Maintenance required at dealer?

[adamkn]

For an '02 Tundra, is there any maintenance that only a Toyota dealer should do? Like for brake work, transmission flush, etc?

I read a post recently where someone tried to explain a complicated procedure for checking transmission fluid levels on an '05. It was suggested that only a toyota dealer attempt to try to measure the fluid level. Which leads me to believe that only a dealer should attempt changing the fluid/flushing it.

I normally use a little hole-in-the-wall shop for most of my routine work, it's far cheaper than the dealer. But if some of this work isn't as simple as I thought, maybe it'd be a good idea to take it to the dealer for some of the work?

And for those of you who are familiar with checking transmission fluid for an '02 - let me know if I'm wrong on how to check it:
1. start engine
2. shift thru all the gears once, but no need to drive, put it back it park
3. with engine still running, pull out transmission dipstick once to clean it off, put it all the way back in, then pull it out again to check the level.

Am I missing anything? I beleive the engine does need to be running while fluid is being checked, but does it need to be warm, or just running?

Thanks guys!
Adam

[longwoodklon]

I don't think these trucks are any more complicated than any other vehicle. I'm a backyard mechanic and do my own brakes, transmission flush, clean throttle body, tune-up. Only thing I will go to a dealer for is timing belt, but I think your own mechanic can do it no problem.
As for the tranny fluid check, you have it right: engine running, shift thru gears and back to park, leave engine running then check. There is a warm and cold level on the dipstick, depending on if the vehicle is warmed up or not. /Mike

[nhparrot]

Originally Posted by adamkn

For an '02 Tundra, is there any maintenance that only a Toyota dealer should do? Like for brake work, transmission flush, etc?

I read a post recently where someone tried to explain a complicated procedure for checking transmission fluid levels on an '05. It was suggested that only a toyota dealer attempt to try to measure the fluid level. Which leads me to believe that only a dealer should attempt changing the fluid/flushing it.

I normally use a little hole-in-the-wall shop for most of my routine work, it's far cheaper than the dealer. But if some of this work isn't as simple as I thought, maybe it'd be a good idea to take it to the dealer for some of the work?

And for those of you who are familiar with checking transmission fluid for an '02 - let me know if I'm wrong on how to check it:
1. start engine
2. shift thru all the gears once, but no need to drive, put it back it park
3. with engine still running, pull out transmission dipstick once to clean it off, put it all the way back in, then pull it out again to check the level.

Am I missing anything? I beleive the engine does need to be running while fluid is being checked, but does it need to be warm, or just running?

Thanks guys!
Adam

The transmission should be at operating temp when you check the fluid level.