Value for some of the shop/dealer services

[ericw12]

I always service my car in dealership. I had never paid attention to the service done since I was told it was due. Until yesterday, they would like to do $400 services on my car. I did 1 of the of 3 -- "hot oil flush", and did a bit research online while I was waiting there, and some people claimed that 'hold oil flush" is useless.

That got me wondering the values of all the services recommended by dealer. I would like to know what everyone else think valuable and worth doing.

Here is a list from my dealer:
1. Hot oil flush (every 24,000KM)
2. Radiator flush (every 64/128Months)
3. Auto Trans flush (every 48-96Months)
4. Power Steering flush (every 56,000KM)
5. Brake fluid flush (every 64,000KM)
6. Emission Service (every 48,000KM)
7. A/C service (every 24 months)
8. 4X4/AWD fluids (32,000 gear oil, 64,000 synthetic)
9. Engine tune up (every 48,000)
10. Timing belt (94-144 months)

[devinsdad]

I have never in my life heard of a "Hot oil flush"...what the hell is that?
As far as the rest of your services, there is nothing wrong with using the dealer. They will do it correct and with actual Toyota parts. They usually all come with a 12 month/12K miles warranty as well. However, the time that they are telling you to have your vehicle serviced looks a little off. No vehicle would need that amount of fluid servicing that often. It sounds like you are putting some service managers kid thru University. Transmission when the fluid is black or smells burnt. Brake and steering, replace the visable portion every other oil change. Suck out what you can with a turkey baster. Cooling at 100K miles. Engine tune-up (replace spark plugs) at 120K miles. Timing belt....is there one on the 9th gen Corolla? No fluid should be replaced on a monthy schedule, always go by miles on the fluid.

[mikered30]

Most of those services do not follow toyota's service schedule and are ultra conservative and possible scams. Most of those are rip offs and likely cost too much. We have a chain and not a belt, AC should be fine, no AWD service on the rolla, hot oil flush is just a gimmick. Save your money and take it to a local mechanic.

[shoujiliuzhijun]

What's A/C service? If that is cabin air filter, do it yourself.
Power steering fluid change is also easy. Use a turkey baster or any fluid extraction device and take fluid out from where you check the level.

[PhatRoyale]

Which Toyota dealership did you go to?

[05_Echo]

I have 645,000 km's on my Corolla which is 129,000 kms per year and this is how I do mine.

Here is a list from my dealer:
1. Hot oil flush (every 24,000KM) ??? Of coarse it's hot, they just drove your car into the shop.
2. Radiator flush (every 64/128Months) I just change mine every year but normally I do my other cars every two years no matter how many miles, Antifreeze ages and turns acidy and will eat the aluminium parts in your engine.
3. Auto Trans flush (every 48-96Months) Again I just do this every two years
4. Power Steering flush (every 56,000KM) Never done it in my life.
5. Brake fluid flush (every 64,000KM) Never done this either
6. Emission Service (every 48,000KM) Never heard of this and will have to look into it before I will do this service.
7. A/C service (every 24 months) Never heard of this either but I will just wait till mine stops blowing cold.
8. 4X4/AWD fluids (32,000 gear oil, 64,000 synthetic) It doesn't matter, your 5 speed will wear out if you change the fluid or not, trust me I'm going to be installing my fourth tranny in the next day or so.
9. Engine tune up (every 48,000) Should read every 300,000kms those iridium plugs are amazing.
10. Timing belt (94-144 months) Maybe they mean serpintine belt?

[Bob Shiftright]

I would look to the recommended service intervals printed in the back of the owner's manual and use that as my guide. Toyota's engineers designed the car and I would weigh their opinion very heavily in deciding what to do, and when.

I have an '03 LE with 7k miles that I inherited. I changed - or had changed, by my local ASE indy shop - the engine oil/filter, automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid and antifreeze. I replaced -- myself -- the engine air and cabin air filters, and wiper blades. I did not replace the spark plugs, because the car has 7k miles and that would, IMO, be a waste. I purchased a replacement serpentine belt but since the original still looks pretty good, it resides in the trunk. For everything -- parts, labor, and a couple of cups of coffee -- it cost less than $400.

What services was your dealer going to perform for $400? If it was for the whole nine yards -- all fluids, all filters, the serpentine belt and the spark plugs, $400 wouldn't be a bad price, at least not out here in the NYC area.

[ericw12]

The dealer is Jim Patterson Toyota in Surrey, British Columbia.

The $400 services due were
1. Hot oil flush
2. Emission service (clean the fuel injector, I think)
3. AC service

Anyway, after done some reading here and online, I regret the fact that I agreed the "hot oil flush".