30,000 mile check up?

[redsolara]

Yeah my nearest toyota dealer notify me that " I NEED TO GET THE 30k Mile maitnence" in order to comply with my warranty. Three questions, do i really need to do this, secondly is it worth paying $275.00 for this, and thirdly does it help me performance wise.

I bought my Solara with 23 miles, now i have 46K miles, the only thing i have done is change my oil every 3-4 months, i havent even changed my stock air filter since i have bought it, oil changes basically is what i have done, should i change like my spark plugs, air filter or whatever, my car runs great, just like new, i have a 2000 solara... What have you guys done to keep up your engine running smooth or what should i do? Thanks

[Flipside909]

Yeah my nearest toyota dealer notify me that " I NEED TO GET THE 30k Mile maitnence" in order to comply with my warranty. Three questions, do i really need to do this, secondly is it worth paying $275.00 for this, and thirdly does it help me performance wise.

I bought my Solara with 23 miles, now i have 46K miles, the only thing i have done is change my oil every 3-4 months, i havent even changed my stock air filter since i have bought it, oil changes basically is what i have done, should i change like my spark plugs, air filter or whatever, my car runs great, just like new, i have a 2000 solara... What have you guys done to keep up your engine running smooth or what should i do? Thanks

The 30k mile service is a good profit maker for the dealership. If you notice, they give you a long list of things to do...but have you ever noticed..80% of what they do is only "INSPECTING" parts. The only things that are changed are usually the oil & filter, air filter, and sometimes spark plugs. Don't listen to what the dealer tells you. Just do your oil changes regularly, replace the fuel filter at 60k, change the timing belt at 70 to 90k miles and pcv valve at 60k. Otherwise, your toyota should run smooth.

[samkatz]

yes, the dealers are full of %$%#. You only have to change the fluids whereever you want to and keep the receipts.
I remember in the old days, you'd go to a mechanic for an oil change, or tuneup and they'd inspect every inch of your car for free(of course hoping to find something that needed work).

Not only do the dealers charge an exhorbitant amount for just "looking", but they often hand out maintainence schedules that are more frequent than what's required.

All that being said, when a "major" scheduled maintainence comes up that has a lot of things to be changed, ie spark plugs, radiator fluid, etc, I just go along with it....but with everything else, it's Jiffy Lube.


rt

[droomyster]

you get out what you put in...

if you don't maintain your car, it won't last as long as you wish. as for myself, i don't mind spending the $500-1000 a year to maintain my $25k purchase. maybe some people don't see it this way. the car is going to last a long time. if you fail to maintain your car, you will end up purchasing another car within 6-7 years.

i just did the 30k mile maintenance, and my car is running better. and i'm not just saying that. i do a lot of driving and i know when my car is running better, smoother, more responsive.

and they aren't just "inspecting" parts as some may believe. it is true that you're car will run without these maintenances but it will not run as nice and it will not run as long.

so to answer your questions... it is worth paying the money and yes, it will help you performance wise.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

I have to agree with the guy on top! Your car will run as good as good you are to it. My suggestions would be for you to go to a dealership and ask them what they will do for the 30K service (have a print out). Then you take that same print out to a reputed local shop and have them do the exact same services (i just did my camry 60K service a few months ago. For me the dealer price equated to the price i paid at the local shop...but i had my rear pad's changed and my disc's resufaced for that dealer price, not bad overall). In case you are scared to outside your dealership, (after you get the list) go to the parts department, and buy the parts from them and then take them to your local dealership...STILL WILL BE A WHOLE LOT CHEAPER!

[nkx1]

The 30k mile service is a good profit maker for the dealership. If you notice, they give you a long list of things to do...but have you ever noticed..80% of what they do is only "INSPECTING" parts. The only things that are changed are usually the oil & filter, air filter, and sometimes spark plugs. Don't listen to what the dealer tells you. Just do your oil changes regularly, replace the fuel filter at 60k, change the timing belt at 70 to 90k miles and pcv valve at 60k. Otherwise, your toyota should run smooth.

I totally agree with Flip. 80% of the "maintenance" the dealer will do are inspections. You can do the inspections yourself for free. No offense to some others that posted, but contrary to what dealers may tell you, "inspections" wont make your car last longer or help you protect your investment. You can protect your investment just as well by opening your hood once a month and looking around. Just skip all the inspection stuff and pay for the essentials like fluid changes, fuel filter, and maybe PCV valve?. Air filter will take you 2 minutes to do yourself. So the bottom line is, you can save your money to buy more fun stuff than unnecessary inspections! (maybe even a large down on a new new car if you are spending $1000+ per year on inspections)

[Flipside909]

I have to agree with the guy on top! Your car will run as good as good you are to it. My suggestions would be for you to go to a dealership and ask them what they will do for the 30K service (have a print out).

I have that list available down to the time it takes to perform the maneuver and etc. If you honestly think your car will run better by servicing it at Toyota, I feel sorry for you guys. But for those who know which maintenance items to perform and replace at the right intervals, you guys have a head up on keeping your Toyota for a long time. But hey, we all spend our money the way we want to spend it, right?

[droomyster]

I have that list available down to the time it takes to perform the maneuver and etc. If you honestly think your car will run better by servicing it at Toyota, I feel sorry for you guys. But for those who know which maintenance items to perform and replace at the right intervals, you guys have a head up on keeping your Toyota for a long time. But hey, we all spend our money the way we want to spend it, right?

don't feel sorry anyone but yourself... for every pro there is a con, why don't you ever mention those?

[NaptownSolara]

I have that list available down to the time it takes to perform the maneuver and etc. If you honestly think your car will run better by servicing it at Toyota, I feel sorry for you guys. But for those who know which maintenance items to perform and replace at the right intervals, you guys have a head up on keeping your Toyota for a long time. But hey, we all spend our money the way we want to spend it, right?

Man, that's a little harsh, isn't it Flip?

[Missay]

my thought on the whole independent place vs. a dealer is that the work is only as good as the mechanic.

ok..bad example, but it's like haircuts! it doesn't matter if you get your hair cut in an expensive place in boston for $150bucks or at supercuts/greatcuts for $15bucks..the cut is only as good as the hairdresser!

[Flipside909]

don't feel sorry anyone but yourself... for every pro there is a con, why don't you ever mention those?

What's the pro of spending $300 for an oil change, tire rotation, plug change, timing adjustment, and a refill of your fluids? If it makes you feel better that you think your car is running better. More power to ya!

[Flipside909]

my thought on the whole independent place vs. a dealer is that the work is only as good as the mechanic.

You are correct because most mechanics at Toyota are not necessarily Toyota savvy nor are they Toyota master mechanics. Some of them are actually more experienced with other makes...but are using the Toyota job as a means of putting food on the table. All of them are ASE Certified which allows them to work on most all makes of car...but just because they wear a Toyota mechanic shirt and work in a Toyota dealership doesn't necessarily mean they are a master at it. To tell you the truth, I guarantee you more than 50% of the mechanics who work at a dealership and even regular employees don't drive or own a Toyota.

[droomyster]

don't feel sorry anyone but yourself... for every pro there is a con, why don't you ever mention those?

What's the pro of spending $300 for an oil change, tire rotation, plug change, timing adjustment, and a refill of your fluids? If it makes you feel better that you think your car is running better. More power to ya!

sorry... i forgot i was talking to flipside, mr. know-it-all... you must be right...

[Flipside909]

I'm sorry if the truth hurts, but I really hate it when friends of mine or people I know are suckered into paying that much money for simple maintenance. For a timing belt or something more technical, I can understand why the dealership the the obvious choice. But for a tire rotation, oil change, a couple of hours for it to sit on their rack, and maybe a free car wash for $300+ bucks? No thanks.

[Missay]

i don't wanna take sides, but i'm sorta gonna have to agree w/ flip. (i told you my father turned me into a cheap bastard )

toyota sent me a notice a couple months ago for a 45k checkup. besides the fact i still haven't hit 45k, for what they were gonna do and for what they were charging it seemed almost pointless. a family friend that has been fixing our cars on the side now since i've been like 4years old always takes care of my car. it's a lot less expensive too! as far as stuff like fluid levels, filters, oil changes, etc etc...i'd rather just do it myself..it's easy enough and doesn't take all day to do.

i'm just talking bout maintance here...now if something drastic happened like the transmission blew or the entire brake line snapped...then maybe you'd have yourself a toyota dealer debate