30K Maintenance for 2007 Corolla CE

[badale]

Hi - I'm new to the forum. My college daughter owns a 2007 Corolla CE in Encinitas CA. We both love the car and I've expressed how important it is to keep up with good maintenance practices.

She said her recent estimate for the 30K maintenance on the car is $250. for the following:
cabin air filter
2 part transmission kit
VA 171 air filter

Both the filters are listed on the maintenance check that I found on the Toyota website but I'm confused about the transmission kit.

I'd appreciate any and all suggestions / feedback. I'm 3K miles from CA and I'm trying to avoid any unnecessary expenses for the two of us.

Many thanks!

[NMGeorge]

I think that dealer is just trying to get more money from you! My 2007 Scheduled Maintenance Guide (Toyota's) Lists the following for the 30K mile visit

Replace engine oil and filter
Rotate tires
Replace cabin filter
Re-torque drive shaft (never did this to mine...)

Inspect ball joints and dust covers - brake lines and hoses - brake linings drums discs pads - differential oil - drive shaft boots - engine coolant - exhaust pipes and mountings - fuel lines and connections, fuel tank, vapor vent system hoses - fuel tank cap gasket - radiator core and condenser - steering gear box - steering linkage and boots - transmission fluid or oil.

For Special Operating Conditions:
Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
if you tow:
Replace front differential oil (those with MT)
replace MT oil
tighten nuts and bolts on chassis

Oil and filters is all you really need, and maybe rotate the tires! My guess is that they wanted to drop your pan and charge you for a screen and gasket + fluid.

Good luck from one Dad with daughters in college to another, Welcome aboard and come back - lots of knowledge here.

[badale]

Thanks, NMGeorge. I'm going to warn her to get a couple more estimates from different garages. This sounded fishy to me too.

The maintenance list I found is identical to yours.

She does a lot of heavy traffic, city driving but I don't think that would make a difference by performing any maintenance on the transmission (AT) - should it? I'm assuming you mean a transmission filter, gasket and fluid.

Thanks again,
College Girl's Mom

[olbus]

Check to see if a full transmission flush is part of the deal. That usually costs around $150 at the dealer. If that is included the estimate isn't too far off. I got a flush for my wife's car at 36K as the fluid was dark. Take a look at the fluid and see if it is pink or not. The transmission fluid is supposed to go a lot farther than that for an automatic. I think 90k or so.

[spinfisher]

Just go to a shop tell them what you want and ask for a price! Take your owners manual with you. If you don't want the trans oil changed tell them NO!

[ratko89]

out tranny oil is done at 60k i would flush the brakes which is recomended every 2 years and also take the filters out and shine the light on them if the light doesnt go trough change them also you need to check the coolant/cap and also check the breaks if checking the rear drum make sure u use water to wash away the Asbestos off the rear brakes. I would also grease up where metat to metal touches the shoes.

[tarbasd]

Originally Posted by ratko89

out tranny oil is done at 60k i would flush the brakes which is recomended every 2 years and also take the filters out and shine the light on them if the light doesnt go trough change them also you need to check the coolant/cap and also check the breaks if checking the rear drum make sure u use water to wash away the Asbestos off the rear brakes. I would also grease up where metat to metal touches the shoes.

No '07 Corolla comes with asbestos brakes, and I think one should use brake cleaner, not water, to clean out brakes.

[ratko89]

Originally Posted by tarbasd

No '07 Corolla comes with asbestos brakes, and I think one should use brake cleaner, not water, to clean out brakes.

yes they all say it doesnt have asbestos but ask any on one that works on drum brakes they will tell you to use the brake wash machine when doing the drum brakes. the reason is if theres is a chance of asbestos there the water will break it down so u dont in-hail the dust.