Advice on Toyota service
Aug 3, 2019 15:54:14 #
I took my Toyota to a dealer for regular checkups and oil changes for the first 30,000 miles. They were included in the price of the car (parts that wear out like brake pads weren't included but I didn't wear any of those things out). After 30,000 miles they charge for the service. I took it to a local repair guy.
Aug 3, 2019 16:02:20 #
DebAnn wrote:
Isn't this a photography forum?
Yes this is photography forum. But as we live our love we have other thoughts that pertain to something else.
Rarely anything free is really free. There may be an attempt at recouping service.
Besides, that car may be just the ticket for our fellow Hoggers commute.
Aug 3, 2019 16:24:52 #
Why I use dealers as a last resort:
Years ago (early 90's) I had to replace a sporadic electronic ignition module in my '85/6 Ford van.
I called the local dealer for a price - $175. Two hours at $60/hr to install. Total:$295
A fellow Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer just happened to come from the company that made the modules, for all cars. He said it's the same module, they just put the module in a brand specific metal housing. Module type is determined by connector color.
I went to Walmart and got a module with "blue" connectors. (Was a blue connector in the van.) The module was on the fender well. Two connectors and three screws later (10 minutes, tops) we were running again, until I got rid of the van in 1997.
Module cost at Walmart: $20
Price savings: $275
Years ago (early 90's) I had to replace a sporadic electronic ignition module in my '85/6 Ford van.
I called the local dealer for a price - $175. Two hours at $60/hr to install. Total:$295
A fellow Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer just happened to come from the company that made the modules, for all cars. He said it's the same module, they just put the module in a brand specific metal housing. Module type is determined by connector color.
I went to Walmart and got a module with "blue" connectors. (Was a blue connector in the van.) The module was on the fender well. Two connectors and three screws later (10 minutes, tops) we were running again, until I got rid of the van in 1997.
Module cost at Walmart: $20
Price savings: $275
Aug 3, 2019 16:59:17 #
Sounds like my water heater.
Had an electric water heater. It started leaking. I had to replace it.
Looked at water heaters. Something like $300 for one with a 3 year warranty, $400 for a 5 year warranty, $500 for an 8 year warranty.
Talked to my plumber friend. He told me they are all the same water heater. You pay for insurance.
Got the cheap one. It lasted 12 years.
Connected it with washing machine hoses. Next time I had to replace it, it was only a matter of putting hose fittings onto the water heater and attaching the new one. No soldering of water filled lines. The wiring was connected with a dryer plug and socket so it was a similarly easy installation.
Had an electric water heater. It started leaking. I had to replace it.
Looked at water heaters. Something like $300 for one with a 3 year warranty, $400 for a 5 year warranty, $500 for an 8 year warranty.
Talked to my plumber friend. He told me they are all the same water heater. You pay for insurance.
Got the cheap one. It lasted 12 years.
Connected it with washing machine hoses. Next time I had to replace it, it was only a matter of putting hose fittings onto the water heater and attaching the new one. No soldering of water filled lines. The wiring was connected with a dryer plug and socket so it was a similarly easy installation.
Aug 3, 2019 17:11:47 #
foodie65 wrote:
Bought a 2017 RAV-4 hybrid in March 2017. br Deale... (show quote)
Is that RAV 4 a new camera from Toyota?
Aug 3, 2019 17:22:15 #
speters wrote:
Is that RAV 4 a new camera from Toyota?
I doubt it since we're in the "General Chit-Chat (non-photography talk)" section.
Aug 3, 2019 17:54:54 #
rmalarz wrote:
A very good acquaintance of mine is/was the national president of the Independent Automotive Repair Association or something "..........
--Bob
--Bob
Thank you. Look forward to hearing from you
Aug 3, 2019 18:42:46 #
rick_n_wv
Loc: Charleston WV
Bought a Subaru in 2018. The list for me is , change oil replace filter, Rotate tires, top off all other fluids,Multi-point vehicle inspection (?), Replace air filter, Replace cabin filter. For $146.95. Yeah I think they are way high.
Aug 3, 2019 21:24:19 #
rick_n_wv wrote:
Bought a Subaru in 2018. The list for me is , change oil replace filter, Rotate tires, top off all other fluids,Multi-point vehicle inspection (?), Replace air filter, Replace cabin filter. For $146.95. Yeah I think they are way high.
Thanks rick; I agree with you.
Aug 4, 2019 05:41:14 #
The dealer must have received his daughter’s college tuition bill last week.
Aug 4, 2019 05:46:00 #
That dealer certainly knows how to rip you off, I wouldn't consider pay so much for simple jobs which you probably don't need.
Aug 4, 2019 05:49:03 #
Infinite Imager
Loc: California
I worked for Toyota for 26 years and was the first Master Parts Manager in the U S. Every 15K, or less if you are in a high dust and pollen area, you should change the air filter and cabin filter that is usually behind or below the glove box. Both are easy to do. Change your oil every 5K and have all fluids checked and topped off as well as a brake inspection and possible tire rotation with tire pressure set to 30 or 32psi. Do the same at 60K as well as a Mass Air Flow Sensor Service/Cleaning, takes 10 to 15 minutes, Any other service that you're told you need is probably just a money maker for them. The best thing about a Toyota is they really just need gas and oil.
Aug 4, 2019 05:49:18 #
The only reason your brake fluid would need to be changed is if it got contaminated somehow. The brake fluid system is a closed system. Ask them how your brake fluid got contaminated. The front differential also sounds a bit questionable. How many miles do you have on your car?
I haven't had to worry about dealer rip-off since I bought a Lexus. I got not only a better vehicle but better service. My 2007 still looks and drives like the day we purchased it. Ofc, we only have 118,000 miles on it. Best vehicle purchase we ever made and we're about to trade in our Jeep for a Lexus SUV for the same reason. However, I did have a good service guy at my Jeep dealer and the Jeep is a 2005. That hemi still runs great, but after 14 years it's having a lot of minor problems that are costing a lot.
I haven't had to worry about dealer rip-off since I bought a Lexus. I got not only a better vehicle but better service. My 2007 still looks and drives like the day we purchased it. Ofc, we only have 118,000 miles on it. Best vehicle purchase we ever made and we're about to trade in our Jeep for a Lexus SUV for the same reason. However, I did have a good service guy at my Jeep dealer and the Jeep is a 2005. That hemi still runs great, but after 14 years it's having a lot of minor problems that are costing a lot.
Aug 4, 2019 05:53:10 #
Aug 4, 2019 06:27:26 #
Check your owner's manual and see what service is recommended.
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