Last week the ever-helpful "MAINT REQD" (Maintenance Required) idiot-nee-warning light popped up in our long-term Camry. The car was not, as the screaming-yellow beacon intimated, on the verge of catastrophe; we were simply a thousand (2,541) miles or so past the 15,000mi recommended service. Phew.
The service included inspections of the brakes, tires, belts, hoses, lines, bolts and the battery...
As well as an oil change, air filter replacement, and a transmission drain-and-fill to keep that six-speed autobox working as effectively, and smoothly as we’ve become accustom.
The damage? $162.11, about $15 more than the Edmunds’ Maintenance tracker estimates.
But, at 17,541 miles, we’re only a few weeks away from another vague warning light, and another trip to our friendly Toyota dealer for the 20,000 mile service.
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant @ 17,541 miles.
The damage? $162.11, about $15 more than the Edmunds’ Maintenance tracker estimates.
But, at 17,541 miles, we’re only a few weeks away from another vague warning light, and another trip to our friendly Toyota dealer for the 20,000 mile service.
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant @ 17,541 miles.
carfreak8394 says:
04:06 PM, 07/13/07
Isn't the car you guys purchased a Toyota Camry LE V6?
baccus49 says:
04:06 PM, 07/13/07
I don't think you need to change the transmission for the life time of your car. Those fluid uses in the 6sp is a long life WS fluid.
boxermike says:
04:09 PM, 07/13/07
Carfreak, it sure is! Fixed.
mopar424 says:
04:18 PM, 07/13/07
Question: Ive heard (from a toyota owner) that Toyota will cancel your warranty if you do not take the car to the DEALER for service EVERY time the light comes on, is this true? I was really surprised to hear that, and I wasnt a toyota fan before..
bimmerjay says:
05:15 PM, 07/13/07
mopar424, I think that's actually illegal. Urban legend, maybe? They can refuse a warranty repair due to obvious owner neglect, but having your oil changed at a quick lube is certainly not that!
I thought it was an LE V6 too - astute observation, carfreak!
texases says:
07:37 PM, 07/13/07
Transmission drain and fill-great example of dealer rip-off. My Lexus dealer pressured me on that, I refused, they refused to stamp the warranty book. grrr
mopar424 says:
12:50 AM, 07/14/07
I think that is exactly the situation I was referring to, texases. rediculous toyota.
alpha01 says:
10:59 AM, 07/14/07
Am I the only one that feels 2500 miles past due for an oil change is fairly excessive? I hate to go 1K past the 3750 recommendation for my '03 Nissan.....
unibody says:
11:03 AM, 07/14/07
Wow did you get screwed hard. I just checked Toyota's website in regards to maintenance (smg.toyotapartsandservice.com) and it says nothing about changing your automatic transmission fluid (I checked all the way up to 120k). Only if you use your vehicle to tow, it is suggested that you change your trans fluid at 60k and 120k. They were also supposed to rotate the tires and clean the cabin filter. What a scam. Which dealership was this (so we can stay away)?
roar02ram says:
11:02 AM, 07/15/07
Yeah, I don't think anyone would every CANCEL a warranty because it wasn't serviced at a dealer, but it's sure a lot harder to point a finger at the consumer when the car was serviced at a dealer every time than if it was serviced at Jiffy Lube, etc. Remember, dealers pay to have their techs trained by the factory. Plus, read your warranty books - most state something in regards to following the manufacturer's suggested maintainence schedule as proof of maintenance. As for the Lexus dealer - well, I think Lexus ought to hear about that, particularly since you were sticking to LEXUS' recommended service. A manufacturer will not hold you responsible for not following a dealer's service schedule.
texases says:
06:09 PM, 07/15/07
Re: Lexus service and unneeded work: I wrote Lexus a letter, heard nothing, not even a form "Thanks for your comments" letter. I quit going there for service. Too bad, nice place otherwise.
ahightower says:
09:34 AM, 07/16/07
That's absurd for the warning light to come on because of that. People don't know if they have a serious problem or not. Oil life monitor's great, let me know when a change is needed. But don't scare me thinking the engine is about to blow up unless I run to the nearest Toyota dealer to pay for some overpriced BS.
sodaguy says:
10:45 AM, 07/16/07
Which dealer did you use? Miller Toyota? Toyota of Santa Monica?