How did $69 Maintenance turn into $311 ??? Any opinions greatly appreciated.

[sherriebythesea]

I got my 2010 HB in February and am hitting the 15K mark. My 5k and 10K maintenance, at the dealer, was $69. Change oil, rotate tires.

I called this morning to get my 15k done and was told that I needed a "Yellow" done rather than a "Green" and that it would cost $311.

This includes a front end alignment and several other items. But why would I need to have it done?? I haven't seen any evidence that I need an alignment.

I just double checked my maint. schedule and it states, oil change and rotate tires for 15K.

Am I being jacked around ????

One of the reasons I bought this was for the low maint. costs. I love my little red "Rosie" and want to take good care of her but don't want to get screwed in the process.

Any opinions greatly appreciated.

[rningonfumes]

Tell them you didn't sign off on all the "found" items wrong. It's the job of the service manager/personnel to maximize money from the customer- especially during these times.

I'm going to assume that the "green" items are "recommended" services. He or she will give you a long list of why you might need it, let them go through the drill and thank them for their recommendations and roll out of there. Make sure you get a list of what they suggest you need. If you are then still concerned, have a second opinion at an independent shop or chain like good year or pep boys.

69 bucks is still a lot of money but there is a reason why it is their lost leader in their eyes.

[sherriebythesea]

Sorry, I didn't make myself too clear.

It was when I called for the appointment that they said it would be $311 and told me that they were "recommended" maintenance items.

I guess my questions should have been: Is there any reason to have any of the extra services done - such as front end alignment, if I'm not having any front end or any other issues?

From checking my book it seems fairly simple to change the cabin air filter but I haven't noticed any change in air pressure coming out of the ducts. Does it need to changed even if there is no indication?

I can't even remember all the things they said the $311 covered but one of them was cleaning the brakes. In all the cars I've had I don't think I've ever heard of that. Is this something that needs to be done periodically?

[rningonfumes]

Nope.

Most of what have mentioned is not yet needed.

In your case, be firm and ask just for the oil change. Let them recommend all they want as long as they know you only want the oil change.

Alignments aren't usually needed unless you see signs of improper wear or your steering seems off, and/or with a new set of tires.

I'm not sure about the latest models, but prior years of our cars didn't even come with cabin filters-- and it was still recommended to be changed. *lol

The other stuff like brake cleaning I would shove under the "fluff" category. Great if they could get money for it but almost never needed on a regular visit. Brake cleaning at best for them is to spray down your brake components with brake cleaner.


To answer your question. AT 15,000 miles, NO you should not need any of those things beyond an oil change and possibly a tire rotation. And at this point if anything big happens it would be worthy of a warranteed repair ie...if something breaks, it's not from wear and tear.

[sherriebythesea]

Thank you !!!!

[sherriebythesea]

Oh yea, another one of the items was rebalancing the tires. If I'm not showing any improper wear or any strange handling issues, why the heck would I need it done? Now I know.... I don't need it done. Thank you again.

[rningonfumes]

Good luck Sherrie. Welcome to YW.

[DARK AGE 53]

don't let them rip you off, other then oil changes and rotating your tires you should be good for along time.....if you want to give away your money please feel free to send me some.:biggrin:

Later,
Al

[walt101786]

well...like what others had said...get the list of u need to fix for ur yaris...and take it to an independent shops like pep-boys, jiffy-lube and other lil shops and get a quote from them...if not, while u get ur service done in one of those shop, u can ask them what else u need to fix for ur next service....and u can go on from there...make sure u kept track all ur records...or else u might get rip off

[nemelek]

Do the cabin filter yourself. You probably don't have one in the first place.
Unless you hit a curb and the cars pulls one way or the other, say no to the alignment.
Say no to the brakes.

[Black Yaris]

tell the dealership to go fuck them selves and go get your oil changed and tires rotated at a reputable shop for $20-$25.... and an alignment is $35-50

[Zebra]

That really kills me! Personally, I think you're dealing with crooks! Next time they start listing off a bunch of 'recommended maintenance items' you should ask them a few questions:

1. Will you be changing the air in the tires from Summer air to Winter air??
2. Do you think the muffler belt should be changed at this interval??
3. The other shop changes my Knuuooter Valve for half price, will you match that??
4. Will you need to remove the transmission when you grease it??
5. Will you put my car up on a lift or will you use a set of skyhooks??
6. Do you use biodegradable synthetic oil or the regular stuff??
7. Will you top off the power steering fluid in my Yaris?

[sqcomp]

Follow the factory manual to a "T"

Don't let those fools add on BS! I just did my 45K and the dealership I go to hasn't even thought about suggesting to do alignment or brakes. They keep saying everything is fine. I think it's time to find another dealership for you to go to.

You can make your own cabin filters VERY easily. They work just fine and will save you a good amount of money.

[sherriebythesea]

hehehehehe, Knuuooter valve. Wish I had read that this morning.

Took her in and told them just the maintenance in the book. They had me initial that I was declining the "yellow" service.

They've seen the last of me, that's for sure.

Thanks to all !

[Hershey]

yup , taking advantage .

[chrisj]

This post reminds me of the "recommended" 3,000 mile oil change. Yeah. Recommended by the a-holes who change oil for a living. Nah. Now, you obviously wouldn't want to buy my car after I say this, but I don't do ANY of the scheduled things you are supposed to have done. Never have. Got an Avalon with nearly 200k without crap being done to it.

I'll keep my money. Hell, with all that service I could use the money to buy another used Yaris!

[firemachine69]

...

Let us know when your engine grenades in 30K from sludge! :biggrin:

[bankrobber]

This post reminds me of the "recommended" 3,000 mile oil change. Yeah. Recommended by the a-holes who change oil for a living. Nah. Now, you obviously wouldn't want to buy my car after I say this, but I don't do ANY of the scheduled things you are supposed to have done. Never have. Got an Avalon with nearly 200k without crap being done to it.

I'll keep my money. Hell, with all that service I could use the money to buy another used Yaris!
I had a Dodge Ram with a V-6 and did very little preventive maint to it. I never changed manual trans oil. only changed aif filter twice. Only drained radiator to change a hose. And only changed 4 of the 6 spark plugs. Other 2 were a really hard to get to. Yep thats it. I sold it running at 256,000 miles cause gas was too expensive for the amount of driving I do.

[Pingouin]

1. Will you be changing the air in the tires from Summer air to Winter air??

:eek: I never got it done! The car was registered in June 08, so I assume it's got summer air, is now a good time to change to winter air?
I did all the other bits you recommended though.

*EDIT* I called the garage and they said they can do it for me for £50.

Yeah, I was kidding all along :p

[swidd]

Or you can buy your own 4QTs of oil from a supermarket for $10 for regular, or $25 for Mobil 1 synthetic... $6 for filter, and go to a shop that will usually charge $15-20 to put it in for you.

[Hershey]

TOYOTA is making the move to 7,500 ( or is it 10,000 ? ) mile oil change intervals before long . Could already exist for a few models for all I know .

[silver_echo]

TOYOTA is making the move to 7,500 ( or is it 10,000 ? ) mile oil change intervals before long . Could already exist for a few models for all I know .

but look at it this way... over the long term, a group of oil changes at 3000 miles is one heck of a lot cheaper than a new motor... sounds like cheap insurance if you ask me...

[chrisj]

...

Let us know when your engine grenades in 30K from sludge! :biggrin:

Who me? :biggrin:

[ilikerice]

i worked for lexus 3 years ago and we had a mobile1 synthtic rep. come to demostrate thier product. he claims theoreticly your timing belt (if you have one) will snap before thier oil completly deteriorates and needs changing. after the meeting like normal guys we all laughed and joked about it. but one of our master tech says he doesnt doubt it. he said he bought his 95 4x4 tacoma with 5k miles on it. said he changed his oil with mobile1 synthetic every 15k miles and said his head looks just like he bought it still (truck has 150k miles now).
we called BS and asked him to take his valve cover off and sure enough. his valves, cams and buckets where clear as new oil still. he says he hasnt done any engine work other than valve adjustments 50k miles ago. i was impressed and use syntetic in all my cars.. but i still change my oil every 5k. easier to remember and not that cheap

so the technology behind oil is getting better and i wouldnt be suprised to see 10k oil change intervals within 5 years but the dealers will charge ALOT more for that synthetic oil though

[Hershey]

The new conventionals ( SM + SN GF-5 ) can go for 7,500 miles these days . Some even 10,000 . I would stick with 7,500 intervals .

[ddongbap]

IDK about you guys, but I've had oil in my car for around 29k miles. Came out black. New oil went in. Car is strong again.

[DARK AGE 53]

being this thread has gotten so far off topic I'll put my 2 cents in, I'd worry more about the oil filter then the oil.

[ilikerice]

^ definitly

[why?]

I'll keep my money. Hell, with all that service I could use the money to buy another used Yaris!

now that part is really true. If you do 10k maintenance, even at say 250 a pop, plus oil changes at 30 a pop, that is a great down payment on a car.

However I'd rather play it safe and keep my car for half a million miles or more. That way I save money in the long run for a toy.