Do I have to do Toyota’s recommended maintenance at the dealership?

Seeking Advice
1

I’ve got a 2015 Camry LE, and the maintenance guide says to get routine care every 5,000 miles or 6 months at the dealership. I get that sticking to the schedule is important, but I’ve also seen people say dealerships overcharge and to go to a trusted mechanic instead.

If I take it to an independent mechanic, do I just ask for a specific Toyota service (like the 75k-mile check)? Will they know what to look at? Or should I give them a list of the things the manual recommends for that interval, like checking the brakes or belts? Or is it better to only focus on things I’ve noticed, like weird noises?

Sorry if this is a basic question—it’s my first car, and I’m still figuring out maintenance. Any advice would be great!

2

Nope, you can go anywhere you like. Just make sure to keep records of everything.

3

At this point, your car is 10 years old, so you can take it wherever you want. Just avoid places like Jiffy Lube, lol. If it’s still under warranty, you don’t have to use the dealership either. Bring your manual with the service schedule to your mechanic and keep all your receipts for reference.

4

Here’s what I do:

  • Oil change and tire rotation every 7,500 miles (most people drive under ‘severe’ conditions at least some of the time).
  • Look at your manual and follow anything marked ‘replace.’ You can DIY things like air filters and cabin filters every 30k miles.
  • At 100k miles, replace the coolant.
  • At 120k miles, replace the spark plugs.

As your car ages, also think about brake fluid and transmission fluid. If you do your own oil changes, do a quick inspection while you’re at it. Mechanics will usually do a basic check during an oil change too, just so they can let you know if anything needs fixing.

5

I just make a list of what needs to be done and hand it to the mechanic.

6

You don’t have to go to the dealership unless you want to. An independent mechanic works just fine.

7

The only reason to use the dealership is if your car is still under the free maintenance plan and it’s convenient for you. Otherwise, new cars don’t need anything a local mechanic or even you can’t handle.

8

Any good mechanic who works on Toyotas will have access to the maintenance schedule and can handle whatever service your car needs at specific mileage points.

9

Get an oil and filter change every 6 months or 10,000 kilometers. It’s cheap and helps avoid expensive engine repairs later. You don’t need the dealership for this—a local mechanic can do it for less.

10

Nope. Just find a trustworthy local mechanic instead of the dealership.

11

If your car is still under warranty, you’ll need to stick with the dealership to keep the warranty valid.