Well my baby is finally broken in...hit 100,000 miles about 2 weeks ago.
I'm a firm believer in preventative maintenance, and want to make sure I've got everything covered.
Serpentine belt done at ~80,000 miles. Tensioner seems to be in good shape. The occasional belt noise but the new belt still looks brand new so I'm not worried about it.
Brake system was flushed about 5,000 miles ago. Pads/shoes have about 65% life left.
Oil/filter changed religiously. New air filter as of yesterday.
Engine coolant was flushed at around 75,000 miles (dealer had a coupon).
I plan to flush the power steering fluid soon. I've been doing partial changes over time, but it still looks nasty.
The transmission fluid has never been changed/flushed. There is no mention of changing the fluid in the maintenance book (only checking it). It's a bit brownish, but in no way does it look or smell burnt. Should I have this flushed?
Also, the book says to change the plugs at 120,000 miles. Would it be a waste of money to replace them with new iridiums now?
Anything I have missed? Thanks for any input.
__________________
Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
which car is this for? some Toyotas can go 100K before you need an ATF change. But at 100K, I would recommend getting it done. If you vehicle has irriduim plugs, they can go 120K before needing to be replaced, but if you're doing some maintanance work, it can't hurt to change them.
I have back problems, and am short on time, so I will likely be paying for work to be done other than smaller things. Is it worth paying the extra to have a dealer do the transmission flush? I've heard horror stories of people having flushes done elsewhere...
I don't like spending money, but this seems like a situation where it's well worth it.
__________________
Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
If done at the Dealer, it should be done properly, by properly I mean they hook it up to a transmission flush machine and run it through using the proper chemicals. As someone who has worked at Dealers for over 30 years, I have never had a problem with a flush when doing it properly.
In my opinion, with your mileage, it would be worth it. I emphasize, MY OPINION.
I broke down and made an appointment for Friday morning at a local dealer for the transmission flush and an alignment (which I am in dire need of). They will be taking care of the ECM recall at the same time.
They did the coolant flush a while back, and have a good reputation for both sales and service, so we'll see how it goes.
If I don't do it now, I'll forget about it for too long...I put on ~30,000 miles/year so the mileage climbs fast. My mother almost lost her transmission once because it was let go too long, and they ain't cheap.
__________________
Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
Sounds like you have it covered. I have an 03 and probably have overdone the preventative maintenance but I have owned 'other people's used cars in the past and know what its like to wonder why they didn't change this or that. It can get costly if you put it off. I have changed tranny fluid twice (31,000 & 62,000). Its clean as a whistle. (81,000 on it now) Changed plugs at 76,000. They looked fine but abit worn but wanted to get some antiseize on the new plugs. Flushed antifreeze 3 times so far. I have changed too many heater cores clogged up with 'old' sluggy antifreeze. Brakes are fine. Replaced serpentine belt 45,000 miles ago( Gates) So far I am very pleased with how the 03 is running. I am original owner and this this should last a good number of years to come. I am still able to do all that work myself but getting older (AARP range:-)) so I may have some stuff done at the dealer in the future.
__________________ 2003 Black Toyota Corolla LE (Original Owner) 87,000 miles
No, it drives the alternator, AC compressor, and power steering pump (I think that's all at least).
Some cars have different belts for different things, but on this car all are driven by the same belt.
The engine has a timing chain, which is not something that normally ever has to be replaced. Previously most overhead cam engines had timing belts, which did have to be replaced every 60,000-100,000 miles or so.
__________________
Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
Wheels were balanced when the brakes were flushed recently.
Alignment is getting done again in just a couple days.
CV joints both look great. No signs that they have any problems, and the boots look excellent. I went through a couple on my last corolla so I know the symptoms well.
What can be done with the steering gears? My steering seems fine (save for the needed alignment). It's smooth and as direct as it gets in a Corolla.
Do you need to worry about the ignition wires/coils on this car? It's my first coil-on-plug vehicle. No reason to suspect any issues with them now, but if there's a point where they might need attention I'd like to know ahead of time as the coils can be expensive.
__________________
Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
No, it drives the alternator, AC compressor, and power steering pump (I think that's all at least).
Some cars have different belts for different things, but on this car all are driven by the same belt.
The engine has a timing chain, which is not something that normally ever has to be replaced. Previously most overhead cam engines had timing belts, which did have to be replaced every 60,000-100,000 miles or so.
Ohh. I didn't know our cars have timing chains. I'm at 91k on my 04 rolla. And I'll be changing out this serpentine belt soon. Did you do this yourself? Or the dealer? Is it something that I can do or you think I better leave it to the pros. I do some engine work but not major.
It's easy enough to do yourself. Most new belts even have a belt routing diagram on the package.
I paid someone to do it because it really needed to be done and was in the middle of summer...I don't do well with heat and humidity. It's not overly expensive to have it done as it only takes a few minutes. Any shop can do it and will be less than a dealer.
__________________
Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
Personally I'd do the transmission flush. My philosophy is that it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. When in doubt, change it out.
And I'll be changing out this serpentine belt soon. Did you do this yourself? Or the dealer? Is it something that I can do or you think I better leave it to the pros. I do some engine work but not major.
I've changed my serpentine belt out at 35,000 miles. It really started to squeal but the belt was fine. The Gates belt I put on has 55,000 miles and its still in very good shape. I will say that I don't think I have ever skuffed up my arms quite as much as I did changing that belt. Very close quarters in there. Not hard to change, just some sharp edges and patience. I have a new spare waiting to install some day but I think I will wait awhile. Last week I had a buddy change his out in the parking lot at work during lunch break. I ask him what the band-aids were for. Enough said. I think the tensioner pulley uses a 19mm socket. Bottom line its a fairly easy swap out but your arms may get skuffed up abit doing it.
__________________ 2003 Black Toyota Corolla LE (Original Owner) 87,000 miles
Glad I did the transmission flush. I don't think I ever remember the thing shifting this quickly and smoothly.
They did replace the computer under the recall. Hopefully this fixes the rare extended crank situation. It happened so infrequently that I never bothered taking it in for the update to fix it. I assume the new unit includes it. Also, my electronic throttle hesitation is GONE! You'd never know it wasn't a direct cable link, it's so smooth and fluid.
The steering wheel not shaking like crazy from the bad alignment is pretty nice too...at least not shaking any more than the crappy CT roads make it shake...
__________________
Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
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