Maintenance Service on 2021 Tacoma...this is what I was told today.

I'm new to the area and found a shop to do some work on my truck. They get good reviews and look like a decent shop. I was just in for a special they were running: Full synthetic oil change, tire rotation/balance all for $80. Brought my truck in for this and then the service guy came out with a whole list of items for me to have done on my truck (see attached photo). I declined all of them until I had the time to research and look at the fluids/items myself. My truck has 48,000 miles on it and is not driven under off road or used for towing.

I found this thread herehttps://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-maintenance-intervals-simplified.766505/ which give a great summary of what is needed to be done and when. I can see possibly the power steering/brake fluid but even those look good.

So I thought this guy was trying to upsell me for some pricey service. Even if I decided to do some of these things I'd shop around for another shop to do it. Some of the reviews of this place mention their service prices are on par with a dealership.

I know a little about vehicle maintenance but wanted to get thoughts here if I'm looking at this correctly AND if those prices are high. Thanks!

 

The only things I would consider on that list at your mileage are the diffs and transfer case fluid swap, but even those aren't really necessary at your mileage if you aren't hard on the truck. I have 106k on mine and have yet to do a brake or power steering fluid swap. Toyota recommends coolant at 100k which I did at 85k. Same with tranny fluid, did mine at 100k.

 

You can do the diffs and transfer case yourself if you’re mechanical inclined. There are many tutorials online to guide you. I would use Redline LF in the transfer case.

 

$1,200 damn

 

The diffs/t case are super easy to do

 

Agree that only the front/rear differentials and transfer case may need service. Cost is under $200 plus a couple hours of your time. You don't have to be mechanically inclined just able to follow and execute basic procedures.

 

That's what I was thinking as well. I used to have a T100 and never recall doing this much maintenance at so few miles. Like I mentioned I'm not at all hard on this truck.

 

I use to do some mechanical things but getting too old for those now...plus I don't have the space to even work on this. I'm not going to do this now, but there are other shops in my local area and I can get pricing from them.

 

Yep...said the same thing but not in that word...LOL!!!

 

Understand that the point of an $80 service like you received is to find other things that may need servicing.
They lost money on the initial work.

 

If you do any fluid drains FIRST be sure the fill plug is open.

 

The prices are reasonable. Check your manual to see what is recommended.

 

Yes...I agree. I know a "bit" about maintenance on vehicles but feel bad for those that have all this done at the same time.

 

This past weekend I had the 4 Runner in for its Toyota care oil change and while waiting by the service desk. The service writer soaked this older lady driving a new Camry with less than 12K for $800 bucks AC deodorizer/brake fluid flush/intake cleaner/rotate balance/air and cabin filters/wiper blades/front end alignment and power steering fluid change. I told the lady when she goes to pay tell the service writer the front end alignment is under warranty.

 

We Americans treat brake fluid as the OG "lifetime fluid", but in reality it should be changed every 2 years.

Given your mileage, I would do the driveline fluids (Diffs, Transmission and Transfer) and power steering if you intend to keep the truck long-term.

All of those should just be drain and fill. You can use a suction pump (think big syringe with a hose) and suck out most of the PS fluid from the reservoir and refill. No "flush" or "BG Service" needed.

You have another 50k miles before I'd give the coolant any thought. Every 100k is fine with factory antifreeze.

Yes, those prices are expensive. It's a dealership, and they're quoting you book for every job. Even though the truck will go on the lift once, that subtask is added to each task, for example.

Bear in mind that I'm a maintenance nazi that re-torques lugnuts in the parking lot after the dealer rotates tires...

 

Thanks for this helpful information. This was not a dealership but a locally owned shop that also specialized in foreign vehicles like Toyota's.

 

Seems awfully pricey for an independent shop. I'd find a different one unless they have a reputation of being really good.

Shops that specialize in "imports" are fine for the German stuff, because the engineers don't take mechanics into account and usually need lots of special tools. Toyotas are ubiquitous and simple to work on.

Only caveats I would add is that there is a specific procedure for getting the right transmission level (for automatics), and I would only use the OEM fluid. Same goes for antifreeze. Otherwise, gear oil is gear oil and brake fluid is brake fluid (given that it's the correct weight/spec).

 

I agree...seems a bit steep. For those prices I'd rather go to the dealership. I did find a local FB group for my area and there are some recommendations for shops closer to me that seem reputable. When the time comes I'll approach one of them about changing the gear oil and brake fluid. As for the transmission fluid and antifreeze I think I'd rather have the dealership do those since they would use the correct procedure and fluids. With these sealed transmission cases I don't think I'd trust any mechanic.

 

Time and physical abilities are real reasons to pay someone to do something. However, it doesn't take space or mechanical abilities to do the diffs or transfer case. You just roll under the truck, drain, and fill. It just takes a socket set, a cheap transfer pump, and between 2 and 6 beers depending on who's doing it. It can be done in the garage or even a parking lot without moving the truck.

My only advice is to wait for comfortable weather. You have plenty of time. Wait till fall, watch a few YouTube videos and you'll be fine.

 

i understand the shops pov.....some drivers like to have all this done.....
but me: i only worry about stuff when it breaks