Looking for some help from people who know a little bit more about cars than I do! So, I took my Toyota Rav4 hybrid (2021) in for a check up before an upcoming trip. I got a huge list of things that “should be” done. The problem is that I can’t decipher what is “real” from what is “really not necessary.” This is what I was told should be done
cabin air filter replaced $110
factory maintenance 30K $80
engine air filter $70
fuel injection flush $230
transmission service $250
rear differential flush $155
Tire rotation $80
Some of this sounds unnecessary to me, like anything with the word “flush” in it, but I have no idea. Thanks so much for any advice/help.
The car came with a recommended maintenance schedule. You don’t need to rely on anyone else or do any wondering. Just find that booklet, and follow that schedule.
I change my air and cabin filter every 20k. Order oem on line. Also order oem oil filters. Use only Mobil 1. I have my trans, transfer case, and differential fluid changed by the dealer I trust every 30k. Tire rotation every 6000. Brake fluid every 3 years or so. Suit yourself.
I have a 2017 not hybrid I take for an oil change and tire rotation every year minimum to keep warranty, bought Dealer warranty at the end of 3 year lease, good through 2027 bumper to bumper, only 27k on it but no extra suggestions from the dealer.
Fuel injection flush is NOT part of normal maintenance. You can do it yourself by just adding a bottle of fuel injector cleaner at your next fill-up. Not sure what specifically is covered under Factory Maintenance for $80. The rest are necessary, but seem awfully pricy. Cabin filter for $110? It’s a 5 minute job and the OEM filter is $40. Engine air filter is also about $40 and is at most a 2 minute job. Do yourself a favor and find a good independent mechanic and have them do it or do it yourself and save even more money.
Neither is a transmission service for an automatic, but yet it is recommended by most..
But both the professional fuel system cleaning and the trans service is recommended in the MAP standards…
A professional fuel system cleaning is a decarbonization of the induction side of the intake system… fwiw
A FST is no more a repair than a trans service, it is a preventive maintenance item… But it can be added to a repair when a system is blocked from carbon or the valves are carboned up…
A bottle is like brushing your teeth, a FST is like a deep cleaning at the dentist…
@carbuyers123_194244 If you have not done so use your search engine for videos on changing the cabin filter and the engine filter which can be bought at Wally World . Not that hard to do but those are normal dealer prices .