ToyotaCare: Services, Extended Plans, and Costs

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• ToyotaCare is a prepaid maintenance plan that comes with all new Toyota cars, trucks, SUVs, and crossovers.
• This coverage plan covers routine maintenance services such as filter and oil changes for two years or 25,000 miles.
• Owners can purchase ToyotaCare Plus to extend their original coverage, but there are other prepaid maintenance plans on the market.

If you bought a new Toyota in the past few years, you may have enjoyed the benefits of ToyotaCare. The company includes this vehicle maintenance plan with every new car it sells, covering the first few years of recommended services for Toyota owners. When that plan expires, you have the option to continue your protection by purchasing ToyotaCare Plus.

While owners get the original plan for free, extending the maintenance plan comes at a cost. Our team closely read through the plan’s fine print to reveal the coverage and potential price of ToyotaCare Plus. We’ll explain in this article whether ToyotaCare Plus is worth getting before revealing some of the best extended car warranty companies on the market.

What Is ToyotaCare?

ToyotaCare is a no-cost maintenance plan that comes with new vehicles as part of the Toyota factory warranty. While the manufacturer’s warranty covers mechanical repairs during the coverage period, ToyotaCare takes care of regular maintenance services for your car.

This coverage is similar to that of a prepaid maintenance plan you can find from some dealerships and repair shops. However, you don’t have to pay for anything with ToyotaCare for the first two years, since coverage is included with each new Toyota.

What Does ToyotaCare Cover?

Your ToyotaCare plan covers scheduled services and maintenance items specified by Toyota in the owner’s manual. These services include:

• Multipoint inspections
• Engine oil and filter changes
• Tire rotations
• Fluid level inspections and adjustments

Under ToyotaCare, you’ll have services performed by Toyota-trained technicians using genuine parts approved by the company. While this means that your components and mechanics will be brand-approved, it also means you must head to a Toyota dealership for service.

ToyotaCare Roadside Assistance

Included as part of the ToyotaCare plan is the company’s roadside assistance package. Toyota’s 24-hour roadside assistance covers the following:

• Lockout protection
• Emergency fuel deliveries
• Towing and winching
• Certain tire services
• Battery jump-starts

Note that ToyotaCare’s roadside assistance services are only available in the continental U.S. and in Alaska.

How Long Does ToyotaCare Last?

The initial ToyotaCare plan lasts for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. Roadside assistance services also last for two years but come with unlimited mileage. You can pay extra to continue coverage through ToyotaCare Plus for a total coverage length of four years or 45,000 miles.

What Is ToyotaCare Plus?

Once your initial ToyotaCare coverage expires, you’ll be responsible for paying for all routine services and maintenance items. You can avoid doing so by opting for a ToyotaCare Plus plan, which extends your original maintenance coverage for up to either four years or 45,000 miles. While ToyotaCare is free, you’ll need to pay to receive ToyotaCare Plus services.

ToyotaCare Plus Coverage

ToyotaCare Plus covers everything found in the initial ToyotaCare plan for subscribers. It takes care of the items found in the manufacturer’s car maintenance guide, so you’ll get services when your Toyota hits 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, and 45,000 miles.

The services included in a ToyotaCare Plus plan include:

• Engine oil and filter changes
• Multipoint inspections
• Tire rotations
• Cabin air filter services
• Engine air filter services

As with the original plan, all covered services must be performed at official Toyota service centers. In other words, you must head to a Toyota dealership to receive the benefits above. Third-party maintenance plans from reputable warranty companies may add more accessibility when it comes to service locations.

ToyotaCare Plus Roadside Assistance

ToyotaCare Plus also extends the roadside service coverage that comes with your original maintenance plan. You’ll now receive four years and unlimited miles of roadside services.

ToyotaCare Plus Cost

Toyota extended maintenance plans appear to be reasonably priced. When our team was mystery shopping for prices, a Toyota dealership in New Jersey quoted us a one-time fee of $329 for ToyotaCare Plus. While this number offers an estimate of how much you could pay, expect actual prices to vary.

ToyotaCare Plus Cost Factors

The cost of ToyotaCare Plus doesn’t vary as much as it would for an extended warranty or for car insurance. However, prices still change due to factors that include:

• Toyota model: There are some differences in maintenance schedules between the various Toyota models. Because of this, prices will be higher for cars that require more frequent or pricier services.
• Location: Local regulations, such as more rigorous or frequent emissions testing, can impact the cost of maintenance services and therefore your ToyotaCare Plus plan. Differences in market factors can also cause prices to vary between areas.
• Dealership: Some Toyota dealers may charge more for plans than others, so it’s a good idea to call a few dealership phone numbers before making a final purchase.

ToyotaCare Plus Eligibility

Toyota has some eligibility requirements for the ToyotaCare Plus plan, but they’re very simple. For your car to be eligible for ToyotaCare Plus, it must have less than 31,000 miles on it and should be fewer than 37 months past its date of first use.

Does ToyotaCare Plus Transfer?

Yes, ToyotaCare Plus plans can transfer from one car owner to another. If you decide to sell your car while you have remaining coverage, ToyotaCare Plus can be transferred for a $50 fee.

According to Toyota, transfer eligibility only applies to private sales. The extended maintenance plan may not transfer if you sell your car to a dealership or buy a used Toyota from one.

ToyotaCare Plus Cancellation

If you cancel a ToyotaCare Plus plan within 30 days of the start of your contract and before any benefits have been paid out, you’ll get a full refund. After 30 days or after benefits have been paid out, you’ll need to ask your dealership about whether a refund is possible. Depending on the dealership, you may not be able to receive a refund on your ToyotaCare Plus plan.

Is ToyotaCare Plus Worth It?

Before getting into cost data, it’s worth mentioning that there are benefits to extended car warranties and maintenance plans that go beyond the savings potential. Prepaid service agreements simplify the cost of car ownership, offering peace of mind and helping with financial planning.

Some people prefer a more structured approach to their auto maintenance costs. For these people, plans like ToyotaCare Plus may be worth it even if they don’t lead to savings.

Toyota Maintenance Costs

From a financial perspective, the value of a vehicle maintenance plan is easier to predict than for an extended warranty. If you plan to follow your recommended car maintenance schedule, compare the cost of those services to the price of ToyotaCare Plus.

Remember, the quote we got for ToyotaCare Plus was $329, so you can use that as an estimate for comparison. You’ll find estimates for some recommended services on Toyota cars between 25,000 and 45,000 miles in the table below.

Recommended Maintenance Service	Mileage When Needed	Average Cost Estimate
Replace engine oil and oil filter	30,000 miles	$80
Replace cabin air filter	30,000 miles	$50
Replace engine air filter	30,000 miles	$50
Rotate tires	30,000 miles	$40
Replace engine oil and filter	40,000 miles	$80
Rotate tires	40,000 miles	$40
Rotate tires	45,000 miles	$40
All services	25,000 to 45,000 miles	$380

*These cost estimates reflect a general average across Toyota vehicles and should only be used as a guide. Services for cars like the Toyota Corolla may be cheaper compared to those for models like the Toyota RAV4 or Highlander. Electric and hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius may require different maintenance items.

You can expect to pay somewhere around $380 for the services Toyota recommends if performed out of pocket. This figure doesn’t include inspections and any fluid or brake services that may come up, and would be covered under ToyotaCare Plus.

Based on these estimates, you could save money by purchasing a ToyotaCare Plus plan. For a more accurate estimate, ask your Toyota service center to reveal its prices and service specials. It’s also worth asking a few local independent service centers for their pricing.

ToyotaCare Plus: Pros and Cons

There’s a lot to like about ToyotaCare Plus, but it does come with a few potential drawbacks. You’ll find advantages and disadvantages of the maintenance program below:

ToyotaCare Plus Pros	ToyotaCare Plus Cons
Could save drivers money	Limits service options to Toyota dealerships
Helps owners stick to recommended maintenance schedule	Doesn’t include battery replacements
Includes roadside assistance	Actual value depends on your Toyota model

ToyotaCare Plus vs. Third-Party Maintenance Plans

ToyotaCare Plus offers a good value as a prepaid maintenance plan, but it isn’t your only option. Several of the best used car warranty companies also offer maintenance plans as part of their product lineups. Some even offer maintenance coverage as part of their warranty contracts.

Advantages of Third-Party Maintenance Plans

Maintenance plans from independent warranty companies typically offer similar coverage for routine services. However, prepaid maintenance agreements from third-party providers have a few distinct advantages over manufacturer plans like ToyotaCare Plus:

• Service center options: ToyotaCare Plus limits you to having services done at your Toyota dealer. Independent providers allow maintenance work to be performed at any repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE^?).
• Cost: Depending on the provider, extended car warranty company costs are often less than those from automakers like Toyota.
• Purchasing options: While Toyota has restrictions on when and where you can buy a ToyotaCare Plus plan, most independent warranty providers offer a bigger window of when and where you can purchase coverage.

ToyotaCare: Conclusion

ToyotaCare is a valuable benefit to have with your normal factory warranty. By covering maintenance items, it can help people follow their recommended service schedule without worrying about new costs. The inclusion of 24/7 roadside assistance is another helpful perk.

Our research team found that ToyotaCare Plus offers a pretty strong value as a prepaid maintenance plan. In addition to potentially saving you money on recommended services, it can make planning for car maintenance costs easier and more predictable. Without out-of-pocket costs to worry about, drivers may be less likely to procrastinate on their car’s service schedule.

However, that last point is also true of prepaid maintenance plans offered by independent providers. These plans offer more flexibility and could even be cheaper and offer greater benefits than ToyotaCare Plus.

ToyotaCare Plus: Recommended Alternatives

If you’re considering purchasing a ToyotaCare Plus plan, it’s smart to compare your coverage and costs with those from other providers. This is the only way to know which prepaid maintenance plan is truly the best deal for you. We recommend comparing ToyotaCare Plus with plans offered by some of the industry’s most reputable extended car warranty companies.

Endurance: EnduranceAdvantage^™

Endurance earned the highest score of any provider in our extended warranty study and received the award for Best Overall. In addition to its industry-best vehicle protection plans, the company offers a maintenance plan known as EnduranceAdvantage. Endurance offers three tiers of maintenance coverage, with services such as battery replacement and coolant system maintenance that are excluded from ToyotaCare Plus.

Keep reading: Endurance warranty review

While you won’t find specific maintenance plans from all of the best extended warranty providers, you’ll discover more extensive coverage options. Companies such as CarShield, CARCHEX, and Endurance offer extended warranties that may be more helpful than a simple vehicle maintenance plan.

ToyotaCare: FAQ

Below are a few frequently asked questions about ToyotaCare:

Our Methodology

Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best extended auto warranty providers.

• Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving this score.
• Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car warranty company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account the number of plans offered by each provider, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
• Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations to give this rating.
• Transparency: We consider the transparency of each company’s contracts and the availability of a money-back guarantee when determining this score.
• Customer Service: Reputable extended car warranty companies operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.

*Data accurate at time of publication.