New Mechanic Suggests Not Following Servicing Schedule - Advice?

IceCreamBandit on 17/07/2019 - 11:31
Last edited 17/07/2019 - 11:38

Hi all,

I'm getting my 2013 Toyota Aurion serviced with a new mechanic (moved house so no longer convenient to go to old one) and he has suggested not to follow the servicing schedule.

The servicing intervals are 9 months/ xxx kilometres, whichever comes first, which I have followed with my previous mechanic.

My new mechanic's suggestion is that due to my low kilometres compared to the book, that I should instead do minor services until I get to the specified kilometres as I could be replacing parts prematurely/unnecessarily. Details of my recent service history are as follows

Last Service - 72 month/120000km service done November 2018 with 98000km driven

Currently on 110000km

Next service as per the book - 81 month/135000km quotes at $320 (local Toyota dealer quoted $360)

New mechanic suggests minor service for $250 + ~$40 for rego check (rego due in Aug)

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

Poll Options

  • 83
    New Mechanic is right
  • 2
    Find another mechanic
Automotive

Comments

  • HighAndDry on 17/07/2019 - 11:34
    +3

    Your poll option is missing: "Ask him to follow the schedule". He stands to make less money by saying you don't need as regular major services - there's nothing in it for him.

    But yeah, from what I understand, your mechanic is right. Toyota's are built pretty bullet proof. And usage is still the biggest contributor to wear and tear and consumables which is what the major services are for. Time is related to degradation of materials which happen anyway (rubber especially) but that generally only becomes an issue if you don't service a car for years and years which isn't what the guy is suggesting.

    • IceCreamBandit on 17/07/2019 - 12:07

      Can't edit poll options anymore but thanks for your input!

      I think based on the votes so far I will probably go with the mechanic's suggestion anyway.

      My next question is what happens to these minor services? I may not hit the next distance (135000km) for maybe 2 years, if I was to sell the car (unlikely), would it look like I had a gap in servicing? Or do I just include/staple the minor service receipts to the book?

      • HighAndDry on 17/07/2019 - 12:25
        +2

        Or do I just include/staple the minor service receipts to the book?

        That's what is recommended you do with all (major) car expenses already, and you can't go wrong with this. Ask the mechanic, he can probably just stamp the service book normally but just add a note for when the service happened.

        • IceCreamBandit on 17/07/2019 - 14:01

          Ah fair enough. I just keep all my receipts in the plastic folder thing the car came with.

  • GG57 on 17/07/2019 - 11:36
    +9

    For a 2013 model vehicle, I assume it is out of warranty.
    I would follow the mechanic's advice.

  • Gronk on 17/07/2019 - 11:55
    +5

    I'm fairly sure later models of the Aurion moved to a 12 month schedule anyway, I'd go with the mechanic's advice.

    • PinzVidz on 17/07/2019 - 13:13
      +1

      The intervals were 9 months or 15K for all Aurions (40 and 50 series), right through to end of model life in 2017. Camry V6 70 series which replaced the Aurion in late 2017, switched to a 12 month/15K interval.

      • Cheeper on 17/07/2019 - 14:29

        Is the extended service intervals to do with the use of synth oil over mineral oil or has there been a change in the design of motors to allow this?

  • Stimps on 17/07/2019 - 12:33
    +2

    Ever thought about doing the minor stuff yourself? Quality synthetic oil and filter can be had for about $50, takes about 45 minutes and most of that time is waiting for the oil to drain. Free to drop off used oil at a council waste station. Saves $200.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 17/07/2019 - 13:08

      I didn't know they allowed this!

      Is this only a SA thing? Can anyone confirm if it's free to drop off in VIC?

      • trienchieu12 on 17/07/2019 - 13:13
        +2

        Most SCA shops accept waste oil

      • JIMB0 on 17/07/2019 - 13:33

        A lot of waste transfer stations accept recyclables for free (cardboard, metal, oil etc).

        • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 17/07/2019 - 15:02

          Thanks all. Might start doing the minor services myself again. Never knew I could dispose of the oil for free and couldn't bear the thought of dumping it like a lot of fools do.

      • brad1-8tsi on 17/07/2019 - 13:59
        +1

        sump oil is free in NSW at the waste transfer station I use and SCA takes it too.

        They take FOC car batteries (nuts as they are worth $15 at the scrap metal yard). paper/carboard, e-waste and sump oil.

        My local council takes disposable batteries, mobile phones and lightbulbs at the libraries and customer service centres. They also have chemical and e-waste drop off days quarterly

      • Cartman2530 on 17/07/2019 - 16:23

        Yep. its a thing in NSW too at selected council recycling centres.

    • IceCreamBandit on 17/07/2019 - 14:01

      Ever thought about doing the minor stuff yourself?

      I have actually but never read up enough about the type of oil I need for my car etc. Fairly sure my old mechanic said he used full synthetic oil in my last services.

      It is something I will look into again (especially with the waste oil drop off) after this service because I do need the inspection done anyway.

      Thanks!

  • JIMB0 on 17/07/2019 - 13:40
    +4

    Things such as the air filter, spark plugs, auto trans oil and inspection items can be done based on kms. Oil, coolant and brake fluid are more time sensitive. Oil should be fine for 12 months+ unless you do a lot of short trips. You'd probably be fine servicing every 15k as long as you didn't let it go much longer than a year.

  • crentist on 17/07/2019 - 13:51
    +3

    Someone in my family recently bought a 17 year old Toyota that had been serviced by km, not time. It had about 40k on it, so a few years between services.
    Our mechanic happened to have the same model, and remarked that it was in amazing condition.

    And I've bought similar aged Toyotas with no service record at all and been fine. I know a guy who didn't take his to a mechanic for 10+ years (just topped up the oil now and then) and it was still running well.
    These are all small cars, so I don't know if the bigger models are any different. But my experience has been that they are bulletproof.

    Personally I play it safe though, and get them to the mechanic regularly or do a little work myself. You can feel a bit of a difference afterwards, which is nice. But it's more about the stamped logbook, and being careful with older models.

  • brad1-8tsi on 17/07/2019 - 14:01
    +2

    Some items will deteriorate with time (lubricants. brake fluid, coolant) others (air/fuel filters & spark plugs) won't.

    Personally, I'd just get it serviced every 12 months with good synthetic oil.

    your mech sounds pretty good.

  • autolux on 17/07/2019 - 14:12
    +2

    servicing schedules by manufacturers are like a recurring revenue test for lemmings.

  • Cheeper on 17/07/2019 - 14:23
    +1

    Your local mechanic is right.
    Plus he will more likely use good oil and actually change the oil filter.
    Had one of our toyotas serviced by a local mech last time and it was the first time the oil was totally clear/clean.
    In addition, he fixed a brake problem that 4 Toyota dealerships could not do. It was quite complicated (sarcasm) … He removed the air from one of the brake lines!!

  • TheBilly on 17/07/2019 - 14:25
    +1

    I would personally just - change the oil every 10,000km - then change everything else as it breaks.

    • mskeggs on 17/07/2019 - 17:24
      +1

      Not sure this approach will work with the timing belt.

      • brendanm on 17/07/2019 - 19:28
        +2

        Lucky the Aurion has a chain.

  • AdamFury on 17/07/2019 - 15:49
    +4

    I always trust my local mechanic. Always lets me know if it's not urgent for example brake pads will need changing soon but doesn't just replace them for the sake of it.

    • madreece on 17/07/2019 - 17:19
      +2

      Finding a trustworthy local mechanic is awesome.Not trying to get extra dollars out of you with every service is quite refreshing.

  • Gnostikos on 17/07/2019 - 16:31
    +3

    I do this with my main vehicle as well and my local mechanic (who I've been with for a decade and do trust) also recommends disregarding the manufacturer's service intervals as my car just doesn't see the usage to justify the costs and parts turnover.

    It has barely 50,000 kilometres on it and is approaching 10 years of age. As I either cycle or use public transport to get to work, the thing does very little driving and mainly racks up non-freeway kilometres.

    I've never had any trouble following this servicing schedule which usually sees me doing two minor services a year and a major service every second year or so.

    A 2013 Aurion is a pretty reliable vehicle, statistically-speaking, and the parts for it are widely available and relatively cheap (given many of them are largely Camry-interchangeable), so I don't think you're risking much by avoiding the recommended servicing intervals.

    You didn't mention how much driving you do with the car though; which is the key consideration here.

    Your mechanic sounds fairly reputable though; $250 for a minor service on a 6-cylinder sedan is a very competitive price.

    • IceCreamBandit on 17/07/2019 - 16:58

      Thanks Amar89! Your advice is much appreciated! I have found my car to be very reliable (touch wood) so far and just want to make sure it stays that way.

      Will mention how much I drive in a general comment shortly. :)

  • IceCreamBandit on 17/07/2019 - 17:04
    +1

    Hi all,

    Thanks so much for all the responses so far, it's given me a lot of confidence to go with my new mechanic's suggestion and do minor services (and possibly my own oil changes) and only do the major services when I get to the specified kilometres.

    I do drive my car a fair bit, I got it used at 18 months old with very little kilometres (original owner was Toyota so was sold as a demo IIRC) and had the balance of the warranty/fixed priced servicing so went with Toyota until that finished, and it's just been the one mechanic that I've had until this new one after my move.

    I drive around ~300-350km a week (or up to 18500 km a year) with a decent balance of freeway and non-freeway driving.

    Having seen some interesting topics (and fantastic advice from members here) on the forums I thought to double check to make sure everything was legit.

    Thanks again everyone, and happy to take any other random ownership tips that you guys have. Not knowing how to dispose of oil was probably the one of the main things stopping me from thinking about changing my own engine oil so thanks for that!

    Happy motoring :)

  • John Kimble on 17/07/2019 - 18:21
    +1

    Name and praise this mechanic!

  • Desmond out on 18/07/2019 - 09:13
    +2

    Hi changing engine oil every six months is good for the over haul health of the engine or 5000 kms good quality oils like Penrite is best
    His suggestion is good as air filter n fuel filter spark plugs can go the distance
    Brake fluid change is a must every two or three years n coolant can be replaced if the concrete goes below 33% antifreeze properties
    Like wise brakes too can be checked every 10000 n wheels rotated
    Lucky u got an honest mechanic

  • K49 on 18/07/2019 - 12:08
    +2

    As an ex mechanic,I would tend towards not adhering to the book servicing schedule until repairs are needed. As earlier commentators have correctly pointed to:It makes no sense to be burdened with extra costs,when they aren't needed. Be thankful that you've found a mechanic that isn't after your money. But always keep a detailed account of the serviced items on your car.

  • kiitos on 23/07/2019 - 15:02

    Would love a recommendation for such a seemingly honest mechanic in the Sydney North shore area!

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