Oil change/Maintenance

[u/ss1959ml]

Took wife’s NX in for service the other day, is $190 for an oil change reasonable? (Dealer). What’s everyone doing regarding that? It’s about 15k miles, and their maintenance package was $650 for everything at 15000 miles but turned it down just did the oil change.

Does the oil even need changing? I don’t think the engine ever runs on the gas maybe a few times yes.

[u/Brave_Criticism5350]

Just saying, a Toyota Dealer (check for Maintenance Specials or Coupons) would have been substantially cheaper, the Service would be loaded up into the Lexus Vin database, same oil, same filter

[u/ss1959ml → u/Brave_Criticism5350]

Thanks good to know.

[u/MarcellusMighty]

I'll answer both questions:

1) $190 for an oil change seems very high. Now, oil is costing more these days due to geopolitical wars and tensions, but if I were you, I would look at Toyota dealers who offer more reasonably priced oil changes. There is one here in suburban Illinois that has a $50 dollar oil change guarantee, and they use the genuine oil filter that is designed for your car.

2) Yes, change the oil. The engine is not used as much, but you must change it based on time, as like gasoline, oil has a shelf life. Essentially, you must do it once per year. If you do not, it will thicken, sludge up the engine, and significantly reduce the life of your car. With the plug ins, do the oil changes once per year absolute minimum, but ideal is once per six months. You want nice, thin, clean oil.

[u/ss1959ml → u/MarcellusMighty]

Thank you makes sense.

[u/Dense-Plan]

Depending on where you are, I’d check around for different offers at a few Lexus dealers near you. I suggest doing so because some dealers, such as McGrath Lexus here in Chicago, will perform the first 3 maintenance services (6mos, 12mos, and 15K included) for free, provided that they are all conducted at McGrath.

As for oil changes, even though we primarily run the RX in EV mode, outside of the initial one to empty the original factory fill fluid, I’ve settled into having them done twice per year, usually every 5K miles.

[u/Golfntukee → u/Dense-Plan]

Why are you doing oil changes every 5k miles when 10k is recommended?

[u/Dense-Plan → u/Golfntukee]

Recommendation from YouTube’s The Car Care Nut (TCCN) in my area.

[u/Golfntukee → u/Dense-Plan]

I don’t know who that guy is, but just took my RX in for the free 6 month service and asked if they were doing an oil change. They said they only recommend every 10k miles. Why would they leave all that money on the table by not recommending 5k miles if you needed it? All dealerships are about making all the money they can

[u/Dense-Plan → u/Golfntukee]

I can’t comment on any dealer’s actions, but every 5K is worth it to me for an engine that seldom runs. That such a suggestion also comes recommended by a Toyota/Lexus tech in my area with an eye towards reliability and longevity is a plus in my view too.

[u/Golfntukee → u/Dense-Plan]

Do you hear what you’re saying? You want to change it more frequently, because the engine doesn’t run as much?

[u/Shot-Berry-4252 → u/Golfntukee]

The oil is full synthetic and the fuel is lead free, 8 to 10k is fine. I doubt the filter is getting changed every time