Lexus® Service Information & More
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Rely on Us for Any Type of Lexus Repair and Maintenance.
How Lexus Has Stood The Test Of Time
With a tagline of “Experience Amazing,” it’s clear that the automaker can back up any claims they make. Lexus has one of the highest customer retention rates in the automotive industry, surpassing even big names like Nissan and Cadillac.
The luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota, Lexus is marketed in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide and has become Japan’s largest-selling make of premium cars. What started as a “top secret” project has grown into an unparalleled automotive experience.
Who Is Buying a Lexus?
When Marvel’s The Black Panther hits theaters in 2018, the Lexus LC 500 was T’Challa’s personal ride in the film — and also part of Lexus’ plan to attract younger, more diverse buyers than its older clientele.
That said, Lexus is a luxury brand and that doesn’t come cheap.
Owners will spend an average of $35,000 – 100,000, depending on the model.
“We are going after a younger customer, and just from a demographic standpoint, the younger you go, the more culturally diverse the population gets,” Cooper Ericksen, Lexus’ head of marketing, told Bloomberg. “The task to hit our sales plan really comes from bringing a lot of new customers into the brand.”
Top Lexus Repair Problems
While the Lexus is mostly a well-oiled machine with only minimal owner complaints, there were a few issues that may need to be addressed.
- Engine – Lexus engines are typically reliable, but some owners do experience some common problems. One frequent complaint is that the coil packs – which are attached to the spark plugs and deliver correct voltage to deliver an ignition spark to the fuel-air mix — go bad prematurely. Others report oil leaks.
- Cracking dashboard – Cracks, splits, and chips of the dashboard are a highly reported problem, and it’s not limited to hot weather states.
- Transmissions – Some owners notice that the transmission can refuse to go into the right gear, a clunking sounds the moment they shift gears, and low fluid or leaking concerns.
All of these problems can be fixed by the experienced Lexus service mechanics in Chicago at Milito’s Auto Repair.
All of these problems and more can be fixed by the Lexus service mechanics at Milito’s Auto Repair in Chicago.
What to Look for When Buying a Used Lexus
If you’re looking for a used Lexus yourself, check out vehicles for sale in the Chicago area.
Carmax | TRUECar | Autotrader
If you’re looking for a luxury car but don’t want to pay for a brand new model, a used Lexus is the way to go.
Here are five things that you should do before buying a used Lexus:
- Read the Records: Check the serial number with your local Lexus dealer for a service history. If they don’t have a history, make sure it has credible records from the owner.
- Professional Inspection: Even if you ran a vehicle history report, you should still have the car inspected by a mechanic to find potential issues and to determine if the car has been in an unreported accident.
- Tire Service: The tires should be worn evenly and they should match. Look at the surface of the tire for feathering (bad alignment). Bad alignment can be caused by worn steering/suspension components, the Chicago potholes, or frame damage.
- Certified Pre-Owned: The certification provides a long-term warranty which is only offered after a rigorous 161-point test fully resolving any visual or technical flaws. It also includes 24/7 roadside assistance, complimentary maintenance covering the next four factory-recommended services for two years or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first, and an unlimited mileage vehicle warranty.
- Test Drive: You’re judging your comfort level with the car. Do the power windows all work? Do the safety locks power successfully? Check for small trepidation at 45/55/65/ 75 mph, which may mean wear of the mechanical parts which could be a costly fix. You have to be comfortable with your ride before you put down the cash.
Future Lexus Innovations
Lexus UX
This compact luxury crossover delivers up to 168 horsepower to the front wheels and includes innovative connectivity like starting your engine remotely with your smartwatch, or start a podcast in your office and finish it on your way home from work with Amazon Alexa integration. Learn More
Lexus LF-1 Limitless
Lexus LF-1 Limitless – As the name implies, this concept car could be powered by fuel cell, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, gasoline, or even all-electric. It has a panoramic glass roof, distinctive split-rear spoiler, and 4D navigation. Learn More
Lexus LF-SA
Lexus LF-SA – This innovative concept is 135.8 inches long, 66.9 inches wide and 56.3 inches high, with its compact packaging pointing to the maneuverability and agility essential to a true city car. The information system includes a hologram-style digital display incorporated in the instrument panel and a wide-angle Head-Up-Display. Learn More
Lexus Dealers in the Chicago Area
From Our Blog…
History of Lexus
While some vehicles can trace their history back to the early 1900’s, Lexus is relatively young in that it was 1983 when a Japanese entrepreneur by the name of Eiji Toyoda, the Chairman of the Toyota Motor Company, announced their objective to build “the best car in the world.”
Toyota began a secret project code-named Flagship One (F1) with the goal of expanding Toyota’s product line, but it was a daunting task. They were told it needed to reach 250 km/h, while consuming less than 10.51 L/100km. This seemed nearly impossible, but six years and a billion dollars later, their innovative ideas, new processes and revolutionary designs created the Lexus LS 400.
In doing so, they also changed car manufacturing forever.
The First Vehicle
The LS400 was unique in the sense that it didn’t contain any of the main elements of vehicles the Toyota Motor Company had produced in the past. More than 100 designers, 1,000 engineers, and 2,000 technicians took part in developing an extremely high standard vehicle.
It paid off, as the LS400 beat out both the Mercedes-Benz 420 SE and BMW 735i as reviewed by Car and Driver Magazine in that first year. As a result, this had an adverse effect on the sales of Mercedes-Benz and BMWs in the US, where figures dropped by 29% and 19% respectively.
Welcoming Lexus to the U.S.
After the development of the car, a specialist team of marketing experts named “Team One” put out insightful advertisements in an effort to quell the critics in the automotive industry who had no faith in a luxury sedan coming from Japan.
When the Lexus LS 400 made entry into the US market during the North American Auto Show in Detroit in 1989, it had no problem attracting many customers because of its unique appearance, highly positive reviews, and low price point compared to the vehicles it was being compared against.
Growth and Innovation
They would only continue to grow from that point forward, and the increased demand for the Lexus resulted to a huge drop in the sale of the European import cars. In 1991, Toyota developed new models for the Lexus including the ES 300 Sedan and the SC 400 Coupe.
The Lexus LX 450 debuted in 1996, and the new millennium saw them introduce a series of entry-level sports sedans, the IS line, and the marque’s first convertible, the SC 430, a year later.
In 2004, the company sold its two-millionth vehicle, after which Lexus officially separated from its parent company, Toyota, in 2005. That year they also developed a new improved model Lexus RX 400h, which had a hybrid driving system that attracted many new customers.
Looking Forward
In 2017, Lexus finished just behind Mercedes and BMW in the US luxury sales race with 305,132 vehicles sold. And while the brand’s financial data is not disclosed publicly, it’s estimated that it has a brand value of approximately $3 billion yearly.
Fast Facts
The Lexus name itself stems from “Alexis,” which was originally considered for the company name.
During development of the original LS, one team member had the specific task of making sure that the feel of every single button and switch was perfect. To make sure this was accomplished, he carried around three sets of fake nails to ensure the buttons were suitable for all customers.
By around 2025, every Lexus model around the world will be available either as a dedicated electrified model, or have an electrified option.
The Lexus ES 350 was rated as one of the nine most reliable cars that rarely need a mechanic in the 2018 US Vehicle Dependability Study.
