ToyotaCare is a complimentary maintenance plan that comes standard with all new Toyota models. Once this expires, drivers can upgrade to the ToyotaCare Plus plan for long-lasting maintenance coverage at an additional cost.
In this article, we discuss ToyotaCare and ToyotaCare Plus in detail, including each plan’s coverage, roadside assistance programs and general operation. We’ll also go over the cost of the ToyotaCare Plus plan and see how it compares to typical Toyota maintenance costs.
You may also consider a vehicle service contract to save money on Toyota maintenance. Our review team has thoroughly researched the industry and identified the best extended car warranty companies available. For more information on how you can save on repair bills with a vehicle service contract, read on or click below.
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How Does ToyotaCare Work?
ToyotaCare is a free 2-year/25,000-mile routine service plan that comes with new Toyota vehicles. The program is based on your specific model’s maintenance guide and includes 2-year/unlimited-mile 24-hour roadside assistance.
Drivers can easily check their vehicles’ eligibility by searching their vehicle identification number (VIN) on Toyota’s website. ToyotaCare provides the following services:
- Maintenance reminders
- Engine oil and filter changes
- Tire rotations
- Multi-point inspections
- Fluid adjustments and inspections
The program follows your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule to provide the necessary care for your car. For example, in general, Toyotas may receive a multi-point inspection, tire rotation and fluid check every 5,000 miles. However, ToyotaCare also takes your specific model into consideration, so your ToyotaCare plan specifics will be tailored to your car’s needs. Under ToyotaCare, all maintenance services will be completed by factory-trained technicians using genuine parts.
The 24-hour roadside assistance program offers helpful services at no additional cost, including:
- Battery jump-starts
- Lockout services
- Emergency fuel delivery
- Tire services using your spare tire
- Towing to the nearest Toyota dealership
- Winching from a ditch, mud, sand or snow
Drivers can call 800-444-4195 for any roadside assistance needs.
ToyotaCare Plus: Cost and Benefits
Toyota offers an optional ToyotaCare Plus plan for drivers interested in extending their prepaid maintenance up to 4 years or 45,000 miles, whichever comes first. ToyotaCare Plus covers the same services as the original benefit, including 24-hour roadside assistance. However, unlike the standard ToyotaCare plan, ToyotaCare Plus comes at an additional cost.
Drivers can purchase ToyotaCare Plus coverage from any participating Toyota dealership in the U.S. Coverage is eligible for any vehicle that’s within 37 months of its original in-service date and has fewer than 31,000 miles on the odometer.
According to one Toyota dealership in Ramsey, New Jersey, ToyotaCare Plus can be added for a one-time fee of $329. However, this price point may vary between Toyota models and dealerships, so use it as a baseline rather than a guarantee.
If you purchase ToyotaCare Plus and are unhappy with the program, you can cancel your coverage based on your contract’s agreement terms. Drivers can also transfer this coverage to any subsequent private owners for a $50 fee.
Is ToyotaCare Plus Worth It?
Based on data from RepairPal, average Toyota maintenance costs total $441 annually, which is well below the $652 average across all car brands. This cost not only factors in routine maintenance services, but unexpected repairs as well. Below, is a breakdown of what you may expect to pay out of pocket for individual Toyota maintenance services.
| Toyota Maintenance Service | Cost* |
|---|---|
| Oil and filter change | $100 to $130 |
| Tire rotation | $79 to $100 |
| Transmission fluid replacement | $167 to $198 |
| Spark plug replacement | $100 to $151 |
| Cabin air filter replacement | $73 to $107 |
| Brake fluid replacement | $125 and $158 |
| Coolant replacement | $90 and $113 |
*Data from RepairPal for a Toyota Corolla.
You won’t have to pay for each of these services at every vehicle check-up, but oil changes, filter changes and tire rotations are fairly commonplace and will need to be performed at least once a year.
Because ToyotaCare Plus only covers maintenance services for two years, the best way to determine if the extra coverage is worth it is to get a quote from your local Toyota dealership and try to estimate whether the cost would outweigh what you’d pay out of pocket for repairs over that time period.
How Can an Extended Warranty Lower Your Toyota Maintenance Cost?
ToyotaCare and ToyotaCare plus both aim to lower your overall maintenance bill, but they don’t cover mechanical breakdown damage, which is often the most costly part of maintaining your vehicle. Luckily, there are other ways to save money on non-routine services. An extended car warranty is an optional protection plan that covers vehicle repair costs after your factory warranty expires.
A Toyota extended warranty – also called a vehicle service agreement – can be purchased from Toyota directly or from an independent warranty company. However, there are pros and cons of extended car warranties from either option, which we’ve outlined below.
| Toyota Extended Auto Warranty | Third-Party Extended Auto Warranty |
|---|---|
| Vehicle-specific contracts that are only accepted at dealerships | Generalized coverage that can fit many car brands |
| Guarantee the use of factory-trained technicians and genuine Toyota parts | May not cover the full cost of genuine parts, but factory-trained techs can work on your vehicle if you have it serviced at a dealership |
| Need to purchase either when you buy your vehicle or before your original Toyota warranty expires | Can be purchased at almost any time in your vehicle’s life |
| Three coverage levels available | Reputable extended car warranty companies offer five or six coverage options |
| Costs are typically more expensive and may be subject to dealer markups | Often less costly than the manufacturer’s option |
Best Options for Extended Toyota Protection
After researching the extended warranty industry, our review team ranked the best extended car warranty providers on the market. These rankings were based on each company’s coverage options, costs, added benefits, customer reviews and industry standing. For drivers looking for more peace of mind on the road knowing their most expensive Toyota maintenance costs will be covered, we recommend looking into Endurance and CARCHEX.
Endurance: Best Provider
Available in all states except California, Endurance is a unique provider for Toyota owners. Rather than working with an external administrator, the provider handles all customer quotes and claims in-house. With strong industry backing and positive customer reviews, Endurance may be your best bet for additional Toyota coverage.
Here’s are some benefits to choosing an Endurance warranty:
- The provider offers six coverage options with contract terms that extend up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles.
- You can choose from four deductible options, giving you the flexibility to influence your overall coverage cost.
- Endurance has sample contracts on its website that you can read through before signing on the dotted line.
- The company offers the best additional benefits package in the car warranty industry.
Read our Endurance warranty review for more information, or click below for a free, no-obligation quote to see how much this provider can save you.
CARCHEX: Best for High-Mileage Cars
CARCHEX, another great choice for extended car warranty coverage, offers vehicle service contracts in all 50 states. Thanks to its wide variety of plans, CARCHEX is our top choice for drivers looking to cover older, higher-mileage cars.
Here are a few highlights of CARCHEX warranty coverage:
- CARCHEX has five coverage plans to choose from, with term limits that extend up to 10 years or 250,000 miles.
- The provider is backed by industry experts such as CARFAX, Edmunds.com and Kelley Blue Book.
- Customers speak highly of the CARCHEX customer service and affordability.
To learn more, check out our full CARCHEX review. You can also click below to receive a free, individualized quote from CARCHEX.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car warranty provider to formulate rankings of the best warranty companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account coverage, pricing, transparency, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in five categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend auto warranty companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.
