30,000 mile service, this should get you going

[noraebong]

In Canada, there is an organization called the APA (probably an affiliate of an American org.) that does surveys of repair shops annually..they bring in a car with a known, minor defect and evaluate the service provided. The crap that some shops, particlularly some well known chains, pull is unbelieveable. The APA provide stats like the percentage chance of being overcharged/ripped off by repair shops in given major cities, but they do give the shops a chance to get their acts together and re review them. Very useful info. EG, in the 03 report that I found, there was a 51% chance of being overcharged in the city in which I live...I have a feeling that stat is worse now.
My limited experience thus far is that taking the time to do some comsumer research and learning about the car you drive can go a long way in getting good (and necessary)service at a decent rate.

[corolla 3tc]

Why would they be flushing out the radiator and changing out the antifreeze at 30k as it's the long life variety installed from the factory? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of installing it in the first place?
I suppose it's not fraud like one poster stated because they are performing the service but I think it could be if they are saying that it was recommended by Toyota. Pretty sure if they wanted you to do it, they would have it listed in the owner's manual portfolio.

[Hypermiler]

Same story here. I bought the car at Hertrich Toyota in DE. So I bring it there for service. At 20,000 they suggest an engine flush (I think it was $195). I politely told him no, and the service manager said that he'll make a note and it can be added to the "big" 30,000 mile service. (?)

I inquired as to the "big" service and what it would cost, he said it would cost about $650!

I can't wait to go back in there at the 30,000 mile mark and look him in the eye and tell him to do only what the owner's manual says to do...

LOL!!!

[krusty]

All fluids do have a life expectancy no fluid on any Toyota is a life time fluid and should be changed at the required intervals.

[salmonz]

I'm a DIY'er and just starting my tool collection. Half the battle is having the right tool for the job, and obviously common sense. I much rather do this myself, know how to do it, your labour is free (except you have somewhere to be on a saturday afternoon).

Tools:
1. 3½-ton lift jack $150
2. 3½-ton axle stands $30
3. Impact wrench 300 ft-lbs (Milwaukee 9072-20) $200
4. Impact socket set $40
5. Torque wrench 250 ft-lbs $35
6. Wrenches $50 (go nuts on eBay)
7. Misc stuff like oil filter wrench, etc.. $50
Tools: $555

Supplies (lube and sealants, some of these you may not need given the job you tackle):
1. Oil 3.7 qts $15
2. Compressor oil (ND-OIL8) $8
3. Automatic Transaxle Fluid $5/1 qt. bottle (I believe)
4. Multi-purpose Grease (MP grease) 1lb $6
5. FIPG $20
6. Lithium Grease $3
7. High temperature grease (for brakes) $5
8. Coolant $14
9. Adhesive $5
10. Seal packing $25
11. Gasket maker $8
To get you started: $134

Common parts:
1. DIY Brake job ($200)
a. Drums $26/ea (vs. $78/ea dealer)
b. Hardware $10
c. Ceramic front pads (set of 4) $36 (vs. $39/set dealer semi-met)
d. Front rotors $40/ea (vs. $95/ea dealer)
e. Shoes (set of 4) $20 (vs. $36/set dealer)
2. Air filter $8 (vs. $16 dealer)
3. !GOOD! Oil filter $8 (vs. $4 cheap dealer filter)
4. S Belt $9 (vs. $26 dealer)
5. Wheel bearing (ABS) $50/ea (vs. $47/ea dealer)
6. PCV Valve $6 (dealer is $4)
7. Cabin air filter $7 (vs. $36 dealer)
8. Ignition coil (4 required) $65/ea (vs. $78/ea dealer)
9. Iridium spark plugs (4 required) $7/ea (vs. $11/ea dealer)
10. Front outer tie rods (2 required) $25/ea (vs. $46/ea dealer)
11. Control arm (w/ball joint) (2 required) $115/ea (vs. $233/ea dealer)
12. Rear shocks (2 required) $50/ea (vs. $37/ea dealer - not bad)
13. Front sway bar links (2 required) $35/ea (vs. $75/ea dealer)
14. Front struts (2 required) $55/ea (vs. $116/ea dealer)
15. Transmission filter $15 (vs. $66 dealer)
16. Wiper blades $5/ea (vs. $33 dealer)

For more technical folks:
1. Engine rebuild kit $450
2. Engine gasket set $150
3. Transmission rebuild kit $200
4. Clutch kit $150 (if required)
5. Axle replacement $150 (70 for each side) (vs. $400/ea dealer) (included this in technical side, because it's not always needed)
There could be more... like exhaust system, but this just gives you an idea...

[pz's yaris]

I went to my local Toyota dealer yesterday for my 30,000 mile check up and I told the Service Advisor that I wasn't doing their recommended service, I just want the oil change and the brakes checked...he said, ok, we'll do a minor service that's all you really need anyways....cost me $71.25 and they did oil change, checked fluids, cleaned and adjusted the breaks and rotated the tires. Perfect! Up until now I have always done the dealer recommended services versus just basic service....now I can see I wasted a lot of money on those!

[echaru]

Originally Posted by salmonz

I'm a DIY'er and just starting my tool collection. Half the battle is having the right tool for the job, and obviously common sense. I much rather do this myself, know how to do it, your labour is free (except you have somewhere to be on a saturday afternoon).

Tools:
1. 3½-ton lift jack $150
2. 3½-ton axle stands $30
3. Impact wrench 300 ft-lbs (Milwaukee 9072-20) $200
4. Impact socket set $40
5. Torque wrench 250 ft-lbs $35
6. Wrenches $50 (go nuts on eBay)
7. Misc stuff like oil filter wrench, etc.. $50
Tools: $555

Supplies (lube and sealants, some of these you may not need given the job you tackle):
1. Oil 3.7 qts $15
2. Compressor oil (ND-OIL8) $8
3. Automatic Transaxle Fluid $5/1 qt. bottle (I believe)
4. Multi-purpose Grease (MP grease) 1lb $6
5. FIPG $20
6. Lithium Grease $3
7. High temperature grease (for brakes) $5
8. Coolant $14
9. Adhesive $5
10. Seal packing $25
11. Gasket maker $8
To get you started: $134

Common parts:
1. DIY Brake job ($200)
a. Drums $26/ea (vs. $78/ea dealer)
b. Hardware $10
c. Ceramic front pads (set of 4) $36 (vs. $39/set dealer semi-met)
d. Front rotors $40/ea (vs. $95/ea dealer)
e. Shoes (set of 4) $20 (vs. $36/set dealer)
2. Air filter $8 (vs. $16 dealer)
3. !GOOD! Oil filter $8 (vs. $4 cheap dealer filter)
4. S Belt $9 (vs. $26 dealer)
5. Wheel bearing (ABS) $50/ea (vs. $47/ea dealer)
6. PCV Valve $6 (dealer is $4)
7. Cabin air filter $7 (vs. $36 dealer)
8. Ignition coil (4 required) $65/ea (vs. $78/ea dealer)
9. Iridium spark plugs (4 required) $7/ea (vs. $11/ea dealer)
10. Front outer tie rods (2 required) $25/ea (vs. $46/ea dealer)
11. Control arm (w/ball joint) (2 required) $115/ea (vs. $233/ea dealer)
12. Rear shocks (2 required) $50/ea (vs. $37/ea dealer - not bad)
13. Front sway bar links (2 required) $35/ea (vs. $75/ea dealer)
14. Front struts (2 required) $55/ea (vs. $116/ea dealer)
15. Transmission filter $15 (vs. $66 dealer)
16. Wiper blades $5/ea (vs. $33 dealer)

For more technical folks:
1. Engine rebuild kit $450
2. Engine gasket set $150
3. Transmission rebuild kit $200
4. Clutch kit $150 (if required)
5. Axle replacement $150 (70 for each side) (vs. $400/ea dealer) (included this in technical side, because it's not always needed)
There could be more... like exhaust system, but this just gives you an idea...

Wow! With all the parts you listed, you should make DIY for all of them. I only know 10% of what to do with all those parts.

[Klink10]

Just finished replacing waterpump, thermostat and coolant in mine. DIY total cost about $105.00. Still under warranty but I don't trust the dealership. To me it's not that they don't do something or want to do to much....it's that the mechanics just don't treat your car like it's their car. Scratch here, small ding there, clip or bolt missing the list is endless.

[why?]

Originally Posted by pz's yaris

I went to my local Toyota dealer yesterday for my 30,000 mile check up and I told the Service Advisor that I wasn't doing their recommended service, I just want the oil change and the brakes checked...he said, ok, we'll do a minor service that's all you really need anyways....cost me $71.25 and they did oil change, checked fluids, cleaned and adjusted the breaks and rotated the tires. Perfect! Up until now I have always done the dealer recommended services versus just basic service....now I can see I wasted a lot of money on those!

I disagree that it is a waste of money. It should definitely be viewed as optional, but if you have the money and you want to keep your car for a long time, getting everything done and checked as much as possible is always better.

Of course learning what everything is and figuring out how to do it all yourself is always best.