[86TOYO2k17]

Originally Posted by winstonscifi

I just had my 30000 mile service done last week. This is a 2015 Scion FRS. According to my Maintenance Schedule, I should have the engine oil and filter changed, the cabin filter replaced, the air filter replaced, the tires rotated and the brake fluid replaced. I replaced the cabin filter and engine air filter myself. No problem. I had the shop where I purchased my all season tires rotate them for me. No charge, because I bought the tires there. So far, no problem. I had the dealership replace the oil and filter for about 70 bucks, and the brake fluid replaced for 140 bucks. Total price - $210. I called the local Subaru dealership, and the price was essentially the same. Here's the problem - as they were buttoning up the whole thing, the service adviser calls me and said that the technician said I should have the rear differential fluid replaced. He said, "after all, it's a rear wheel drive vehicle, and we always suggest a fluid change at 30000 miles".

This, in my mind is a total up-sell. After I retired from my job, I worked part time a couple of days a week at the local Lexus dealership. I was a valet - I would drive the customer's car to the Service Manager, who would direct me to give it to the next Technician. This was a great little job for me, but I found out that the Service Department would give bonuses to Technicians that could "up-sell" a customer for more work done at that same time.

My question is this: do the twins really need a rear differential fluid change at 30000 miles? I can see it at, maybe 60000 miles, or if there were severe conditions that the car was subjected to. I don't see the service even covered in the Maintenance Schedule.

Finally, I know that there are some of you out there that say I'm wasting my money having such simple things done at a dealership when I could easily do it myself. I just want to head you off at the pass - I'm 65 years old, and I have done oil and filter changes before some of you were even born. That said, I'm just too old and tired to do it myself now.

Anyway, your thoughts on a rear differential fluid change at 30000 miles would be appreciated.

Oh, after I declined the extra service the Service Adviser said the fluid just "looked a little brown" and that it should be fine for a while....

Have your kid or grand kid do it. Just as easy as an oil change, but the fluid is about half the cost and you don’t need a new filter. 30$ DIY. Maybe 50$ for them to do?
At 30k it wouldn’t be a bad idea. The first time it ever gets changed your magnet will be completely coated in shavings as the first 1k miles of a diff or gears in general does the most wear.