Shop recommended maintenance, your opinions please

[dishdude]

MIL took her 2021 Rav4 with 39k miles on it in for state safety inspection, oil change and swap snow tires to all seasons. They called and recommended the services listed below and she approved without asking anyone. Curious what the BITOG opinion is on these services. I of course have an opinion but I am refraining from sharing it since I don't want to taint responses.

 

[The_Jeff]

Might be early for the diff service but many ignore it too long. The brake service is something everybody should do more. The software is a little "hey dummy you need this" condescending but they probably have "results" from using it.

 

[burbguy82]

good price for the services if you need them

 

[Patrick0525]

Recently, my Toyota Venza AWD transfer & rear differential gear oil was changed for $60 cash. I supplied the Mobil 1 Delvac 75w-90 oil with gaskets.

 

[dubber09]

Hmm, gear oil and LS additive are separate items? Why not use oil with LS already in it.
Labor cost to remove 4 wheels, calipers, clean and lube is same as to drain and fill rear diff? I'd be suspicious about what they actually do during that brakes service.

 

[Mainia]

Might be early for the diff service but many ignore it too long. The brake service is something everybody should do more. The software is a little "hey dummy you need this" condescending but they probably have "results" from using it.

I would have to disagree with it being too early for the rear diff and transfer case. My wife's new to her, used 2014 Rav4 with 22,000 we purchased as a lease return. I changed it at I think 23,000 miles and the rear diff was close to black. I was floored it was that dark at 23,000 miles. That lead me to drain my new 2018 Hyundai Kona AWD a couple years later and documented the break-in process. Hit "see more" at the bottom of the page and it will get you to the whole page I wrote.

https://www.hyundaikonaforum.com/th....5407/?post_id=41213&nested_view=1#post-41213

.

 

[MrBubba]

Off the top of my head I don't recall 2021 Rav4 calling for limited slip additive, someone can confirm or correct me on that.

Aside from that 40K for diff service is appropriate, cleaning and lubricating contact points is appropriate for the mileage, I would go a step further being 40,000 miles get the transmission serviced, however I do not suggest using multi-vehicle ATF in these transmissions and considering they are a BG service provider that is exactly what they will use unless you can get them to agree otherwise.

 

[Patrick0525]

MIL took her 2021 Rav4 with 39k miles on it in for state safety inspection, oil change and swap snow tires to all seasons. They called and recommended the services listed below and she approved without asking anyone. Curious what the BITOG opinion is on these services. I of course have an opinion but I am refraining from sharing it since I don't want to taint responses.

A small Toyota SUV rear differential is less than 1qt. $75 with friction modifier is highway robbery considering the best rated gear oil which is Amsoil - $30.

She could have bought 6qts of Mobil 1 for $72 + a ️.

https://a.co/d/06sXgy59

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

I see no issues with doing those things or the prices that many places likely would have charged more. Seems very fair to me.
Those places have a lot of overhead so that is a real surprise they were so very honest and fair with her.

 

[Dave9]

I definitely would not do the brake clean and lube service, unless there is massive, and I MEAN massive, rust. Otherwise, those things should be done when the pads are replaced. There's no way that I would pay $130 to have that done without the pads, which if they're removing the calipers, takes literally single-digit minutes to do while they're doing that much, though then I'd expect them to overcharge for pads too, so I'd wait and get the brakes done with at least pads if not rotors at a later date - this assuming she has no braking issues at present.

The BG rear diff service is over-priced for what it is, but that's about what you'd expect from shops these days, not so unreasonable in this context. Research in an owner's forum, what mileage the real recommended change interval is - some can't go more than 30K mi and some can go past 100K (arguably, depends on driver, severe service level, and climate too)

I suppose one way of looking at it is how much you are going to participate in this vehicle's maintenance. Everything she has done at a shop is less work for you, even if that work is only to find a different shop. On the other hand, there is much savings to be had by DIY and doing your own inspection and based on that, the decision of what really needs done now vs later, if at all.

Would I get those things done, paying a shop premium at 40K mi? No, I don't pay for elective maintenance before the due mileage or state of needing it. I would have at least consulted you or planned to wait till the next oil change if you were busy at the time.

 

[The Critic]

MIL took her 2021 Rav4 with 39k miles on it in for state safety inspection, oil change and swap snow tires to all seasons. They called and recommended the services listed below and she approved without asking anyone. Curious what the BITOG opinion is on these services. I of course have an opinion but I am refraining from sharing it since I don't want to taint responses.

Clean and Lube is probably not a bad idea in areas that see road salt.

For unknown reasons Toyota requires a transfer case service at 3/30K intervals for normal service. Rear Differential Oil does not carry a replacement interval unless the vehicle is used for special operating conditions.

https://assets.sia.toyota.com/publi...yOTg2MTkkbzUkZzEkdDE3NzgyOTg2MjEkajU4JGwwJGgw

 

[DCDG]

MIL took her 2021 Rav4 with 39k miles on it in for state safety inspection, oil change and swap snow tires to all seasons. They called and recommended the services listed below and she approved without asking anyone. Curious what the BITOG opinion is on these services. I of course have an opinion but I am refraining from sharing it since I don't want to taint responses.

Seems reasonable, only issue I have is the use of ceramic brake lubricant especially when Toyota specifies 100% silicone lubricant. Maybe not this year but wait till the next once the carrier lubricant dries out of the ceramic she'll have gummy seized up slide pins. Almost a guaranteed brake job at this point fingers crossed they don't try to push new calipers. Sometimes what feels to be solid prevented maintenance is a shops hand in the old pocket.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I have a few thoughts...

We all know BG makes some "GOOD" stuff but when I think "BG" and I see BG pre printed on a shop invoice my mind goes straight to a shop upselling snake oil services with high profit margins. Nothing wrong with that IMO.

Im surprised I didn't see a BG 44K Fuel Service ( Gotta clean them injectors ) and or a AC vent cleaning to remove mold etc, a transmission flush and a few others things we all have seen shops offer.

As far as a rear end service, not what I would expect a shop to offer but something I may would do early to my car.

When I changed my Crown Vics rear end fluid I had to buy that small bottle of XL3 friction modifier ( the most stinky stuff known to man ).

I am surprised "these services were suggested" and not other services as example my Honda auto dealer pushes brake fluid flush and exchange, even my Harley dealer says ABS brake fluids must be serviced / flushed every 2 years.

 

[4wd]

I have a few thoughts...

We all know BG makes some "GOOD" stuff but when I think "BG" and I see BG pre printed on a shop invoice my mind goes straight to a shop upselling snake oil services with high profit margins. Nothing wrong with that IMO.

Im surprised I didn't see a BG 44K Fuel Service ( Gotta clean them injectors ) and or a AC vent cleaning to remove mold etc, a transmission flush and a few others things we all have seen shops offer.

As far as a rear end service, not what I would expect a shop to offer but something I may would do early to my car.

When I changed my Crown Vics rear end fluid I had to buy that small bottle of XL3 friction modifier ( the most stinky stuff known to man ).

I am surprised "these services were suggested" and not other services as example my Honda auto dealer pushes brake fluid flush and exchange, even my Harley dealer says ABS brake fluids must be serviced / flushed every 2 years.

Not just “shops” - common at dealerships …
I have a dealership extended warranty - and they recommend/provide BG intake and transmission services …

 

[JTK]

To me those are extremely fair prices for those maintenance items. I know in the rust belt, a brake service like that will double the life of your pads and rotors. Such a service was $100 10yrs ago in my area.

Changing diff fluid is never a bad idea either IMO.

 

[rstsco]

I would have to disagree with it being too early for the rear diff and transfer case.

My 2025 Honda Pilot popped up with a maintenance code for rear differential fluid change between 5k-6k. The normal change interval is 30k, but the first one should be done by ~7.5k. I guess Honda has learned the hard way that without the early rear diff fluid change, they were having to replace them under warranty due to residual manufacturing particles causing failure before some could make it out of their powertrain warranty period.

 

[rstsco]

MIL took her 2021 Rav4 with 39k miles on it in for state safety inspection, oil change and swap snow tires to all seasons. They called and recommended the services listed below and she approved without asking anyone. Curious what the BITOG opinion is on these services. I of course have an opinion but I am refraining from sharing it since I don't want to taint responses.

Personally, I'm not a fan of using aftermarket fluids in transmissions, rear differentials, and transfer cases on newer vehicles, but don't think the interval was unreasonable. I probably would have changed it earlier.

As for lubricating brake parts, when I took my purchased-new, S-10 4WD Blazer in for 30k service, one of the front brake calipers had not been sliding freely since new, and the brake pad without the metal warning thingy (sorry for using highly technical terms) had worn down almost to the rotor while the other pad had almost all its original meat. The dealership tried to make me pay out of pocket instead of covering under warranty. Probably not a bad idea to at least make sure the calipers are sliding freely.

Back then, I didn't pay close enough attention to brake pad thickness, but have swung to the other side and bought this brake pad thickness gauge set, just in case I can't trust my lying eyes when inspecting the brake pads.

 

[Legs4Arms]

Personally, I'm not a fan of using aftermarket fluids in transmissions, rear differentials, and transfer cases on newer vehicles, but don't think the interval was unreasonable. I probably would have changed it earlier.

As for lubricating brake parts, when I took my purchased-new, S-10 4WD Blazer in for 30k service, one of the front brake calipers had not been sliding freely since new, and the brake pad without the metal warning thingy (sorry for using highly technical terms) had worn down almost to the rotor while the other pad had almost all its original meat. The dealership tried to make me pay out of pocket instead of covering under warranty. Probably not a bad idea to at least make sure the calipers are sliding freely.

Back then, I didn't pay close enough attention to brake pad thickness, but have swung to the other side and bought this brake pad thickness gauge set, just in case I can't trust my lying eyes when inspecting the brake pads.

Brakes are the biggest rippoff in the business...them and maybe mufflers and exhaust work.
Most people don't GAF to even question, they just seem happy to have got an appointment.
"New rotors, of course I need them"!
"The car IS 2yrs old"
Bridge sale forthcoming

 

[97prizm]

MIL took her 2021 Rav4 with 39k miles on it in for state safety inspection, oil change and swap snow tires to all seasons. They called and recommended the services listed below and she approved without asking anyone. Curious what the BITOG opinion is on these services. I of course have an opinion but I am refraining from sharing it since I don't want to taint responses.

If it needs it. I've never seen a place offering removal of calipers and lubing everything.

 

[Mike_dup1]

Take your shop’s recommended up sell to different independent mechanics for second opinion. The ones who say “you don’t need that” are generally ones to trust.