Lester Lugnut
New member
I wonder if they got the "ethanol" treatment idea from the small engine repair world? The check out counters in these places are loaded with all sorts of ethanol treatment.
30K maintenance, seems outrageous
- Thread starter RebelRunner
- Start date
I see a few people mentioning that the Toyota Care package is covering their 30K mile service. Mine specifically says only until 25K miles (I assume to put the cost of the 30K on us).
From the Toyota Owners site:
Did you guys pay for something extra or has the TC just changed recently?
Lester Lugnut
New member
Nothing in the ToyotaCare doc I've seen includes 30K maint.
It's either new or gratis on the part of some dealers. I think it's the latter.
It's either new or gratis on the part of some dealers. I think it's the latter.
jrandom
New member
This is what I found for the 30k service interval: -- http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/guides.php
Mostly inspection, only replace if you meet the special usage requirements.
Mostly inspection, only replace if you meet the special usage requirements.
DesertCanyons
New member
Thanks for the explanation. I was beginning to think my old ride was missing an important upgrade.
I have independent suspension and have never heard of greasing the drive shaft.
Looking forward to upgrading to a T4R TE.
[MENTION=99702]jrandom[/MENTION] Good post. I try to at least check these fluids every time the oil is changed and lube all the joints too.
nglayton
Senior Member
Here's the 30k Maint schedule, from the manual.......
Check installation of driver’s floor mat
Check MA State Inspection expiration date
Check for open campaigns/recalls
Replace engine oil and filter*
Rotate tires and check condition (tread depth)
Set tire pressures to correct psi
Check that all exterior light bulbs are functioning
Inspect front and rear brake components
Inspect and top off fluid levels
Inspect condition of drive axle boots
Check condition of brake fluid
Check transfer case and differential fluids
Check operation of cooling system and/or indication of coolant leak
Complete inspection of steering and suspension components
Complete inspection of exhaust system
Replace air filter
Inspect wiper inserts/blades
Replace cabin air filter (if applicable)
Lubricate propeller shaft (where applicable)
Inspect fuel lines and charcoal canister
Reset maintenance/tire pressure warning lights
Inspect ignition wires and distributor cap
Perform multi-point inspection with print-out
Road test of vehicle
*10,000 miles for synthetic oil
Why exactly would they not cover it under Toyota care especially since the oil only needs changed every 10k. I went in at 10K and 20K, at the 20K appoint I told the service manager I would use my last Toyota Care visit at 30K when he changed the oil for the 3rd time.
Of course my dealer is one of those "every 3k miles change the oil or else" type of dealers. So they sort of shot them selves in the foot and I had them over a barrel about it. I just told them I could come in every 3k and they could change it for free for 2 years or I would come in 3 times 10,20,30 and we would all be saving money.
There is nothing on the 25K visit they can't do at 30K.
The 25K visit a joke and I told them so
At 25K.....
Check installation of driver’s floor mat
Inspect and adjust all fluid levels
Rotate tires
Visually inspect brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs
Of course the 40K is the one they tried to stick me on........
nglayton
Senior Member
Keep in mind, Toyota is paying the dealership to do The Toyota care maintenance. The dealer doesn't eat this cost, they bill Toyota corp and then get paid. If you choose not to go in for your Toyota care, they don't get paid. Any dealership will do the Toyota care even if you didn't buy the car from them. Use that to your advantage, especially if you have several dealerships near each other. They want you business, you just have to show them the light.
Lester Lugnut
New member
I'm not questioning the services provided at 30K, just saying that the 30K maint. is not part of Toyota Care. I would like to see an official document that says it is.
In a previous post I mentioned that this could be a new addition or gratis on the part of some dealers. I forgot to include a 3rd possibility.
BS laid on the customer during time-of-sale by an unscrupulous salesperson.
This 3rd possibility just replaced the 2nd possibility as the most likely reason we're hearing about 30K maint. being included in the Toyota Care plan.....my opinion.
Lester Lugnut
New member
But at what rate....warranty type rate or customer pay rate? I have a feeling dealers are paid a warranty type rate for Toyota Care and in reality they aren't making much of anything on Toyota Care.
Most of that list is simply inspecting things, and should in my opinion be done free with oil change as long as you are under powertrain warranty. Heck even beyond warranty, as it may generate repairs and profit.
Most decent dealers do a multipoint inspection with oil change anyways.
BlackWorksInc
New member
This is exactly what happens, we get screwed on labor and pretty much lose money on every Toyota Care Plan from a technician stand point.
Whiplash Willy
New member
When dealers do their "Multi-Point Inspection" do they really check anything, or do they just check some boxes, and say everything is good?
Most likely not, but that's why I referenced "good" dealers. I take my 4Runner to Elmhurst Toyota and am confident that the form they show with the checks they have done is accurate. It's in their best interest to find stuff because if it's under warranty, they can fix it and submit the bill to Toyota and if it's not then that's a chance to make a sale with the customer at a higher pay rate.
The bigger problem I have is dealers that when presented with concerns about warranty issues, state that if the issue can't be duplicated or found that they will charge you a diagnostic fee. If I pay for a new vehicle and notice something out of the ordinary... I should be able to have the vehicle looked at by a dealer without fear that I will be out of pocket for my concern. That peace of mind is part of choocing to buy new.
jrandom
New member
Just curious, what manual did you get that from? The one I posted 3 posts before yours is from Toyota scheduled maintenance site for a 2012 4runner. 4runners haven't had distributor caps in almost 20 years!
Here is the official ToyotaCare pamphlet:
https://auth3.toyota.com/toyota-owners-online-theme/pdf/toyotacare.pdf
Lester Lugnut
New member
As I suspected. A Toyota Cust. Service Rep. told me the same during a phone conversation yesterday.
He also mentioned they get bombarded with all sorts of Toyota Care complaints.
If the tech is losing $$ - what would one expect. Techs deserve to be paid the prevailing wage for whatever they do. They are the most important people in a shop as far as I am concerned. Dealer is looking to get reimbursed for materials(oil/filter/etc) and pay the service mgr/writer. Techs come in last place. Should be reversed as far as I am concerned.
4RunnerFan
New member
Most folks probably don't have the time, and a few may not have the tools or a garage, but for those of us who do have the time and tools, it isn't that difficult to do many of the scheduled maintenance tasks ourselves. I just finished the 60k mtce on my '08 4th gen including oil/filter, spark plugs, gear oil in front and rear diffs and xfer case (including new washers), engine air filter element, cabin air filter element and lubing prop shaft. Tires get rotated for free by Discount Tire now. I did all of the work over a four week period of time. Yes, saved a lot of $$$, but most of all doing this work was a very satisfying experience.
When I bought the vehicle new 7 years ago, I had no intention of doing this work. I took it to a shop for the 15k mile maintenance and they charged me $100 each to drain and fill the front and rear differentials. Thing is, I watched them do the job and thought, geez, I can do that, so I did at 30k miles. I gained more courage to do more things from this website and from YouTube (but mostly from this forum- many thanks to all!).
Since we tow a boat frequently in the summer, I took the T4R to the dealer to have the transmission fluid changed with new WS fluid. There are write-ups here on how to do the job yourself, but that is one job I would rather pay a Toyota professional to do. I'll probably have them do the antifreeze when the time comes, as well.
The next big job will be the brakes. Still on the original set (pads, rotors and calipers). And, yes, I'll probably do the pads and rotors myself using some great posts that I've bookmarked from this forum (hoping I don't have the dreaded frozen caliper problem!). I'm a little concerned by the amount of rust I see on the underside and the calipers.
As far as warranty is concerned, I verified with my dealer that I just need to keep receipts, but I took pictures (with the current day's newspaper included) of the work as it was being done and religiously updated the maintenance history on the Owners section in Toyota's website. Also updated the Scheduled Maintenance booklet in the glove box. The vehicle is no longer under warranty, but I continue with the pictures and record keeping. The receipts and developed pictures are in a 3-ring binder devoted entirely to my T4R. Hoping such records will make selling it that much easier (when the time comes), and that the new owner will continue to take good care of it.
So, yeah, with a little research on this website and YouTube, some tools, common sense, patience and guts, we can do much of the routine scheduled maintenance ourselves; and feel pretty good about it when done.
When I bought the vehicle new 7 years ago, I had no intention of doing this work. I took it to a shop for the 15k mile maintenance and they charged me $100 each to drain and fill the front and rear differentials. Thing is, I watched them do the job and thought, geez, I can do that, so I did at 30k miles. I gained more courage to do more things from this website and from YouTube (but mostly from this forum- many thanks to all!).
Since we tow a boat frequently in the summer, I took the T4R to the dealer to have the transmission fluid changed with new WS fluid. There are write-ups here on how to do the job yourself, but that is one job I would rather pay a Toyota professional to do. I'll probably have them do the antifreeze when the time comes, as well.
The next big job will be the brakes. Still on the original set (pads, rotors and calipers). And, yes, I'll probably do the pads and rotors myself using some great posts that I've bookmarked from this forum (hoping I don't have the dreaded frozen caliper problem!). I'm a little concerned by the amount of rust I see on the underside and the calipers.
As far as warranty is concerned, I verified with my dealer that I just need to keep receipts, but I took pictures (with the current day's newspaper included) of the work as it was being done and religiously updated the maintenance history on the Owners section in Toyota's website. Also updated the Scheduled Maintenance booklet in the glove box. The vehicle is no longer under warranty, but I continue with the pictures and record keeping. The receipts and developed pictures are in a 3-ring binder devoted entirely to my T4R. Hoping such records will make selling it that much easier (when the time comes), and that the new owner will continue to take good care of it.
So, yeah, with a little research on this website and YouTube, some tools, common sense, patience and guts, we can do much of the routine scheduled maintenance ourselves; and feel pretty good about it when done.
nglayton
Senior Member
It came from the forum posts here. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/110839-5th-gen-maintenance-documentation-reference.html
nglayton
Senior Member
I understand no prob, I don't think I was the one who said it was covered under Toyota care. I think I said my dealer covered it under Toyota care.
I know it's a fine line, I did not mean to imply it was a universal thing.
nglayton
Senior Member
They hire a high school kid to do the oil changes......you don't really think your getting a toyota factory trained technician to change your oil do you? You'd be lucky if they even have a mechanic in the same building as the oil changes are being done.
Your right they probably don't get standard rates, that's why you get the hard sell on other things when you go in. But I guarantee they are still making money on the oil changes and the warranty work.
