15k servie

[brian01togo]

i'll be havein 15k service this saurday and was wondering those who've had it done. how much and was any adtnl tuneing necessary ?also my mpg is low my info center says i average about 24 mpg is there anything i should request to help that.. i have 18 inch wheels but i dont think they make that much of a difference . or do they ? thanks brian v.

[summerwind]

If you ask for the 15K service at a dealer you are going to be surprised at the bill..

If you ask for an oil change (really all that is needed) you will have more cash in your wallet.

The dealer service list includes a ton of labor hours to check this and check that. Unless you are having a problem (which will be covered under warranty for 36 months) it is not necessary.

The three main items in your maintanance book are

Replace oil and filter

Rotate tires
Clean cabin air filter

Page 262 through 264 of your owners manual tells you how to check/change the cabin filter

Some tire store chains well rotate the tires for free

Bottom line: Dealers make a bunch of money off people that ask for their 15k service. Most dealer lists I have seen go beyond what is in the Toyota Maintanance manual with their check this and check that list (it adds labor hours to the bill)

Ask what your dealer charges for the 15k service before you take it in and decide if you have other options for the items Toyota states you really need. A $30 oil change is a long way from a couple hundred dollars for the 15K service.

OT: On the RAV4 side some owners have been screwed by their service department when they get their oil changed for the first time. They come to pick up their car and are told "Your car needed SPECIAL oil (5W-20)" and they get a bill for over the counter Toyota oil. Most Toyota dealers now stock bulk 5W20 in their QuikLub bays so this is rip off if your dealer trys to pull this after the fact. All costs should be disclosed up front before you hand over the keys!!!

[carlo$]

oil change only at 15K. 20.00 usd

[TRD VVTi]

I would recommend an alignment check at that time. Tire balance is also a good idea.

Do what the owner's manual states and check with the dealer about other items that are recommended.

The owner's manual never mentions cleaning the throttle body but it's amazing how many people encounter problems after 30,000 miles. Toyota's, GM's, and FoMoCo's usually have sticking throttle bodies or IAC/Bypass valves due to varnish buildup.

The owner's manual only gives you maintenance REQUIRED for your vehicle. That doesn't mean that's all you will need.

If the dealer suggests more you should have them show you what they mean. For example, if they say your alignment is off they should be able to show you the specifications that are out of range while the car is on the alignment rack. If it's not on the rack you should be able to see irregular tire wear or have a crooked steering wheel.

I STRONGLY recommend the dealer for service. You have to use common sense also and ask questions. Don't say yes unless you really understand what's going on.

Find a service advisor that you trust. Use that person EVERY time you bring your car in. Establish a relationship with that person. Your loyalty will pay off and your advisor will begin to understand how you work. If you stay on top of everything you will find that they will prove to you what's needed/recommended and why.

I always laughed when people would come in complaining of a sticking accelerator and they declined cleaning the throttle body at 30,000 miles. Having to pay to check the car AND to do the service that really NEEDED to be done

[summerwind]

Originally Posted by TRD VVTi

I would recommend an alignment check at that time. Tire balance is also a good idea.

Do what the owner's manual states and check with the dealer about other items that are recommended.

The owner's manual never mentions cleaning the throttle body but it's amazing how many people encounter problems after 30,000 miles. Toyota's, GM's, and FoMoCo's usually have sticking throttle bodies or IAC/Bypass valves due to varnish buildup.

The owner's manual only gives you maintenance REQUIRED for your vehicle. That doesn't mean that's all you will need.

If the dealer suggests more you should have them show you what they mean. For example, if they say your alignment is off they should be able to show you the specifications that are out of range while the car is on the alignment rack. If it's not on the rack you should be able to see irregular tire wear or have a crooked steering wheel.

I STRONGLY recommend the dealer for service. You have to use common sense also and ask questions. Don't say yes unless you really understand what's going on.

Find a service advisor that you trust. Use that person EVERY time you bring your car in. Establish a relationship with that person. Your loyalty will pay off and your advisor will begin to understand how you work. If you stay on top of everything you will find that they will prove to you what's needed/recommended and why.

I always laughed when people would come in complaining of a sticking accelerator and they declined cleaning the throttle body at 30,000 miles. Having to pay to check the car AND

remind me again why an 07 Camry with Throttle by Wire and fuel injection would need the "Throttle Body" cleaned??
Is this done before or after cleaning the chrome plated muffler bearing??

[JSM1284]

To remove carbon deposits in the Throttle body. The Drive by wire just uses an electronic motor to open the throttle as opposed to a cable, throttle body is still in the same place on the engine,still gets gummed up with deposits.

[summerwind]

Originally Posted by JSM1284

To remove carbon deposits in the Throttle body. The Drive by wire just uses an electronic motor to open the throttle as opposed to a cable, throttle body is still in the same place on the engine,still gets gummed up with deposits.

Gets gummed up with carbon deposits from WHAT?

Fuel doesn't come close to it and is injected just in front of the intake valve.

The only thing that goes through the throttle body is air from the air filter box on its way to the intake manifold.

[JSM1284]

From the combustion, The intake and exhaust valves have what is called "Valve overlap" The time when neither valve is all the way closed and they are both slightly open. Deposites from the combustion can travel back up into the intake and build up. This build up decreases fuel economy and can cause runability issues. It is good practice to perform a throttle body service every 30k. Pull your intake hose off, open the butterfly on the throttle body and you will see, it is dirty in the intake(depending on your miles).

And on the chrome plated muffler bearing, I recommend replacing those at least every 50k.....

[mtnet2000]

Wheel Aligments are warranted till 20K...

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by summerwind

JEEZ LOUISE Learn to use the EDIT button.

One post is enough already!!!

And remind me again why an 07 Camry with Throttle by Wire and fuel injection would need the "Throttle Body" cleaned??
Is this done before or after cleaning the chrome plated muffler bearing??

Actually I was typing when it posted three times on it's own. I didn't feel like editing it afterwards. More than likely because of all the poor information that's poured out by people like you who have no idea what they're talking about. It kinda wears on a guy.

I see a mod took care of the triple post, and your stupid reply.

EDIT: Oil vapors also enter the intake tract which will accumulate in the throttle body. The PCV system is usually tapped in after the MAF sensor and before the throttle body.

Alignments are warrantied for 20,000 miles. Preventative maintenance is not however so after any alignment performed under warranty all others will be customer pay. Having the alignment checked every 15,000 miles is a good idea to ensure proper tire wear, fuel mileage, handling, and performance.

EDIT II: If you get a musty smell from the A/C you will probably want to get an A/C refresher service. This will kill the fungus that develops on the evaporator and surrounding box/ducts. Of course that's not in the owner's manual either...

[JSM1284]

No need for bickering back and forth guys.....

[touringcamry]

How would I go about cleaning the throttle body on a car with an electronic throttle?

On cars with a throttle cable, I can pull the valve open and then spray TB cleaner in the TB and then brush it down with an old toothbrush, but I cannot do that to a car with electronic throttle.

Maybe turn the car to ON and then use something to push on the accelerator? If I turn the car off at this point, does the butterfly valve close?

[JSM1284]

Do exactly what you said, Yes, it may try to close with no power.