Major service for 2005 Camry

crinkles · Oct 29, 2007

I need to have my 2005 Camry (2.4L, auto) serviced soon for its 45,000km (30,000 mile) service. I live in Australia.

I try to do my own oil changes at 5000km / 3000 miles at least, otherwise midway between the majors (e.g. 7,500 km / 5000 mile OCI).

The majors I want done at the dealership to keep my resale up.

Now i booked my car in, and they said sure they'll do the 45,000km job, it involves an oil change, oil filter, and replacement spark plugs and full inspection. All for $174.

But wait - they want to throw in a "fuel system flush" for $88. And tyre rotate for $50.

SO my first question is, do I do the fuel system flush, which the dealer recommends every 20,000km? I think it's a load of crud.

The tyres I won't rotate, I have a front set and a rear set and will keep them that way, they are wearing just fine so I'll leave that.

My second question is, do I do the oil change and spark plug change myself???? We intend on keeping the car for a very long time. An oil change would cost me about $45 for the parts, not sure about the spark plugs. Can changing the spark plugs be all that difficult? I think my Camry uses iridium tipped sparkplugs which can be expensive. Will it hurt the resale if I did it myself? You never know the future, we might have to sell it if we have a rough patch.

Merkava_4 · Oct 29, 2007

Quote:

Now i booked my car in, and they said sure they'll do the 45,000km job, it involves an oil change, oil filter, and replacement spark plugs and full inspection. All for $174.

When they do the full inspection, they're going to try diligently to find other areas of the car that need labour and parts replacement; sometimes unnecessarily.

Quote:

But wait - they want to throw in a "fuel system flush" for $88.

You could pass on that unless you have clogged fuel injectors right now.

Quote:

Can changing the spark plugs be all that difficult?

On a four cylinder Camry, they're probably the easiest spark plugs on the face of the Earth to change.

MrCritical · Oct 29, 2007

Iridium spark plugs don't need changing at 45K. If you have high quality fuels, and haven't noticed a rough idle, loss of fuel mileage, or driveability problem you probably don't need a fuel system flush.

bamorris2 · Oct 29, 2007

Seriously, changing the plugs in your motor can be done in 5 minutes... Of course, for us DIY'ers, we like to stop and look at every possible detail; so it would probably take you more like 10 minutes.

And motor with only 30,000 miles on it should not need a fuel system "flush" (what is that even?) unless you have some horrible gas where you live. Have you noticed any decrease in performance? If not, then I'd pass on that one.

All in all, I'd do the entire service myself, and save about $120.

bamorris2 · Oct 29, 2007

Oh yeah, and don't forget to change your air filter, if you haven't already done so. I didn't see that mentioned...

asiancivicmaniac · Oct 30, 2007

If it is anything like the US Camry then you pretty much just need to do an oil change and if you have an auto if I were you I would drain and fill the A/T fluid. Its very easily done. All you need is a 10mm hex driver and 4 qts of fluid. You don't need the spark plugs changed. My mom's 04 Camry has iridiums and they last a long time. The dealer is trying to rip you off.

If you plan on keeping your car a long time the resale probably wouldn't matter by then. Assuming 'a long time' is 15+ years.

Eddie · Oct 30, 2007

read the owners manual and see what is required.

Merkava_4 · Oct 30, 2007

This Camry probably has a drain plug on the transmission too, right? That would be a-piece-a-cake to change fluid if that's true.

This is what I'd do with all the money I'm saving by DIY:

1. Change air filter.

2. Change cabin air filter.

3. Change engine oil and filter.

4. Drain transmission fluid and refill.

5. Suck out power steering reservoir and refill.

6. Change spark plugs (who cares if they only have 40K on them? The savings in DIY pays for them).

7. Change PCV.

8. Change coolant.

9. Check brakes (change pads and turn rotors if necessary).

10. Check accessory drive belt (change if necessary).

Tosh · Oct 30, 2007

Those plugs will last over 100k miles under normal circumstances.

Anyhow, that stealership is trying to rip you off! Never, ever go back there.

If you want to have a documented service, you can sign and date the place in the owner's manual yourself (or start a service log book). But as pointed out, if you're keeping the car a long time, why care about resale value? A completed log book and receipts for everything (including oil) will indicate to the next owner a thorough service history and avoid dealer hassle for any warranty claims.

Merkava_4 · Oct 30, 2007

Quote:

Those plugs will last over 100k miles under normal circumstances.

I'd recommend pulling them at 60K for adjusting the gap though.

The Critic · Oct 30, 2007

PZEV rated 2AZ-FE engine has a 150,000 mile service interval for the plugs.

Transmission fluid does not need to be replaced until at least 60k miles.

crinkles · Oct 30, 2007

Is it possible that the Australian Built Camry's don't have long-lasting iridium plugs in them? My owner's manual says change them... but it does seem awful short.

I got a new air filter at 33,000 km and even then the old one was still pretty good.

Right now I feel comfortable doing the oil and oil filter, just need some pointers on the spark plugs, e.g. what tools I need. I pulled the plastic cover off and there are 4 black rectangles, one for each cylinder, that are bolted with 10mm bolts to the block - I guess these are the locations for the spark plugs?

Still deciding though but I'll have to call them soon to cancel my booking.

As I am still paying my loan off, the money I save will go towards it to save on interest and to get it paid out quicker.

crinkles · Oct 30, 2007

only things that require changing are oil filter, oil, and spark plugs, weird, I know. I could scan the page sometime. The other stuff is just inspections of all the other things, which the dealer will use to "find problems that need fixing" if you catch my drift...

Tosh · Oct 30, 2007

Quote:

Is it possible that the Australian Built Camry's don't have long-lasting iridium plugs in them? My owner's manual says change them... but it does seem awful short.

I got a new air filter at 33,000 km and even then the old one was still pretty good.

Does the owner's manual give a sparkplug replacement part number? If you tell it to us, someone can tell what type it is. But if the OM tells you to replace them, then you might consider doing it. (It's not part of the 'severe service' schedule, is it?)

Knock the crud out of the air filter and decide if it's still useable. If you drive in a dirt free environment, it might not need changing for a long time.

benjamming · Oct 30, 2007

The minute amount of service that OEMs listed as required is not uncommon to show low maintenance costs to the general public. Don't confuse this with reality where items that do need replacing much more often such as ATF, power steering fluid, etc. on a much more frequent basis. This reality doesn't usually coincide with OEM plan$. The dealers will often try to upsell other 'services' but they usually pick the wrong ones, i.e. high profit makers such as 'fuel injector cleaning' where they may simply pour a bottle of Techron in the fuel tank & charge you $85.

chrome · Oct 31, 2007

It depends on how much you "value" that dealer stamp for 45K service. $174 sounds reasonable for what they plan to do, ie. oil, oil filter, spark plugs and tyre rotation. As a comparison, my 04 Honda Accord V6 was quoted AU$190 for a 70K km service, which only involved oil, general inspection and tyre rotation, no oil filter, no spark plugs.

NGK Australia lists the stock plugs on your Camry as IFR6T-11, which is an iridium tipped plug. I would say changing them out this early would be a waste, as they will easily go double the distance. Spark plug changes on your engine is relatively easy, just remove the plastic cover over the engine, 4 coil packs, and you can pull the plugs easily.

So it boils down to "Is the dealer stamp on your service booklet worth the $170+ they are charging?"... as you can easily do the service yourself for a lot less $$.

Norse · Nov 1, 2007

Don't forget to change the air in your tires. You don't want that getting stale

JK

crinkles · Nov 1, 2007

SO i've decided to do it myself. TOmorrow it's parts shopping woohoo!

Just need oil, spark plugs and some PSF. PSF seems a bit low. I have a left over Denso oil filter.

I'll inspect the other fluids, doubt I'll change them.

I am thinking about Castrol Edge Sport 5W-30 (Synthetic) ($30 / 5L on special), would this be an issue with my camry? Or should I go 10W-30 mineral for similar prices.

Bugger is I need a socket extension 8" to reach the spark plug down the hole. The money I save in doing it myself will pay for it, plus, then I have some more tools for my collection.

Now I need to learn how to change the brake fluid at the 60,000km service.

Merkava_4 · Nov 1, 2007

Quote:

Bugger is I need a socket extension 8" to reach the spark plug down the hole. The money I save in doing it myself will pay for it, plus, then I have some more tools for my collection.

That's why I like doing my own work; it gives me an excuse to buy more tools if need be.

I don't see a problem with the 5W-30 Castrol synthetic, but lets see what the other guys say.

crinkles · Nov 2, 2007

The owner's manual isn't really clear.

quote from the tech specs:

"2AZ-FE engine (TYPE A)
Denso K20R-U11
NGK BKR6EYA-11

2AZ-FE engine (Type B)
Denso SK20R11
NGK IFR6A11"

Gap is 1.1mm

Anyhow, I bought the NGK's for Type A (How do I know whether I have engine A or B????). They are V-notch nickel plugs for $3.49 each.

NGK's website says the BKR6EYA-11 has a replacement interval of 20-40,000km, while the IFR6A11 has 60,000km.

SO if Toyota recommends a 45,000km change interval for the spark plugs (which is the normal, not heavy schedule) they would have put in the non-iridium ones? Logical conclusion?

In any case, I will find out what I have once I pull them out.

even more confusing is the text of the manual - says you must use iridium plugs like the world is going to end. If they are so good, why are they being recommended for replacement every 45k km?

So i bought 4 of those spark plugs,

1/2" rachet drive , 3", 6" and 8" extension for the rachet, and a 16mm spark plug socket.

Also got Castrol 5W-30 and some Castrol dexron III for the power steering system.

All up cost me $78 - $100 cheaper. I might also change the ATF in the coming weeks.

Major service for 2005 Camry

Similar threads