Value of the 15k mile service?

So I have 15.6k miles on my 2020, and the little display on the instrument cluster has been been bothering me about the "required maintenance." However, since I bought it used with just over 10k miles, I started to wonder if the first owner or the dealer I bought it from had done an oil change at 10. So I changed it myself with good Mobil 1 synthetic along with a fancy TRD filter, and also put in a reusable TRD air filter, all at about 12k miles. I also installed a valve similar to a Fumoto (but cleaner looking w/ a knurled cap, called a ValvoMax or something like that) to make future oil changes quick and clean.

Similarly, just in the last 1000mi I put 4.88 gears in, and then changed the oil in the rear diff at 500mi. I don't think that's part of the 15k service anyway, but basically what I'm wondering is, is there anything I'm getting out of taking my truck in for this service when it doesn't seem like I actually need anything done? I read something about checking torque on the propeller shaft or something like that? I mean, I have a torque wrench, just not sure exactly what's involved in doing that.

I mean if they're just gonna stand there and stare at the truck for 2 minutes, take 5 seconds to check torque on a bolt, and throw away my fresh (enough) and expensive synthetic oil in exchange for whatever they use, and then charge me I'm guessing a minimum of $200, that... doesn't seem worth it. But maybe I'm missing something. After all, I'm not a mechanic, I just prefer being able to work on my vehicles myself whenever possible. Thoughts/ advice?

 

Just check the manual for the 15k service checklist and do it yourself. IIRC you can reset the code yourself too!

 

15k they will check your air filter and cabin filters.

 

Its just a tire rotation and visual check.

 

Yeah that's basically what I am leaning towards, unless there's some benefit I'm not seeing. I have Techstream, am able to clear the codes etc (had to do it when I had an issue with my aftermarket locking gas cap and the engine light). Admittedly I'm also concerned about them giving me a hard time about different modifications I've made to the truck, but I guess that really only matters if I have a problem I'm trying to claim under warranty.

 

Your owners manual has the schedule of what should be completed or inspected at each interval.

You might want to take it in to the dealer for the 15k service so that you can make sure that the drivers floor mat is still properly installed. Yes, this is in the manual.

 

Ah ok, so this is basically what I was expecting, it's either a cash grab or designed for folks who'd rather not have to get their hands dirty with basic stuff, etc. Right on, appreciate it.

 

Yup!

 

I have a 2020 as well. Just over a year old. I don’t think we have any recalls I’m aware of. However, be sure to do a good visual inspection everywhere.

I have heard others here balking at the dealership service, and for good reason. Then others, find they take it in for some minor issue or concern only to find out they have a small rear axel oil leak with very few miles. Having this caught early and repaired under warranty is a benefit.

I dunno, I’m a little mixed on the dealer service with low mileage and whether it’s worthwhile or not.

Lots of good DIY’ers on here with the time and space to keep on top of everything. Me on the other hand I rely on regular service as I don’t have the time and space. I just keep an eye out for the obvious stuff. For me it’s that peace of mind.

So far I have done an oil change at my local trusted mechanic at 1000 miles and 2 service #2’s at the dealership. Service #2 includes oil changes. Service #1 is only visuals and inspections. Yes, I prefer oil changes at 5 miles. Yes controversial on here.

What the service #1 & #2 include in Canada.

 

Did mine myself. Biggest value of having the dealer do it would be the washer fluid refill lol...

 

Free tire rotation which means they don't rotate them

 

They just drive it around the parking lot once to give them all a good solid rotate. Then they give the keys back to you.

 

Typically the 15k service is just the dealer being nice to you, patting you on the behind, blah blah blah…they’re setting you up for the kill!

 

you don't need techstream to clear codes unless they are ones that the computer is throwing, simple procedure you can follow from the manual for the maintenance light resest..

 

15K is Just Rotate the tires and visual check of a list of things, no oil change. Since you have done all that stuff already i'd say unless you really can't do the tire rotation yourself and feel it's important to have dealer service history started then it isn't worth going in.

Im almost at that milage too and was in for the 10K service. I'll be doing my own oil change and changing my cabin air filter but I only have a set of ramps to work in my driveway so just to get the tires rotated I'll go to the dealership. I try to get a saturday morning or early appointment so they don't have a long waits.

The other thing is that there is a 20k service where they do change the oil and the last service at 25K is the same as the 15K one in what they do I believe. Here is the thing, Toyotacare is 2 years or 25,000 miles. My Toyotacare expires 7/29/22, I will most likely only be at about 20,000 miles by then so I will not be eligible for the last service anyhow. Honestly there isn't a ton of things they do but I'm taking advantage of the services I can because it was technically part of the purchase price of the truck and I want as much of my moneysworth I can get reasonably.

After that all maintenance and non warranty work is Going to be done by me or it will go to a local independent mechanic I trust who is around the corner from work in my hometown. That I trust them and I can leave it and walk 3 blocks to work from their shop and not beg for rides is convenient for me.

 

15k service:

Rotate tires
Torque lug nuts to 150 ft lbs
overinflate your tires
Get grease on your steering wheel.
make sure your floor mat isn't covering your gas pedal.

 

Well, I know my situation was a rarity, but .... I was gonna blow off my 15K because I knew all they were gonna do was rotate the tires and look at stuff. But I went in anyway because:
A: Let someone else rotate the tires
B: I wanted it 'on record' that I did the servicing. Just in case.
Well good thing I did. They found a leaking rear axle seal. They fixed it of course, but what if I had gone another 5K miles thinking everything was fine? I could have burned up a lot of bearings and been stranded in the middle of nowhere.

 

I'm team DIY, my Taco hasn't been back to the Dealer since the night I bought it 1.5 years ago.

I did it's first oil change a year ago at 5K miles. I'm at 10K now and will probably do another one since it's been a year and I have a long road/four-wheeling trip coming-up soon.

I make a regular practice of getting under my Taco (along with all my other vehicles) and checking for leaks; if I had a leaking rear axle seal (or any other for that matter) there's a good chance I'd find it. FWIW A leaking rear axle seal will have to leak for a very long time before it'll cause a bearing or ring gear failure.

These trucks are actually pretty easy to work-on/access however I recently bought a set of Quick Jacks (hydraulic car lift) for my garage which I need in order to maintain my GF's cars and should make tire rotations quicker and easier.

Four reasons why I do my own maintenance:
1) I spend a lot of my free time in some rural areas where if something breaks, it's gonna be on me to figure-out a way to repair it to get back home.
2) Time. I work a lot. Many times on-call, strange hours, sometimes two or three weeks at a time with no time off so for me to make time to take my truck to a Dealer when I could be doing something else with my GF or my friends is crazy.
3) Most of the time I enjoy the time I spend working on cars, I find it relaxing and is actually how I de-stress after a stressful day. Just last night I was making some adjustments to the Diamond Back cover on my Taco in my driveway. I talked to a couple of my neighbors, enjoyed the cool night air and got to watch the world go by for a while. Things I wouldn't have done if I'd been sitting inside watching TV or staring at a screen.
4) It allows me to justify buying tools. "Why do you have a cordless Ratchet?" "Because I use it."

 

These are many of my reasonings as well, esp the justification of all my tools... which I am rapidly running out of space for. Just got a compressor for pneumatic stuff too, which will be helpful