1ton

I called my dealership about the 30K checkup. They quoted me about $300 and told me what they would do. Sounds to me like a lot of checks and not really doing anything else. I am not very familiar with cars and maintenance but I know enough to read the manual to check on fluids. Do you guys think it is worth the money for the 30K check-up? Does anyone have a list of what is done at 50K?

parula

What car do you have try a signature to notify us what you drive? I certainly do the basic services to maintain warranty without any questions. Try a search, lots of info. on value of basic service and negotiated discounts.

mburnickas

I would say no way if you can do basic stuff yourself.

steviej

iTrader: (1)

recently I had my 30k service and also gave them a list of things not to do. This was done at a Lexus service center.

performed:
1. brake inspection and brake fluid flush and fill.
2. coolant flush and fill (even though it had long life coolant, Lex dealers want to flush and fill at 30k. I was told they don't trust the long life stuff)
3. Tranny flush and fill.
4. Oil and filter change (dino oil cause I forgot to tell them synthetic. I thought this was in the computer from the last time they changed it----guess not.)

Total time 1.5 hours.

not performed (because they had just been done or didn't need to be done):
1. cabin air filter
2. wiper blade replacement
3. tire rotation
4. engine air filter

total cost= $512.00


1. Way too much money.
2. Cost them bad remarks on the follow up customer survey, which resulted in me being contacted by a customer service rep. Told her the exact same work could have been done at a toyota shop for 1/3 the price. That is where the major services will now be done if I don't do them myself.

To answer your question: It depends on what was last done and when on your car.
The tranny should be flushed and filled at least once every 2 years or 30k miles.
Coolant---jury is still out on that one (if you got long life stuff) so I guess whatever gives you best piece of mind.
Brake fluid flush and fill--don't know what is normally recommended.

Oil and filter, air filter, wiper blades, tire rotation, cabin filter are all easy DIY projects done in the driveway.

good luck,
steviej

1ton

I have an SC430. When I asked them what they would be doing, it did not warrant the price. I did have them do a few things such as syn oil change and oil filter change but I bought the air filter, ac filter, etc and did myself.

HotBoy

1ton.
Was that price at a Toyota or Lexus dealer.
My dealer quoted my $660 !!!!!!!!!!!! for the 30K service on a 92SC400 with 210000 miles.
I am currently looking at doing everything they would do myself.

1ton

Lexus...I think they wanted a little over $300. Not as steep as your price though.

bob2200

Regarding Steviej's tranny flush and fill:

After reading the manual, reading posts on CL, and talking to CL-members at the Florida meet a few weeks ago; my feeling is to go with the Lexus recommendation of checking the color of the transmission fluid every 30K-mi and only changing the fluid if it changes from cherry-red.

I'm still steamed at the local dealer for changing my mother's cars' transmission fluid at 5K-mi and charging about $150 (drain, not flush) until I complained.

At least on my RX300, the transmission dipstick clearly is labeled that the fluid doesn't normally need changing.

Regarding tire rotation:

I'm inclined to let the dealer rotate the tires unless you're inspecting brake pad wear yourself and properly torquing the wheel bolts. If dealers don't rotate tires, I doubt they'll check brake pad wear.

steviej

iTrader: (1)

The Lexus dealerships up here recommend (try to push) a tranny flush and fill every 15k miles.

steviej

pkchin

With 98 es300 out of warranty, I wll perform the work myself. But I would still bring it to the dealer for any major work.