Dealership Fluid Refresh Intervals?

Hey all, I recently had our 2021 Tacoma SR serviced at the Toyota dealer and they tried to get me to opt for a handful of "recommended fluid refreshes" (see the attached picture). Right now, they suggested that I should be doing the following:

-Brake Fluid Recondition: $169.95
-Power Steering Fluid Recondition: $169.95
-Coolant Fluid Exchange: 299.95
-AC Disinfect & Clean (not shown in image): $179.95
-potentially more to come as mileage ticks up

Our truck has 50k miles on it, and because we live in Wyoming, they argue you should bump op when you do these fluid refreshes because of our harsher driving conditions. That said, they admitted that there's nothing at all that suggests these procedures are needed, they simply are recommended based on our truck's current mileage. I combed through the Tacoma manual and could only find a recommendation on Coolant Fluid Exchange for 100k miles, but no word on any of these other fluid refreshes.

Anyway, I'm curious about everyone's thoughts on these? My feeling is the AC Disinfect/Clean is total crap, and maybe the coolant exchange is worth it, but the rest I have no clue. They're very expensive procedures, so I don't want to have them done if it's just a dealership money gimmick.

Thanks!

 

Trying to sell you services so they can transfer your money to the owners pocket and they get a commission while doing it.

 

Wow! I guess you could make an argument for the brake fluid and coolant refresh but those prices are crazy! Ignore the rest.

 

Don’t pay for the engine and cabin filters either! Takes two minutes to do both with zero tools. Get them from your local parts store, paper OEM equivalents not the K&N stuff. You’ll be out the door with both for under $50.

Ask them to bring you into the shop and test your brake fluid for water content with you present, there is a basic tester for that, red light bad green light good. If it has too much water maybe that one is worth it but I don’t know the going rate for a brake bleed (not “refresh”).

All else I’d leave it to what the owners manual says.

 

Did you purchase an extended warranty?
if so read there policy, it is possible that some of these may have to be performed to protect your warranty for all applicable components.

 

if your engine oil, diffs, and transfer case have been changed, i would not do the others until closer to 100K miles.

have your plugs been changed? assuming you have the V6, those are due about 60K miles as i recall.

$60 and $80 for an air filter and cabin filter is ridiculous.

 

Moses, that's what I call a wallet flush!

 

Here's my honest thoughts. A 4-year old could change an engine and cabin air filter, for the cost of only $8-15 filters/each.. This is not a dig at you OP, but just in general. Anyone who is smart enough to set up an email address, register an account on a forum, and make a post, is more than capable of watching a YouTube video on how to do some of these services, so we fully support you learning how to at the very least do your own filter replacements. Thats $120 saved easily.

 

Personally?
Brake Fluid - I have found that brake fluid should be changed every 4-6 years. Why? Moisture in lines will eventually accumulate through condensation and that is not a good thing.
All driveline fluids - I change those based on mileage.
Power Steering Fluid - When you need a new power steering pump, you change the power steering fluid.
Coolant - Every 4-6 years.
Filters - Every 30K miles or so for my driving.
Engine Oil - 10K

So, some are mileage based, some are based on time.
Hope this helps.

 

Most of those price seem like Robbery and extortion to me. Totally agree with @Jackie Moon no owner should ever pay those fees for the engine and cabin filters. No tools required and something everyone that drives a car should learn to do along with checking the fluid levels and tire pressures. I would follow the manual and secondly find a good independent mechanic to do maintenance and repairs you are not able to do yourself.

I would not pay to just have the brake fluid flushed just because. It does need changed every 4-6 years as it can pick up moisture but this is usually more efficient to do when some part of the brake system is being serviced.

Coolant is 150,000 miles or 5 years, most will hit the time before miles. $300 is way to much.

 

theyre trying to screw you. Just do what's in the maintenance manual and you're golden. Having said that, im almost at 100k and havent done plugs yet

 

All, thanks a bunch for the tips. I did the engine and cabin filters myself, the question was only in regards to the fluid service intervals because it has been hard for me to find a clear answer about them in the manual. I'll do some more digging on fluid intervals for coolant and brakes, but everything else I'll ignore for now. I'll also start seeking out an independent mechanic at this point now that I know these prices are out of this world compared to what y'all are seeing! To answer some of the other questions, I did not purchase an extended warranty and I haven't had the plugs changed yet (it is indeed a V6).

Thanks everyone!

 

In TIS there is a maintenance chart. It breaks it all down by regular and severe usage. That's what we go by.

EDIT*. Per TIS

50,000 Miles or 60 Months Recommended Service
Check Installation Of Driver's Floor Mat

Rotate Tires

Inspect Wiper Blades

Inspect /Adjust All Fluid Levels(1)

Inspect Cabin Air Filter (If Equipped)

Replace Engine Oil And Oil Filter(2)

Visually Inspect Brake Linings/Drums And Brake Pads/Discs(3)

Special Operating Conditions (4)
Driving on dirt roads or on dusty roads

Inspect Ball Joints And Dust Covers

Inspect Drive Shaft Boots

Inspect Steering Linkage And Boots

Inspect Engine Air Filter

Lubricate Propeller Shaft (4WD/AWD, If Applicable)

Torque Propeller Shaft Bolt (4WD/AWD, If Applicable)

Torque Nuts And Bolts On Chassis And Body

Driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading(5)

Lubricate Propeller Shaft (4WD/AWD, If Applicable)

Torque Propeller Shaft Bolt (4WD/AWD, If Applicable)

Torque Nuts And Bolts On Chassis And Body

 

that's what the guys in the back call it, when customers aren't withing earshot.

 

I honestly feel bad for the guys/gals who don't know how to or care to change their own fluids. Changing oil is almost therapeutic to me. Although I'm a weirdo sooo...

 

I don't mind it myself,,, but it is much more enjoyable at my buddy's shop with a lift, and rows of SnapOn tools

 

Meanwhile as I crawl on the concrete with my Harbor Freight tools...

 

Stick to what the owners manual recommends. Think of what Toyota considered when coming up with those recommendations - a longevity reputation to uphold balanced by a need to keep it cheap so 20 years from now you can slap the hood and say she has 300k miles on oil changes and occasional tires and brakes.

 

What's wrong with Harbor Freight tools? For as hard as I use most tools they get the job done well enough most of the time. As a DIY dude snap on is way over priced. Besides mechanics sometimes end up in debt to the tool truck.

Having a lift to use would be amazing though!