30K Mile Work

All of you have already helped me to make the decision to buy the Toyota Care Plus, thank you again . I've finally made the appointment to have the 30K mile Maintenance work done. My husband has a dealer he likes and there is only one guy that I'm supposed to let do any of the work on his truck.

The guy knows me now and I showed him the list of things that I would like to make sure are checked and asked him if it would be okay for him to initial each one saying that it was done. He laughed and said no problem .

He said that he will be able to do everything on the list as part of the 30K check-up and he said that he will replace the spark plug and give me the old one.

He said he's supposed to charge me for the "replace transfer case oil", "replace front differential oil", and "replace rear differential oil (4WD)" but he will be able to do it for me because they are making noise. I didn't notice any noise but he laughed again and said they were very noisey. Do you think there is a problem I should ask him to look into?

The only thing he recommended that I do and that I would have to pay for was to the "Transmission fluid or oil". He said he will inspect it but he also said:

- I don't have to replace it if I don't want to.
- If it were his truck (and knowing my husband) he thinks changing it is cheap insurance compared to the "unlikely" possibility of having problems later.
- He also said we get a Marine discount ​

The Warranty & Maintenance Guide says change the "transmission fluid or oil" at 60K miles or 72 months and only if "Driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading". The only heavy thing I've ever put in the truck is 20 bags of mulch.

How do I know if I have fluid or oil and what's the difference; and, should I pay for him to change it for the transmission?

Thank you for your help!

 

Is the transmission an automatic or 6 speed manual? Basically the automatic has ATF (aka Automatic transmission FLUID) and the manual has oil.

How much is the quote for the transmission service?

 

Hi Mr yotarob2005, our truck is an automatic shifter. It's also a 2014 and a TRD Sport. I was supposed to ask the service man at the desk when I left for the cost of changing the transmission fluid but I thinking about other things and forgt . I did look at their board of posted prices for certain service work and they had a transmission flush (I think it was called) for $179.99. The said another dealer price was $199.99. I think our price would less a $17.99 discount.

Sorry for not giving you enough information but thank you!

 

My 30k mile service was a glorified oil change and fluid check.

 

So that is what guys warned me about when I bought the Care Plus. I did check and there are things that they have to do for the Toyota warranty. The spark plug, for example, has to be changed for the emmisions warranty and the dealer did say it was included. I think this makes it a good package, right?

 

I would ask the dealership mechanic to clarify if he was recommending a full fluid flush or a simple drain & refill. At 30K miles I don't think that a flush is needed but if they could drain & refill for a reasonable price then It wouldn't be a bad idea to go ahead and do it if for no other reason than to make sure that the fluid level is correct. There are plenty of members here who waited until 60k miles and did then serviced the transmission themselves only to find out that it was low from the factory. A drain and refill is only 3 quarts of fluid and much less labor than a full flush, If the dealership advertises a full flush for $179 then I would expect to pay less than $100 for a drain & refill and that might be worth the peace of mind.

 

YES, that is exactly what people probably warned you about. If you look closely at the check list it mainly says inspect this & inspect that, not much actual work going on. Your V6 will need plugs every 30k and it is good that they will take care of it however you have to be careful because the Care Plus also get you back into the dealership regularly and give them the opportunity to potentially up sell you on extra services that you may not need.

 

That. I had it done at a reputable shop, to Toyota's interval plan, for $119.

 

Thank you Mr yotarob2005. That is why guys suggested that I make a list and make sure it included the transfer differential stuff and the spark plug. The list was also to make sure they do everything. My husband gave me things to do if I have any other questions or if the dealer tells me I need other stuff. That's what I'm doing cause your guys are the real experts and I'm good at following directions (most of the time) !

 

For me giving the old parts back can mean nothing unless I'm in the service bay watching. For a number of reasons, few shops will allow this. As stated above, try to find a good independent repair shop. They have to do good work in order to survive. Dealers offer all kinds of services that bring in $$$. Too many owners are caught up in the belief that only a dealer can maintain their car and that's what's being discussed here...maintenance.

Yeah...if I had a $600K Ferrari, I'd probably take it to a dealer. There's nothing mystical about a 2nd Gen Tacoma.

 

Now you've gone too far. The 2nd gen IS mystical.

2NDGENFTMFW

 

In the state of California, the repair shop is required by law to save the parts removed and offer them to you as proof they have been removed and replaced.

 

If I had a $600K Ferrari I'd take it anywhere I wanted .

 

Thank you Mr yotarob2005. I know my husband would want me to error on the side of caution. I think what you are saying I should do is tell the dealer:

- I do NOT want a transmission full flush for $179
- I would like them to please drain and refill the transmission instead of doing a full flush.
- I would like to make sure the drain and refill will NOT cost more than $100.
- I would like them to verify the fluid level is correct now rather than finding out at 60K miles.

Thank you again so much .

 

Yes ma'am. I believe that pretty well sums it up. Good luck to you.

 

Thank you so VERY much Mr yotarob2005! All you guys are all wonderful, especially you guys from Texas and our Marines! I don't know what I'd do without your help!

 

^^^^
Hi Mr "not so" Old School. Thank you for the "like". It makes me feel like I'm not a total bother to all you boys and your truck toys .

 

Women will always take precedence over trucks. So you should be safe for awhile!

 

Since no one addressed this, here: the guy wants to help you out and is changing those oils for you. The noise "wink wink nudge nudge" is nothing to worry about.

 

Thank you Mr MeefZah, I thought maybe it was just a stupid question. So there really is no noise to worry about?