Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am looking to get a 60,000 mile servicing for my car - it's a 2001 Toyota Corolla. Once of the Toyota servicing centers gave me a quote of $550 for the following services:
Oil and filter change
Tire rotation and balance
Air filter
Transmission service
Coolant service
Fuel induction service
Fuel injector service
AC refresher
Is this the standard service? I thought the timing belt needs to be replaced at this time? Please advice.
Timing belt may need to be inspected but should be good for another 30-40K miles. Although, I'm not sure if Toyota still recommends replacement at 60K miles.
In all likelihood, you should be able to wait until about 90K miles, and also get water pump replaced with timing belt. You would be looking at about $600-700, for that service.
I will also recommend you to price compare the listed items for servicing, if you want to save a few bucks now. Dealers can often be lot more expensive than other service centers.
Keep in mind a lot (well I would say all IMO) of timing belts are also limited by time. In my Volvo the recommended replacement interval is 70k miles or 5 years. This is because heat and age add up to start cracking the rubber belts.
Services are known as gravy--a lot of flat rate hours for the mechanic for not a lot of time. There's nothing wrong with this, but since you've done a good job of listing the services, why not assign them prices individually? Then you can really see if you're getting your money's worth.
It's been half a dozen years since I've operated a shop, but my roughest guess is as follows:
Oil change, around 30-35 bucks.
Tire rotation, 20--why do they need to balance them, unless you have shimmy? At this mileage, you've probably already replaced them-rotating should be sufficient.
Air filter--20-30 bucks
Transmission service-- I assume this is a flush--not sure what is being charged now, 75-100?
Coolant service--this should include a thermostat, in my experience--flush and fill, maybe 75?
Fuel induction service--this is more properly air induction, I believe--cleaning throttle body, deposits from valves etc. At your mileage, questionable. There are a few vehicles prone to carbon buildup--a knowledgeable shop should be able to determine if your engine is one of them
Fuel injection service--I have never been convinced of the value of this. Some shops charge 50-75 dollars. You'd be better off buying a bottle of slick 50 fuel treatment, and then using the rest of the money you save to install a new fuel filter.
A/C refresher--never heard of this. If your system is sealed and not leaking, there is nothing to refresh. Sounds like more snake oil. Maybe there's some new reason or treatment while I've been out of the biz, but I remain skeptical.
It appears to me the dollars they want to charge you are far more than the individual value of the services. Worse, there are a couple of questionable value (Fuel flush and A/C refresher) and a couple services that, as an owner, I would want done--thermostat and brake fluid flush.
I would find an independent shop with a toyota-trained tech that will used factory parts. This will take a little more searching, but in the long run your car will be happier.
It has a timing chain which lasts pretty much forever.
If a shop ever mentions a timing belt on your car....RUN, don't walk, outta there!
How do you know what cars do and do not have a timing belt?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Thank you!
