30k service - is dealer right?

[aleath]

I just took my 2002 SE V6 Solara in for a oil change at 28,000 and was told by the dealer that my brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and fuel injection system are in bad shape, while my engine coolant is in excellent shape.

They quoted me $290 to do a transmission flush, fuel injection service, and power steering flush. I know I am coming due for 30k service, but one thing I noticed when the service rep told me all this was that he seemed nervous and it just didn't seem right.

I expect to have to have the transmission fluid and engine coolant flushed, but the power steering flush seems like bs. Also, isn't it a bit early for a brake fluid flush? I expect it is getting about time for new brake pads, but they didn't even mention checking them. And for the fuel inject system, I am fully capable of cleaning out the throttle body myself when I get home from school, but I don't want to wait until then for the fluid flushes.

Anyone have any opinions / recommendations on this?

[red2002solara]

The only thing I would do is the transmission flush. Everything else is a waste of maintenance. The dealer just wants to bilk you out of money for unnecessary service. I would get the transmission flush done at an independant shop; it's cheaper and you can find a more reliable mechanic than at a delaership.

I have a 2002 Solara as well, with 69000 miles on it. I did the coolant flush at 50,000 miles, tranny flush every 30,000 miles. I have never done a flush of the brake or power steering fluid. Unless you have a leak, that stuff can go 100,000 miles. As for the fuel injection flush, that just sounds like b/s to me.

I worked at a dealership for a year. They rip off their own employees, and try to rip off patrons at every end. My advice is never take your car in to a dealership for anything. The service department is a huge money maker for dealerships, and they try to con people into unnecessary repairs. New cars, particularly Toyotas, do not need all these maintenance to last 200,000 miles.

Good luck

[ezshift5]

...2k DWP SE-V6 (5-speed stick) here.

...how about a second opinion from another dealer/good
independent?

...the local VW Service Manager sez Toyota Red (Coolant) is
extended life stuff....he recommends just leaving in be to 100k....

I've got 74k on the odo; one two malfunctions to date:
(1) driver's side electric window ceased to work.

....replaced under warranty and (2) have the radio presets
no longer function (radio, CD and cassette work fine)
So now I have three preset buttons vice six...........

best, ez

[krazeee1707]

290 is a bit steep....Any lube shop should be able to hook you up with a tranny flush for 120-150 I think. The fuel injector cleaning costs about 50. There might be some topics how you can do the fuel injector cleaning yourself though. Since I have a hook up at oil experts around my area, I flush my tranny every 15-20k. They charge me about 30 bucks for every flush.

[Turbosolara]

take a picture of your brake fluid and power steering fluid. i will tell you if i think they are good or really bad shape

[Jackass-Jeff]

...the local VW Service Manager sez Toyota Red (Coolant) is
extended life stuff....he recommends just leaving in be to 100k....

Red is 30K, Reddish PINK is 100K

[Mole]

take a picture of your brake fluid and power steering fluid. i will tell you if i think they are good or really bad shape

ditto...

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

I have never done a flush of the brake or power steering fluid. As for the fuel injection flush, that just sounds like b/s to me.

Brake flush would be nice with a brake job IMO, give it freah fluids and it aint' costing a lot at local brake shops

P/s fluid flush, it depends..at 60-70K miles i'd recommend it, but like others said if its dirty, then flush it...but with 30K miles, i wonder why it got dirty?

And wasn't the 30K service where they 'drain n fill' the tranny and don't do a transmission flush (i don't have my manual with me), indeed a flush would be better...

[aleath]

I checked my fluids today and put the transmission fluid and power steering fluid on a sheet of paper like the dealer service department did yesterday. Not sure if the pictures will do much good, but here they are anyway.

Automatic Transmission Fluid


Power Steering Fluid


The transmission fluid had a sweet and oily smell to it, doesn't smell like what I'd consider burned. The power steering fluid has strong smell to it, almost like burning insulation off electrical wire.

I didn't have a sheet for the brake fluid, but it was full and a yellowish color, with nothing floating in it.


Like I said in my first post, I realize its about time to get my transmission fluid and coolant drained & filled or flushed, but didn't expect the same for the power steering and brake fluid. I know that I will probably need new brake pads soon, but the service dept didn't even bother to check those (you'd think if they claim the brake fluid is in bad shape they'd check the brakes / brake pads).

[adam2562]

there are certain months at toyota that whichever service writer sell the most BG services aka all those flsh's they triedsellingyou.. then they get a bonus.. so thats all he's trying to do...

[Jackass-Jeff]

THey get a Salary. On top of that, they have a/multiple Survey bonuses. On top of that, they get commission which is a % based on how much they made the company... so if they hit 30k for the month, they get x%, if they hit 40K, thget y%, etc

They are always other little bonuses involved too...

[Chris A]

Tranny flush is a joke.. They pull a hose from the tranny and suck out the old and replace it with new.. A good transmission shop will drop the Pan change the Filter then replace the oil. I had a quote for $80.00 Changing the filter and dropping the pan will remove any metal that has settled in the pan... A flush will not remove the junk in the bottom of a pan that settles there..

Read your owners manual.. It states exactly what needs to be done at 30,000 miles and so on..

[Turbosolara]

I think the fluid looks fine and i believe they only recommend you to replace at 60000 miles?

if it is bad, it would looks dark.

[Whatever]

Man I feel like I got riped off, because I just done the exact same things for $280. My car is around 30k too. I should've ask around before I do those.

[ezshift5]

..or you coulda bought a stick and do nothing.....................