I have my 2000 CE Camry for 8 years now. I have only driven it 55,000
miles. Over the years I didn't follow the maintenance schedule that
Toyota suggested. The maintenance was mostly done according to the
mileage instead of the time period. But I didn't keep track what
maintenance has been done on my car. Now I think I should have my car
maintained before my upcoming two-week driving trip. What maintenance
should I have a auto shop do?
I want to save money (it's a 2000 car anyway) and get quality work
too. Should I take it to a dealer, some chain stores like Sears, or a
local garage specialized in Toyota cars? I lean towards a chain store
like Sears because they should be cheaper than Toyota dealers. They
wouldn't rip customers off intentionally like a small auto shop might
do.
Would you suggest some other auto shops similar to Sears?
Mark A - 20 Aug 2008 15:35 GMT
>I have my 2000 CE Camry for 8 years now. I have only driven it 55,000
> miles. Over the years I didn't follow the maintenance schedule that
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Would you suggest some other auto shops similar to Sears?
Check your dealer web page for service specials. I would use a dealer or
shop that specializes in Toyota for these services:
- Transmission fluid change (usually a flush not needed)
- Radiator fluid change (usually a flush is not needed)
- inspect the brakes (most places will do this for free with any other
service)
The chain stores are not going to have personnel who are as familiar with
your Toyota, and their prices are often very high (they have been
investigated by the FTC and fined several times for deceptive trade
practices). Other chain stores are typically just as bad.
Any decent shop or oil change place can do these (but bring your own Toyota
oil filter or other high quality oil filter for an oil change):
- change air filter
- Oil and filter change
cicada - 20 Aug 2008 17:45 GMT
> >I have my 2000 CE Camry for 8 years now. I have only driven it 55,000
> > miles. Over the years I didn't follow the maintenance schedule that
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -
When you say "- Transmission fluid change (usually a flush not needed)
- Radiator fluid change (usually a flush is not needed)", what's the
difference between a change and a flush?
Thanks for helping.
ransley - 20 Aug 2008 17:50 GMT
> > "cicada" <ryinm...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
[quoted text clipped - 45 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -
A trans flush is done with a machine, it is not necessary, a radiator
flush is with clean water pumped through, that is a good idea.
ransley - 20 Aug 2008 15:54 GMT
> I have my 2000 CE Camry for 8 years now. I have only driven it 55,000
> miles. Over the years I didn't follow the maintenance schedule that
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Would you suggest some other auto shops similar to Sears?
Call mechanics and get bids on oil changes, Sears just riped me off on
oil and I battery, I stopped payment and won. local mechanics are
usualy better since they get their reputation by word of mouth. You
dont need much, trans, differentail, engine oil, cooling flush, read
your manual.
Sparki - 21 Aug 2008 01:20 GMT
I would never trust Sears again. They tried to RIP me off big time.
On Aug 20, 5:37 am, cicada <ryinm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have my 2000 CE Camry for 8 years now. I have only driven it 55,000
> miles. Over the years I didn't follow the maintenance schedule that
> Toyota suggested. The maintenance was mostly done according to the
> mileage instead of the time period. But I didn't keep track what
> maintenance has been done on my car. Now I think I should have my car
> maintained before my upcoming two-week driving trip. What maintenance
> should I have a auto shop do?
>
> I want to save money (it's a 2000 car anyway) and get quality work
> too. Should I take it to a dealer, some chain stores like Sears, or a
> local garage specialized in Toyota cars? I lean towards a chain store
> like Sears because they should be cheaper than Toyota dealers. They
> wouldn't rip customers off intentionally like a small auto shop might
> do.
>
> Would you suggest some other auto shops similar to Sears?
Call mechanics and get bids on oil changes, Sears just riped me off on
oil and I battery, I stopped payment and won. local mechanics are
usualy better since they get their reputation by word of mouth. You
dont need much, trans, differentail, engine oil, cooling flush, read
your manual.
johngdole@hotmail.com - 21 Aug 2008 02:22 GMT
Ditto. Places like Sears, Midas, Monroe, Pep Boys, etc I'd avoid
because of the higher cost and quality issues you read about.
> Call mechanics and get bids on oil changes, Sears just riped me off on
> oil and I battery, I stopped payment and won. local mechanics are
> usualy better since they get their reputation by word of mouth. You
> dont need much, trans, differentail, engine oil, cooling flush, read
> your manual.
johngdole@hotmail.com - 21 Aug 2008 02:06 GMT
Finding a good mechanic is hard. Even at the dealer. Most of the time
the service writer assigns the job to the lowest paid (they're all
independent contrators) and pocket the difference.
An independent mechanic with good references is probably the second
best, next to doing the job yourself. But for those who aren't
mechanically inclined, a good indep mechanic is probably the best
option in terms of value.
In addition to what others said:
Transmission:
I'd prefer to have the pan dropped and strainer replaced as well. An
ATF kit (strainer/gasket) is about $15-20. See what sludge you find at
the bottom of the pan. I doubt there are power flush machines any
more, but they're really power "fluid exchangers". Power flush stirs
up debris and can *help* plug the valve bodies. Honda does NOT
recommend power flush but drain/refill three times with a short drive
in between.
Brake fluid flush:
Use a Low Moisture Activity fluid, like Castrol GT LMA or Valvoline.
The dealer CCI fluid sucks.
PS fluid flush:
Regularly use a small pump and refill the reservoir is the easiest.
Coolant:
Use Toyota Red every 2 years with distilled water instead of Toyota
Pink, which demonstrated higher corrosion rates.
It's also time for your timing service, including all belts and hoses
and tires.
Parts I'd replace duirng a timing belt job: (older www.rockauto.com
prices for 3/5SFE)
GATES TCK199 (kit of timing belt with two pulleys and instruction)
$84.79
GATES Part # K030295 PS belt $4.32
GATES Part # K050435 Alt/AC $12.12
FEL-PRO TCS45641 Cam seal $4.11
FEL-PRO TCS45920 Crank seal $6.04
BCA Part # 221820 Oil pump seal $2.71
AISIN (Toyota #16110-79185) water pump $58.79
your local NAPA store has Airtex water pump
FEL-PRO VS50304R valve cover gasket set $13.94
> I have my 2000 CE Camry for 8 years now. I have only driven it 55,000
> miles. Over the years I didn't follow the maintenance schedule that
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Would you suggest some other auto shops similar to Sears?