60K Mile Maintenance Costs and Thoughts

There's lots of TW members who have the skills, knowledge, and space to do their own repairs and maintenance. Sadly, I'm not one of them! For those like me, it's a whole other world and our options are the dealers or an independent. Here's what I had done to my 2021 TRD OR 6-MT and some quote comparisons. I'll combine parts and labor for ease of comparison

Plugs
Greenwich CT Toyota =$1,187
Stamford CT Toyota = $550
NY Independent = $414 including a new PCV

4WD Service (Front Differential, Rear Differential and Transfer Case)
Greenwich Toyota = $808
Stamford Toyota = $400
NY Independent =$414

Manual Transmission Fluid
Greenwich = $314
Stamford = $300
NY = $155

Coolant
Greenwich = $215
Stamford = $280
NY = $182

Brake Flush
Greenwich = $240
Stamford = $220
NY = $158

Air Filter & Cabin Filter
Greenwich = $180
Stamford = $115
NY = $113

Oil, Filter, Lube
Greenwich = $105
Stamford = $110
NY = $113

Power Steering Flush
Greenwich N/A - didn't ask for a quote
Stamford N/A - didn't ask for a quote
NY = $135

Totals
Greenwich CT Toyota = $3049
Stamford CT Toyota = $1975
NY Independent = $1800 (including a few minor incidentals) minus a cash discount

I chose the independent and I am 100% satisfied. The truck runs smoother, quieter, and its acceleration feels more linear especially in 2nd gear. I also noticed the notchiness in the shift from 2 to 3 is gone.

My Taco is the first vehicle I've owned that I definitely see the value in keeping and not trading in every 3 to 4 years. The shop said it "ran like new". That makes 2 of us! Sorry for this long post - happy Sunday morning everyone!

 

I mean, if it's legitimate and they stand behind their work I'd rather give the independent shop money. Stuff like cabin/engine filters you can do even in an apartment complex parking lot for half the price (or dozen eggs these days). Better to take care of the truck than not so glad you got it taken care of. Very big difference between dealers.

 

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...^^^... Not so much here ... eggs $1.00 USD for 10 in Ho Chi Minh City at a big super market today ... less than that from the farmer. I took some pics and will post them later.

I like a "good" independent garage better than an OEM garage. Key word here is "good".

 

Wow, remind me to never go to the Greenwich CT Toyota dealer... lol

That is a huge difference in labor rates, the parts should be the same price... Of course the other dealer could also be offering a discount off the MSRP of the parts, but I'd like to know the difference in labor rates... That will very greatly depending on demographics ...

Thanks for the tread, very interesting...

 

That’s a good breakdown of pricing from different places. I wish I wasn’t on the road or I could pull my receipt from when I did my 60K maintenance and see how the cost compares.

I go to an independent shop that specializes in off road Toyota trucks. The labor is pricey because they have high overhead but the owner is a Toyota master tech who left the dealership because of how they treated customers. In my opinion, that type of honesty and expertise is worth the money.

I refuse to ever take my truck to a dealership. To me that would be instant death for the truck since they typically mess up more than they fix.

 

Way to go OP! Most people are too lazy to put in the effort to shop around.

 

I have also moved to an apartment (age 70) for better retirement. I can no longer wash my truck, change oil or do minor repairs due to rules. I purchased a battery powered da so I can wax… I am planning on a few maintenance items. Filters, cleaning (engine bay, cab)
Still hoping to change plugs and belt (maybe at a friends house or back parking lot facing the woods)
NOw it’s the dealer on oil changes, serpentine belt quoted @ $270. the fluids were done by a Indy and was cheaper than you quote. Connecticut prices are going to be high. Especially in those upper scale towns.

 

@TruckGuy63 Extra Mile Preformance in MD.

 

pushgears Thanks for posting.

 

You should be able to do these two with one hand, maximum 4 fingers.

Walmart sales the cabin filter for $14, air for $17.

I've never done that in the 20+ years owning/working on Toyota's, many over 200k miles.

 

Do these yourself, YOUTUBE video for the cabin filter if you need to. easy.

 

Now would be a great time to teach yourself to do these simple services. Plenty of utube vids out there. Even as a novice you can do these. The plugs are good to 100k if tgey are iridiums. Seriously you cant change a cabin filter?

 

Isn’t the coolant and transmission flush at 100k … from my understanding it’s a sealed transmission so no need to drain and fill early …most videos I seen on it recommend at 100k .

 

I do my own oil changes and changed out the cabin air filter.

I would venture to do the Spark Plugs...but the rest of those tasks, I'd probably have the dealership do them.

 

You are much better off doing a drain and fill every 60,000 miles or 6 years... And it is technically a dipstickless transmission, not a sealed transmission, even though manufactures like to call them sealed... Even though it is a PITA to check, if done correctly, the check level plug is way more accurate than a dipstick is...

 

just got 4wd service and oil change for $600 at five star toyota milliageville ga

 

Of course- I've done the filters myself for the 15,30, and 45K mile oil changes. For this service though, I decided to stay out of the way, and let the shop do their thing. I'll change them again at 75K.

 

Last time that I was at the dealer was buying my Taco. I have been going to my independant local shop that has done all the maintenance on my Taco from day 1.
Dealers are Stealers don't trust them as far as you can throw them .

 

Maintenance recommendations are not cast in stone. I gleaned as much information as possible from the Car Care Nut, the TW Maintenance map, and some other places. Yes, I could have saved a few bucks, but the overall cost of the truck and its resale value leads me to err on the side of doing more, not less. I am the guy who all my neighbors want to buy their next used vehicle from