I had some questions on the 30k mile service which is coming up for my wife's car. I know there's some ood info in another thread here but I had some specific questions and I didn't want to resurrect an old thread!

My dealer says they recommend a bunch of things for the 30,000 mile service that sound standard and I know I can do myself:
- Replace plugs (I know I can do this)
- Replace air filter (anyone have a good link on how to do this?)

But they also recommend:
- Replace engine coolant
- Replace differential oil
- Replace PCV valve

Does that seem right to people? I was under the impression that the coolant was good for 90k miles... and I can't find any info on the other items. If these should be replaced, is it something I can do myself? Or is it even stuff I shouldn't worry about until 100k+?

 

okay in my opinion the plugs should be good still too but you can always check them by taking them out, the air filter same situation. just take it out and check if its dirty. ITS SUPER easy to change or check the air filter ill try to find you a link. the coolant, diff oil, and valve....i was under the impression that they would at least last 60k - 90k miles. i maybe wrong, but that also differs on the way its been driven. i assume the xb isnt being used for racing so it should be fine...

correct me if im wrong fellas!

 

They all sound good and I'm assuming there is an oil change in there to?
If you can change your own oil then you can do all of these yourself!
The PCV takes all of 5 mins and I have a video of how to do that and a spark plug change here -> http://www.365motorwerks.com/helpfultipsandtricks.aspx
I can do a air filter change video later this week but it is really easy a couple of clips and a screw are all that is stopping the cap from popping off.
The coolant should be changed around that mileage maybe a little later but it doesnt hurt. Waiting for 100K for the tranny and coolant is too long unless you don't plan to have the car for the long haul.

 

Right, there's an oil change, and some other things like tire rotation, inspections, etc. I just listed the stuff I was unsure of.

Thanks for the videos! I think I can do the air filter, I just don't know where it is...

I can do the engine coolant fluid if it's generally recommended, I think that's easy to change, but I had never heard of the differential oil and had no clue what to do with it!

 

good info

 

COOLANT WTF MATE?!?

Was this out of the owner's manual service recommendations, or that stupid chart that sits behind the guy's desk? Because if it's the one I'm thinking of, that chart was provided by Firestone, and actually doesn't have anything to do with our cars.

I may be vague on the details, but as I recall, that was the exactly reason I stopped going to the dealer for service. I didn't even take all three free oil changes.

 

Are you guys kidding??
These 3 items
- Replace engine coolant
- Replace differential oil
- Replace PCV valve
are completely unnesessary at 30k. At 100k maybe.

 

Yeah, I'm really confused on those three. I can do the PCV valve, it's like $5 and a learning experience, and maybe the coolant if there's anything to gain from it, but I've never even heard of differential oil. How does one even change that, is it in the engine compartment or under the car?

 

While I don’t agree with everything that the dealerships recommends at certain intervals (and you won't find my xB there!) due to the fact that a lot of it is dependent on driving habits and conditions placed upon the vehicle by the driver there is a good reason for recommended schedules.
Not everybody out there is as diligent maintaining their cars as some of us and having a set schedule based on mileage gets it done and puts the schedule in writing.
Preventative maintenance is just that, preventing future unexpected maintenance due to going way beyond the limits of a certain part or fluid.
I’m all for doing your own work if you are mechanically capable, the basic - fluid changes, brakes, plugs, filters and such have had detailed how-to’s written up many times and are easy to follow they are completely within reason for somebody to accomplish in their driveway on a weekend.
Doing your own work will not only save some cash but you can learn something new and have a better understanding on what is happening with your car! However I understand that lack of care is usually a cash saving strategy, if the car is going to just be driven and dumped in a few years then by all means it’s a Toyota it will forgive a lack of maintenance and care probably without a hiccup but if you are planning on keeping it around for a bit and don’t want to think twice every time you turn the key then either follow what your local shop or dealer recommends or make up a schedule yourself and follow it. I think these newer cars with 100,000 miles before the first tune-up and lifetime coolant and other fluids are more of a gimmick to get folks to buy a new car but that is just my opinion I always take care of thing I want to keep around.

My thoughts - Pay now or pay later.

 

Tranny change info https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=227389

 

At only 30K just change air filter, plugs and tranny fluid.

 

I found the official 2006 xB recommended service schedule on Scion's website (link below), and they only mention inspecting the differential oil and transmission oil, not periodically replacing it. Interestingly, the 05 guide says to change the differential oil only if you're towing, and my dealership's guide says to only change the transmission oil if you have a manual transmission.

So I think I will hold off on those, and on the engine coolant, which the guide says to replace at 100k. Surely it is good 'till 50k at least.

2006 xB recommended service schedule:
http://www.scion.com/assets/pdf/xB_m...ceguide_06.pdf

 

Do you have a stick or auto? If it's an auto you should DEF. change the trans fluid. Mine was quite dark after 30K. Plus it's only a drain and refill deal anyhow. Takes less than 1 gallon of Toyota Tech IV fluid.

 

It's an automatic. If it's the concensus that the transmission oil should be changed, I can look into it, but I'd feel better if it was in the docs or I knew what to look for. How does one inspect the oil anyway? All the docs say to "inspect" this and that but they don't say how...

 

For me it was just cheap insurance for long transmission life.

 

Just pull the dipstick to see what the trans fluid looks and smells like. Mine was looking and smelling like new after 33K, its synthetic from the factory, thats why the 100K recommended change interval. Ive read where some here have dropped the toyota fluid, and used amsoil synthetic with good results. I think the earlier model auto trans didnt have the better trans fluid, so then yeah, changing it out at 30K is probably a good thing.

 

Im at 27k and Im getting ready for the dealership to do my trans fluid. Did my plugs at 22k, because the ones from the factory only last 30k. So...
1. Oil & filter
2. Air filter
3. Trans fluid
4. Plugs

thats what I'd do its all you need at 30k

 

I did what the owners manual said.. PLus i changed out the pollen filter.

 

So what's the consensus on spark plugs? I have 30k service scheduled this weekend. I kind of feel like I'm being ripped off. There's even two completely different prices for 30k service: 149.95 and 227.95. What's the difference? I see that more "mission-critical" chassis stuff is checked on the more expensive service, but I just don't know :\

 

For 30 K the only things I would worry about are plugs, tranny fluid, brake fluid change, brake check and maybe power steering fluid change. I def. wouldn't pay a stealer to do it either.