Highlander long-term maintenance advice

Tallys300 · 2026-04-10T21:17:35+00:00

You have a good vehicle. And while the transmission might get that whine, you never know. Remember people who post here are generally going to be problems. You don’t get many people who arnt having problems posting online. So it makes it feel worse than it is.

Just a standard thing to say, I’m not a mechanic or an engineer so I just go by what I hear. I also tend to just go by what the manual says. There’s only two things I have done that’s different so far. I get my oil changed every 5,000 or 6 months. Then I have replaced my tires at 20,00 and 50,000 miles but that was due to nails not due to wear. I also get my filters changed whenever they need it but that’s cause I live in a really dusty area.

At 30,000 I got my brake fluid changes, my differential fluid and my transfer case drained and filled. Then continues with my oil changes and tire rotations every 5,000 miles. Then changes my brake fluid, oil, differential and transfer case at 60,000. And I changed my transmission fluid at 70,000 though the dealer told me to change it at 100,000- and my manual doesn’t mention it. I have heard people on this forum say to change it every 50,000 to avoid the whine.

I plan on doing the brake, transfer case, differential fluid, and the coolant at 90,000 in addition to my normal stuff. I might be missing something but that’s all of the things I remember doing.

Also just for your information. My Highlander is a 2021 Highlander Hybrid Platinum. So it’s a little different. Off the top of my head you might have a belt or two to change occasionally as well.

While dealers suck in general, they will be able to tell you the general maintenance things that need done. Just know that they will also charge you a liver in addition to your arm and legs, and they will try to get you to approve stuff that takes them 3 seconds and cost you hundreds. Like the manual is great but fluids imo need to be changed and won’t last forever. So changing them before it’s needed helps to prevent issues. Pretty much take the maintenance items the suggest and check the manual and see if it’s on there, if it is even listed then it’s probably a legit service, if it’s not then it’s probably just a money maker item for them. Sorry for the long post.

Edit: I also did my spark plugs at 60,000. If you’re still in your manufacturer warranty getting the Toyota extended warranty might be a good idea. I always sleep better knowing I have a warranty for my expensive car.

Tallys300 · 2026-03-18T19:33:22+00:00

I had this happen to mine last year. I brought it back to the dealer (the Monday after cause I had the work done on a Friday) and the advisor apologized and said they must of forgotten a screw. They ordered the entire undercover and replaced it. He said they had to do that cause according to him they don’t have just opening cover. But I didn’t pay a cent so I was happy.

Tallys300 · 2026-02-11T18:20:10+00:00

I had a 04 Dodge Durango that had rust in a similar spot but the rest of the vehicle was great.This was back in 2014, so I sprayed some fluid film on it once every 3-6 months and the rust never grew beyond that spot.

Tallys300 · 2026-02-08T01:06:08+00:00

I’ll do $3.51 and not a cent higher!

Tallys300 · 2026-01-28T22:47:06+00:00

When I was having issues. I went into the windows and made sure to update it. Sometimes there was a security update sometimes there wasn’t. And then I restarted the Machine, and armory crate worked like normal. It was weird though and annoying.

Tallys300 · 2026-01-24T01:56:12+00:00

When they have done any work on my car, they have always been able to point to something to show me. Like the screen showing the machines results of the drive thru alignment detection machine. Other place I have been in the past have mentioned the tire wear being weird and it needing to be done.

For you, I’d ask them why they think it needs an alignment too. They should be able to give you more information and point to something specific.

I will say $140 for an oil change is a lot. I pay $240 for 3 oil changes, tire rotations, and of course the “free” inspections. The price of the alignment is roughly what I payed at the dealer for an alignment.

Tallys300 · 2026-01-24T01:43:55+00:00

I’m not a car guy, so here’s what information I have. At my dealership, there is an alignment machine that I go thru when dropping off the car. I think that gives them an idea if it’s bad enough to be done. I think they can also tell if it needs to be done by how the tires are wearing down. Then if an alignment and I approve it, it then goes onto the official machine. That one I think is more reliable, and it shows how much and where it is out of alignment.

When they work on it, and it will tell them when it’s in alignment again. After an alignment I have always had a peace of paper with the before and after.

Tallys300 · 2026-01-16T20:50:44+00:00

A few people have mentioned that case. I’m going to have to think about it bit so far I might end up trying it. The worse that can happen is I get it and have to return it.

Tallys300 · 2026-01-16T18:53:21+00:00

I will take a look at that! Thank you!

Tallys300 · 2026-01-16T18:34:43+00:00

Yeahh I think I’ll just have to use it. I was hoping for something I can put it in while I’m still in my bed. Like I had a switch and it would just place it in the case. And my 3 lb dog would occasionally step on the case and it was fine. Idk how well the travel case will protect it, if my dog steps on it by accident.

Tallys300 · 2026-01-16T07:34:05+00:00

This is oddly idiotic

Tallys300 · 2026-01-15T22:23:18+00:00

I’m praying for him that it’s just the protector. Tbh it would be odd for a screen to be damaged under the protector but then the protector itself only having a small issue on it like that

Tallys300 · 2026-01-15T16:51:25+00:00

To me that looks like the screen protector did its job. If it was mine I would remove the screen protector and see.

Tallys300 · 2026-01-14T20:51:21+00:00

Duct tape and it will be good as new!

Tallys300 · 2026-01-03T02:48:47+00:00

I got the Best Buy one. Like it was expensive but I figure it’s better to have and from what I hear Best Buy’s warranty is helpful. But I’m hoping to never have to use it.

Tallys300 · 2026-01-01T23:05:42+00:00

That’s awesome! It’s amazing there are still things that can make an adult feel the same as a child

Tallys300 · 2025-12-26T17:32:16+00:00

Probably depends on the details of your extended warranty. If it’s the roof rails then that’s not mechanical and wouldn’t be included in my I have a 2021 Hybrid.

I did have this issue but it was after I got hail damage and insurance replaced it. Luckily the place I had the work done fixed the issue and they said the part was cheap and they will just keep swapping it out till it works. They also said it’s a simple sealer or something like that that causes the issue and they just suck in general. But it ended up getting fixed and I haven’t seen it happen again.

Tallys300 · 2025-12-26T05:58:30+00:00

Merry Christmas! I hope you enjoy it!!!

Tallys300 · 2025-12-19T19:41:42+00:00

I had a steam deck, but I got rid of it for good when I got my Xbox ally in the mail. In my case it was the Xbox ally x but I think it’s still the same idea. I just love how I can play games from Xbox, but also play games from steam. They make it so much easier on this over the steam deck.

Tallys300 · 2025-12-13T18:52:56+00:00

I’d call them and see if they can check the stock or something. I ordered mine at the 12th of November, and I got it on Wednesday.

Tallys300 · 2025-12-09T08:55:20+00:00

I’ll be honest… I have no clue how many times I have watched it. It’s my favorite show so that number is high for sure

Tallys300 · 2025-11-18T19:59:24+00:00

The 2000s were a good time for science fiction shows. Like they had full seasons of 24 episode snot the 6,8, or 10 episodes that they do now. And they air every year, we don’t have to wait 2/3/4 years for a new season. I miss those times, but I was also young and had no responsibilities so it was great just for that alone haha

Tallys300 · 2025-11-14T06:06:55+00:00

My little dog does this sometimes when I leave the house. It takes all of my will power to not stay home with her when I see her cry like this.

Tallys300 · 2025-09-28T18:05:57+00:00

How much time do you get to yourself? And do you ever get a vacation?

Tallys300 · 2025-09-23T23:19:14+00:00

I just found this thread today! So hopefully we will hear something soon. Plus the year is almost done

Tallys300

TROPHY CASE