Toyota Dealer Service Worth It?

Hi all,

My '08 is coming up on the 40k mark (it's not my primary driver hence the low mileage) and I haven't really done anything to it other than oil changes every 4-5k miles. Figuring it probably needs to be taken in to get looked at, but I'm not sure if the dealer service packages are worth it. Seems all my local dealers do is change oil and cabin filter and I'm not sure if that's worth the $100-$145 the charge around here.

Thoughts? Thanks.

 

There will be many replies to this thread.

Based on what I've read in your opening post, sounds like all that's missing is maybe an air filter change and new spark plugs. Check all fluid levels. Maybe rotate tires; then again, if that's never been done and tires are original, I wouldn't waste the time.

Quite frankly, if it were mine, I'd also change coolant and transmission fluid, and differential(s) gear oil, but that's just me.

 

Sorry forgot to mention I've changed the air filter every other oil change along with tire rotations. But nothing else (spark plugs/brake pads) have been changed.

But this is something a cheaper alternative (i.e. local mechanic) can do? I'm just wondering if the dealer does anything extra special.

Thanks.

 

The only thing that the dealer does that's extra special is take more of your money.

Sounds like you've stayed on top of things fairly well. Any legit shop can change coolant/differential(s) gear oil. Dealer will say coolant/transmission fluid are good for 100K. Many have pulled that off. I'm simply the type that believes if you are going to keep a vehicle for a long time you need a maint. schedule that's more realistic than what's in the owners manual. That maint. sched. was designed to sell cars.

The only thing that's proprietary at least in the way it's handled on these 2nd Gen trucks is the transmission fluid change. Don't get me wrong, dealers screw that up everyday. You'd need to ensure your independent repair shop(assuming you went that route) is capable of handing this