Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, I called around to all the Lexus dealerships to ask how much an oil change would be. I was quoted prices that ranged from $100 all the way up to almost $180. Ouch! I didn't know an oil change would cost so much for a Lexus. Is this just Bay Area pricing or is it this pretty much the going rate for an oil change at dealerships in the U.S.?

I was considering changing the oil and filter myself but I don't have any of the necessary equipment. I considered going to a "quick lube" type of establishment, but I dunno if I could trust them to not mess up my baby.

After contemplating my options, I took the RX300 into a local Toyota dealership to get them to change the oil, the filter and rotate the tires. The engine in the RX300 is essentially the same as the one in the Toyota Highlander (that's what I have been told). They charged me $40 for this service. I prefer to change my oil every 5,000 miles and if I took the RX300 back to the dealership every time...it will just add up to a lot of cashola.

Is there any advantages/disadvantages of not getting an oil change at the dealerships? Just curious what your experience has been.

 

I bought a pile of OEM oil filters, and several jugs of Mobil1 5W-30 and now I take my Lexus to the local Toyota dealer for $9(Labor) oil changes every 3,750 miles. At 15K, 30K, 45K...I'll return to Lexus. Otherwise, I go with Toyota.

 

I go to the dealer every 5k miles. They charge 39.99 for oil change. I bring in my own 5w-30 Mobile 1 oil and Mobil 1 filter. The dealer should deduct this from your cost.

It is more convenient for me to drop it off and have it done. The dealer provides for my transportation so overall its usually not too much of a time consuming experience.

 

The quoted price seems to be the reccomended service charges. Oil change should be 1/2 hr labor + parts (washer, filter and oil). Some places may have a charge for disposal of oil.

Salim

 

The prices I quoted were for the 10,000 mile service (which would be the every 5K service interval cost) at various Lexus dealerships. For my 10K and 15K service, I took the RX300 to my local Toyota dealership. I was looking at our owners/service manuals and the 15K service was pretty well just an oil and filter change and a tire rotation. I did notice that it specified that the flange bolt needed to be re-torqued (I have the AWD Silversport)...but I didn't get this done at the Toyota dealership. Is this an important maintenance item that should be done?

Daddy-O: I will also be bringing my RX300 into the Lexus dealership at the 30K, 60K, 90K mileage marks. I just called the dealership that I took my RX300 into for the 1K and 5K service...they told me the 30K service will be $525.

 

I just have my 45K service done at dealer and that cost me ~$450. I guess I will take my RX to Toyota for oil change. Oh...how bout Jiffy Lube? Are they any good? They do offer some good engine oil for $45 oil change (if i remember correctly).

 

According to my Lexus Owner's Manual, other than the
usual 7.5K service items, Lexus is scheduled to:

-Replace engine air filter (I have a K&N, so this service is moot)
-Replace brake fluid
-Replace engine coolant
-Perform 5-6 more minor inspections

For $525?...Not on my watch...Enzo, check your manual and save some money. Unless you are driving under "Special Operating Conditions", you can save mucho dinero.

Take a look at this, too. It will aid in perspective.
The Edmunds Maintenance Guide.

This was one of the Helpful Lexus Bookmarks I posted Friday.

 

Daddy-O,

Thanks for the Edmunds website. According to Edmunds, the 30K service costs $176. Oh man, my Lexus dealership is charging twice that price. I guess that's what you pay for the opportunity to sit in those nice, comfy leather seats at the dealership. You can sure tell the difference between Toyota level of service and Lexus level of service. You get what you pay for, right?

The RX300 doesn't operate in any special conditions. It's just the typical Bay Area home-to-office-and-back-again stop and go commute. On the weekends, it gets more freeway usage. It never sees any off roading (it probably will never see any off roading).

bx167...you paid $450 for the 45K service? Ouch! Look at the websites of yer local Toyota dealerships...sometimes they have coupons for the oil & filter change. There's nothing wrong with trying to save a few dollars...even if you own a Lexus. I don't really trust the Jiffy Lube places...but that's just me. I would rather do what the other people are posting...buy your own oil (either synthetic or dino oil) and your own OEM filters to a dealer. This will save ya from the hassles of the messy cleanup and proper disposal of your oil.

 

Avoid places like Jiffy Lube etc at al costs. It seems they charge more than Toyota and they dont even have the right parts (filter/seal) for the RX as they do the same operation for all cars.

Lexus, on the other hand, employes high school students for routine jobs like oil changes but seems to charge us specialist rates. Unless something went wrong with my RX (hopefully not), I wouldnt go to Lexus

I am up for 30k soon and I intend to go to my local Toyota dealer. He charged me $90 for 15k [took my own Mobil 1]. I also like the fact that I can watch them work on my RX through the glass which I cant at Lexus/Jiffy. I just want to make sure they handle my baby well and that the tires are rotated as I specify [using the spare tire] and that my oil is used and that they _actually_ perform the oil change.

Its approx $10 for oil change and $10 for tire rotation [labor only] at my Toyota dealer. I usually take it in on a weekend so I havent/wont use their transport

 

I usually change my oil every 3000-5000 miles... Most places will do a good job on your oil change. National chains usually have a distinct business advantage (sorry small timers) for consumers. They will kiss your butt and always redo the job if it isn't done right.

If you're really paranoid, mark your oil filter with a pen and check it later to make sure they changed it. Another thing to do is research the kind of oil they use. Some ClubLexus members recommend synthetic oil. But remember, if you insist on synthetic, you're not going to get the coupon price you saw in the newspaper.

Best of luck,
Hando

 

Damn! The dealerships here charge $39.99 for the oil change, including oil. Thats a good idea about bringing your own oil and filter though, I think I'll do that. I want to run synthetics in the Lexus, but was wondering how I would do that while still using the dealer's service.

For routine oil changes I'll be using my Ford dealership actually. I've gotten to know the service advisor there very well (my Explorer goes to see him, a lot) and I'll just bring my own filter and oil.

Perfecto.

 

Perfecto, they really don't care... as long as you keep your receipt from service... or, if you do it yourself, keep the receipt for the oil and filter you buy.

Toyota is reasonable enough to realize that Americans are independent enough to not go to the dealer for ever single little service that is required. There is nothing wrong with taking your Lexus for an oil change or a simple maintenance check.... just keep documentation for your records.. it's always a good idea.

 

I bring mine back to the Lexus dealer for oil changes for a few reasons:

1. It is $34.95
2. I get a loaner car all day
3. They not only change the oil, but they detail the car. Wash it inside and out.
4. I like the idea of someone working on my car that works only with Lexus'.

 

Every 5K miles, use synthetic only. Local shop does it for $40 bucks.

Dealer charges $45, but too far from my house.

Few of you mentioned your "big" maintenances services - for those I'd only take it to the dealer. 60K I did few months ago cost me $900.

 

$900.00:eek: Did they repaint the vehicle too? Major services on my Bimmer's - with a loaner car - weren't even that much.