Was at the dealer today...

So I was at the dealer for my free synthetic oil change and I always get the tires rotated and balanced (for $30). Truck is a 2012 DCSB Sport with 141k miles.

The new to me service writer came back with the following that needs attention. Looking to see what you all think of this.

-Transmission Fluid flush and replace (was done there 30k miles ago). Around $400
-Brake Fluid Flush $124.95 (original fluid - what is normal life?)
-Power Steering Flush $94.95 (original fluid - what is normal life?)
-Front, rear and transfer case fluid service $229. Stated ws dirty and had metal shavings in it. (I usually do them in the spring. Have fluid in the garage. I tow a trailer a lot so dirty is expected.)
-Exhaust donut gasket deteriorated to be replaced - no price listed (aftermarket muffler on it and i love the sound)
-Plugs to be replaced - no price listed. (I did them at 100k miles with iridium denso plugs)
-Throttle body has carbon buildup - no price
-hvac disinfection. possible mold build up (I drive this truck everywhere. If there was mold I would smell it)
-Should get a tune up every 15k per dealer (what it entailed, I didn't ask was already aggravated with the new guy)

The truck drives great. I do about 20k miles a year. I do believe in regular maintenance and really do baby my truck, but some of this list I think are up charges.

What do you guys think? This is the first time I have been given such a list before.

 

Snake oil salesman. Dont bite.

 

I would have to agree....ruuuuunnnnnnn! Most of the work you can do yourself just by reading some of the forums here - enjoy!

 

My thoughts:
Tranny service interval should be in the owner's manual. Since you tow a lot, I could see why they would recommend service. Again, check the owner's manual.
Brake fluid is original from 2012? Definitely needs flushing.
Power steering might benefit from a flush but this is commonly considered a lifetime fluid unless it gets contaminated somehow. I just empty and refill the reservoir every couple years but also I am light service category, YMMV.
Do the driveline fluids yourself and save a ton of cash.
Original copper plugs are recommended 30k service interval. Iridiums should last much much longer, like 60-80k, maybe even 100k. Pull a couple and inspect to be sure they are burning OK.
TB cleaning is cheap and easy, do it yourself, and clean the MAF while you're at it.
Tune up every 15k? WTF! Maybe in a world of hellish severe abuse... maybe. But in your case, no way.

 

I’ve had a dealership (my first time with their service dept) tell me they did their 121 point inspection and my engine air filter needed replacing. I had installed a brand new one 3 days prior and hadn’t gone off road since. I turned them down for that and everything else on their bogus list. Just for giggles I popped the hood in the parking lot and pulled my engine air filter...white as the day I took it out of the box.

 

Always wear old clothes to the dealership. That bullshit smell can be hard to wash off.

 

Glocker

I have the same year DCSB Sport as you (great minds think alike) with 82,000 kms and love it. I have a very good understanding about autos my dad was a mechanic and I majored in automotive at school. I believe in doing maintenance sooner then recommended to help prevent problems.

My opition on list (approx price paid in Canada)

Trans fluid every 60,000 kms or so (any fluid is the blood of our trucks). $165.00
Brake fluid flush/Power steering fluid/Front/Rear Transfer cases. If you haven't done it before it wouldn't hurt (clean fluid again just helps keep things working best as possible). $165.00 for Transfer cases and diff
Exhaust donut. Is it leaking? Better to be safe when it comes to exhaust. $??.
Spark plugs are good (I changed mine at around 60,000 kms). $130.00 c/w OEM plugs
Throttle body. Keep it clean and your truck will run better (every 20,000 kms or just do it once a year like I do). $ something I do myself. Keeping your air filter clean helps alot with that build up.
HVAC. Change your filter if you haven't. $ 30.00 or K&N $60. I agree you would smell if it were bad.
Tune up. Not sure what that's about. He listed most things done as part of that type of service already (not sure if I'd like to deal with this guy)

Do what maintenance you can yourself and shop other dealers or shops for other services. I use dealer (where I purchased) because of Service Adviser, mechanics (that will show me on my truck things they recommand), good service, service records easliy found from any Toyota dealer (I think would help for resale value, NOT THAT I'M SELLING HER) and I can write off service because it's my company truck.

It can look great sitting in the driveway but not worth sh!t if it doesn't run and get you to work safely.

Take good care of it
It takes good care of you

 

“Sure, change my air filter since you say you checked it and it’s dirty, but I’d like to watch the tech do so I know how it’s done”. All of a sudden Sorry sir we’re booked for the day

 

Ding ding ding!

 

Service advisors try to upsell everything they can. its how they make money.

 

When I took my truck in to get the CRC coating on the frame, they came at me with $1000 worth of stuff it needed. One of things was a cabin air filter which I had replaced a few weeks before- for $100. Once I saw that item, I knew everything on their list was 100% bullshit.

 

Ya, he's upselling... point 2 and point 3 should be done IMO. Either let them do it, or do it yourself.

 

My local dealer told me my 2007 base model needed the cabin filter changed (that trim doesn't have one). I took him up on it & asked if his tech could do it in the parking lot where the advisor had left it. All 3 of us walked over to the truck, I stood back as the glovebox was removed & the 2 of them looked all over for the non-existent filter. After about a minute I told them to put my truck back together & take turns shoving that new filter up their asses.

OP: use your head & check these things yourself. None of them are difficult to DIY. Dealerships are more often then not out to prey on the lazy &/or uninformed.

 

A Toyota dealer tried the same crap on my wife's car. I had replaced it 4 days earlier.

 

This dude sounds like he was hired from the Quik Lube up the way. That's just bad sales practice. Although a quick read through your list, looks like the brake fluid flush couldn't hurt. Like @whatstep said, just check the color first to determine if it's even necessary (I'd check it at the right rear bleeder just to ensure you're getting the most distant sample). If you don't have any visible black exhaust streaks anywhere from the headers back, I wouldn't be concerned about this.

 

Sounds like my 30K mile todo list; I do the work myself.

 

I guess that "free" oil change and $30 wheel balance/rotation isn't going to a good deal after all if they want to do all that extra work. That's why I do all my own services to get away from all that Bullcrap. My truck has never been back to dealer for anything but unfortunatley I got notice of frame inspection today so will have to take in but I will keep a close eye on what happens and frame inspection only nothing more.

 

Good story. I wish I could give more than 1 like...

 

Almost all of that is needed service though. Who does it is the question. It's not like the service writer was going to replace the blinker fluid. Love how tweaked people get when a place that makes money on service offers to do service.

 

Yea. What he said.

I hate getting this treatment as much as anyone. It's worth pointing out that most dealerships are notoriously high pressure sales environments. The "quick lube" type place isn't too far behind. Sure, these same people get bonuses based on how much they sell, but they'll also likely lose their job if they never try to "suggestively upsell." Yes, it's annoying...insulting, at times, especially when you look at the markup on something like a cabin filter. Certainly don't expect this practice to go away anytime soon, and don't think that those employees aren't under pretty significant pressure to do so. Just my two cents.