Performing your own maintenance, keeping records, warranty issues
11-30-09, 02:50 AM
#1
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Performing your own maintenance, keeping records, warranty issues
I'm planning on getting an 2010 ES 350 and would like to do the routine maintenance myself, especially with the high costs at the dealership.
I've read stories on these boards that Lexus will deny some warranty claims if you do your own work.
I would also like to know how people keep records of what they did, in case a warranty claim was challenged.
People have recommended that you keep a notebook with details of what you did.
The problem is that I prefer to keep all of my records in electronic format (like everything else in my life) in addition to having terrible hand writing.
Just wondering if a handwritten journal is crucial in making a difference in a warranty claim.
Thanks
I've read stories on these boards that Lexus will deny some warranty claims if you do your own work.
I would also like to know how people keep records of what they did, in case a warranty claim was challenged.
People have recommended that you keep a notebook with details of what you did.
The problem is that I prefer to keep all of my records in electronic format (like everything else in my life) in addition to having terrible hand writing.
Just wondering if a handwritten journal is crucial in making a difference in a warranty claim.
Thanks
11-30-09, 12:12 PM
#2
It is illegal to deny a warranty claim simply because you did your own maintenance... unless of course whatever the problerm is, was your fault. Best way to keep records in my opinion, would be to document the date/mileage you changed the oil, and keep the receipt for the parts. Its not necessary to have it hand written... I would use the owners manual's maintenance schedule... it has a page for each service. I would fill it out with the date and mileage and note that you did the maintenance yourself. If you have decent documentation, and receipts showing oil and filter purchases, then there is no reason to deny a claim.
You do know that most dealerships are running year round specials for oil changes and such though. Im many places, you can get oil changes for as low as 29.99.
You do know that most dealerships are running year round specials for oil changes and such though. Im many places, you can get oil changes for as low as 29.99.
12-02-09, 02:00 AM
#3
It is illegal to deny a warranty claim simply because you did your own maintenance... unless of course whatever the problerm is, was your fault. Best way to keep records in my opinion, would be to document the date/mileage you changed the oil, and keep the receipt for the parts. Its not necessary to have it hand written... I would use the owners manual's maintenance schedule... it has a page for each service. I would fill it out with the date and mileage and note that you did the maintenance yourself. If you have decent documentation, and receipts showing oil and filter purchases, then there is no reason to deny a claim.
You do know that most dealerships are running year round specials for oil changes and such though. Im many places, you can get oil changes for as low as 29.99.
You do know that most dealerships are running year round specials for oil changes and such though. Im many places, you can get oil changes for as low as 29.99.
12-02-09, 06:32 AM
#4
Oil change at my lexus dealer is 71.95 plus tax, and that is conventional oil, synthetic is extra.
and i called a nearby toyota dealer, they refuse to work on lexus, stating that there technicians are not trained to work on lexus. (crap if you ask me)
and i called a nearby toyota dealer, they refuse to work on lexus, stating that there technicians are not trained to work on lexus. (crap if you ask me)
12-04-09, 07:35 PM
#7
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A good place to log your maintenance is at Lexus website https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lex...cle-summary.do which lets you input your info as well as see what any Lexus dealer has done to the car.
Last edited by EScrow; 12-04-09 at 07:52 PM.
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12-05-09, 06:06 AM
#8
as for the donuts and coffee etc. not at my lexus dealer,
mine is just another counter at a toyota dealer, same waiting room
12-05-09, 08:22 PM
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After doing my own oil changes, I don't think I can ever give my car to a shop for an oil change. It's just a personal thing, I guess I'm a bit of a perfectionist... I noticed a lot of shops don't check the exact level of oil and often just estimate how much should go in. You also never know what exactly they did and didn't do.
I save all of my reciepts and document my maintenance electroniclly. I note what was done, the date, and the mileage.
12-05-09, 08:35 PM
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plus theres only a few parts on the toyota side that you would be able to use for lexus vehicle,only the metal can type oil filters the new paper type filters dosent fit. most air filter,brake pads,serpentine belts etc. dosent fit either. this is one way Toyota keeps lexus owners to the Lexus Side. or else only toyota tech would have all the work.
Last edited by monkiwrnch; 12-05-09 at 08:36 PM. Reason: spelled wrong
12-06-09, 06:48 PM
#11
A good place to log your maintenance is at Lexus website https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lex...cle-summary.do which lets you input your info as well as see what any Lexus dealer has done to the car.
thats why toyota dealers dont work on lexus vehicle its coz a lexus not a toyota hehehhe plus theres only a few parts on the toyota side that you would be able to use for lexus vehicle,only the metal can type oil filters the new paper type filters dosent fit. most air filter,brake pads,serpentine belts etc. dosent fit either. this is one way Toyota keeps lexus owners to the Lexus Side. or else only toyota tech would have all the work.
plus theres only a few parts on the toyota side that you would be able to use for lexus vehicle,only the metal can type oil filters the new paper type filters dosent fit. most air filter,brake pads,serpentine belts etc. dosent fit either. this is one way Toyota keeps lexus owners to the Lexus Side. or else only toyota tech would have all the work.
12-06-09, 06:54 PM
#12
After doing my own oil changes, I don't think I can ever give my car to a shop for an oil change. It's just a personal thing, I guess I'm a bit of a perfectionist... I noticed a lot of shops don't check the exact level of oil and often just estimate how much should go in. You also never know what exactly they did and didn't do.
12-07-09, 05:14 PM
#14
^^ Shopping around I guess. I have all of this winter to find a deal on oil for this coming summer 
BTW, for every sort of work done to my car, I've kept a binder with all the receipts in it. My notes also include the date, mileage, type of oil and filter used when changing my oil on my own.
BTW, for every sort of work done to my car, I've kept a binder with all the receipts in it. My notes also include the date, mileage, type of oil and filter used when changing my oil on my own.
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