03 Corolla Q&A

[Louis Kan Hura]

Hi Everybody my name is Louis Kan Hura, I'm from Houston Texas! :o

My car broke down 3 weeks ago, I had a 88 Totota Corolla with well over 200K on it and needed replacement so last night we went to Sterling McCall Toyota in Houston and purchased a 03 Corola, LE, Non-power windows or doors, M/T. Sweet car! I like it very much but I have a few questions for you...

On the glove compartment there are two service/maintanance books, one from Toyota and the other one from Sterling McCall Toyota. On the Toyota Service book it says that there are two service intervals, at 4moths/5000 miles or 6months/7500 miles depending on how you drive, well my best option seems to be the 2nd one.

On the Sterling McCall Toyota Serivice Book they recommend to get a service (oil change, filter and tire rotation) every 2500 miles...Why is there this difference? My wife will rarelly drive this new car, about 3 times a week for about 14-17 miles every day and will probably put les than 9K miles per year? I want to follow up TOYOTA SERVICE BOOK and not Sterling McCall Toyota....I think the dealer just wants to get my money.

What do you guys suggest on me doing here? Also, I think I will put about 1000 miles on the car on first 2 months.

Do you guys think this is something I may be better off doing it myself? Getting service somewhere else would void our warranty? Or what repercutions would this have?

I will not doing any mods to my car as I'm leasing it but I'm think about buying it after my lease matures. I really like this car, its a mini lexus with some modification it will run even better.

Thanks a lot,

Louis

[fgf001]

Howdy fellow Texan! I also have an '03 LE.
McCall's 2500 mile interval is waaay overkill, there's simply no need for it. Since you asked, I offer a few suggestions:
1. Break the car in by the book, a maddening process but a smart move since you may eventually purchase.
2. Change the oil & filter initially @ 1000 miles. Oil changes DO NOT have to be done at the dealer but you must have a receipt or prove that it was done. I change my own and keep a log in the glovebox & receipt for the oil & filter(s).
3. The 7500 mile interval may be a bit much in Houston's traffic. I suggest 5000 or less. Mine used zero oil during break-in but check it often.
4. I doubt the dealer recommended 2500 mile intervals for tire rotation...read that again, 5k -7K is normal.
5. You can safely follow the TOYOTA recommended service interval and have no warranty grief....the dealer DOES want your money.

From my experience:
* In our climate 10W30 oil is just fine. I chose to go FULL synthetic @ 1000 miles (Mobil 1) First change with synth @ 5K, then 7500 thereafter. If dino oil is used then 3-5K max. New filter of course.
* Instead of 30 psi in the tires try 32-33 in the front - results in a little better handling. 30 in rear unless you carry a lot of weight in the trunk, then 32-33. Experiment/
* Just about everything from OEM oil filters to performance parts can be found online and can result in up to a 50% savings vs dealer pricing. I buy from a Toyota dealer on the east coast (online) and save a bundle compared to the locals (Austin) even with shipping.
* Present mpg with 10W30 synth oil is low 30's in town, low 40's highway -
last 4 tanks of fuel. 3400 miles on car.

Hope this helps....

[Louis Kan Hura]

Thanks for your reply! It is good to know that someone out there not very far from houston owns a LE and likes babying it! I like my car very much and in the near future I plan to change a few things but for right now not, I'm planning on adding a body kit(not the same as the S), 17In tires, cold intake, shift knob and short shifter and some pedals. I will get my first oil change at 1000miles and from there I will get oil change every 4 months, that will put me around 2000-3000miles as I do not drive that much. I will try to get those 9$ per oil change at the dealer and take advantange for the first 4 oil changes.

Again, thanks for the information you provided and hope to see you around.

Louis

[fgf001]

Hard to pass up a 9 buck oil change! It's $26 at the dealer here. I can put in synthetic and a new filter for that amount.....so I do.

[REN69]

Ouch.. you americans get ripped off for oil changes at the dealerships.. you can get oil changes pretty cheap in Canada.. my dad used to get his maxima's oil changed at the dealership for $25 CDN.. which is what.. $5 US? I get mine done at Mr Lube.. $35 I think. I've seen some places do them for like $20.. but I question the kind of oil they use.

[fgf001]

It's not that drastic. $25.00 Canadian is about $16.00 U.S. currently. The trick here is (if you don't do it yourself) look for coupons or dealer specials as mentioned above. I prefer to do my own.

[REN69]

Is that taxes included?

[fgf001]

Negative. EVERYTHING here is + tax. Taxes vary widely from state to state or even within a state. For instance the tax in this county is 8.25% so I bought my Rolla in another city (30 minutes away) where the sales tax was 6.25%. Crazy ain't it?

[NASTY]

why pay $35 @ juffy lube when toyota will do it for $29?

[fgf001]

For that matter why pay anybody? I enjoy maintaining my car.