Handbook servicing

[Mr Toyoda]

I would like to know whether you think the latest Camry can wait until 9 months/15,000km for a service, or whether it needs a service every 6 months/5000km.

Personally, I am sticking to the servicing twice a year (every 6 months), despite assurances the new cars can cope with longer service intervals.

As such, I forego the Toyota fixed price servicing (approx $130) and will pay $200 per service.

Also, does anyone know why handbook services cost more than an oil change service, when essentially the same work is done? Eg: Kmart Auto charge $190 for a handbook oil change, but only $130 for an unscheduled oil change. It cannot cost $60 to check the headlights are still working, top up windscreen washer, etc.

[DJKOR]

I would like to know whether you think the latest Camry can wait until 9 months/15,000km for a service, or whether it needs a service every 6 months/5000km.

Personally, I am sticking to the servicing twice a year (every 6 months), despite assurances the new cars can cope with longer service intervals.

As such, I forego the Toyota fixed price servicing (approx $130) and will pay $200 per service.

I will just re-quote what I have said before to keep it simple. Just replace any reference to 'Aurion' with 'Camry':

Depends on how picky you are about your car and/or how much you travel.

You can be fine with your standard 15,000km/12 month services (whichever comes first), or you can choose to do the mid-major services in addition to that (every 7,500km/6 months). Some dealers tend to send out a letter/write on your service sticker to come back in 6 months/7,500km mainly just to sucker you in. An extra service for them is extra money for them.

Personally, I stick with the major services (as per the logbook) every 15,000km and do a mid-service oil and filter change every 7,500km. If you cover about 15,000km in a year, I'd personally consider changing your oil and filter at the half-way mark as well... but that's just a personal thing. Servicing every 15,000km/12 months isn't really going to cause any damage for a normally used Aurion.

To put things in perspective as well though, I still go by the 7,500km mid-service oil change even though I can cover 15,000km in as little as 3 months.

It cannot cost $60 to check the headlights are still working, top up windscreen washer, etc.

You would think that would be the case, but believe it or not, that's what they can charge for their time, etc. If you choose to have someone service it for you, you have to be prepared to pay extra for it.

[Ozzcaddy]

In answer to your first question about waiting 15,000 K's before service, that would depend on the type of driving. If you do city driving with stop start, I would do more regular service 6 mths/5,000. If you do open road driving, you probably could get away with 15,000, but I would not exceed 10,000 between service personally.

You might find that the price of the handbook service may differ depending on what the handbook service itemises what needs to be done or checked.

I found this website http://www.fixedpricec****rvice.com.au/logbook/toyota/camry if you put your information in, you will see different prices for different mielage handbook service.

[DJKOR]

In answer to your first question about waiting 15,000 K's before service, that would depend on the type of driving. If you do city driving with stop start, I would do more regular service 6 mths/5,000. If you do open road driving, you probably could get away with 15,000, but I would not exceed 10,000 between service personally.

As you said.... it depends on the driving. For some of us, if you chose to service every 5000km, that would mean a service every month :P.

[Ozzcaddy]

In answer to your first question about waiting 15,000 K's before service, that would depend on the type of driving. If you do city driving with stop start, I would do more regular service 6 mths/5,000. If you do open road driving, you probably could get away with 15,000, but I would not exceed 10,000 between service personally.

As you said.... it depends on the driving. For some of us, if you chose to service every 5000km, that would mean a service every month :P.

I'm th exact opposite, I'm lucky to do 5000 km in 9 months. And it's 85% inner city driving in Sydney.