2008 Sportivo ZR6 100000 km service and replacement brake pads

[warek]

Hi there

I have been a bit slack and the car is well overdue for its service. The last service was a scheduled Toyota service at 60000 kms and apart from changing the engine oil and oil filter, new battery, new wiper blades and tyres nothing else has been done.  The car now has 110000 kms and appears to be running well. Fuel economy is still very good at 7.6-8.0  liters per 100 km cruising on country trips.

Thinking of taking it to a local mechanic, instead of Toyota, who want to charge 130 per hour. I have bought from the USA new plugs, air filter, air conditioning filter and oil filters

Apart from changing plugs, air filter, air conditioning filter, changing brake fluid, topping up other fluids,  what else would you get the mechanic to do? I will change the engine oil and filter myself.

Are there any recommendations for replacement brake pads, are Toyota pads the ones to use,  or are there better ones, or ones similar to Toyota pads for much cheaper?

Thanks for any advice

Have a good day

Warek

 

 

 

Edited May 19, 2016 by warek
spelling errors

[campbeam]

I prefer to use the Bendix Ultimate Pads.

I found this Bendix News article after I had bought the DB1474 pads, so buy the DB2243 front pads.

http://www.bendix.com.au/news/comparing-db1474-db2243-toyota-camry-aurion-v40

I am light on brakes and try to drive defensively using anticipation of traffic flow rather than other drivers who tailgate, accelerate hard only to have to brake hard.

Occassionally, the unexpected happens so it pays to have the best quality brake pads and rotors plus decent tyres and suspension to shorten your emergency braking distance.

I will be replacing the front and rear brake pads this weekend on a 2009 model Aurion (done 106,200KM) but using previously bought DB1474 front pads and DB1475 rear pads I bought at SuperCheap . Rotors are worn but ok for now. Plan is that when these pads or rotors are worn down, I will replace with DBA rotors and Bendix pads.

 

[fupo1]

Seeing that you have left the service that long you might not be interested but for someone careful they would also replace the transmission fluid and just maybe the power steering fluid but that is not really a complex system that has lots of friction. 

Radiator coolant should be replaced every 2 years. Fuel filter is one of those recommended items when you reach 100k.

bendix has multiple lines and the one I really like is GCT they have great bite and really low dust. Saves you from cleaning and keeps looking clean linger 

[trentmeyer23]

Never let service interals stretch that long again, you will only end up destroying your engine and costing yourself far more than the price of the service.

I would definitely get an engine oil flush done, to try and remove the sludge that you have no doubt accumulated.

[warek]

14 hours ago, campbeam said:

I prefer to use the Bendix Ultimate Pads.

I found this Bendix News article after I had bought the DB1474 pads, so buy the DB2243 front pads.

http://www.bendix.com.au/news/comparing-db1474-db2243-toyota-camry-aurion-v40

I am light on brakes and try to drive defensively using anticipation of traffic flow rather than other drivers who tailgate, accelerate hard only to have to brake hard.

Occassionally, the unexpected happens so it pays to have the best quality brake pads and rotors plus decent tyres and suspension to shorten your emergency braking distance.

I will be replacing the front and rear brake pads this weekend on a 2009 model Aurion (done 106,200KM) but using previously bought DB1474 front pads and DB1475 rear pads I bought at SuperCheap . Rotors are worn but ok for now. Plan is that when these pads or rotors are worn down, I will replace with DBA rotors and Bendix pads.

 

Thank you for the reply

Warek

 

[warek]

5 hours ago, trentmeyer23 said:

Never let service interals stretch that long again, you will only end up destroying your engine and costing yourself far more than the price of the service.

I would definitely get an engine oil flush done, to try and remove the sludge that you have no doubt accumulated.

Thanks for the advice

Warek

 

[warek]

On 19/05/2016 at 7:59 PM, fupo1 said:

Seeing that you have left the service that long you might not be interested but for someone careful they would also replace the transmission fluid and just maybe the power steering fluid but that is not really a complex system that has lots of friction. 

Radiator coolant should be replaced every 2 years. Fuel filter is one of those recommended items when you reach 100k.

bendix has multiple lines and the one I really like is GCT they have great bite and really low dust. Saves you from cleaning and keeps looking clean linger 

Is replacing transmission fluid a normal mechanic task or do I need an automatic transmission specialist?

Not so sure about your suggestions regading radiatior cooland and fuel filter. Looking at the warranty and service book  from Toyota that radiator fluid does not have to changed for 10 years, and the fuel filter is due at 150000 kms

Edited May 27, 2016 by warek

[trentmeyer23]

1 hour ago, warek said:

Is replacing transmission fluid a normal mechanic task or do I need an automatic transmission specialist?

 

A normal mechanic can do it, but obviously a trans specialist will be better as they do it day in and day out.

[campbeam]

A replacement reconditioned U660E transmission costs about $4,000 plus fitting. So with that in mind, choose wisely who will be replacing the transmission fluid.The auto transmission specialist should know about the necessary technical bulletins and hopefully, also have the specialised tools to get the right fluid level.

The replacement automatic transmission fluid has to meet the Toyota WS specification.

For information purposes, you may be interested in the following field test results

http://www.amsoil.com/lit/g3118.pdf

Draw your own conclusions about the final oil analysis results. At least it shows a difference in the expected life of different fluids.

I am not sure about the life of the Toyota genuine transmission filter but I recall an internet posting most likely from a USA transmission shop recommending replacing the filter every 25,000 - 30,000 miles (40,000 - 48,000 Kms).

 

[warek]

56 minutes ago, campbeam said:

A replacement reconditioned U660E transmission costs about $4,000 plus fitting. So with that in mind, choose wisely who will be replacing the transmission fluid.The auto transmission specialist should know about the necessary technical bulletins and hopefully, also have the specialised tools to get the right fluid level.

The replacement automatic transmission fluid has to meet the Toyota WS specification.

For information purposes, you may be interested in the following field test results

http://www.amsoil.com/lit/g3118.pdf

Draw your own conclusions about the final oil analysis results. At least it shows a difference in the expected life of different fluids.

I am not sure about the life of the Toyota genuine transmission filter but I recall an internet posting most likely from a USA transmission shop recommending replacing the filter every 25,000 - 30,000 miles (40,000 - 48,000 Kms).

 

Ashley

Very good test, I assume you can buy this oil in Australia, and do you use it?

I am in Gippsland, Victoria, it would be good to know if there are any excellent transmission service centres, but how do you know if they are any good? I can travel to the eastern suburbs of Melbourne if necesessary or to the Latrobe valley, places like Traralgon, Morwell, Moe are big centres.

 

[campbeam]

Yes, I thought it was a meaningful real world test. Amsoil is available in Australia but expensive. I did a Google search and located this distributor in Melbourne.

http://lubricationmanagement.com.au/index.php?route=product/category&path=42

I have made note of the following synthetic transmission fluids PENRITE ATF LV  and Valvoline MaxLife which should be readily available from SuperCheap or AutoBarn.

Personally, I have used the Chief Mohican Auto Transmission Fluid - Synthetic Multi-Vehicle from SuperCheap [bought heaps of it when on special] but I am planning upon changing the transmission filter and fluid on a regular basis i.e. every 3 years or 40-50,000KM. My 2006 Aurion has only done about 5,000 KM since a change of filter and 2 changes of the pan fluid so not making any personal recommendations.

Unfortunately, I do not know of any excellent transmission service centres. Just like any business, check out recent customer reviews. Ideally, you want someone with the knowledge and experience of servicing these U660E transmissions. Hopefully, a few Forum members will be able to post a personal recommendation.