30,000 mile service costs $1,100???

The one exception being brake fluid; even if you've only driven say, 10,000 miles in three years, flush the brake fluid (and clutch fluid if so equipped).

 

Does that manual say that too? 3 years or 30k? I haven’t even looked that far as I only have 17k on my odometer.

 

I don't think Toyota calls brake fluid out; brake fluid is not mileage dependent, it is time dependent. Said another way, regardless of whether you drive 5,000 miles per year or 50,000 miles per year, the brake fluid is good for three years. Many manufacturers just "assume" a brake job will take place frequently enough to flush the contaminated brake fluid in the lower part of the system which will do maybe 80% of the job; just to be sure, do it every three years and corrosion inside the calipers and wheel cylinders will be dramatically reduced and brake fade (due to the water in the system boiling) in an emergency situation will be minimized.

 

Did mine myself for about $125. I replaced all the crush washers as well. The caveat is that I did not do the xfer case as I'm not in 4wd a lot I'll do that at about 50k, maybe 45k and I will use the Toyota liquid gold. Both front and rear were pretty brown when I did them so no doubt 30k is the interval. I used Redline 75w85 as per my owner's manual spec. Toyota quoted me $1238.79. Said that includes cabin filter, oil change, diff change, xfer case, air filter, and a few other odds and ends.

Any Toyota dealership Ive been to around here sucks. I just did it myself. I cant afford a kick to the nuts to the tune of 1200 bucks

 

I just changed my oil for the 2nd time myself at 10k intervals (dealer did the toyotacare first 2). I've seen enough to know after 2 changes in my garage that my 4 cyl is consuming about a quart of oil. For me, personally, this thin oil, low tension rings, long change intervals, low emission guidelines, and higher mpg target is really only serving to make my bulletproof i4 be a problem when I get up over 200k miles.

The 0w20 goes in clear as water and came out dark brown. I personally will be doing 5k interval changes from now on.. I want this truck to get me up over 250k with little problems other than routine maintenance. From what I've seen on my truck 10k is too long.. its going to effect the longevity of my motor (long term)

 

That question will open up an entire can of worms!

 

Lol

 

Keep in mind, the color of oil has absolutely zero bearing on whether the oil is fit to lubricate your engine. Some oils use additive packages which darken with heat, Mobil 1 for instance; do don't let the color fool you.

 

Good to know. Thanks...

 

That being said, I do 5k changes on mine. I think today (80,000) was the first time since Toyotacare ran out that the oil probably could've stayed in there lol. Been running it hard for the last 55,000, towing, hauling, off road etc.b

 

My concern was consuming a quart at only 40k. My first gen v6 at 375k didn't burn that much oil. I feel like (even with my wife's Jetta 1.8T) 10K is too long. I'm switching to 5k, if not I won't go past 200k without major issues

 

Agreed, although that is a lot of oil to be burning.

 

I have my 25k service on Monday. Curious if they make any comments about the next service. I haven't done any hauling and very little off-roading at this point. So the 30k service will be a good measuring stick for how the service department operates at my dealership.

 

Toyota quoted me 1300 for my upcoming 60k

“
Tacoma 60k service cost

• oil change
• tire rotate
• Transmission flush
• Brake fluid flush
• Fuel service / Throttle body and fuel injector cleaning
• Filters (changing)
• 4x4 services - Front:Rear dif, transfer case

$1395.95



“

So… the struggle apparently is real all around haha.

 

Even BEFORE the warranty is up, there's no need to pay dealership prices on services or repairs.

 

For basic maintenance, this is correct. For more intense repairs, You're much better off a dealership. They have far better equipment software and support from the manufacturer than independent shops do.

 

I made it to the 3rd of 4 “free” services with Toyota care before I couldn’t take the dealership’s lies any more. I started taking the truck to a well established local shop that I’ve used for all my other vehicles. I planned to take it there after the 4th service but didn’t even make it that long.

The shop manager has an interesting deal he runs for new customers. When a dealership gives someone a ridiculous quote, they can bring in their car and tell the shop manager what the dealership quoted them and what work they claim needs to be done.

The shop manager assigns a mechanic, doesn’t tell the mechanic anything about what the dealership said, and has him inspect the vehicle. If the mechanic finds the same problems as the dealership and the work would cost the same as the dealership quote, they just charge $50 for the inspection time.

If they find different/no issues, or the same issues at a lower repair cost, they don’t charge for the inspection as long as you have them do the repairs.

He said he’s never charged anyone the $50 inspection only fee…

 

I agree with this. I find that Toyota dealership service departments suck for your shade tree mechanic type services.

However. I had 2 frame replacements on 2 different first gen Tacos. I was scared to death that nothing would go back together. The first truck had 275k and I feared that it would never be the same. I had that truck for another 100k with no issues except for the starter. Same thing on my red tacoma.... 168k and that went to 220k with no issues other than the fact everything else was rusted out.

Bottom line.... the dealership ripped those trucks apart and replaced frame,leafs, brake lines, etc., put them back together, and I had no issues...

I took my truck into that same dealership for my final oil change ..... they broke one of the drain plugs on the frame.....they dont got the guys who know what they are doing changing fluids

 

The question is why were they messing with frame drain plugs during an oil change? You're not kidding that their lube bay sucks

 

They're not in a great area.... they are literally in the best spot on the frame to put a jack