Maintenance: fuel injector cleaning & power steering fluid exchange

[ZiggyStardust]

My GF took her 05 Camry in for the 45K maintenance today at Fremont Toyota. In addition to the regular 45K maintenance, the dealer performed:
1) fuel injector system cleaning, recommended every 15K miles------129.95
2) power steering fluid exchange, recommended every 30K miles, -----$109.95

I think the dealer saw an easy target and took advantage of her lack of knowledge. I own an Accord and haven't had these done to my car (and I have 80K on it). However, I am unfamiliar with the Camry's maintenance requirements and would like feedback.

Thanks for your time and help.

[geoff5093]

I believe they tried to sell me that service as well when I went in for my 15K oil change ($299!!). Theres really no need to do that every 15K miles, but if you really want to just buy a $5 bottle of fuel injector cleaner and pour it in your gas tank.

[DFBonnett]

Ziggy,
The dealers do that to goose up the bill. What does the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual indicate? "Recommended every..." by the dealership accountant most likely. The dealership owner probably has a boat payment due.

[marc780]

fuel injector system cleaning, recommended every 15K miles------129.95

The say the FI needs service every 15,000 miles? It probably didnt need it. The injectors will tell you when they need to be serviced, if ever - the usual symptom is a slight hesitation at freeway speed. A rip-off if you ask me.

2) power steering fluid exchange, recommended every 30K miles, -----$109.95

this is actually not a bad idea but WAY overpriced ! I do my own "fluid exchange" every so often and it costs me $5. I suck out the ps fluid with a turkey baster (99 cents store), then top up. run the engine for 30 seconds, repeat. do this 4 or 5 times and unless the fluid is filthy, you're good to go IMO.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by marc780

this is actually not a bad idea but WAY overpriced ! I do my own "fluid exchange" every so often and it costs me $5. I suck out the ps fluid with a turkey baster (99 cents store), then top up. run the engine for 30 seconds, repeat. do this 4 or 5 times and unless the fluid is filthy, you're good to go IMO.

Prolly easier just to remove and refill once every, or every other, oil change rather than cycling it like that. There isn't a maintenance requirement for the PS fluid, but I guess it can't hurt.

[toyomoho]

The Camry should have similar maintenance requirements as the Honda.

PS fluid will oxidize, absorb water and start to darken with age. Thus changing the fluid can be a good idea to prolong steering system life. There are much cheaper methods to do this such as the turkey baster approach.

As posted injector cleaning is usually done only if the engine has a problem.