I called the local dealer about the cost and work done on a 15k service. Are some of these service writers just order takers. Two things bothered me. One, a $56 performance check? Two, he said I needed a tune up with the usual stuff plus I needed to change the plugs and distributer cap. I thought the plugs were long life plugs, and look as I might I have not found a distributer cap. A few other things, they say I need my brakes washed, lubed, but could not answer if they adjusted the parking brake. He said, no, that they only adjusted the emergency brake. I think I'm going to find an independent Toyota mechanic. If dealers are wondering why they are loosing service customers they should talk to this service writer. He's the guy answering the phone and people like me won't find out if someone else really does know where the distributer cap is(?).
15K service
- Thread starter Larry
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bulldog-yota
New member
Sorry, but it is really funny. Wash and lube brakes ???? Plugs and distributor cap???
What year do you have?
I've had cars that did well over 150k miles without ever replacing their distributor cap, andthey actually had a cap.
The 4th Gen does have it at all, nor does it even have high tension plug wires, each plug has an individual coil build on top of where it sits of the plug. So only little wires need to feed to it.
This guy probably slept for 50 years and woke up now.
Also what the deal with brakes wash and lube, and performance check. WHat are they going to check??? The computer mapping tables??
Get a written quote for the service from this dealer and fax it to Toyota corp!! They might find it amusing as well.
What year do you have?
I've had cars that did well over 150k miles without ever replacing their distributor cap, andthey actually had a cap.
The 4th Gen does have it at all, nor does it even have high tension plug wires, each plug has an individual coil build on top of where it sits of the plug. So only little wires need to feed to it.
This guy probably slept for 50 years and woke up now.
Also what the deal with brakes wash and lube, and performance check. WHat are they going to check??? The computer mapping tables??
Get a written quote for the service from this dealer and fax it to Toyota corp!! They might find it amusing as well.
I have an 03 4Runner with a V8. A few other details... he told me I have rear drum brakes...I don't think so. The other dealer in my area has some service writers that are almost as bad. I asked if they recommended a 5 tire rotation, as the spare is a full size tire with a mag wheel. He told me it was only necessary to worry about the four tires on the ground, that the spare "does not rotate". Boy, am I stupid.
Here are some more jems. The 5-speed is just a regular transmission, there is no overdrive attached to the rear, but they could look into installing overdrive..huh. Lets see, others, the V8 is aluminum, you can't get stuck because it has 4wheel drive, you can't loose control because of the computer stability control, you have to go to the dealer to reset the 'maintenance' light, you need a tune-up every 15k miles (remember, I need spark plugs for the V8), and finally, 'we have to look at the color of your transmission fluid at 15k miles because it may be burnt and will, of course, need to be changed'.
I guess the dealer has a big family and they are all going back to school this month. In stead of having them service my 03 4Runner I think it would be cheaper to pay them $20 every 15k miles to leave me alone.
Here are some more jems. The 5-speed is just a regular transmission, there is no overdrive attached to the rear, but they could look into installing overdrive..huh. Lets see, others, the V8 is aluminum, you can't get stuck because it has 4wheel drive, you can't loose control because of the computer stability control, you have to go to the dealer to reset the 'maintenance' light, you need a tune-up every 15k miles (remember, I need spark plugs for the V8), and finally, 'we have to look at the color of your transmission fluid at 15k miles because it may be burnt and will, of course, need to be changed'.
I guess the dealer has a big family and they are all going back to school this month. In stead of having them service my 03 4Runner I think it would be cheaper to pay them $20 every 15k miles to leave me alone.
sharp4runr
New member
You can reset the maintenance light on your rig. Do a search it's on the MB somewhere, too lazy to look myself 
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bulldog-yota
New member
That guys is defintely talking about things 50 years ago, I'm not aware of any manufacturer that still has an overdrive gear on the axle.
Oh yyou have drums in the rear, small ones for the parking/ebrake
. But the main brake is a disc.
Man you better run from those idiots.
In theory you only need to have plugs changed and tune up at 100k miles.
If you look in your service book you will see what is required by Toyota.
One thing that really annoy me is the fact that the driveline on the 4Runner does need to be lubed often (10K or so) and I've yet to hear a dealer actually do it or suggest it to a customer.
Oh yyou have drums in the rear, small ones for the parking/ebrake
. But the main brake is a disc.Man you better run from those idiots.
In theory you only need to have plugs changed and tune up at 100k miles.
If you look in your service book you will see what is required by Toyota.
One thing that really annoy me is the fact that the driveline on the 4Runner does need to be lubed often (10K or so) and I've yet to hear a dealer actually do it or suggest it to a customer.
In fact, the yoke requires a different grease than the u-joint. If it calls for two different kinds of grease there must be something to it. But ask a service writer about it and the one thing they will agree on, a 4Runner does have some of those things.
... and I've done the reset myself thanks to this forum.
... and I've done the reset myself thanks to this forum.
mikes4runner
New member
Larry just remember not to set your emergency brake when parking and pull your parking brake in an emergency.
Your story is why I do my own work to my cars and trucks.
Your story is why I do my own work to my cars and trucks.
I found an independent Toyota mechanic, factory trained. He knows about the two different greases used in the drive line, he knows where the driveshaft is and that it needs service just like the manual sez. He not only knows Toyota mechanicals, he likes being a mechanic. And, he agrees that I can use the spare in the tire rotation, even though the spare does not rotate. Something else the independent Toyota mechanic knows, that the service writer at the dealer did not know, the spare tire has air in it just like the other tires and you can set the pressure, even though you might do it with no weight on the tire, and it will be okay.
There were some things that the service writer offered me that the independent shop did not:
1. Complete detail.
2. Interior treatment
3. An extended warranty
4. A safety check, because of all the miles on my Runner (15k).
5. Paint sealant
6. Executive shuttle (the independent only offered me a ride).
7. Transmission flush with a special machine, again it's those 15k miles. What do the poor 04 owners do with no trans dip stick?
8. Engine performance check $56.00, after all I might be suffering from a poor performing engine.
9. Special waiting area, with a computer hook up and a view of the parts department.
10. A special sticker on the windshield that will give me head of the line service?
Like I said before, I'm thinking about sending them twenty bucks to leave me alone.
There were some things that the service writer offered me that the independent shop did not:
1. Complete detail.
2. Interior treatment
3. An extended warranty
4. A safety check, because of all the miles on my Runner (15k).
5. Paint sealant
6. Executive shuttle (the independent only offered me a ride).
7. Transmission flush with a special machine, again it's those 15k miles. What do the poor 04 owners do with no trans dip stick?
8. Engine performance check $56.00, after all I might be suffering from a poor performing engine.
9. Special waiting area, with a computer hook up and a view of the parts department.
10. A special sticker on the windshield that will give me head of the line service?
Like I said before, I'm thinking about sending them twenty bucks to leave me alone.
Good Times
New member
Taking your vehicle into the stealer to have them do a service maintenance is like giving your child to a stranger :eek2:
I will never let them touch my 4runner! They've touched it twice for warranty repair and that's all they get from me.
I have an independent mechanic that I trust and he'll be doing all my maintenance for me Cheaper and more reliable.
I will never let them touch my 4runner! They've touched it twice for warranty repair and that's all they get from me.
I have an independent mechanic that I trust and he'll be doing all my maintenance for me
Cheaper and more reliable.