106,000 miles what to do for maintenance?

[ellepea]

Hi, my automatic 2007 Camry SE has 106,000 miles on it. I called my local Toyota dealership to see what needed to be done. They said new spark plugs, flush/replace transmission and coolant fluids. (this dealership has a rep of ripping people off)

I called another place and they said only coolant.

I read online that I don't need to flush/replace tranny fluid...

I don't know what really needs to be done here. Help! Thanks in advance.

[arabianobsession]

Definitely do coolant. You transmission fluid doesn't technically have to be replaced, but some people still do it for peace of mind. Spark plugs I believe are good until 120,000 miles, but you're close enough where you could do them now.

[Donald E. George]

Follow the Toyota recommended maintenance guide for your Camry.

[ellepea]

Originally Posted by Donald E. George

Follow the Toyota recommended maintenance guide for your Camry.

I bought my car used and it did not come with a manual. I tried to search for a manual on the internet but came across many broken links. So I do not know the Toyota recommended maintenance schedule.

[Zembonez]

For the sake of long Camry life, it would not hurt to do the plugs, trans fluid, brake fluid, and coolant replacements. Flushing the brakes is a simple procedure that many forget.

Edit: Pat yourself on the back for having sense enough to know a little maintenance can seriously prolong your car's life. I applaud that!

Lots of people just drive em until they drop.

[JohnGD]

You can find the official schedule on Toyota's website. But I'd agree that the ATF, coolant, brake fluid and spark plugs should be replaced if the car is a keeper. You can wait longer on the plugs, but if you haven't done the others I'd go ahead.

Do you have a mechanically inclined friend to help? For example, plugs are really easy and a plug socket is $0.99 at O'Reilly's and a torque wrench is $15 on sale at Harbor Freight. An ATF drain/refill itself is very easy too (but dropping the pan there are a few bolts that are hard to get to).

The only problem is a shop can take the car back and not do much. You may get back with the same old coolant and only new brake fluid in the reservoir (and old brake fluid in the lines).

I'd be inclined to drop the pan and replace the felt transmission filter too. You'll read plenty of discussions about this here.

If you DIY, besides OEM ATF you can use Valvoline MaxLife (T-IV and WS suitable), as well as low moisture activity brake fluids like Castrol GT LMA and Valvoline synthetic.

[mmm666]

yeap. Toyota Camry are very reliable and less maintenance.. but you can do drain/refill on your camry. I think it take about 3.7 qt. You can use Toyota T-iv or other atf fluid.. You will need 10mm Hex Allen Key socket to do drain/refill. and then fill the new fluid from the transmission dip stick.

I also want to point out one thing.. If you are using dino motor oil, do oil change every 5000 miles. thats all.

good luck.

[hardtopte72]

You can not use T-IV if you do change your fluid. You have to use Toyota WS or a fully synthetic fluid that is compatible. Honestly though it is better to just stick with WS.

Most people here are correct. I would do the coolant, plugs, synthetic oil of you aren't already and maybe the trans fluid.

Some people love doing brake flushes but I just do mine around 6 years and been good to go.

[JohnGD]

I think starting in 07 Toyota switched over to WS completely. The V6's first LePelletier U660E got the WS but it had slippage problems pretty much out of the factory. The U250 series used on the 4-cyl got T-IV only the year before.

I'd just go with Valvoline MaxLife. It's a synthetic fluid, not a blend.

[hardtopte72]

I always thought the slipping was caused my ECU programming glitches.

[ellepea]

Thanks for all the feedback. I don't know a mechanic I trust yet to give it to me straight, so I figured I would ask the passionate Toyota owners on this forum for honest input on what to do and compare it with what was suggested to me by the mechanics.

I have to get new tires too and do not have money to get everything done at once. Tires and coolant seem like a good place to start, then down the road tranny and spark plugs.

I want to keep my Camry in tip-top shape...as I hope it will last me another 6-10 years through school.............................

[arabianobsession]

With preventative maintenance like you're doing she'll do well for many years to come!

[2005 Camry]

I would take a look at the front and rear brake pads as well. My 2005 I had to do at 105,000 and it had gone a little further than I wanted to. Rotors were not scored though. My wife's 2007 Solara has disc brakes in the rear and my mechanic said they see a lot of the Toyotas around 60K and the rear brake pades seem to be quite worn and need replacing.

[isrb710]

Originally Posted by ellepea

Thanks for all the feedback. I don't know a mechanic I trust yet to give it to me straight, so I figured I would ask the passionate Toyota owners on this forum for honest input on what to do and compare it with what was suggested to me by the mechanics.

I have to get new tires too and do not have money to get everything done at once. Tires and coolant seem like a good place to start, then down the road tranny and spark plugs.

I want to keep my Camry in tip-top shape...as I hope it will last me another 6-10 years through school.............................

I would do the tranny fluid/filter change before the coolant change. ESPECIALLY if it's never been done before. And if you can't drop the pan to change the filter, at least change the fluid. That's VERY easy to do. Transmission replacements are VERY costly! I replaced 2 in 2010 - one rebuilt and one used (neither tranny went in my Camry) and spent about $5,500.

If you have Advance Auto Parts stores, go online and order synthetic Valvoline MaxLife DEX/MERC ATF. $18/gallon at Advance Auto Parts. Use code SYD20 (good thru 12/15/2011) and order $60+ worth of items and you'll get a $20 discount. Then pick up in the store. That'd be $12 a gallon or $3 a quart. For the other $42, pick up other maintenance items you'll need.

If you spend $75, try BIG30 ($30 off $75+) for a 40% discount. (It may not work, but it did 2 weeks ago when I got my tranny fluid.)

Good luck.

[coontai]

inspect and measure your serp belt