04 Camry SE v6 30k service

[YOTAdriver]

I have a 04 camry se v6 and its about to round out 30k mile.. and i was wondering if it was important to take it to the dealership for this service. I have read some posts on other models and heard that it seems to be a bit unnecesary... but i just wanted to be sure about the newer models. If i dont take it into the dealer for this.. would it have any effect on my warranty? and what services should i have done outside of the dealership servie.

Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated.

[CamrYn00b]

Early bump, but I'd like to know all this too

Thanks,

Rob

[Super Kaioken]

mine has 40K miles and it hasn't gone to a dealership for a long while....i wanna know too =/

[YOTAdriver]

Ok... maybe this post is being ignored because it is a newby question.. then i can elaborate a bit.. and yes, i looked up some info already,.. I know that they replace oil, rotate tires, replace cabin filter, replace the filter for intake... the part im not sure if it is needed is the inspection... they inspect ball joints, dust cover, brake lines, hoses, brake linings, differential oil, drive shaft boots, exhaust, fuel lines, radiator core and condenser, steering geer box, sterring linkage and boots, and tranny fluid.... i know they will only tell me if something needs replacement... but does the newer camry need all this checked for only 30k miles? i can do all the non inspection parts myself... replacing all the filters and engine oil.. is it worth it to take it in? I know there are some toyota mechs in here and i just wanted a honest opinion.
thanks once again.

[Super Kaioken]

how much would all this cost?

[kenny1773]

I am not a toyota mechanic, but I would not take that car to the dealer for the 30K mile service.

If you can replace the replaceable items yourself, do it!

I never took my Gen 3 in for any dealer service interval. I just replaced items based on the schedule in the owners manual (60K and 120k were the big ones with that engine 1mz, plugs + timing belt, etc) and it was running perfeclty at 150k miles when I sold it.

On my new 2005, I am going to do the same. I will skip the stealership prices for the 30K mile service. Replace anything that needs replaced on my own based on the manual or based on what I see and hear being around the car everyday.

We also have an annual state inspection that I MUST go through too, they usually will tell you anything they see even if it is not really part of the inspection.

I also have a 2001 RAV 4 that hit 39K, and I never took it in for the 30k service. I changed the trans fluid myself, change the air filer, chaged the oil and oil filter, rotated the tires, I did a seafoam treatment on it (long story I posted in a seafoam thread already).

I would really only take a toyota to the dealer for warranty work. Everything else I can either do myself (simple enough) or have a local mechanic (more comlicated stuff) I know do it for half the price of the dealer (and he lets me bring my own parts).

[Mosquito]

I'm getting closer to 30k also, I've changed my cabin and engine filter but haven't decided whether I'm going to the stealer or just a regular shop for the 'big' things like transmission and AC.
here are some things mentioned on toyota's brochure 30k service

lubricate body and suspension
inspect tires,brakes
check and top off all fluids
inspect and adjust drive belts (excludes timing belt)
replace spark splugs (except platinum tipped)
inspect engine timing and adjust (where applicable)
valve adjustment (where applicable)
adjust engine idle (where applicable)
add 44k injector cleaner
replace PCV valve
change auto/manual transmission oil
renew antifreeze
inspect electrical system
rotate tires
change oil and filter
replace air filter
replace oil drain plug gasket
add BG MOA oil additive - improves fuel economy
replace differential oil
road test vehicle

that's pretty much it the price given is $370, you can knock it down if you don't need the air filter, or oil change at this time...still seems a bit too much even with a 10% coupon I have

[Super Kaioken]

$370!?!?! dang you could get a whole new exhaust with that...........or regain some lost hp

[skewe]

if you look at the suggested maintenance, you can DIY

[Edmond]

The issue that I would be weary about here is your warranty. I'm not saying you can't do the things yourself, I'm sure you can. But if something were to go wrong for whatever reason, I would be afraid of them not honoring the warranty because they don't have records of the maintenance that was done. Of course, you did the maintenance but they might try the bullshit with you not taking it to a Toyota dealer, etc...

I was talking to my barber yesterday and he was telling me that's why as long as his Harley is under warranty, he's taking it back to them. I know we're talking about Harley vs. Toyota but they're both businesses.