Let's talk 30,000-mile service

[10SE]

Dropped by my dealer the other day to see just what they charged for the 30k service on my truck.

Does anyone have some lube???

I guess maybe I was expecting too much. But, I figured they'd have some sort of package deal, where all of the recommended flushes, changes, and whatnots were done for one price. In fact, I was figuring about $450-$500 for everything, and had already made peace with that amount. I was even gonna provide the synthetic fluids that I want used.

The service writer whips out this list, and starts writing down prices for each of the recommended services... none of which were less than a 3-digit amount, BTW... comes up with a figure somewhat north of the $1000 mark, and then has the balls to tell me that "if it's all done at the same time, we offer a 10% discount".

So... my question is this: do all dealerships do it that way? Or, when I call around tomorrow, am I going to find that there is a "package deal" offered somewhere, and this dipshit had no idea what he was doing?

[toku58]

Look closely at what they are going to do? Most of it is visual checks, minor lube of door latches, seats, etc. Do most of it yourself and have them only do any major stuff, that you do not feel comfortable doing. It will save you big bucks!

[kbultaco]

05 4x4 LB SR5 40000 miles
My dealership did the same thing at 30kmiles,
I paid it, about $1000.00, Ill look closer at the 60k interval and do just whats necessary.

[pointerDixie214]

dang! Ford only charged around $350-400 for each 30k check up.. this is BS, I am just going to take it to my ASE certified mechanic if they pull that crap on me... this way I keep my warantee and they don't get to rape me like this...

[Marc M]

Don't most of those quicky lube places perform this service also ??

Marc M

[MINI2NUT]

Wow, that's sounds very high to me. My wifes MDX runs around $90 every 7500 mile service.

[NorCalTacoma]

With those prices, maybe I should keep my prepaid maintenence agreement!?

[coolcatmars]

I get a brochure about once a month with specials called

Southern Nevada Toyota Service Centers
the August edition...


Minor Service....5000 10000 20000 25000 $59.77
Replace engine oil
intall filter
multi point inspection
check and top of all fluids
lube chasis (if applicable)
adjust tire pressure
replace drain plug gasket
clean and adjust rear drum brakes
rotate tires


Major Service....30000 60000 90000 120000 150000 $ 297.77
all of the above plus..

basic tranny service **type IV-trans additional
air filter
service battery
check and set timing
road test vehicle
inspect EFI system
replace spark plugs*** platinum and iridium plugs additional
replace coolant
pressure check cooling system
adjust and thigten parking brake
adjust drive belts
inspect hoses


this sounds lot better than 1,000 yikes you guys are getting raped hardcore with sand.




The brochure comes with coupons like 10% off any item from parts dept.. etc.. shit like that.

I started getting this when i registered at ToyotaOwnersonline.com

[silversport]

10SE - would be interested to see what all they put on the list.... what does $1K get you?

[NJTacoma]

Originally Posted by coolcatmars

Major Service....30000 60000 90000 120000 150000 $ 297.77
all of the above plus..

basic tranny service **type IV-trans additional
air filter
service battery
check and set timing
road test vehicle
inspect EFI system
replace spark plugs*** platinum and iridium plugs additional
replace coolant
pressure check cooling system
adjust and thigten parking brake
adjust drive belts
inspect hoses

Damn the plugs gotta get replaced at 30k?

[TacoNick]

The only parts they change are the oil filter, air filter, cabin filter, and spark plugs. They lube the propeller shaft, replace the limited slip differential oil, and re-torque the propeller shaft bolt. The rest is all visual inspection.
They might be trying to sell you alot more than Toyota requires, in which case you should tell them to stick to and do only what's in the manual.
When I brought my truck in for the 15K service, they had a package deal for $400 where they did alot more than what Toyota required. I imagine that they're going to try to do the same thing for the 30K service.

[yfzjen]

Did my own 30K mile maintenance for right at $100 and it took a couple hours at most. I bought the oil filter, air filter, drain plug gasket, and spark plugs at Toyota dealer. Then the differential fluid (Royal Purple synthetic 75w-90), and the Mobil 1 Synthetic 5w-30 from a parts store. My dealer offered a pkg deal that hovered in the $300-350 range if I remember correctly and that was no trans service either. So I figure I may have them do the flush since I saved quite a bit doing the maintenance at home for the 30K mile service.

[worthywads]

Originally Posted by NorCalTacoma

With those prices, maybe I should keep my prepaid maintenence agreement!?

I'm sure they wouldn't have given the same service with the maintenance agreement. Plugs, lube, filters and oil would be the 30K.

[msibille]

Most dealers do what you describe and I consider it criminal.
The only places that I've not seen this was our Saturn dealer (1992) and the folks who used to own the Suzuki franchise here (1994 Sidekick), both dealerships owned by the same folks.

NEVER use the dealer's "recommended service list" for servicing your vehicle. It's a generic list with a lot of items that don't even exist on your vehicle, many that are there but it's a matter of glancing at them, some that merely need a fluid level check, and a number of them that they change even though it's not at all necessary. (e.g.- The Honda dealer's list speaks of lubricating the U-Joints. It's a front wheel drive, it's got no u-joints. And, yes, another item on that same list is to inspect the CV Joints. When I pressed them, the inspection they do is merely to look at the boots for cracks.) Don't let them talk you into changing fluids, plugs, etc. at intervals 1/3 to 1/4 of the mfr's recommendations. If you drive severe duty, fine, follow the mfr's recommendations for severe duty, but don't let these guys rape you for looking at the master cyl to see it's still full, the coolant reservoir is still ok, and the battery is still in the engine compartment. They tried to sneak this thru w/ my wife -after I told her to bring it in only for the oil change since I was out of town. They badgered her and scared into saying yes, but she called me and I told her to go right back and tell them no (or b#llsh!t was more like it). They wanted $75 to do the $22 oil/filter change, and to look at all the fluid levels, look at the cv joint boots, and lubricate the non-existent U-joints, etc. When she changed to the $22 oil/filter svc and told them I would do the rest at home, her 45 minute wait time became 2 hrs. (To do less work took nearly 3 times as long.) I had a long talk w/ the svc mgr about not ever letting that svc writer even spk to me or my wife again, and that if they ever pulled anything like that again, I would report them to the BBB, in addition to taking my business elsewhere.

[F014tomcat]

I just dropped my '05 4x4 off today for it's 30k service. I go to my local, indipendent mechanic that I have been going to for years. I don't know much when it comes to repair so I pay someone else to do it, and do it right. 30k service is going to cost me a little more than $400. Not too bad, I can live with that. Never gone to the dealer for any service unless it's for warranty.

As for how "yfzjen" did his own, I guess when I look at the parts list it's around $100, and then the labor is around $300. Good if you know enough about cars, and how to maintain them. But I just feel more comfortable knowing I have a professional tuning the engine, looking over the brakes and tires and a general safety inspection.

Anyone in Orange County, CA looking for a good, quality mechanic try "Karco Specialties". A little pricey when you compare them to a Jiffy Lube or Firestone, but the quality is unsurpassed. In 4 years I have yet to have a problem with them; same with my father who's been using them for about 22 years now.

www.karcospecialties.com