5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Ok I need some advice.... My Camry just hit its 30,000 mile mark. The Toyota dealership here in town wants to charge me about $500 to do a service inspection. Now call me crazy, but I find that to be a little outrageous just to do an inspection. I mean they haven't even found anything wrong yet...LOL! I'm looking at the scheduled maintenance guide they gave me, and it looks to me that the 30K & 5K inspection look about the same. Is this inspection really necessary right now?
Also I want to change out my engine air filter? Any recommendations....brand name/part #? Thanks!
That's how dealers make money. At every oil change you're supposed to the same safety inspection. So nothing special there.
As far as coolant and spark plugs go, they obviously don't need to be changed every 30K miles for later engines.
So it's just a dealer cash machine. And they won't even tell you most of those services aren't performed.
Engine air filter: get dealer OEM. Cabin air filter: I like to use Bosch from Autozone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by magnetgrey07
Ok I need some advice.... My Camry just hit its 30,000 mile mark. The Toyota dealership here in town wants to charge me about $500 to do a service inspection. Now call me crazy, but I find that to be a little outrageous just to do an inspection. I mean they haven't even found anything wrong yet...LOL! I'm looking at the scheduled maintenance guide they gave me, and it looks to me that the 30K & 5K inspection look about the same. Is this inspection really necessary right now?
Also I want to change out my engine air filter? Any recommendations....brand name/part #? Thanks!
"I'm looking at the scheduled maintenance guide they gave me"
If you are talking about a maintenance guide the dealership printed up and gave you, ignore it. Read the one that Toyota gave you when you bought the car. In most cases it's part of the owner's manual or a supplement to it. It will tell you what needs to be done at each mileage interval.
I just had this done. I don't buy Toyo crapo tires anymore and I get the oil changed at the local oil dealer so I had them take that oil change and tire rotation off the list. I did need to get the computer reprogrammed for the transmission flares. Knock on wood, they may have finally figured that problem out. I had a few other warranty items so why not get the rest done. It's always nice to show a prospective buyer down the road that you, in fact, have had maintenance done other than oil and tire changes. On top of that, they gave me a free rental car to drive. A Camry of course! This was the entry level 4 banger. There is no comparison between that car and the SE V6.
air filter k&n, either one whatever your preference and it will be the last one you buy.
http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...x?Prod=33-2326
http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...Prod=69-8611TS
i replace my cabin air every 10,000 and it is dirty. you can open glove box and behind it you can see a rectangle opening with 2 latches, it can be done without droping glove box but its a little tricky. check owners manual.
coolant fluid change- your discretion but as far a any fluids are concerned, you can't over change. i change every 30,000
tranny- same here as i am a little hard on it with the V6....wheeeeee!
just go through and tell them each thing you want done not a 30000 mile service or take to an independent.
Ihave worked for Ford adn Gooodyear as a tech so i am familiar with repairs and went through FORD ASSET program.
i change and rotate every 5000 as its easier to keep track.
All my cars have lasted 200k+ before i got rid of them and all are still running last i heard.
also did you have the oil line replaced.... if you gon't know what i am talking about you haven't. It's a service bulletin so only if you have problem. mine happened an 58000.
there alot of good info here from people, you may get a lot of info but remember there is not just one way to do something. Example oil change, you could change at 3000, 5000, 6000 or 7500, personally i wouldn't go past 5000, but you see my point.
also did you have the oil line replaced.... if you gon't know what i am talking about you haven't. It's a service bulletin so only if you have problem. mine happened an 58000.
No I didn't know about that. Is this for a 2007 LE, or the SE V6?
$500 is crazy. Basically at our dealership we would have recommended the following; oil change, air, cabin, rotate, brake inspection, battery check, as well as visually checking everything on the car. Even if its under warranty we will tell you and repair or order the part. Some warranty repairs I found on 30k camrys are leaking struts, water pump leaks (2az-fe) and bad batteries.
Just had my 30,000 mile service at the local dealer. They charged me under $150 for this. I would get a price from another dealer or have it done by an independent shop. You don't have to have it done by the dealer! No way I would pay $500 for this, they are trying to rip you off!
Maybe I used the wrong term? I meant dealer air filter when I said OEM. Because Toyota doesn't make the filters, they only slap a name on there and charge you extra .
So Denso is, at least, one of the Original Equipment Manufacturers. As does GM's Harrison Radiator Division that makes radiators and AC systems used in some Toyotas models. Or Bosch brake systems. etc etc.
Right. All these "safety inspections" are supposed to be done at every oil change. Including ball joints, CV boots, etc.
They call a $34.99 oil change Minor Maintenance and so they can slap you with $79.99?
And what's the other $465 for if 5-year coolant and 120K-mile spark plugs aren't changed? Profit? A few time you can buy a flat screen TV for every garage wall and maybe even the ceiling.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 81Bluebomber
$500 is crazy. Basically at our dealership we would have recommended the following; oil change, air, cabin, rotate, brake inspection, battery check, as well as visually checking everything on the car. Even if its under warranty we will tell you and repair or order the part. Some warranty repairs I found on 30k camrys are leaking struts, water pump leaks (2az-fe) and bad batteries.
I hear what you are saying! My entire 30,000 mile service was over in 45 minutes from the time I checked in until I drove off. I have to wonder if they really did any INSPECTION at all. I really don't trust any dealer or local independent mechanics. It's too easy for them to blow this stuff off if they get too busy and nobody would know the difference. I had an oil change a few months ago at my dealership and it was supposed to include a 30 point inspection. When they handed me the keys I asked where the inspection sheet was and they didn't know and couldn't explain why it didn't have one. I went home and wrote a letter to the service manager and he contacted me saying they made a mistake and didn't do it and he apoligized. Unfortunately I don't have the time, knowledge or facilities to do my own work besides basic filter changes and so forth or I'd do it myself! The only reason I keep up on this stuff is my own peace of mind and to keep up on the required maintenance on my 6 year warranty.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnGD
Right. All these "safety inspections" are supposed to be done at every oil change. Including ball joints, CV boots, etc.
They call a $34.99 oil change Minor Maintenance and so they can slap you with $79.99?
And what's the other $465 for if 5-year coolant and 120K-mile spark plugs aren't changed? Profit? A few time you can buy a flat screen TV for every garage wall and maybe even the ceiling.
I hear what you are saying! My entire 30,000 mile service was over in 45 minutes from the time I checked in until I drove off. I have to wonder if they really did any INSPECTION at all.
You know I thought the same thing when I had the dealership do a 5K mile service inspection on my 02 Corolla SE. They were done in about 40-45 min...and I am like I'm paying all this money for that? Did you look actually look at anything?...lol
I plan on buying some ramps, and using the auto hobby shop they just opened up on the base, and just start doing my own maintenance. That will give me a little more peace of mind knowing that it was done right, and that I did it myself.
45 minutes to do you first oil change and inspection. You think they didn't look at anything. 100 other customers would be upset that it took that long. It takes a good tech 5 minutes to inspect a car. Of course it can take a lot longer when we need to get prices on things that need to be replaced. Time does vary depending on the inspection. Some dealerships have 2 people doing an oil change which is faster.
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30K mile service insp
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