1k for a 30k miles maintenance?

[ar355]

I have a 07 Camry, drive mainly on the weekend under 7k miles per year (32k so far for 5 years).

I dropped it off last night @the dealer, and he suggested a total of 1k maintenance package which includes rear brake disks, battery, trans fluid & some minor tune up.

Is that necessary?

I am not the best driver in the world (according to my wife: I brake & accelerate too often, although I think I am OK), but come on, 1k sounds a bit too much to me.

BTW, I have never done any major tune up. Oil changes every 6 months.

[Brian R.]

See the following link for recommended maintenance for your vehicle.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenance/guide-page.html

In answer to your question: If your car starts, you don't need a battery. The rear brakes need to be replaced if you have less than a specific amount of brake pad lining left. The discs only need to be replaced if they are out of specification limits (not normally at 30 k). The transmission fluid may need to be drained and filled, depending on your driving habits, but not at 30 k under normal driving conditions.

All in all, you are being taken to the cleaners unless you have really bad driving habits.

[ar355]

How do u guys find a good honest repair shop?
Is AAA approved shop good?
There is only (1) in Queens, NY.

[Brian R.]

For mechanic recommendations, try here. Bottom right of the linked page.

Getting a recommendation from AAA is better than no recommendation at all, but I don't know how they decide what shops are approved. Maybe it is only mechanics who agree to charge AAA a predetermined fee for services and quality is not taken into account. May be the best mechanics in the world. I don't know, but I haven't used a AAA recommendation to decide where to bring my car. I have always relied on recommendations from reasonably knowledgable coworkers or neighbors.

[ricebike]

you're in ny... bound to be ripped off!

if you were closer, i'll do all that for $100 plus the cost of parts!!!

autozone does a free battery test right on your vehicle...

rear discs only? or the brake pads are worn as well? should have been quoted to do both the pads and rotors...

trans fluid change is easy to do as well

what's the other maintenance stuff as listed on your quote?

[inafogg]

.

I dropped it off last night @the dealer, and he suggested a total of 1k maintenance package which includes rear brake disks, battery, trans fluid & some minor tune up.

a 30k service usually includes replacing all fluids oil.antifreeze,brake,trans etc.
a minor tune, plugs filters
every thing else is a check or adjust thing aka rotate tires brake adj
if it were me i'd pass on the 30k service
change oil,coolant,and air/fuel filters & you should be ok
as far as a good repair shop,ask around word of mouth is worth alot

Good luck

[jdmccright]

The operative word is "suggested". Ask him what is NEEDED.

Brakes at 32k may be worn down but not necessarily gone, fronts more than rears. They'll squeal to let you know they're nearing the end.

Battery, if original, at 4 years old is getting near the realistic life limit...most don't last more than 5 years, regardless of the warranty.

Transmission fluid I've seen service intervals on older cars at 30k miles, but newer ones under some driving conditions are filled for life. I would expect a change around the 50k range...check your owner's manual.

Spark plugs are usually iridium and changed at 100k miles or longer.

Coolant is usually changed at 150k miles or 5 years.

Even if all this were done by a reputable independent shop, it would cost about 1/3 as much. Tell them where they can stick their estimate.

[ar355]

Thank you very much for all the suggestions!

[ar355]

Originally Posted by ricebike

rear discs only? or the brake pads are worn as well? should have been quoted to do both the pads and rotors...

I am not too sure.
According to him, the front is 5-7mm, and the back is only 3mm.

[Karboodle]

When in doubt follow the maintenance schedule that is in your owner's manual. In regards to finding a mechanic that you can trust it's always a good idea to ask around for recommendations. It's likely that a friend, family member, or colleague knows a mechanic. If there is a personal connection you will probably feel more comfortable.

[dtownfb]

Based on the your mileage, you should only have to change the oil and rotate the tires.

The coolant and transmission fluid are long life and DO NOT need to be changed at 32k miles. Because of your limited miles, it may not be a bad idea to change these fluids earlier but not at 32k miles.

There is a TSB (see attached file) for premature wear for the rear brake pads. the fix is a re-designed brake pad. I would get that replaced.

I would follow the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual as others have suggested.

Good luck.