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Toyota RAV4 Maintenance and Repair

823 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 10:21 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, SUV

Messages Page 71 of 83

#697 of 823 Dealership or tire specialty store for tire care? by digs5446

Jan 22, 2009 (7:52 am)

I just bought a certified used 2008 Rav4 base FWD w/ 13.5K miles. I also got the extended comprehensive warranty that will give me another 6+ years, on top of the 7-year powertrain, and I plan to follow the factory maintenance religiously. I'm going to get all of my service done at the dealership, both for peace of mind and because it's a beautiful, huge, brand new state-of-the-art facility...it's the biggest and most highly rated and awarded Toyota dealership in New England (Acton Toyota of Littleton).
 
Anyway, in terms of tire care, whether it be rotation and balance, alignments, repairing flats or road hazard blowouts which require new tires, would you recommend that I stick to the dealership or use a tire place like NTB (known as Tire Kingdom in some regions)? We use NTB for my wife's 2002 Acura TL which is out of warranty, and we've been happy with them so far. Their tires are priced a little high (compared to Tire Rack, Sears), but if you pay an extra $27 for the "King Royal Service" you get free flat repairs and tire rotation for life, and if you have a blowout due to road hazard they will refund you a prorated amount.
 
I'll only be putting about 7,000 miles a year on my Rav4 and I drive conservatively and keep an eye on my tire pressure. When I bought it the dealer tried to sell me on a 5-year tire program with similar benefits for $499. Seems way expensive considering it would cost $108 to cover all 4 tires at NTB, and you might not ever need to use it on all 4 tires in 5 years, hopefully. I will also need to have snow tires mounted and unmounted every year, and I know different places charge widely variable amounts for that. I plan on getting a tire + wheel package from Tire Rack so I can keep the tires on their own rims. I imagine that should also be alot cheaper than having them remove and replace the actual tires from the rims.
 
Just wondering what people's experiences have been in dealing solely w/ the dealership when it comes to tires. Thanks for looking.

#698 of 823 Re: Dealership or tire specialty store for tire care? [digs5446] by gilvkona

Jan 22, 2009 (8:20 am)

Replying to: digs5446 (Jan 22, 2009 7:52 am)
Are you familiar with Costco? The tire prices are a little lower but, at no additional cost, they will rotate and balance for the life of the tire. They will also properly patch a tire that has a flat. And the tires are warranted if they can not be patched. The dealer charges about $25 to rotate the tires and balancing costs even more. So once you need new tires, and it may be awhile, I would go to Costco. In the meantime, it is up to you. Costco's across the country stand by the warranty. As far as alignment, when I need one, I have gone to Firestone and buy the lifetime alignment. By the time you get your second alignment, you are way ahead.
 
The prices for the service at the dealer is very high. Here they have packages and a list of services. It runs in the $300-500 range for the interval they determine need more than an oil change and tire rotation. If you compare the list to what Toyota recommends, it goes way beyond the recommendation. Their pitch here is you paid so much for the vehicle, you should do all these services to protect you investment. At the major points(15k intervals, I think), I pick some of things off their list and skip the rest.
 
Good luck to you.

#699 of 823 Re: Dealership or tire specialty store for tire care? [gilvkona] by digs5446

Jan 22, 2009 (10:00 am)

Replying to: gilvkona (Jan 22, 2009 8:20 am)
I am familiar with Costco - I actually got a coupon in the mail for $70 off a set of 4 Michelins. Unfortunately though, I am not a member and in order to use the lifetime services that come w/ the tires you have to remain a member. Perhaps if we had a couple kids it might be worthwhile, but for now I've done fine with bulk grocery shopping at Target. Plus, when I did an online search at Costco's site to see what tires they had that would be compatible with my Rav, I came up w/ a goose egg.

#700 of 823 Re: Fear [sage3] by nefarmer

Feb 01, 2009 (8:34 am)

Replying to: sage3 (Dec 15, 2008 4:55 pm)
Thanks for the tool advice. Did a first oil change yesterday on a RAV4 we just purchased and that saved alot of time and hassles.

#701 of 823 Add 3rd row seat to 06 Rav4? by stratusnj75

Feb 04, 2009 (6:58 pm)

Adding a new member to the family in 6 months and need more seats in the car. Have a 2006 4wd Rav4 but did not purchase the model with the folding 3rd row seats. Was wondering if it is possible to add them after the fact or did I have to order that specific model?
 
Thanks,
 
Devin

#702 of 823 Re: Add 3rd row seat to 06 Rav4? [stratusnj75] by typesix

Feb 05, 2009 (8:56 am)

Replying to: stratusnj75 (Feb 04, 2009 6:58 pm)
Usually all the mounting points for the hardware are already there, but it can be expensive to add. My 2004 Highlander didn't have 3rd row seats(optional) and I looked into ordering the parts to add the 3rd row seat from Toyota, it would have cost $1,500+. there is a company that makes 3rd seats to add onto(name?, don't remember), but the seats are fixed and have to be removed if you need the full trunk space.

#703 of 823 Re: Oil Filter Location 2006 RAV4? [tango7t] by mazdacx7

Feb 12, 2009 (5:18 pm)

Replying to: tango7t (May 01, 2006 4:44 pm)
when I reached 3k milles took the car to the dealer to do an oil changue..they told me that I do not need to do it untill 5K..so took the car straight to Orlando.. .

#704 of 823 fuse issues by mazdacx7

Feb 12, 2009 (5:21 pm)

Anyone having issues with the fuses for the power accesories...My Ipod bur out the fuse..took me like 30 min to ID the fuse..couldnīt find a replacement at the autoparts stores so took it to the dealer after 2hr they just replace 1 fuse...

#705 of 823 Rav4 2006 - burnt transmission fluid? by DianeAZ

Feb 15, 2009 (11:12 am)

My dealer found the transmission fluid to be contaminated/burnt and now wants $200 for a "WS FLUSH." My husband confirms that it looks and smells burnt. The car shifts and handles normally. Could this be an indication of a larger problem with the transmission? I do live in Phoenix, AZ where it's quite hot in the summer, but my commute is pretty easy, and the car is not overloaded or driven hard. Can we just change the transmission fluid or should we follow the dealer's advice and do the flush? Or should we get a second opinion while the transmission is under warranty?

#706 of 823 Tires for RAV4 by carolinabob

Feb 15, 2009 (1:32 pm)

  I have a 2005 with 39,000 miles on the tires and need new ones. Primarily looking for ride comfort and all weather. Not interested in off road or snow/ice. Consumer Reports rates the Dunlop SUV tires highly.
   Anybody had any experience with these or other tires.
Thanks,

Messages Page 71 of 83

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