Dealers and the myth of the 30K maintenance Cost

OK - how much will your dealer charge you. I am coming up on a 30K mile maintenance for our 2006 4WD V8 LTD so I thought I would call around to see the costs:

Dealer 1) $700+
Dealer 2) $350+
Dealer 3) $439

As I was doing this, I asked what was included and it turns out lots of things are included that are not needed. Dealer 1 was basically emptying all fluids from the car and starting over. They also wanted to change the spark plugs - not needed on the V8 model.

Based on the above cost variation, I decided to pull the maintenance schedule and see what really needed to be done.

Turns out for our vechicle under normal use:

Oil Change
Rototate Tires
Lubricate propeller shaft
Retorque propeller shaft bolt
Replace engine and cabine air filters
Inspect Vehicle (see manual for details)

I then went to round 2 of calling, this time asking them only for the specified items.... New lowest price..
$162!


What am I missing? Should I really do all of the other stuff? Seems like wasted money to me.


Or should I go back to dealer #1? :bash:

thats why they call 'em stealers...

Based on the above cost variation, I decided to pull the maintenance schedule and see what really needed to be done.

What am I missing? Should I really do all of the other stuff? Seems like wasted money to me.

Click to expand...

:iagree:

Dealers excel at adding tasks you don't need.

Your story proves what I keep saying - never call a dealer and ask for the "x,000 mile service." Instead, pull out your book and ask for a price on what needs to be done.

Go with only what you need.

toto said:

Dealers excel at adding tasks you don't need.

Your story proves what I keep saying - never call a dealer and ask for the "x,000 mile service." Instead, pull out your book and ask for a price on what needs to be done.

Go with only what you need.

Click to expand...

:iagree:

And, if possible do it yourself........

save yourself some money

Oil Change - very DIY'able

Rotate Tires - very DIY'able

Lubricate propeller shaft - DIY'able

Retorque propeller shaft bolt - DIY'able (ask dealer for torque spec)

Replace engine and cabin air filters - Very DIY'able

Inspect Vehicle (see manual for details) - So DIY'able

techjockey said:

OK - how much will your dealer charge you. I am coming up on a 30K mile maintenance for our 2006 4WD V8 LTD so I thought I would call around to see the costs:

Dealer 1) $700+
Dealer 2) $350+
Dealer 3) $439

As I was doing this, I asked what was included and it turns out lots of things are included that are not needed. Dealer 1 was basically emptying all fluids from the car and starting over. They also wanted to change the spark plugs - not needed on the V8 model.

Based on the above cost variation, I decided to pull the maintenance schedule and see what really needed to be done.


I then went to round 2 of calling, this time asking them only for the specified items.... New lowest price..
$162!

Click to expand...

After my 5,000 mile service at Toyota Of Lake City just north of Seattle I am going to be calling around for specific things from now on. Toyota Of Lake City definitely added a bunch of rubbish to the service and the price that I did not need. Add to that their tiny waiting room and waiting for three hours...

Thats funny, I went for the 30K service, $635.00 or something like that, was the cost. I showed the guy what I had done, (and I keep very well maintained records of what I do and when I do it...) The service guy told me they work off of commission, in other words the more they sucker you into on your car the more they make... A$$holes... Anyway, he was very nice and told me that I had done everything that needed to be done, Rotate tires, change oil, oil filter, air filter for engine, incabin air filter, Lubricate propeller shaft, and Retorque propeller shaft bolts. He said the spark plugs in the V8 were good for 60k plus... Then he said the dif and transfer case were all synthetic and good for 60 to 90K. (I was not sure about that statement) Never thought I would be turned away from a service department at the dealer... Anyway hope some of that helps. If you have not done anything to the 4Runner yet, just get done what needs to be done. Refer to the 30K mile service in the book that came with the vehicle... I am sure you already knew that...

Good luck

And draining all of the fluids is exactly what I do for each 30,000 miles, but I have a 2003 model and that has different AFT & coolant than your 2006 model. The spark plug change interval is of course for the v6 models, so it appears that your first quote is for another vehicle.

I got an oil change today, and since I am at 30k I asked about the maintnance. They told me... and printed out the list for the maintnance with a price of $407!!I was stunned. I was expecting ~100. I can do all of it myself.
I then was looking through toyota brochures in the showroom, and looked through the maintnance brochure. apparently regular 30k service is $196, and the $407 is a "PLUS" service.

If you are interested these are standard features:
Replace engine oil and filter
Rotate tires and inspect tire pressure
fill fluids to proper levels
16 point inspection
Replace plugs
Replace cabin air filter
Replace engine air filter

(italisized items are included with oil change for $24.99)
The engine air filter is $29.99
The tire rotation is $10
The spark plugs were $28
this is only $93...
I figured this all out now... the cabin air filter cannot be over $100 so why does it cost so much more?

The plus service adds
A/C refresher
Battery test (part of the 16 point inspection from the normal service and oil change)
Clean battery terminals
Brake inspection (part of the 16 point inspection from the normal service and oil change)
Clean and adjust rear brakes and parking brake
Fuel injector service
lubricate locks, latches and hinges
replace front wiper blades

A/C refresher is like $20 at most chain auto places isnt it?
how hard can it be to clean and adjust brakes?
fuel injector service is probably just some fuel system cleaner for a couple of bucks
lubricate locks latches and hinges, are you kidding?
the wipers they give you are probably crap I can get at WalMart for $5 each
Why does it cost more than $200 more for something this, especially when at least 2 of those things are included in something that was already billed?

BTW these are prices for Six Cylinder 4Runners 2004 and up, 2003 is $244 and $466. 2002 and older is $201 and $423.