If you’re thinking of heading to your local Toyota dealer to buy your next car, truck, or SUV, you’re probably already familiar with the Japanese automaker’s lineup. But how much do you know about the coverage that Toyota offers? Knowing about this coverage is the first step to taking advantage of its benefits after you buy, and comparing Toyota’s offers with plans from other automakers might help you decide if you’re not quite sure yet where you’re going to go for your next ride.
Basically, ToyotaCare is a maintenance plan that covers service and roadside assistance. However, the details of the plan can vary between different models, and there are also variations, such as ToyotaCare Plus. There are even some plans that you can buy for a Toyota that you already own, so even if you’re not looking to buy a new model soon, you still might be able to get some additional coverage. Let’s dive into the details and see what these different plans are and what they can do for you as a driver.
ToyotaCare
If you see the term “ToyotaCare” by itself, it refers to a maintenance plan that comes standard on all new Toyota vehicles. No upcharge, no extra fees, just a perk that’s baked into your purchase or lease, whether you buy a car, truck, or SUV from Toyota’s lineup. There are two parts to the plan: maintenance coverage and roadside assistance. Let’s take a look at both.
On the maintenance side, you’ll be covered for all “normal factory scheduled maintenance” for a limited time. If you’re not sure exactly what this term covers, take a look at your owner’s manual and find the section that lays out your maintenance schedule. Unless you own an EV, you’ll see oil and filter changes first and foremost, although the recommended interval can vary depending on the type of vehicle you have (if you’re getting a performance vehicle like the GR Supra or GR86, you should look extra closely at the maintenance schedule). Whether you have a traditional gasoline, hybrid, or electric powertrain, you’ll also need regular tire rotations and multi-point inspections to keep track of the vehicle’s overall health. And if you see a maintenance reminder pop up on your infotainment screen, there’s a good bet that the service it’s reminding you about will be covered by your plan.
For most Toyota vehicles, this coverage lasts for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, there is one exception: the Mirai gets a longer coverage window of three years or 35,000 miles. During that time, Toyota will cover your maintenance as long as you stick with approved service providers (generally, this means getting service at your local Toyota dealership).
The second included benefit is 24-hour roadside assistance. If you get locked out of your vehicle or have a flat tire, a dead battery, or an empty fuel tank, you can call and know that help is on the way. For more serious problems, you can get towed to your nearest Toyota dealership for more extensive service. And if you’re stuck in the mud, sand, snow, or a ditch, then roadside assistance will get you extracted from that predicament. For most models, roadside assistance is offered for two years with no mileage cap. For the Mirai, bZ4X, and Prius, roadside assistance gets bumped up to three years, still with unlimited mileage.
ToyotaCare Plus
While standard ToyotaCare comes free with the purchase or lease of a new vehicle, you also have the option to pay to upgrade to ToyotaCare Plus. This is essentially the same coverage but lasts longer than two years or 25,000 miles. How much longer it lasts is up to you: there are three different options for you to choose from. You can get coverage for three years and up to 45,000 miles, four years and up to 60,000 miles, or five years and up to 75,000 miles. Whichever length of coverage you pick, you’ll get 24-hour roadside assistance for as long as you’re covered by the maintenance plan.
ToyotaCare Plus Service Drive
The first two plans we covered are only available as part of the purchase or lease of a new Toyota model. But what if you already have a Toyota and want to get a maintenance plan? That’s where ToyotaCare Plus Service Drive comes in. You can buy this coverage after the fact and get a vehicle you already own covered for maintenance for up to four years or 45,000 miles (whichever comes first) from the date of first use. You’ll also get access to Toyota’s roadside assistance for four years from that date of first use, regardless of how many miles you drive.
Since this benefit is still measured from the start of the vehicle’s lifespan, it shouldn’t come as a shock that you don’t have forever to sign up. You’re only eligible for ToyotaCare Plus Service Drive if your vehicle has 31,000 miles or less on the odometer and was purchased within the past 37 months. And if, for some reason, your vehicle wasn’t eligible for ToyotaCare in the first place, it won’t be eligible for ToyotaCare Plus Service Drive now.
Toyota Service Care
If you’re not eligible for any of the above ToyotaCare programs but still want coverage, don’t despair. There’s still one plan left for you: Toyota Service Care. This plan lasts for two years from the time you purchase the plan, regardless of when you purchased the vehicle, and has no mileage cap. Once the two years run out, you’ll have the option to renew the plan over and over again to keep the coverage. This is the only plan that gives you access to regular maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance essentially indefinitely, with no mileage caps to worry about.
Are These Plans Worth It?
If you’re going to get a new Toyota, then standard ToyotaCare is certainly worth taking advantage of. You’re going to be getting it bundled in with your purchase whether you want it or not, so it makes sense to get your free oil changes and roadside assistance while you’re eligible instead of paying a third party. Sticking with certified Toyota service centers for your maintenance will also ensure that any service and parts you’re getting will not void your warranty coverage, which is a whole other kettle of fish.
As for the plans that cost extra, their value will vary from person to person. If you have a trusted mechanic or are a member of AAA, then you might want the freedom to get service and roadside assistance without going through Toyota. If you like the service you get from Toyota, then renewing Toyota Service Care is probably a smart idea. If you’re buying a new model and are unsure whether to get extended coverage or not, it might give you peace of mind to know that you don’t need to decide right away. You can treat the free ToyotaCare coverage window as a sort of trial run.
If you have good experiences with the roadside assistance and service you get through ToyotaCare, you can always extend your coverage after your time is up by getting ToyotaCare Plus Service Drive or Toyota Service Care. That way, you’ll have a good idea of what you’re paying for and what it’s worth to you. Instead of worrying about whether or not you’re getting a good deal, you can sit back and enjoy your peace of mind.
