$400 for transmission and brake fluid change in Toyota dealer!

[r_1159]

Hi

I am new to this forum and this is my first topic, so I hope I have not broken the rules or have not done any thing wrong by posting this topic. My car is a Toyota Camry Altise 2009 and has done 77100 so far. It had done 73000 when I bought it and is doing 500km in average per month.

last service was done 6 months ago at 74000km which was changing oil and filter as well as front brake pads. I took my car to Toyota north point for a general $99 service special yesterday and during the service was told that brake oil and transmission oil should be replaced costing me $400 in addition to $99 service charge.

I did not accept as I knew Toyota dealers are usually expensive.

I checked transmission oil today while car was parked and the engine off and the oil colour looks between red and light brown on my finger.

Any idea regarding the actual price for changing fluids ?

Thanks

Roland

Edited January 17, 2014 by r_1159

[dirty hands]

you are posting in the right place

well it looks like its out of warranty

both dont have to be done at the same time

ring around the automatic transmission shops for a quote for a service

to change oil and filter if it has a disposable one (not sure)

the trany oil does need changing

brake fluid change can be done at any mechanicical workshop you trust

does it need a timing belt change or is it fitted with the long life ones (every 6 years)

Edited January 17, 2014 by dirty hands

[r_1159]

Hi dirty hands

I called a mechanic recommended by a friend and was told that it is gonna cost me $140 ( 50+90) for brake and trasmission oil change but if transmission opening and cleaning is required then will cost $220 in total. I am a bit spectical as he is not a licensed mechanic and only been working in Toyota repair center for a long time and has a workshop at home.

I called another guy who is a lisenced mechanic and was told that transmission servicing will cost me $140 he only mentioned sevicing but did not say what sort of work he is going to do (i.e oil change filter change ...). He also beleives that a Toyota camry with this milage does not require brake oil change and was pretty sure about this. So he did not give me a quote for that.

Regarding timing belt, as far as I remember this model does not have a timing belt. I heared this from a dealer when I was looking for a car. He said that the Camry models after 2007 do no have timing belt. So I am not sure if I need to do this.

Could you please give me some information regarding the parts that should be changed or services during transmission service ? and is it a complicated job and should be done by special mechanics or any mechanic can do this ?

I saw a video on youtube regarding this which looked pretty stright forward.

Thanks

Roland

[Andrew357]

I can't comment regarding the transmission but:

1) I am assuming you mean brake fluid change. Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years (or every 50000km or so) as the fluid will naturally absorb any moisture and hinder it's ability to work as it should.

2) The 2az-fe has a timing chain so you don't need to have that serviced.

3) Of course the unlicensed guy who has worked for Toyota for a little while and operates out of his garage at home will ask for less. If it smells bad; it probably is.

[r_1159]

Hi Andrew

Please see uploaded photo. I checked my trany oil with warm and running engine

http://oi43.tinypic.com/6f9zpx.jpg

[Harlo]

ACV40R has a timing chain and it should last the life of the car.

I paid $140 for a transmission fluid change and $85 for a brake fluid change for an Accord Euro this week, I'd expect Toyota dealers to charge less than Honda dealers though - they're definitely trying to make money out of you from the $99 service special.

I can't remember the brake fluid interval on the Camry although I do suspect that it was changed at 60k km as that is the interval on both my Lexus and Honda. The 75k usually doesn't require it unless it's past 2 years from the last service as stated beforehand.

[JDM-GTFour]

If it smells bad... it may just be your sense of smell Andrew.... :D

You can easily do these simple services yourself with some common sense and careful planning.. you DONT always need to pay Toyota a squillion bucks for a simple job. :)

[Muzza P]

Well if it's a 09 model camry, it should have WS oil in the transmission, which is intended to last longer than the previous types of auto fluid. WS oil is not cheap to buy, and I think can only be purchased in 4litre containers over the parts counter.

[joeallen]

My 01 Camry mcv36 was recently given a brake fluid drain, change and bleed at Toyota in Melton. Cost me around $70. The auto trans had a fluid change at 90,000 which I did myself. Very easy to do yourself depending on your experience. Don't forget the diff which may be separate from the trans.

[Muz bar]

I got a quote from toyota a month back on a transmission service to get the service done at the dealership was $165 and for me to buy the oil and kit and do at home was going to cost $230 I was like wtf it's gonna cost me more for less. I haven't done it yet as I was wondering what they would charge.

Btw what oil type do you use instead of the dealers.

[joeallen]

I changed my oil & filter back in 2009 on my 01 Camry V6 and it cost me $32 for penrite dexron 3 fluid for 4 litres, plus $42 for the filter kit, which I got at Burson. So you would be looking at less than $100 for parts and your labour. Where are you getting your parts from, Murray?

[Muz bar]

That was from the dealer with toyota genuine T-IV oil not dexron

Any that was for 7 litres for the torque converter as well.

[Daniel Huynh]

Yes tranny oil and filter are really expensive. But you can get it done cheaper at a LOCAL acquainted garage. My garage guy just took $40 for service including engine oil but tranny.