I have a 2004 Solara and I am approaching 60,000 miles, at which point Toyota recommends bringing it in for service. I've never been late on an oil change and I may be a little late on replacing my air filter, but do I really need to spend upwards of $500 for this service?

I can't afford that right now, but I'd like to know how critical it is so I can start saving up if necessary. I assume I can go to a regular mechanic instead of the dealership - if so, how much could I save?

I've always gone by the recommended maintenance in my service guide for my Ford Focus. Most cars will either recommend getting the transmission fluid or the coolant fluid flushed at every 15,000 miles (they alternate...ie coolant at 45K, transmission at 60K).

Look in your manual, and see what they recommend. Just don't let a dealer sell you something that's not on the recommended service guide.

Hope that helps...those 15K intervals suck for the pocketbook, but they should help the car last...

What is included in the service?

I meant to mention that nearly $500 seems really steep.

You should be able to take it to any other mechanic, even Sears or Walmart, and get a better price. From my experiences, they're also less likely to screw you over...

Per the website, service includes:

Replace engine oil and oil filter 1
Rotate tires
Replace cabin air filter (if equipped)
Replace engine air filter
Inspect the following:
Ball joints and dust covers
Brake lines and hoses
Brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs 3
Differential oil
Drive belts 4
Drive shaft boots
Engine coolant
Engine valve clearance
Exhaust pipes and mountings
Fuel lines and connections, fuel tank band and fuel tank vapor vent system hoses
Fuel tank cap gasket
Radiator core and condenser
Steering gear box
Steering linkage and boots
Transmission fluid or oil



Online forums showed people being quoted $500-ish but I haven't called the Dallas dealership yet. To me that sounds ridiculous to replace 3 filters and inspect the rest, but obviously I don't have a frame of reference.

I'm about to blow $550 on my Lexus tomorrow and they're at least flushing out the transmission fluid, detailing it nicely and giving me a free loaner, in addition to everything you listed.

Are you sure your price doesn't include a transmission flush?

here's some money


here's a toilet

Hah! wait till you get to your 90k service! talk about a reaming!

At Sterling McCall in Houston if you call they will quote you the "Dealer Recommended Service" but you can request the "manufacturer recommended service" and it is considerably less. I was at least impressed that they have a price sheet, for the customer no less, showing the costs for their recommended service and the manufacturer recommended service. I just went with the latter on my 90k and it saved a couple hundred bucks. Of course in addition to schedule maintenance, at 90k you have to replace your timing belt, and since the labor is the same for the water pump, get that done, so you don't have to pay for the same labor again when the pump goes out.

on my '02 4runner, I had 90k service and replaced the timing belt, the water pump, my antenna mast (friggin $180!!!) my drive belt, and a brake light replaced. $1,111, and a free loaner car!

start saving now.

I'm glad the Celicas have a timing chain. The engine is way too tight in its little hole to really get at anything.

I think the 45K mile service would've been 3-400 but the only thing out of the ordinary oil / rotate tires they would've been is change out the antifreeze. I can do that on my own.

do the 90k service, skip the 60k.
Shop around for the 90k, it is negoitable.

NEVER skip the timing chain on a toyo... most of them are interference engines!!!

Dude, you can get your diff & oil changed at any shop. I would still get it done however.

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Replace engine oil and oil filter 1
Rotate tires
Replace cabin air filter (if equipped)
Replace engine air filter

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Is that all they actually change and just inspect the rest? At best they'll top off the fluids that are low and might recommend a costly repair that costs extra. That's a massive ripoff for $500.

I thought Toyotas were supposed to run forever without much maintenance. If you have to spend two grand on routine maintenance before 100K miles that's not all that great.

The difference between Toyotas/Hondas/etc. and less reliable brands is the lack of UNscheduled maintenance. Their scheduled maintenance is probably about the same as others. Of course Toyota dealers in general suck just as much as others and will try very hard to get "dealer recommended" service items done at extra cost.

I think $500 sounds high for the scheduled work. A valve clearance inspection might involve some labor. I'd want a breakdown of that $500 - how much for labor, each service item etc.

My Honda Element just passed 60K and the dealer said if it was running good just to do another oil change and change out air filter. Lute Riley in Dallas.

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NEVER skip the timing chain on a toyo... most of them are interference engines!!!

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I don't think the timing chain is an item on the list... the car is back in TX so I can't just go have a peek at the book. Timing belts are good for what, 45K? I go with 3 years / 30K on my 944 but that's paranoia talking.

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Timing belts are good for what, 45K? I go with 3 years / 30K on my 944 but that's paranoia talking.

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From my Honda days I think I remember them being about 60-70K miles in most cases. It could be higher now. Then you have people like my parents who just drive the car till the belt snaps at 120K.

[This message has been edited by p_bubel (edited 8/3/2007 4:28p).]

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lack of UNscheduled maintenance

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You could "schedule" an entirely new engine and it would fall into your definition.