30k maintenance

[tonybaloney]

i am thinking about doing my 30k maintenance myself. i'll still get the oil changed at the dealership since i don't want to mess with that and i have to do it every 2-3 months anyway. i'll also ask them to grease and re-torque my shaft.

i'm thinking about changing out the engine filter, the cabin filter and the plugs myself. any tips or suggestions? Some questions i have:

1. where should i get the engine air filter? at the dealer or at other stores such as autozone?

2. where should i get the cabin air filter?

3. what kind of plugs should i get? if i get the iridium ones, does that mean i don't have to change the plugs as often? where can i get them? and does anyone have a step-by-step instructions with pictures?

4. anything else i need to do for 30k?

Thanks!

 

[tonybaloney]

bump!

 

[drmorbius]

I have done the cabin air filter (requires removal of the glove box,one screw and squeeze the sides to remove, that's in the owners manual) and have checked my air filter, also easy to do (just unsnap the clamps on the box). I used genuine Toyota parts because they are specifically made for this vehicle and also satisfies any warranty issues. I have not changed my plugs yet but have found good info on both NGK and Denso sites. I intend to use Iridium plugs. Iridium is used for the center electrode and is very hard and brittle. Denso says not to gap the plugs or if you must be really careful not to chip the center electrode. There should be other guys using these plugs who can tell you if they last longer. Good luck!

 

[tonybaloney]

drmorbius, thanks for the info! since your car is an 04, did you change your plugs at the dealer before or you just don't drive very much?

 

[sharp4runr]

Here is the full schedule of maint: http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/

I think it's the platinum plugs that you don't have to change often. I guess I'm old school and think that it's wierd to change plugs every 100k, so I stick with the 30k change. I've heard some folks making their own in cabin air filters using the furnace filters you can buy at HD/lowes. Do a search for write-ups for those.

 

[drmorbius]

drmorbius, thanks for the info! since your car is an 04, did you change your plugs at the dealer before or you just don't drive very much?

No I bought it w/43k on the clock W/ a full tune and new brakes at Carmax. I'm just over 50k now 1 year later.