Dealer service worth it or run from it?

Dealer gives me a list of 1800 worth of services for 90K...all I think I need is a oil change, 4x4 service, PCV, and maybe a coolant flush...they say I need a power steering fluid flush ( 225 ) brake fluid flush ( 235) Induction cleaning (195) and spark plugs (535) ?
When do you change the tranny fluid on this rig?
2018 4Runner SR5...90K mostly highway easy miles. Love this rig, it is my rock in the winter. Thanks in advance!

 

I have a great relationship with my dealer's service department. I don't usually do everything they recommend ( like paying to change air filters ). Mostly oil / filter change, tire rotation, I'm older and don't enjoy doing that shit anymore. I have never done any "flush" on my toyota's. I would probably do the tranny fluid change soon. Check out " The Car Care Nut" on youtube, he is a toyota mechanic and does some great videos on toyota maintenance recommendations.

 

Run. The lube techs usually suck.

 

My experience with the lube techs hasn’t been stellar but maintenance work with the dealership technicians has been good.

Keeping all the fluids fresh is a good thing.

 

I was a lube tech at a dealership when I was younger. I also have a buddy who runs an auto repair shop. In my experience, it’s just a fact of the automotive world that oil and fluid changes have less profit in them, and almost all shops leverage dedicated, entry-level and often under-experienced GS (or general service) techs to perform these more menial tasks. They’re also (in smaller shops) typically the ones doing the janitor work when the shop’s less busy.

You probably have a similar, if not greater, skill level than this GS tech, and you certainly have a lot more invested in the outcome of the service. At the end of the day it’s a trade-off between what you feel your labor is worth, and the risks you’re willing to take to save that labor effort.

In reality, the situation is probably not as bad as I make it out. But the first time someone drains your oil accidentally during a state inspection, and it burns up your motor less than a mile down the road (and their lawyers school you) you’ll have a $10,000 reminder every time you weigh that risk.

 

Sounds like its the full service at that price which should include a transmission fluid change too (did mine at 50k). Think the scheduled transmission change is every 30k-50k? Ill be doing this big one around 100k.

 

Those prices sound high - especially the spark plugs. If you're not willing to DIY these items, I'd suggest getting a quote from an independent shop to see how the prices stack up.

 

i caught the dealership NOT changing my oil filter. RED HANDED. In addition it was the first oil change. If i didnt catch them that filter would have gone 20k without change.

 

The transmission fluid interval has apparently been done away with by Toyota. However see the Car Care Nut YouTube channel on this very subject.

Brake fluid needs to be changed when there is too much moisture in it. You can get this checked for free usually.

Spark plugs? See the Care Car Nut's channel on changing spark plugs on this vehicle.

A very warm welcome to you.

 

It is an interesting question. First of all I find the bill too expensive. $535 for spark plugs is way too much. Lets say you have no tools, I would bet that getting the tools, OEM spark plugs you wont even brake $100.
Start with this video and you can decide if you want to change them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcsPyhn162E

For parts I suggest
https://parts.conicellitoyotaofconshohocken.com/

For the other jobs you can also check youtube, induction cleaning I imagine is the throttle body, it´s super easy.

Brake and power steering are a bit more technical and a bit messy but doable.

For a DIY all this can be done with very little money. The question is if you are inclined to do it. Youtube is your best friend

Good luck

 

Jeez. I´m curious, thou, how did you catch them??

 

Double check some of these maintenance recs against the manual; spark plugs I know aren't due until 120k.

That one throws me off the most, both with the wrong time to do it, and the fact that it costs the most of everything. I would say they're blowing smoke, and I wouldn't pay them to do anything on my vehicle.

What is induction cleaning? At first look, that sounds like BS as well.

 

Coolant yes. Oil yes. 4x4 service? If that include drain and fil both diffs and transfer case-yes. Pcv-Maybe. Brake flush? Power steering flush? No. No. Induction cleaning? No. Spark plugs? Not yet. Needs trans drain and fill. Should be done at 50-60K.

All of these can be done by yourself for drastically cheaper. Pcv takes 5 min and $11. Spark plugs takes 2 hours and cost $60.

 

ditto on care care nut. I also am older and don’t get “down under” any more. Have had great relations with last 4 dealer service depts. yep, don’t do all they recommend.

 

I think this is key. If you establish a relationship with a service guy and a parts guy, you can explain your wants and they'll begin to know you. The service guy I regularly deal with doesn't try to upsell me, but he does let me know if something is really due, etc. Plus, I get the occasional perk or discount. Parts guys routinely will give 20% off if you know them.

 

i agree with what others have mentioned - The Car Car Nut knows his Toyotas. I watch him just to learn more.

 

Big valid point for using dealer.

On a 4th Gen well out of warranty, I had a dealer install spark plugs per maintenance schedule at my home on East coast before a long round trip to West coast. In S. Dakota the truck started periodically missing. Dealer there was unable to figure it out as it was too intermittent. Then went away. I was charged of course for diagnostics. Later in Idaho it returned and dealer there discovered a plug was over torqued and insulator cracked. I was refunded diagnostic costs and no charge for the new plug fix.

 

If you get a recommendation for something not expected just ask to be shown what they are talking about and why it needs to be done or explain in detail why a “flush” type thing, not per maintenance schedule, needs to be done.

 

Run and learn to DIY. It will save you tons of money and you will learn how to work on your 4Runner.

 

Like a couple of posts above, I'm 73 and don't get under the vehicles to often. I will still do minor stuff above. But in the past, with the exception of minor oil changes, I've found that the Dealerships are close to twice the cost of a good independent shop. Dealerships have Service "Advisors" whose job is to sell service - whether needed or not. I'm fortunate to have a good dealer near me. So my experience is the same as Post #16 above.

In your case with 90K: As mentioned above, a trans flush should be done immediately, and then every 50/60K miles. Also, check your serpentine belt. It's likely due for a change. And if you haven't already, a brake pad inspection. These newer ceramic brake pads do seem to last a long time if not abused.

My previous 2010 FJ Cruiser (which had the same drive train as the 5thG 4R) when it reached 120K I had ALL fluids changed, spark plugs, and throttle body cleaned. Also, new shocks/struts all around and a front end alignment. And another serpentine belt while they were at it. The FJ went 160K without a single issue when I traded for the 4R.

That said, if your still young enough, refer to Post #20. LOL

 

Don’t be afraid to try the spark plugs yourself. It’s very easy and there are a lot of YouTube videos. My only recommendation is ONLY use oem spark plugs

 

I agree, spark plugs are pretty easy to do, just take your time. You can purchase Denso Iridium plugs from the auto parts store for far less than the dealer. Same exact spark plugs.

 

I’m new to Toyotas but had a Honda Pilot. I’d only put oem in the car. I read to many horror stories and people having to do the job over. Is Denso the oem for Toyota? If yes i absolutely agree with you

 

#20

 

When you are closing in on 85 years old, let us know how you are doing. LOL

 

It's surprising how long some people keep at it. My grandparents retired on a little corner of what had been their farm. When he was 96 or 97, my grandfather had his "good" car up on ramps to change the oil and he neglected chock it or set the brake. As the car started rolling, the hood came down on his hand, and he had to run along the (fortunately flat) driveway until it stopped with his hand still caught. Being out in the country, it was a couple hours before a passing car discovered him kneeling in the gravel, delirious with pain. That's when we finally got him to stop driving. He was a tough old bird and he recovered well from the incident and lived past 100. (He should have quit driving at least five years earlier. His vision was poor due to cataracts and he no longer had a license or insurance).

 

As I related elsewhere, we had our '19 4Runner's fluids checked before we left on vacation. We broke down south of Lakeview, OR and north of Alturas, CA. No cell reception. Wife walked a ways and a local picked her up and took her to where there was some cell reception and called a buddy who had a tow truck. He came out and recommended we take it to Klamath Falls (~122 miles away) for repairs since there was "no one in Alturas to do the work". We got to the Toyota dealer about an hour before close. Only rental agency was closed (noon on Saturdays!). We took a cab to a hotel and Monday AM took a cab to the rental agency. Scrambled around changing room reservations, etc. By Wednesday or Thursday, we were back on schedule.

The dealer reported that the plug had not been torqued right on the rear differential, fallen out, and all the gears were stripped. $5800 in repairs! Two days later, he told us the axle had welded in place. Total was now $7100.00. Since Toyota had not done the work, it was not covered by warranty!

Good news: the servicer who changed the fluids has tentatively accepted liability and asked for a copy of the estimate. The 4Runner is still sitting in Klamath Falls waiting for a new rear end and we'll have to make a 2-3 day trip down to pick it up.

Side note: I was talking to an Army vet outside the rental agency (swapping Army stories) and mentioned that our 4Runner had broken down. His mouth dropped and he said "4Runners don't breakdown!". So I explained the whole story.

 

Toilets gets flushed, not transmissions. Drain and fill.