on the car doesnt solve the carbon build up issue at all. smoke coming from the exhaust doesnt mean anything either. its just the design of the motor. some get it sooner, some get it later, some people get lucky and dont see it in the ownership period they have the car. but its inevitable at some point. its just a direct injection motor problem, plain and simple.