Wondering why Toyota is Australia’s favourite car brand? Aside from impeccable quality control, extensive testing and the use of top-tier third party components and high quality materials, vehicles bearing the Toyota logo last due to meticulous and regular servicing. This reduces running costs with regular fluid and filter changes to ensure engine and vehicle efficiency, improved safety with timely replacements of basic parts like brake pads and the reduced likelihood of minor issues causing bigger repair bills down the road.
Toyota recommends servicing vehicles every 12 months or 15000km (whichever comes first), with capped pricing for vehicles still under warranty. The widest countrywide dealership network of any car brand uses genuine Toyota service parts to have vehicles working at their best.
Oil, Coolant and Other Fluids
Engine oil lubricates vital engine parts, preventing friction and wear as engines get to operating temperatures. The fluid works alongside the cooling system to additionally prevent overheating and engine knock in critically low fluid levels. Both fluids are vital for consistent performance. Reduced oil levels lead to sluggish acceleration and an engine that needs to work harder to get up to highway speeds. Check oil levels monthly and after longer trips and top up levels with oil in the right viscosity and type for your vehicle. And observe regular oil changes every six months or 10000km to prevent major issues like engine seizure and major damage.
Similarly coolant keeps engine temperatures within defined limits. Choose premixed coolant (with 50% water) when replacing parts like radiators or flushing the system. And concentrated coolant when topping up during minor leaks and coolant loss. The liquid requires less frequent changing, usually every 2-3 years or 50000km.
Other vital fluids include transmission oil (changes every 2-3 years for both manual and automatic cars); brake fluid (usually every second or third brake pad change, roughly 30000km); power steering fluid roughly 50000km and windshield washer fluid as needed. Regular changes ensure crisp gear changes, optimal power delivery, lower fuel use, worry-free steering and secure stopping power in all driving conditions.
Filters
Your Toyota has several types of filters that do away with roadside and engine contaminants. Like fluids they need to be changed at defined intervals. Engine air filters are replaced annually or every 15000km to provide correct airflow into the engine bay and efficient combustion with optimal fuel use. Bear in mind that vehicles used mainly in rural and dusty settings may need more frequent replacements.
Oil filters are replaced together with engine oil to limit contamination and engine damage. Change cabin filters every second year to ensure proper airflow in the air-conditioning and no unpleasant smells. Or annually in dusty and dirty driving conditions. And fuel filters between 60 and 90000km, again depending on where and how you drive, and the quality of the fuel. These and other Toyota service parts are part of the reason why Toyota is regarded as the benchmark for reliability and durability.
Brake Pads and Discs
Brake pads aren’t usually covered as replacement items in cars under warranty, but timely changes are needed to ensure correct stopping distances and timely brake actuation. Intervals vary among vehicles and are dependent on driving styles and settings. Ranges are between 40000 and 100000 for most Toyota vehicles. Toyota’s Service Advantage does cover brake inspections but not the actual replacement of worn out pads. The good news for owners is the choice of genuine Toyota brake pads as direct replacement parts bringing the same level of performance and safety as when the car was new. Or opting for third-part pad suppliers, since the parts aren’t under warranty.
The same applies to the discs. If discs fail due to a manufacturing fault, only then will they be covered under some warranty plans. A general rule is that discs be replaced on average between 70000 and 10000km. Like pads this depends on how hard you are on the brakes and where you drive.
Other Replacement Parts and Services
Other wear and tear items also aren’t covered under warranties. These include window wipers, lights and bulbs, and tyres, that are fundamental to vehicle performance and safety. Wiper blades should be changed every six months to ensure a clear view out; bulbs and LED chips in headlights, taillights and the interior in the event of flickering, low brightness and electrical issues with frayed wiring; and tyres with thinning tread or damage to side walls every 3 to 5 years or 30000 to 40000 kilometres in most tyre brands.
Why Shop From Authorised Toyota Dealers?
Authorised dealers ensure that all parts that are replaced under warranty are genuine Toyota items and deliver the quality and performance owners have come to expect of the brand. Moreover, every part is installed by a qualified professional that can personally vouch for the work done. This ensures that vehicle fulfils factory requirements.
