04 Corolla Recommended Maintenance

[aajjrs]

Hello, I spend most of my time in the Tacoma forum but need to ask a question for my mom. Her 04 Corolla Automatic is at 31K. She has kept up on oil cngs under 5K and the regular dealership services to this point.

I know there are variables but what sort of mileage can she expect to see from the brakes? Do the brakes have an audible wear indicator and is it reliable?

Is throttle body cleaning important on a corolla? Tacoma's not so much.

She’s in SoCal and I’m in Utah, considering advising her to have an oil cng, trans flush and fill, change all filters. Brake chg when she first hears a noise. I should be able visit this summer and do the remaining inspections.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[JasonA]

Your advice is about right. I wouldn't worry about the brakes until they start making a noise. Whenever her tires are rotated, they usually check the thickness of the brakes at that point. I would continue to have her keep the oil changed at 5,000 mile intervals. At 31,000 miles, I don't think the transmission fluid needs changing yet, but probably by 50,000 miles to be sure. If the air filter hasn't yet been changed, now is probably a good time. And don't forget about the HVAC filter behind the glove box. It's often over-looked.

I've never seen a big need to clean the throttle body on this car. On other cars I've owned, it seemed important, but it just doesn't tend to get that dirty on this car I guess.

[jamesmetairie]

how about the fuel filter on "higher" mileage corolla,s? i never noticed anyone on the forum mentioning fuel filter change. someone told me it,s under the back seat. my 2004 corolla has about 94,000 and probly due. also to the original poster= beware the serp belt and also the tensioner. it usually malfunctions on all corolla,s prematurely.

[JasonA]

Fuel filters are not maintenance items anymore. If it gets clogged, the entire fuel pump cartridge is changed. It's not really a regular maintenance procedure like it used to be, with the replaceable fuel filters.

[dorman68]

I have only performed oil changes every 3000-4000 miles and replaced two tires on mine so far. I still have the original brakes front and rear and even the original wiper blades, will be replacing the air filter for the first time at 50k.
This car converted me from being a loyal Chevy guy to a Toyota fan.

[jeepwranglerg]

Well i take that back the pads seem above average for newer cars. I recommend new rotors and pads at about 100k miles instead of resurfacing. Do it yourself and save big bucks $80 for all parts online like kragen.com you dont need toyota parts lol i think there inferior! My dealer is a joke and i dont recommend dealers!!!! They lie about turning rotors for instance mine was rusted on and never removed obviously. Took a tourch to get it off this only after 15kmiles after i requested the dealer to do work. Brett Brown Toyota sucks in Utah

You will need to get her serp belt for sure on these motors. Easy as pie to install, there's a dummy bolt you put a socket and long extention on. I think you pull towards you or away not sure then slip the old belt off. The tensioners well suck on corollas good design but parts just dont seem to work well. Rockauto you can order one of those one bolt in center wammo its off.