Which of these maintenance items could I possibly do myself?

[lawless97]

Have a 2016 SR5 with 72000 miles and the dealership showed I have the below items due:

1. Complete Fuel Service (EFI/TEC) - $240
2. Brake Fluid Exchange - $170
3. Trans Fluid Exchange Service Trucks - $280
4. Rear Differential Service - $75

The only maintenance I've ever done on a car was replacing the drive belt and doing a coolant flush, which was easy enough to do following youtube videos. I'm going to try a power steering flush this weekend. Can I do any of the other stuff easily enough myself? Or is it best to have my auto shop do any of these? I don't want to break anything or struggle with something like a fuel service if it's best to have a pro do it. I appreciate the help.

 

[Bmnorm2]

First item is bullshit money grab. Throw some injector cleaner in the next gas fill up if you want (Seafoam, Lucas, STP) whatever you prefer.

Rear differential you should be able to handle. Just a fill and drain bolt. Ideally you should purchase or borrow a torque wrench. Can be done without jack/jack stands. I find it easier to remove the spare tire. Get squeeze type bottles so you don’t need a pump to fill.

Transmission service I would let dealership do. At that price it should be a full fluid flush (~12qts of new oil).

Brake fluid is relatively easy if you have jack, jack stands, and a brake fluid exchange bottle (bottle with tubing that you fill partially with brake fluid to prevent air from being drawn in and then you can pump the brakes by yourself to exchange fluid). Again you’ll want a torque wrench for the wheel lug nuts.

 

[Humble Leader]

number 1 you do not need. I wouldn't consider it unless you got it for a deep discount from bundling more services. items 2-4 if they haven't been done should be done.

- your vehicle is a 2016, while these services aren't difficult, if you have winter roads youre probably going to be dealing with stuck drain/fill plugs and nasty bolts that are looking for a fight
- if you're not equipped to deal with stripped bolts, stuck bolts, etc. perhaps have the dealer handle it.
- usually I do transmission fluid, transfer case, front diff and rear diff all at the same time and just have the dealer do it. drop off in the AM, and it's done in a couple hours. I didn't see transfer case/front diff mentioned in your original post

 

[fkheath]

First item is bullshit money grab. Throw some injector cleaner in the next gas fill up if you want (Seafoam, Lucas, STP) whatever you prefer.

Agree. If you consistently use Top Tier Gas, as Toyota recommends, you don't even need the injector cleaner. Top Tier Gas already has more cleaners in it.

 

[lawless97]

I didn't see transfer case/front diff mentioned in your original post

Thanks to you and everyone else letting me know I don't need fuel service. The dealer actually wants $300 for this and my local place quoted me $240. I'll get a bottle of fuel injector cleaner and add it to my gas tank.

I have the list of services they gave me and it has front differential service at 60k but for some reason they crossed that out. I'm pretty sure though that I've never had that done. They just circled rear diff. They also have transfer case service at 60k on the list but both times I've had service in the last year, they did not circle that one. One guy crossed through it and the other time I went they just didn't list that as one of the five items I needed. No idea why. I found this T4Garage video on it and it looks very easy. I'm assuming it is just changing the fluid? Thank you!

Edit: I just have an SR5 and not 4WD. Is it possible I don't have a transfer case and that's why they didn't recommend it? I googled what a transfer case is and it looks like it is just for multi wheel drive vehicles.

 

[Bmnorm2]

Edit: I just have an SR5 and not 4WD. Is it possible I don't have a transfer case and that's why they didn't recommend it? I googled what a transfer case is and it looks like it is just for multi wheel drive vehicles.

If your 4Runner does not have 4WD then you do not have a front differential or a transfer case.

 

[Rocko9999]

#1 is a scam.
#3-don't do a flush-do drain and fill yourself.

The rest you can and should do in addition to the transfer case. Tons of threads on how to do them. If you can change your oil, you can do all of these.

 

[Hungryhawk]

Verify that the F & R propeller/drive shafts U-joints and slip joints get properly greased.
Almost no cars and few trucks have zerk fitting that require grease. So dealers will not address this lube unless you specifically request. Same for independent shops.
You might seek a master mechanic Toyota repair shop if you can find one, or talk to a shop that specializes in Japanese vehicles about your runner.
The extensive you tube video series "The Car Care Nut" is worth watching for an education.
Also search how-to videos on line for runner lube demonstrations-most are educational!

 

[hypoeddy]

I just did front and rear diff, transfer case, engine coolant and brake fluid. All were very easy. Just get the right tools and follow the T4R Garage youtube videos. I'm going to do the power steering fluid, and transmission fluid as well. You have step by step instructions in those videos, just buy everything you need.