Which maintenance is absolutely necessarry for you car and which is not?

Question

I recently had the 30000 mile service on my Toyota Highlander performed for $500. I think that is a lot of money. Other than the regular oil changes, which service is essential and which is not. The bulk of my bill was labor charges.

Answer 1

DK unfortunately that's the dealership way of generating $$$ after the sale, what out the maintenance performed on your car was actually needed you'll would have to know that, depending on how you drive the car and what is covered under you vech. warranty. to answer your question, i feel that the oil changes, Lub chaise, antifreeze, hoses and belts would be the most important and are what should be under your 30,0000 schedule, transmission oil changes+tune ups should be done as per required in your user manual, its the old saying if your good to your vech. it will be good to you !!
also only go to the dealership if you under warranty to do so they always tend to be more $$ but be careful and selective on finding a good local mechanic you can trust

Answer 2

Your handbook recommended a new cabin air filter a motor air filter, oil change, coolant change and yes you got hammered. I purchased the total service plan when I bought ny Toyota and these scheduled servives ware all covered.
Remenber this: When you buy off-shore company owned cars parts and service will dig your eyes out. I'm out of bumper to warranty and the service progeam is used-up. Guess who's going to service my car now?
Be very religious about minimum maintenance and service requiremants in your service handbook. Everything is clear. When you took your car in @30,000 miles look at your service recommendations. They didn't tell you what they were going to do because you asked for the 30,000 mile service work. Beware of the handbook. The only thing I question is why the he*l do they drop the antifreeze out 30,000 miles?

For gosh sakes leave the above viscosity Castrol on the shelf.
No car or truck handbook calls for 10W-40 or 10W-30. Use Havoline Deposit Shield, Quaker State, Valvoline, Mobil, Mobil 1, "5W-30" exclucively.

Avoid: Jiffy Lube like the Bubonic Frigging Plague! On vidio clips here on Yahoo they caught sereral "Jippy" Lubes charging for services that were not done on hidden vidio cameras. They have a hard time doing a simple oil change.

For a real jolt, go to Joe Gibbs Racing Oil to learn what type and viscosity oil are used for dyno testing, qualifing, plate racing and when plates aren't used

Answer 3

First of all, it is "preventative maintenance", and they are "recommended services". Your Highlander has recommended services and mileage specific to the Highlander. The idea behind preventative maintenance is to prevent breakdown of the mechanical systems. All the services performed are beneficial, necessary is a term that only you can truly define, because it is your vehicle, and how well you want to take of it is up to you...

Asking which are necessary, which systems in your vehicle are necessary? Again, it's your vehicle, you decide. Also, there are stores who specialize in preventative maintenance, and can probably save you some time and money for the same services. Don't be fooled by the "we use only genuine Toyota parts", because most filter and fluid manufacturers meet or exceed Toyota specs...

Answer 4

Oil and filter changes is a must

belts and other items can go 60-100K miles easily

You can choose to go for scheduled inspection instead of maintenance on the rest of the vehicle, and change parts as needed.

Answer 5

Maybe you should be more preceise as to what exactly the dealership did.

My version of a 30,000 mile maintenance is new fluids, filters, and grease job. About 40 bucks at Jiffy Lube

Answer 6

You are thinking about this the wrong way. Whats it worth to you to know that while driving you are not going to break a timing belt/chain? Thats one of the many parts that may still be good that gets swapped out, but they do it to save you later. Your choices with cars are a lot like life. You can pay now or you can pay later, but if you choose to pay later it will always happen when you are least prepared for it or do not have the time for it.

Answer 7

Castrol GTX 10-W40 in summer, in winter 10-w30,and change oil filter with every oil change,rule of thumb,every 3,000 mi or three months what ever is 1st.Plugs and wires every 20,000 mi.Transmision fluid and filter every 40,000 mi.

Answer 8

not all of it.....you got screwed over, they get everybody....idk what they did but many times they will charge you for things that are unnecessary and they will change parts that are still good.

Answer 9

They make easy money......$500 for a couple of hour.

Answer 10

All of it.