Regular Service options for low Km Prado

[SamH Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close SamH]

Hi, I have recently finished the Prado included at purchase 3Yr 6 monthly services for $180 per service.
So my Prado has been serviced as if its done 60,000kms when its only done 30,000km.
Now that I have more a choice about where to get it serviced I'm hoping to find a cost effective and still get a good quality service (I am not really hands on or have the space at home, so not looking to do any of the minor services myself).

The options seem to be: the bloke around the corner who used to do my old Patrol (a good old style mechanic who probably hasn't got all the latest hi tech equipment if that is required), someone like an Ultratune or a Toyota dealer, as I only do about 10,000 km's per year with almost all of it on road I am not sure what is a good path to move forward with? I am in Kensington in Melbourne if anyway has any specific suggestions that are location based?

Any suggestions on what I should be expecting to pay, what would be a good way to proceed for ongoing services (I have been considering minor services with the local guy and major services at a Toyota place if I can get a reasonable quote)?

The Prado is almost 3.5 years old and I am expecting to keep it at least another 5 years and maybe another 10.
I am not sure if resale/logbook is so important given it will have had one owner, will be low km's and well looked after. It is a 3.0 GXL Turbo Diesel Auto. Thanks in advance.

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

I would go the mechanic you know for the simple services and use someone else for the major services if he can't do them.

Lots of people on this forum will tell you to change oil and filters every 5000 kms, but that is a complete waste of time and money unless you are doing lots of really short runs and the oil is really degrading. (No doubt this will draw a response )

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

I'd just keep taking it back to Toyota to be honest. At only 2 services a year it's not a big cost.

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

I'd just keep taking it back to Toyota to be honest. At only 2 services a year it's not a big cost.

x2

Plus if you have any issues you may still be able to claim a % through the dealer even though its out of warranty.

[hammob Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close hammob]

As you are only doing 10k per year I would get it serviced once a year by a Toyota dealer. That way you can be confident that they are aware of any problems via service bulletins etc and if you did encounter a future problem they will be more likely to provide support.

[Peterpilot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Peterpilot]

Get it serviced every 10,000 Km or 6 months. Low Km probably involves short trips with temps only just reaching normal operating when shutdown and some parts and fluids need replacing on a time rather than distance basis, also regular servicing adds resale value.

We bought a 5 year old car for my wife that had 35,000 Km but the deal clincher was the record of regular 6 monthly dealer servicing and the fact that the timing belt had been done at 3 years instead of leaving it until 60,000 Km.

[SamH Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close SamH]

Thanks for your suggestions, not sure what I will do yet but either way it will definitely be serviced every 6 months as it mainly does short trips. The next major service is 80,000 Km or 4 year so I will get this done at a Toyota dealer.

[Jezz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Jezz]

Engine Action in Flemington is an option. They specialize in engine rebuilding, but also do log book servicing with qualified mechanics. Toyota recently gave me a scare with a botched compression test, telling me my 2003 GXL 4.0L V6 petrol needed new rings at only 120,000km. They recommended an engine rebuild and would outsource the rebuild to Engine Action. I looked up engine rebuilders myself and went down to EA to get a direct quote (would have saved a bit). Anyway, I was impressed with them and in particular their love and knowledge of engines. I would use them, however I have LPG and take my Prado to the LPG installer in Abion St, Brunswick. I'm very happy with his service, and he insisted he have a look at my engine before any engine rebuild. He compression tested my engine and confirmed it's all fine. The issue I was trying to solve was low power and high fuel use on gas. He found the cause and fixed it too.
All good now.

My Prado has only been to Toyota once in it's life for the 120,000 service. Previous owner used Ultratune, and I've only used independent mechanics. The car is in excellent condition mechanically. Apart from the botched compression test, Toyota did a good job, just a little expensive. They also checked for any service bulletins. I concur with others that regular sevicing is a must. I looked at moving to a more recent model. The log book is one of the first things I look at, and I don't bother with the car if there are gaps in the service history.

Jezz

[Jezz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Jezz]

Engine Action in Flemington is an option. They specialize in engine rebuilding, but also do log book servicing with qualified mechanics. Toyota recently gave me a scare with a botched compression test, telling me my 2003 GXL 4.0L V6 petrol needed new rings at only 120,000km. They recommended an engine rebuild and would outsource the rebuild to Engine Action. I looked up engine rebuilders myself and went down to EA to get a direct quote (would have saved a bit). Anyway, I was impressed with them and in particular their love and knowledge of engines. I would use them, however I have LPG and take my Prado to the LPG installer in Abion St, Brunswick. I'm very happy with his service, and he insisted he have a look at my engine before any engine rebuild. He compression tested my engine and confirmed it's all fine. The issue I was trying to solve was low power and high fuel use on gas. He found the cause and fixed it too.
All good now.

My Prado has only been to Toyota once in it's life for the 120,000 service. Previous owner used Ultratune, and I've only used independent mechanics. The car is in excellent condition mechanically. Apart from the botched compression test, Toyota did a good job, just a little expensive. They also checked for any service bulletins. I concur with others that regular sevicing is a must. I looked at moving to a more recent model. The log book is one of the first things I look at, and I don't bother with the car if there are gaps in the service history.

Jezz