I would really rather do the work myself and pay for it than to let the dealer do it. How many others would rather do it this way?

Too lazy, too tired, too old, and those darn skid plates... lol. I have 8,880 miles on the truck and I've already had THREE FREE oil changes; one at 1,000 one at 3,100, and one at 7700 miles. But the next I'll be paying for because the party is over "Said the toyota service dept rep", t'was two years old in April... and I enjoyed every 'slippery' minute of it hahaha! Cheers

I would. I tried to get a free oil change from Toyota care - they didn't change the filter, didn't drop the skid plate and filled it with oil, and they managed to destroy my alignment. Not sure if they drove it into the pit or dropped it off a lift.

I hate doing oil changes, hate, hate, hate, hate it. Especially with the stupid new cartridge filters, but for peace of mind of knowing it was done correctly, and not having to bring it back for stupid mistakes, I endure it.

So... are you saying that you don't like doing oil changes or...

I do all my own maintenance , I use the Toyota filter and oil but do not trust dealers. I would only use a dealer for warranty work or something I just can not do. Years ago I had a 1993 Toyota pickup and I changed the oil myself , I used a silver paint pen to write mileage and date on filter. I got lazy next oil change and just swung by my selling dealer (large so cal dealer) for oil change.next oil change I decided to do myself and guess what ! Yep same filter , back to dealer with my receipt and truck. Had a calm talk with management and received free oil changes for life but never used one. This is just one of the many examples I have had with dealers or employees not caring. These vehicles are a big investment and I enjoy doing the work also.

I prefer to do my own work too. The dealerships always seem to screw something up, if not everything. You get what you pay for.

I thought the free oil changes/ rotations/ "toyota care"/etc only covered oil change every 5k miles or 6 months?



ALSO: to everyone...
When I lived in Southern California, there was a big deal with oil change shops not putting in the good oil you pay for, or reusing oil.
Does anyone think the dealer does that? Or is there a way to check? I guess look at the dip stick as soon as you get the rig back....

Cheers

As long as I am physically able to change my vehicle's oil, I will. I worked @ a car dealership (service dept) before entering the military. I'm VERY familiar with the Shenanigans that occurs there.

And given the design of the new 5th gen 4 Runners this is exactly what is happening to a lot of people who take their vehicle in for the "free" Toyota Care. Changing the oil is quick and easy. Pull 2 bolts and remove a small cover plate; then remove oil pan drain plug. Done in 5 mins. Getting to the filter - whole 'nuther story. It may have to do with how Toyota is reimbursing the dealer - likely a warranty type rate vs. customer pay rate for the Toyota Care work.

I feel sorry for people who depend on any dealership for maintenance work. It is and has been one of the biggest ripoffs in auto repair from day one.

I understand where you are coming from as it is a seemingly simple task, but one that is improperly performed countless times not only by the Quick Lube places, but dealerships as well. The internet is full of dealership oil change horror stories.

I'll take my chances on me vs. a dealership lube tech any day of the week.

You are fortunate to have a dealership you trust.

I never took advantage of the free oil changes either. I did try at 20k miles and was told it would be a 3 hour wait.

I just went home and did it myself.

I have been doing oil changes since the late 1960s as a kid on my parents vehicles.

I just feel more comfortable doing it myself and knowing it is done correctly.

Dealer left the oil cap off mine twice in the 4 free oil changes I received. Just like in everything, trust but verify. Check under the hood and inside the skid plate BEFORE you leave the dealer. If you are still curious about the oil and the internals of your engine, get an oil sample kit from one of the many companies out there. Kits are free but the analysis usually costs a few bucks. Have the tech fill it then you send it in. They provide more oil info than you'll ever need. I do it with my Harley and the info you get is great for piece of mind as well as potential preventative maintenance issues.

Blackstone labs is $25 and super easy.

i've got lifetime free oil changes from my dealer on my 14 T4R. it's only got 250 miles on it so I haven't taken advantage of it but I most likely will. I guess i'll just have to take a look at everything afterwards and make sure they changed the filter.

You will be able to pull the dipstick and examine the condition and level of the oil assuming you checked it just before taking it to the dealer - comparing what the oil looked like before vs. what it looks like after. You'll also be able to ensure they reinstalled the oil fill cap.

You will not be able to determine if the filter was changed as it's a paper element that's inside the filter housing. The spin-on types are apparently being phased out. Toyota started this in 2005 with the 2GR-FE engine used on Avalons, V6 Camrys, Siennas, Highlanders, RAV4 and maybe one or two more.

It's my understanding the newer Corollas also have this style filter.

The exception might be a dealership that has a waiting area with a view into the service bay. You might be able to see the big shroud(pan) underneath being dropped. If they did that, it's possible they changed the filter.

As I stated above, the overall design of the oil/oil filter drain/replace system used on 5th gen 4 Runners makes it too easy for a dealer to simply change the oil and skip the oil filter change altogether.

I removed the air dam and front skid plate before going in for my free oil change. The 10K change was OK but there was oil all over under there and a little dripped on the garage floor. Went under to check and found all was OK but they must have made a mess removing the oil filter.

I'm due for my 20K free change and am undecided about getting it free or doing it myself.

The last three free inspections with tire rotation were a problem A few lug nuts not torqued to spec and a few were too tight. I remove my wheel locks, then replace them after the service, checked the others while replacing the locks.