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30k mile service?

3723 Views 16 Replies 16 Participants Last post by  AleroAero
My 2007 4wd Taco is about due. The local dealership quoted me the following:

Premium fuel system service $159.95
Engine air filter $32.95
Cabin HEPA filter $38.25
Brake fluid flush $89.95
Power steering fluid flush $89.95
Check alignment $29.95 to $89.95
4wd - Lubricate propellor shaft, retorque propellor shaft bolt $14.95
Tuneup $131
Front differential service $89.95
Rear differential service $89.95
Transfer case service $89.95

This dealership is known to put the screws to people (wish I would have known that sooner), so I just want to know what's necessary and what's dealer profit. I looked on http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com, and I don't tow, so how much of what they quoted me is really needed at 30k? Thanks for the advice.
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HOLY crap! :eek:

What is a $159 premium fuel system service at 30k??? $3 Bottle of techron? :confused:

It's $100 of materials and a 3-4 hours of labor.

Some stuff on that list ain't really kosher at 30k. Brake flush (usually done on brake job, if at all), PS flush (rare), aforementioned fuel service (that just sounds like a rip). Just as soon a stealership stay away from unnecessary items.

I assume "tune-up" = 6 spark plugs & oil change, it evidently doesn't include an air filter.
That's like going to the gas station because you need a fill-up and they offer you a package for $250 to "look under the hood", visually inspect and inflate tires, and add fuel...When all you needed was to add fuel!

Follow the maintence schedule for your vehicle. That's all you really need done. The 30K mile service is just carried over from the old days when there was a lot needed done at 30K miles. Why pay to have a lot of stuff done that should not be done at 30K miles?
Air Filter,Cabin Filter, Oil, Oil Filter, LSD Oil, Retorque Propeller Shaft Bolt and Spark Plugs. That's all that needs to be done.
I just had my truck in for the rear TSB, I had them go over the turck while they had it and they didnt say I needed anything else done that everything checked out. Not sure if thats good or bad heh.
I get the tires balanced/rotated and oil done every 5K and had in in at 25k (35K now) for a checkup also where they didnt really do anything.
Wow. Talk about an up-sell. The others are right; most of that isn't called for in the service guide and what is they're charging a *lot* for things you can do yourself relatively easily. I hit 15k not too long ago and I just did everything I could myself, then took it in basically just to have them inspect it - ended up costing me about 1/3 of what they charge for a normal 15k service (and their service was right off the book, no extras like what you list).
This is why you never ask a dealer for the "x,000 mile service". See what the maintenance guide calls for, and then ask for a price for a list of specific services. Asgard's list above is pretty good for 30,000.
I had the oil changed today in my truck. 28,000 on the odo. The service rep tells me everything looked good. No probs. Now, since my truck is 2k shy from the 30k service, I asked about it. $459. Ouch. I asked what was done which was already posted previously by other members here. I will definitely be doing the majority of work on my own. Also, about the spark plugs, I have never heard of them being replaced at 30k.
I had the oil changed today in my truck. 28,000 on the odo. The service rep tells me everything looked good. No probs. Now, since my truck is 2k shy from the 30k service, I asked about it. $459. Ouch. I asked what was done which was already posted previously by other members here. I will definitely be doing the majority of work on my own. Also, about the spark plugs, I have never heard of them being replaced at 30k.
Your owners manual will confirm this - plug swap at 30K.

The 30K mile service can be done for less than $100 in parts:

1. Inspect air filter and cabin filter. Replace if necessary
2. Rear diff oil, transfer case oil (4x4), front diff oil (4x4)
3. Spark plugs
4. Grease drive shaft(s)
5. Change engine oil and filter

Very simple and can be performed in the driveway without ramps, and with basic hand tools, for less than $100 and 2 - 3 hours your first time.
I had the oil changed today in my truck. 28,000 on the odo. The service rep tells me everything looked good. No probs. Now, since my truck is 2k shy from the 30k service, I asked about it. $459. Ouch. I asked what was done which was already posted previously by other members here. I will definitely be doing the majority of work on my own. Also, about the spark plugs, I have never heard of them being replaced at 30k.
For the V6 it is 30k and for the 4 banger it is 100k.
Your owners manual will confirm this - plug swap at 30K.

The 30K mile service can be done for less than $100 in parts:

1. Inspect air filter and cabin filter. Replace if necessary
2. Rear diff oil, transfer case oil (4x4), front diff oil (4x4)
3. Spark plugs
4. Grease drive shaft(s)
5. Change engine oil and filter

Very simple and can be performed in the driveway without ramps, and with basic hand tools, for less than $100 and 2 - 3 hours your first time.
And you can remove the Diff oil change from the list if you aren't towing.
Comments on these below.

Premium fuel system service $159.95 -- Use a dose of Chevron Techron instead, or only buy fuel from major suppliers who have to meet BMW's stringent fuel system cleanliness test. After 5 tankfuls, my Tacoma went from 22 mpg up to above 27 and is staying there on Exxon regular.
Engine air filter $32.95 -- buy one from auto supply and install it yourself.
Cabin HEPA filter $38.25 -- think this is a cabin filter. Should be able to do this one yourself.
Brake fluid flush $89.95 -- have NEVER done this. I just suck out the fluid from the master cyliner once or twice/yr and replace with new. If one chamber can't be gotten at, you'll have to have the brakes bled. Think this isn't the case on Tacos. Sucked out the brake fluid when I first bought my Taco, and most of it could be sucked out.
Power steering fluid flush $89.95 -- NEVER done a flush. On really high mileage vehicles (and all 3 of ours were until we got the 2005 Taco), I suck out the fluid from the reservoir and replace with new (synthetic).
Check alignment $29.95 to $89.95 -- only if you see wear in your tires. Rotate them yourself with a couple jacks and look at tire wear. Check brake pads while you're at it.
4wd - Lubricate propellor shaft, retorque propellor shaft bolt $14.95
Tuneup $131 -- beware of overlubbing these joints and busting seals. You can probably do this yourself by parking with one pair of wheels on an incline and the others on flat so that the middle of the vehicle is up off the ground at the base of the incline where you can wiggle under.
Front differential service $89.95 -- I've only changed diff fluid at around 150-200k miles or if I see the seals slinging a bit of fluid.
Rear differential service $89.95
Transfer case service $89.95
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$916.80 for 30,000 service?

I would not only do it myself, but would find a new dealer service center.
$916.80 for 30,000 service?

I would not only do it myself, but would find a new dealer service center.
Why wouldn't you do it? You would save a ton of money and have more $$$ for mods later. :thumbsup:
Why wouldn't you do it? You would save a ton of money and have more $$$ for mods later. :thumbsup:
Oh, I have done all the scheduled maintenance work myself. The only work I have had done by the dealer is re-torquing the drive shaft (do not have a ft/lb torque wrench).
Oh, I have done all the scheduled maintenance work myself. The only work I have had done by the dealer is re-torquing the drive shaft (do not have a ft/lb torque wrench).
And what is the ft/lb for the drive shaft?
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