Fuel Injection Service?

I have a 2003 Corolla CE. Great little car. I've been having it dealer serviced.

The car now has 15,000 miles on it, so I'm taking it in for the 15,000 mile service. The dealer already recommends oil changes every 3000 miles for the driving conditions here in the mid-Atlantic (hot summers, lots of road salt in winter). That seems like awfully frequent for a modern car, but OK, at $26.95/pop I can deal with that.

But now they're telling me that they recommend a "fuel injector service" EVERY 15,000 MILES!!!!!! Now, I've dealt with shyster service departments before for my Civics, and I've never had anyone tell me I need some $175 fuel injector service on top of a $229 15,000 mile major service -- especially on a car with only 15,000 miles on it. And they recommend some kind of an air filter for the cabin ventilation system.

Is this something that Toyotas in general or Corollas specifically need, or is this just the dealer trying to pay for his house on St. Barts?

I've had 2 Civics dealer-only serviced, and both conked out at 107,000 miles, which is low for a Honda. Everyone I know who just has their service done at the corner gas station gets like 150,000 miles out of their Hondas and Toyotas. Are the dealers just screwing around with these cars? I'm going to have mine dealer serviced as long as the warranty is in effect, but unless someone can tell me that there is a compelling reason to have all this extra stuff done. $400 in maintenance service on a 2-year-old car seems excessive, when I bought it for its reliability.

I have never had any Toyota dealer or independent mechanic recommend a fuel injection service. Some people believe it's a good idea for some cars, but I haven't found it necessary for my Corolla, or my '87 Celica.

You will want to get a new cabin filter, though, at least once a year. If you don't, your A/C output will suffer. It's expensive if the dealer does it, but if you get the part and do it yourself (it goes behind the glove box), it's not so bad. Some here have had permanent ones made that they can clean and put right back in.

Oil changes- Toyota recommends 7.5 k for regular driving, 5k for severe driving, but I do 3k or 3 months, dino oil, just cuz I always have. You should have a "passport to Performance" maintenence guide that came with your owner's manual. It'll give you the straight story as opposed to what the stealership says. Welcome to the board!

Unless there is poor performance, the benefit of routine fuel system cleaning is to the dealer's wallet.

Sounds like Jiffy Lube mentality has spread.

Just follow the service recommendations in your factory service schedule.

Following the recommended services per the dealer is a good rule of thumb. Between services, you can try adding 4 oz. of Marvel Mystery Oil to the fuel tank along with 93 octane gas. MMO will help to clean them and lubricate the fuel pump as well as the injectors.

Per the dealer? Is that what you meant to say, or per the manufacturer? It sounds like you meant the latter. Please clarify...thanks.

LISTEN This car was designed to be a low maintance car. I have a 2000 corolla , never have I taken to the dealer. Change the oil every 10K km, coolant every 50K km, Air filter 60K km.and thats all. no spark plug untill 200K km, because of irredium. no fuel injection service because gas has all the cleaning agents in it. NO fuel filter, no lube the tie end rod because of permaseal. Stay away from the dealer, As long as you have the oil change record.

The interval posted as 200K was in kilometers, not miles, so that explains why it appears so long.

My '03 Corolla LE now has 26,000 miles on it and I've never had a Fuel Injector Service -- or any other kind of service, for that matter -- performed by the dealer. I do my own oil and filter changes, and at 30K, will do my own transmission fluid and coolant service. I haven't replaced the cabin air filter yet, either. I just purchased a CD service manual on eBay and will use that info to do these jobs myself.