# 30k miles check-up...Regular of upgrade **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** corolla, toyota\ **Created:** [January 21, 2010, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/30k-miles-check-up-regular-of-upgrade/42962 "2010-01-21T19:52:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![asealy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e19b73/32.png) [@asealy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asealy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/30k-miles-check-up-regular-of-upgrade/42962/1 "2010-01-21T19:52:39Z")
My dealer offers various levels of a 30k check-up…the basic one is $199.99 and includes \*Change Engine oil and Oil filter \*Replace Air filter \*Inspect Ball joints & dust covers \*Inspect Brake lines, hoses & connections \*Inspect Brake pads & linings \*Inspect Coolant \*Inspect Differential fluid \*Inspect boots & seals Drive axles \*Inspect Exhaust system \*Inspect Fuel filler cap \*Inspect Fuel system \*Inspect Steering gearbox \*Inspect Steering linkage \*Inspect Transmission fluid \*Rotate Wheels & tires and the next one is $499.99 and include the above plus: Upgrade To Semi-Synthetic Engine Oil Exceeds requirements of today?s high-performance engines Specially formulated for stop & go driving Install Fuel System Treatment Helps prevent combustion-chamber & intake valve deposit build-up Clean Throttle Body Cleans and removes carbon and resin deposits from throttle-body Perform Battery Protection Service Removes harmful corrosive build-up from battery and install battery terminal protectors Clean & Adjust Rear Brakes / Parking Brake (if applicable) Certified Vehicle Inspection Head lights / Tail Lights / Turn Signals/ Brake Lights Hazard & Dash Warning Lights / Check Horn Operation Install & Refresh Windshield Washer Solvent if applicable Top Off All Fluids As Necessary Check For Manufacturer Service Campaigns Check Tire Pressures & Tire Wear Road Test Vehicle …is the upgraded 30k check up worth the money? ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/30k-miles-check-up-regular-of-upgrade/42962/2 "2010-01-21T20:04:18Z")
No, and neither was the standard service worth the money. Check this, inspect that, all that stuff takes 10 minutes… ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/30k-miles-check-up-regular-of-upgrade/42962/3 "2010-01-21T20:11:23Z")
I agree w/Caddyman, dealers are making big money ‘upselling’ folks for unneeded services. Find yourself a good independent mechanic, he should be willing to do the 30k services for much less than the dealer. Just look in your owner’s manual and make a list of required work. ---
**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/30k-miles-check-up-regular-of-upgrade/42962/4 "2010-01-21T20:17:46Z")
The 30k service on my wife’s 2006 Sienna will consist of an oil change by my local mechanic for $40. I know the the van will be looked over thoroughly and if anything needs fixing he’ll let me know. Most of the inspection items on the list you can do yourself for free. I use the maintenance schedule in the Owner’s Manual and check the fluid levels (oil, trans, coolant, etc) and tire pressure between oil changes. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/30k-miles-check-up-regular-of-upgrade/42962/5 "2010-01-21T21:00:43Z")
Take out your owner’s manual, see what actually needs to be done, and get a price on that. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/30k-miles-check-up-regular-of-upgrade/42962/6 "2010-01-21T21:08:54Z")
Agree; at 30,000 miles very few engines need to be “cleaned out”. My Toyota 30,000 miles or so service includes replacing air filter, replace cabin air filter, and an oil & filter change. It also includes all fluid level inspections (checking). That’s the dealer’s list and it’s the same as in the manual. An independent would likely do this for about $80 or so. ---
**Author:** ![UncleTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9a140/32.png) [@UncleTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UncleTurbo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/30k-miles-check-up-regular-of-upgrade/42962/7 "2010-01-21T21:34:15Z")
No to the upgrade. No to the $199 service as well. Take it to a good independant shop. Get an oil change and filter. Get a new air filter. Have the transmission fluid changed (not flushed) with a new transmission filter. Will cost less than the dealer’s $199 and you’ll get more important items serviced, mainly your automatic transmission. Every shop would inspect all the stuff as part of the normal process but bring the inspection list and ask them to check the same items for you. ---
**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/30k-miles-check-up-regular-of-upgrade/42962/8 "2010-01-21T21:37:47Z")
I would suggest adding a ATF fluid change out if you have an auto trans. I think there is general consensus that changing out this fluid every 30K or so should be done, regardless of what the owner’s manual says. ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/30k-miles-check-up-regular-of-upgrade/42962/9 "2010-01-22T01:11:15Z")
You’re paying $200 for someone to change the oil, air filter and rotate tires. The inspection stuff should be done on normal, non-30k service, oil changes as well. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 1:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/30k-miles-check-up-regular-of-upgrade/42962/10 "2010-01-22T01:12:26Z")
Find an independent mechanic (recommended by friends and family) and ask what the cost of the manufacturer’s 30,000 mile service is. I’d bet it’s about $60. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 4:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/30k-miles-check-up-regular-of-upgrade/42962/11 "2010-01-22T04:13:35Z")
Agree. For about $40 I got the oil change, tire rotation, and inspection of all that other stuff plus a car wash. Way over priced. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 12:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/30k-miles-check-up-regular-of-upgrade/42962/12 "2010-01-22T12:11:53Z")
Look at your owner’s manual and take that list to a local (not dealer not chain) mechanic and have the work done there. All the additional cost of the dealer’s deal is just dealer profit.