I have a 2016 SR5 with 65k and my dealership notified me I was overdue for the following items, and recommended them in below order of importance. Any of these super easy to do myself, do the prices look okay, and are there any that can be put off for another 5k miles? $2000 is not what I had budgeted for maintenance this year. I plan to keep my 4Runner for another ten years so I do want all recommended maintenance, but I've heard things like serp belt replacement is a 30 minute/$50 job that is very easy for the average Joe to do at home. They also had replace cabin filter priced at $70 so I'm wondering what their markup is.

1. Coolant Exchange Service - $270
2. Trans Fluid Exchange Service - $400
3. Rear Differential Service - $190
4. Brake Fluid Exchange - $200
5. Complete Fuel Service (EFI/TEC) - $300
6. Replace Drive Belt - $260
7. Power Steering Fluid Exchange - $170

How hard are you on the vehicle? Hot Location? Towing? Heat and abuse have a big impact on how often you need to be servicing some of these items. Those are dealership prices with a fair amount of labor so you could likely save yourself 70% if you can DIY.

I did all my major fluids (most of what you have listed above) at 75k and again at 150k. Brakes pads were pretty worn out at both of these intervals as well.

The belt should only be replaced if its showing signs of wear or noise. Does it look beat up and ready to crack? Mine started to show signs of wear at 98k.

Just for Comparison below is what it will cost you to DIY. By DIY you will also know its done right and correct fluids are used.

1. Coolant Exchange Service - $270 DIY $40
2. Trans Fluid Exchange Service - $400 DIY - $80
3. Rear Differential Service - $190 DIY - $70
4. Brake Fluid Exchange - $200 DIY - $10
5. Complete Fuel Service (EFI/TEC) - $300 DIY - $20 for 20oz Techron
6. Replace Drive Belt - $260 DIY - $46
7. Power Steering Fluid Exchange - $170 DIY $34 FOR Dexron Tran fluid

100% city driving in South Carolina. Thanks for the comments. Can I inspect the belt myself from top down? And are you saying you didn't replace your drive belt at all until 98k? Would be nice if I can spread these items out over the next year/8k miles instead of doing them all at once.

Thanks, that's very helpful for giving me an idea what I'm being charged for labor. Are all these items DIY feasible by a novice without access to a lift? I've never even done my own oil change before, but I've done very small stuff like replaced a windshield motor, fuses, stereo replacement, some of the very basic electrical, etc. Can I watch Youtube videos for all of these and do them on my own?

If you don't normally do your own maintenance or really want to DIY then you might be better off having the dealer or a trusted shop do the work. I've done all of those jobs and don't think they are particularly difficult. I also have the tools, drain pans, etc required and want to do them myself.

That said, some of the prices I don't think are too horrible. Some services, like the coolant service, may not be needed yet according to your owner's manual. It won't hurt to have it done but just saying it's premature according to Toyota. I would want to know what they are doing for the fuel service but I suspect it's mostly useless and way overpriced. I would skip that one regardless. The drive belt service seems really overpriced too.

These are all fairly easy things to do on your own, although having a lift is nice just to give you more working room. The trans service may be the most challenging as you have to monitor the temp for the overflow.


This may be a good link for you, and YouTube:

Beginner Fluid Maintenance

Looks about right to me, I just had all the fluids replaced at the dealer on my 2015 TP with 60,000 mi. on it and it was $1500 (coolant, brake fluid, tranny, transfer case, differentials, power steering, oil change with filter, and fuel injection system service). If it were me I would just go ahead and do the front differential and transfer case too while you're at it.

You can definitely do the Coolant, Brake Fluid and Power steering fluid yourself without a lift and few basic tools. I think you can do other services also by watching few videos and reading this forum. Just spread it out like you said, start with the easy ones first to get familiar with your vehicle.

Correct. Original belt on mine until 98k where it was starting to crack. You can visually inspect the belt at the front of the engine. Check for wear on the surfaces that contact the pulleys and cracking / chunks missing throughout. Age may have a bigger impact than mileage in your situation.

Based on the combined age and mileage of your vehicle you most likely should have the coolant, transmission and rear diff fluids serviced.

Do you have 4wd? If so need to have the transfer case fluid and front diff fluids done as well at some point.

Pull out your manual and check the intervals it recommends. In my opinion power steering fluid, brake fluid and fuel service is not immediately required. I would push them out if you need to wait an oil change or two.

Isn't the coolant scheduled at 100k in the manual?

Their internal sheet they gave me says 50k or 4 years.

That's the best way to do it save the dollars

$260 for a drive belt replacement is ridiculous. It's probably the easiest task on the list and should take only a few min at the most. Cost of the belt is around $50 but varies. I'd get one from Camelback Toyota in Phoenix - they ship to anywhere in the US. But, look at your belt and see what condition it is in. Look for cracks on both sides and check for fraying around the edges. When you have the belt off, check all idler and tensioner pulleys that they spin freely. Also look for videos on how to change the serpentine drive belt on a 2016 Toyota 4Runner 4.0 V6. Keep that old belt for a spare! Might be helpful to have a friend assist.

Remember, the “insert OEM” dealer doesn’t actually work for the manufacturer. That is, your local Toyota dealer does not work for Toyota, Inc. There are some exceptions to the rule such as Tesla.

Toyota recommends coolant replacement at 100k miles or 10 years and then 50k miles/5 years after.