Recommend service opinions

I’m not particularly knowledgeable about automotive maintenance. The only maintenance I do myself is essentially replacing the cabin filter, engine filter, and wipers. I have a 2019 Tacoma TRD OR and I’ve been able to glean some great info from this forum, so I figured I would ask for some advice regarding my other vehicle, which is a 2018 Toyota Highlander Limited. I’m not looking for info on pricing, just the necessity of some services that were recommended last time I took this vehicle in for service. Generally, I follow just the recommended service schedule in the service manual, so I’m wary of additional recommendations. It gets a mix of highway and city driving, no off-road/non-paved roads, and no towing/hauling. I last had the Highlander in for service at 40,000 miles and left with this list of recommended services to be completed at the next service interval at 45,000 miles.

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED V6 AWD

-Perform brake fluid exchange (Based on time, mileage and known vehicle history)

-Perform EFI (electronic fuel injection) service (Found throttle body to be dirty)

-Perform throttle body service (Found throttle body to be dirty)


Thanks for your input. Remember, I’m just looking for info as to whether these services are reasonable or unnecessary.

 

How much did they quote for the services?

Brake fluid should be changed periodically. Simple DIY, a friend to pump the brakes while you fill the reservoir. Or get a “Motive” pressure container.

Throttle body is a Medium DIY service, not hard but if you screwup it could be expensive.

EFI cleaning, I throw in a bottle of injector cleaner in the spring. Any major brand that is on sale. $5-6 for a bottle.

 

I’d rather not discuss the price, just the necessity of the services. Mostly because I’m sure some people will just tell me I’m an idiot for paying that much or not doing it myself. The cost is not really my determining factor and I don’t have any desire to do it myself (I know these statements are down right sacrilegious to some on this forum). I appreciate your response and input. Thank you.

 

You ABSOLUTELY do NOT need to have any of these performed on a 2018 with only 45,000 miles:
(these are NOT listed services in your Toyota Owners/Maintenance manual - this is pure stealership trying to take your money)

Perform brake fluid exchange (Based on time, mileage and known vehicle history)

-Perform EFI (electronic fuel injection) service (Found throttle body to be dirty)

-Perform throttle body service (Found throttle body to be dirty)

 

Is there a mileage point where you think they are necessary, or do you feel like they are never necessary?

 

I would likely have the brake fluid exchange at 10 years or 100K.
If you run top tier 87 octane fuel even with 10% ethanol (like Chevron or Shell) you will almost certainly never need the two high profit margin dealer EFI or throttle body services with the clean burning Toyota 3.5L V6.

 

Brake fluid flush, I would wait till 80k-100k.

Fuel injector cleaning, I wouldn't worry about, next time you go on a long multi state trip fill up the gas tank and toss a bottle of any brand fuel additive in and call it good. I do that once year when we drive to visit family.

Throttle body cleaning, if its never been done its not bad to do. I do mine every 30K so it doesn't get very dirty.

I would guess these are roughly fair dealer prices. $100 for brake flush, $100 for fuel injector cleaning, $50 for throttle body cleaning. Obviously this varies from shop to shop.

 

Thanks for the advice

It’s sounding like these are not necessary, or at least at this point. I haven’t noticed any issues with idle or acceleration, and the brake fluid is clear as water. I literally can’t even see the fluid level through the reservoir plastic unless I bounce the car to get it sloshing.