2006 Corolla LE 37K miles - Drive Belt, Battery Change?

[sparkme]

Last week I had problem with brakes and went to Toyota dealer (it was false alarm - RPM was over 3k and never crossed 40 miles - due to cold. As per Toyota dealer this is normal and also suggested me to warm car for few minutes before driving if this happen again). But they recommended me to change drive belt ($105) and battery ($150).

I was surprised as I had car service of 35k just 4 weeks back and they inspected belt and battery and it was all ok!

My question is - is it normal for 2006 Corolla LE with 37K miles to have to change drive belt and battery so early? I purchased this car an year back - its Toyota certified car and in very good condition.

OR they are overly cautions OR I should re-check at other place OR to be safe I just spend $250 and get it done! I am not a mechanic and have never opened car so consider me as newbie

Any comments appreciated. Thanks!

[bennor]

I replaced the serpentine belt on my 05 LE at 33,000 miles. Rather than pay the dealer, I did it myself save about half the cost. It was pretty easy if you have the correct tools. Takes about 10 minutes to change out the belt. I detail the belt change in this thread: 05 Corolla Serpentine Belt Question

As for the battery, no set time on when it should be replaced if its working properly. I am running the OEM battery in my 05. Still working like a champ five years later. On previous cars I've had batteries last anywhere from three years up to seven. If one starts to have battery problems, check both the battery and the alternator/electrical system.

Edit to Add: Dealers are sometimes sleazeballs and try to sell extra services or repairs that are NOT needed. I would question why a dealer wants the battery replaced if the battery is working fine. On the belt they try to sell me on that one every couple of years for some reason when I take my car in for routine maintenance. I only replaced my belt due to cracking (see pictures of belt in link above).

[extreme one]

Originally Posted by sparkme

Last week I had problem with brakes and went to Toyota dealer (it was false alarm - RPM was over 3k and never crossed 40 miles - due to cold. As per Toyota dealer this is normal and also suggested me to warm car for few minutes before driving if this happen again). But they recommended me to change drive belt ($105) and battery ($150).

I was surprised as I had car service of 35k just 4 weeks back and they inspected belt and battery and it was all ok!

My question is - is it normal for 2006 Corolla LE with 37K miles to have to change drive belt and battery so early? I purchased this car an year back - its Toyota certified car and in very good condition.

OR they are overly cautions OR I should re-check at other place OR to be safe I just spend $250 and get it done! I am not a mechanic and have never opened car so consider me as newbie

Any comments appreciated. Thanks!

I am agreeing with the other poster. Its just gravy for the dealership and a way for him to send his kids to college on your dollars. I recently took my car in for a second ECM change and I seen all kinds of "recommended toyota" services. Fuel injectors cleaning, rotate tires, oil change, cabin and engine air filter change. $399.00. The fuel injection service is hiway robbery if your car is running ok you don't need it. And if it does need it get 2 bottles of Tectron and pour it in the gas tank. Cost $12.00 per Btl. You can change your own oil and filter for approx $17.00 and a cabin filter is 16.00 at most auto zone stores. Even the toyota dealer will sell you an air filter for $14.00 bucks carry out. I suggest getting a chilton service manual and learning to do some of these easy things for yourself and save your money and send your own kids to college.

[prophase]

My wife's 05 rolla, needed a new alternator, battery and belt at about 40+K. It cost us quite a bit of money and shocked us.

We now use the goodyear belt, forgot the name, that stops the god awful squealing we had with the OEM belts.