Dealer Inspection

There can be some value in cleaning/adjusting the rear brake shoes. They're supposed to self adjust but the adjusters don't always keep up. Keeping the shoes snug will improve the parking brake and overall feel of the brake pedal travel.

Every time I've changed my rear diff oil it came out gray and crappy

I'd do those 2 services..

I have no idea what an A/C foam service is lol

 

OP....just simply say, "No, thank you."

Follow the Manufacturer's Service Schedule. It should be in the pile of junk in the glove box.

Typically, drum brakes (rear brakes on the Tacoma) will self-adjust. Simple task, when in Reverse.....brake hard. This action will allow the adjusters to shift. The front brakes are compensated for wear by brake fluid in the piston.

FWIW, the only time I've ever "cleaned" brakes was when I was changed pads and shoes.

Final point. Suggest to find another dealer to service your truck. I'm not saying the dealer is shady. Just that they are more aggressive with up-selling. Remember, they can not do any work that you have not authorized.

 

Wow it's been so long since I've had a vehicle with drum brakes that I'd totally forgotten about that maneuver! It does work, I used to do it in my younger days.

 

Yep.....just a little tip based on years of experience.

 

Never seen any of these cash grabs on the official service schedule put out by Toyota.

 

Agree. In all 5 Tacomas Ive owned (most to 175k) , Ive had zero issues sticking to the intervals recommended in the manual.
These services set by the dealerships are just money grabs. They aren’t all the same either. Each dealership offers their own menu, so that should tell you something. They like to say “well a little brake cleaning /adjustment costs less than a complete brake job” to scare you into thinking something bad will happen if you dont get it done.
Hard pass, follow the manual.

 

Ill look into that but i dont drive a whole which is why i had my doubts

 

Yeah i dont know lol

 

Thanks

 

It’s so easy why not do it yourself? You’ll be able to buy top quality oil and still save money with no labor charge.

 

Ah yes, the dealer cash grab. Working at the dealer I see this all the time. And it’s bullshit.


DIY the rear diff if you want. It’s easy. The rear drums? Yea it helps to clean out the dust and adjust them out, but I do it to my own ever 40-50k.

A/c foam service is to clean the evaporator. No need on a truck with a cabin filter unless you’ve had rodents.

alignments aren’t needed unless suspension work is performed or you hit things. Alignments dont magically go out of select from time/mileage unless the suspensions worn out.

 

There was a time when I thought I might want to work on cars for a living... I could never present something like that. HUGE moral issue for me.

 

Yea. Luckily I don’t deal with low mileage stuff. They just quit giving them to me because I wouldn’t recommend the shit they wanted. I primarily do large warranty jobs or higher mileage cars that actually need recommendations

 

Pure profit "service items" bordering on being a scam as many times the dealership doesn't even perform the work. These type of dealerships know that any owner who agrees to these service items do not know too much and wont be checking to see if the work was actually performed.

Like others have said, if its not printed in the owners manual it normally is not ever needed.

I myself would not return to this dealership as they have you marked as. "you mean there's a chance"

 

Good point.

 

Dang thats crazy. And endless money pit