6 Year Service - Spark Plugs

[Rob RCF]

My RCF's 6 year service is coming up, it's an expensive one at £850+.

One topic of contention is the spark plugs, as they are a major part of the cost of this service and yet may not always be needed. The service schedule on pg. 13 of the service book states that the spark plugs (iridium type) should be replaced every 60,000 miles. There is no specified time interval. My car has only done around 20,000 miles, so it would seem they do not need replacing yet.

I've been on the phone to my dealer's service department today who basically informed me that even though it is indeed stated that way in the owner's service schedule, their own internal servicing documentation includes the spark plug replacement as part of the 6 year service and that is what they go by and what they and Lexus recommend. They also spoke to someone from the warranty department and said that they can't guarantee it wouldn't affect my Lexus Relax warranty as in the event of a warranty claim they look through the service history to make sure it's all been carried out correctly.

I'm just not very convinced. If Lexus recommends getting the spark plugs done as part of the 6 year service then they would just add the "or every 6 years" time interval to the service schedule, surely? And since warranty claims are handled by Lexus and not the dealer, I shouldn't be too concerned with the dealer's internal documentation since Lexus would go by the service schedule.

Any thoughts?

I'm also thinking about buying my own oil to save a bit more, probably Mobil 1 5W/30 unless anyone has a better suggestion.

[wendle]

My LC will go in for its 5 year service in October with less than 10k, by the time it gets to its 6 year service it will have around 12k, ridicules to think that you have to have the spark plugs changed with so little use.

[Spock66]

17 minutes ago, Rob RCF said:

They also spoke to someone from the warranty department and said that they can't guarantee it wouldn't affect my Lexus Relax warranty as in the event of a warranty claim they look through the service history to make sure it's all been carried out correctly.

17 minutes ago, Rob RCF said:

I'm also thinking about buying my own oil to save a bit more, probably Mobil 1 5W/30 unless anyone has a better suggestion.

I'm sure the existing plugs would be fine for a few years yet, but voiding the Relax cover would be a mistake imho. I very much doubt if a Main dealer would allow you to provide your own oil, an independent probably would.

Bottom line is main dealer servicing is a key source of revenue and I suspect high margin that maintains the viability and profitability of the business.

[Barry14UK]

I was in the same situation with my RX450h.  I also got very similar answer when having my car serviced which had only done just over 40K miles and I didn't want sparkers changed until nearer 60K miles but Lexus said you can't pick and choose what to leave out of the prescribed service.  Of course they have you over a barrel with this 'Relax Warranty' which ups the price.  The next will be my last service with Lexus.  I might take out some cover on major parts elsewhere and have the car serviced as I require at a good garage.

[Plasticrat30]

I had this issue when I bought my RCF last year. Dealer said 60k plugs were required even though the car had only done 24k. As I didn’t know the car and needed the warranty I went with the new plugs. About £34 each if I remember.

It hurt……..

[hockeyedwards]

Fight it, there have been other members in the same situation who were given the same spiel who had it overturned after some push back - that is, if you are that bothered?

Regarding the void of Lexus Relax is also nonsense, so if a brake caliper fails, that was the fault of the spark plugs not being changed? 😛 I would say fair if a tip broke off from a plug etc but outside of that, really scraping the barrell for excuses.

What dealer do you use, Guildford or Reading?

Also as a piece of advice, if you plan to keep the car for the forseeable future (at least 2 years), then pay for the services in advance or a payment plan. I have purchased the last 4 services up front and received a decent discount, locks the price in and eases the financial burden. Monthly payments also locks in the price, but less likely to receive discount.

[rayaans]

Theoretically they dont need changing until atleast 60k

The issue is that they are recommended on the service schedule to be changed at the 6year/60k service so yes, despite not needing a change, probably best to do it anyway. 

Our IS300h was a low mileage car and had 20k on when it got to 6 years. Luckily at that point in time Lexus Essential Care existed, so I just opted for the major service and no spark plugs as theyre an extra £150 on that particular scheme. Unfortunately, they got rid of the essential care now

[doog442]

I have the same situation with my BMW approaching 4 years and 17k , likewise iridium

I cannot get the excellent BMW extended warranty or the idrive updated without undertaking the service requirements which include plugs at year 4...no matter how low the mileage. Being a bimmer I need that warranty

However at 6 years I would probably go for it. If you don't then when will you ?  It's unlikely they'd fail plus an extremely remote chance of seizing in the block, however it adds to your service history, future value and satisfies the warranty with no quibbles.

If you didn't and sold in 2 years your average buyer probably wouldn't be happy with an 8 year plug change.

The warranty is the biggie though and that might force your hand. 

[Rob RCF]

Thanks all for the replies. I think I'm leaning towards just leaving them to it and getting it done. It's less hassle and probably less future headaches in case any warranty issues come up etc. I also want to do what's right for the car and service history etc.

I just wish the messaging in the service schedule was a bit clearer. The way it's written now strongly suggests that it's not required, so when the dealer insists that it has to be done or it could affect the warranty, it just gives a bad feeling like they are ripping you off.

[mr2lad]

Had my biggy service last year sparks included ok so i was on higher mileage than you, 70k at the time now 85500k… was only just over £600 for service tho… 

[Texas]

If you do go ahead with the spark plug replacement ( And I think I would to negate any possible warranty wrangles down the line) ask them for ‘your’ old plugs to be left in car as they are technically yours to keep and these plugs are not cheap like in the old days and can last upto and beyond 100,000 miles easily! So will be good for later on ( when they are even more expensive) and the car is out of warranty.

My IS 250 plugs were changed at the 6 year from new point with 14,000 miles on the clock and I don’t think my old plugs would of went in the bin do you?🙄

[Twellsie]

unfortunately it is a bit of a con, i used to buy spark plugs for a well known British vehicle manufacturer working with both NGK and Denso and they both rate their plugs well beyond 60k so the risk is minimal, howeverr is it really worth the hassle?

[bernieeccles]

As motorcycle owners, my mate and I often wonder when certain motorcycles with a reputation for reliability, go in for a "big" service i.e. valve clearances, do the technicians on the job actually do the job or just have a wipe around and don't bother.

Do the easy jobs, yes , but stuff that experience has shown don't really need doing?

If something did go wrong many miles later, then just charge it to warranty or bluff it out.

I know for certain that a long time ago when I had a Saab Turbo 16v S, bought used from a main dealer, the dealer put in warranty claims for certain things that had gone wrong but claimed for more expensive parts that were perfectly fine and they did not change.

I know because after a dispute with them, I wrote to the warranty company asking for a print out of the  various work carried out and was very surprised that one of the items claimed for was a new ECU that was definitely not needed or changed and probably cost many many hundreds of pounds.

Ever since then, along with other incidents at dealers, fast fit merchants, I have a deep mistrust of main dealers.

So, yes, if they change the plugs, ask for the ones out of your car. Which then begs the question, did the come out of your car or did the just leave them in and give you some shonky others from somewhere else.

 

[B1RMA]

The thing is though overall the RCF is not an expensive car to run so I guess with the warranty all in with the servicing it's a bit of a bargain. Not quite for me I suppose as I've only done about 600 miles since my last service but hey ho.

Looking back at my records my CL65 was coming up for a £3K service plus I think about £1500 for a years warranty.

[Womble72]

Mines now out of warranty BUT the big service was done by my Indy specialist whilst under warranty, all genuine Lexus parts and VAT registration the warranty company have to allow any claim, I’d go for the plugs to keep the warranty BUT I’d be using a Lexus specialist which is half the labour cost.

[rayaans]

4 minutes ago, Womble72 said:

Mines now out of warranty BUT the big service was done by my Indy specialist whilst under warranty, all genuine Lexus parts and VAT registration the warranty company have to allow any claim, I’d go for the plugs to keep the warranty BUT I’d be using a Lexus specialist which is half the labour cost.

Not true. If it's Lexus / any other manufacturer extended warranty they can chose whatever they like to refuse a claim depending on their own T&Cs

So in essence if they say in the T&C's that you need to show evidence of licking the Lexus badge, you better get taking those photos!

[Womble72]

6 minutes ago, rayaans said:

Not true. If it's Lexus / any other manufacturer extended warranty they can chose whatever they like to refuse a claim depending on their own T&Cs

So in essence if they say in the T&C's that you need to show evidence of licking the Lexus badge, you better get taking those photos!

Wrong, monopoly of “having” to use main-dealers is no longer, if u ask them they will answer reluctantly……it’s not something they will offer BUT it is definitely the case……. Especially with Audi, Lexus, Toyota……. Stipulation is “genuine parts and reputable garage that’s VAT registered” 

[Womble72]

Just now, Womble72 said:

This was the case with my cars, possibly with extended warranty…… that I don’t know, I never had one due to warranties after manufacturers ones are a con

[Las Palmas]

In 2005 Toyota had Japanese direction here on the island. I had a MR2 Spyder then and service was just great. Old replaced parts were placed in the car. Next to Toyota there was a big imposing Lexus workshop, and I suppose same management.

Now a Spanish company has the service of both Toyota and Lexus in the same place where before only was Toyota.

Service is lacking. Never finished at the time promised like it was in 2005.

Replaced parts (windshield wipers and cabine filter) were thrown out and not possible to know if they were actually replaced with new or just washed.

Lexus was once and should still be a fantastic car with a perfect service department, but I do not believe it is going the right way.

 

[Rob RCF]

4 hours ago, bernieeccles said:

do the technicians on the job actually do the job or just have a wipe around and don't bother.

I would hope every reputable main dealer would do it, but you never know if they might take shortcuts occasionally, they do seem busy most of the time and probably work to tight schedules. The service advisor thought my RCF was a hybrid and told me I would be getting a "free hybrid health check", so who knows if they scheduled the time appropriately for changing all 8 plugs. When I questioned it she said "don't you have an RC 300h?" Apparently their system was showing my car as that. I don't understand how they can make such basic mistakes, when you make the booking you put in your number plate and it brings up the car details. When they last worked on my car they also put RC 300h on the receipt.

Aren't F owners supposed to get some special treatment for having the flagship model as well? Has never felt like it in my experience. How about a complimentary courtesy car or something, nope, instead I have to pay £20 for a home pickup. At least take a look at my car when I drive all the way over to you on my day off because I have a problem with my car and want to speak to a technician. Nope, none of our technicians are free, not even for 5 minutes, you need to book it in and the next available date is 8+ weeks from now. At least have good service and put me through to the right person when I phone up, they can't even do that most of the time.

That turned into a bit of a rant...

I will ask for the old plugs to be left in the car, not so much that I want them, but it helps ensure that they actually do the job, as you said.

[Rob RCF]

12 minutes ago, Womble72 said:

Wrong, monopoly of “having” to use main-dealers is no longer, if u ask them they will answer reluctantly……it’s not something they will offer BUT it is definitely the case……. Especially with Audi, Lexus, Toyota……. Stipulation is “genuine parts and reputable garage that’s VAT registered” 

Oh really? I thought a condition for the Relax warranty was that you have to get it serviced with Lexus.

[rayaans]

19 minutes ago, Womble72 said:

Wrong, monopoly of “having” to use main-dealers is no longer, if u ask them they will answer reluctantly……it’s not something they will offer BUT it is definitely the case……. Especially with Audi, Lexus, Toyota……. Stipulation is “genuine parts and reputable garage that’s VAT registered” 

Utter rubbish. I suggest you do some research before spewing out misinformation

only applies to manufacturer warranties from new and as I mentioned before, doesnt apply to extended warranties so they can put whatever t&cs they like for these

[Twellsie]

46 minutes ago, Rob RCF said:

I would hope every reputable main dealer would do it, but you never know if they might take shortcuts occasionally, they do seem busy most of the time and probably work to tight schedules. The service advisor thought my RCF was a hybrid and told me I would be getting a "free hybrid health check", so who knows if they scheduled the time appropriately for changing all 8 plugs. When I questioned it she said "don't you have an RC 300h?" Apparently their system was showing my car as that. I don't understand how they can make such basic mistakes, when you make the booking you put in your number plate and it brings up the car details. When they last worked on my car they also put RC 300h on the receipt.

Aren't F owners supposed to get some special treatment for having the flagship model as well? Has never felt like it in my experience. How about a complimentary courtesy car or something, nope, instead I have to pay £20 for a home pickup. At least take a look at my car when I drive all the way over to you on my day off because I have a problem with my car and want to speak to a technician. Nope, none of our technicians are free, not even for 5 minutes, you need to book it in and the next available date is 8+ weeks from now. At least have good service and put me through to the right person when I phone up, they can't even do that most of the time.

That turned into a bit of a rant...

I will ask for the old plugs to be left in the car, not so much that I want them, but it helps ensure that they actually do the job, as you said.

I have always had a free courtesy car when using Lexus Coventry

[Womble72]

38 minutes ago, rayaans said:

Utter rubbish. I suggest you do some research before spewing out misinformation

only applies to manufacturer warranties from new and as I mentioned before, doesnt apply to extended warranties so they can put whatever t&cs they like for these

If u read my reply you’d be able to read that I stated “I don’t know where extended warranties are concerned”….. I also said that they’re crap when compared to the manufacturers warranty…… so maybe u should try reading before replying 🤦🏼‍♂️

[rayaans]

20 minutes ago, Womble72 said:

If u read my reply you’d be able to read that I stated “I don’t know where extended warranties are concerned”….. I also said that they’re crap when compared to the manufacturers warranty…… so maybe u should try reading before replying 🤦🏼‍♂️

If you stopped posting back to back (and without your own text as a quote) we might be able to see what you're saying. 

Personally I think you're having some trouble reading yourself. You clearly replied stating manufacturers have no monopoly to a post where I explicitly mentioned an extended warranty

If you don't know, don't reply for the sake of it

Besides, if you're talking about manufacturers warranty your replies are irrelevant, unneeded and clog the thread up as the OPs car is coming up to 6 years old