30k service done correctly?

[Hank]

For those who have the 30k mile service done by the dealers, I was hoping to get a few answers/confirmation. I recently took my '04 V6 Ltd 4wd to a dealership for the 30k service. The dealership experience was actually quite nice. The price was very reasonable, considering other stealerships wanted around $450-$670 for the same work. I advised the service manager that I wanted all the diffs & transfer case fluids changed and to address the driveshaft clunking issue. The job was done in 6hrs and I received the invoice. My concern was that they didn't list all the work done as separate line items. I've attached a copy of the invoice for you guys/gals to see. I'm concerned if they even replaced the diff/transfer fluids. I asked the same service manager afterwards and he said yes, but I'm still a bit skeptical. I also believe that they replaced the sparkplugs as well, but how come they aren't listed as a line item as "parts" since they're taxable items. All other labor items are grouped under 30k service on a single line. Is this how the service invoice supposed to look like? Can anyone confirm this with me? I would like to think that the dealership did the job correctly as they have a "President Award" status, but a part of me is still skeptical. BTW, what exactly is the OIL CONDITIONER? Does the NON-CHLOR BRAKE CLNR line item mean they also flushed the brake fluids? Thanx in advance!

EDIT: Sorry for the duplicate thread, I clicked on SUBMIT twice since it seemed to be running slow.

 

[Boaz]

Hank,

Unless you actually watched them perform the service, will never know what they actually performed. If you go to the dealer and say, "I want the 30k service". They are going to sell you the DEALERS 30k service. And in my experience they almost always try to sneak in crap like, fuel system cleaner, or the non-chor brake thing. They also charged you for tranny fluid it looks like. Why? The Service manual says to "inspect" trans fluid, not change. Next time use this link:

Service Manual

Print it out and take it to the service writer. Tell them you want THIS service performed, not all that extra crap.

Unless you tell them word for word what you want they will most likely try to sell you the extra stuff.

 

[peter78]

EDIT: Sorry for the duplicate thread, I clicked on SUBMIT twice since it seemed to be running slow.

When you start a thread you can always delete it by deleting your post. Just go under edit on your post and delete your post.

Of course being a moderator I can delete your duplicate thread, which I did.

 

[Hank]

I actually wanted them to replace the tranny fluid (did some towing) as the 30k service price was set and the only thing they would charge extra for would be the in-cabin air filter which I didn't want (I'm gonna do the 3M Filtrete mod). My main concern is where is the line item charge for the quart(s) of diffs/transfer case fluids? I'm wondering if they changed the tranny fluid only to short-change me by not replacing the diffs/transfer case fluids. I wonder if the OIL CONDITIONER is an additive for the diffs/transfer so that it would prolong the fluid life without replacing them. Also, where's the price per sparkplug? I decided to have the dealership do the service since my 4R is still under warranty, but once it's over I'll be doing my own maintenance and would be putting Amsoil in the diffs/transfer case. This was the first time I took it in for service. BTW, when I got home, I drained the dino oil and put in my usual Mobil1.

 

[Boaz]

DO you have tools? Go out and pull a plug and see if they actually changed them.

The plugs on the passenger side are the easiest to get to, unclip the air filter box, and I think its a 10 mm bolt on the coil pack, then a spark plug socket and extension. Hope this helps.

 

[Hank]

Hmm, haven't thought of that. Good idea! While I'm at it, I'll check out the in-cabin filter to see how dirty it is.

 

[kimboy]

Check to see if there's some residual oil from the diff. drain plugs.

Also, microfilters are never part of maintenance

 

[greasefingers]

$4.25 for the tranny gasket is the fill/drain plug crush washer. I guess they only replaced the drain plug washer. The brake cleaner is probably sprayed the on outside of the calipers to clean them. If they flushed it, it would cost much more. The oil conditioner is a mystery and I would not want anything added to my oil. And the element sub assembly could be the cabin air filter for $ 31.35. Who knows what the $ 11.95 E?I cleaner is. Maybe the throttle body? Anyway if the transfer case, spark plugs and diffs were changed then it was free. What

 

[04Runnah]

"President Award?"

did u go to Elgin Toyota? I remember seeing a lot of those posted on their wall when i got my 4r last year... i hope it reflects the quality of their service...

 

[greasefingers]

No it means nothing.

 

[Hank]

Update: the in-cabin air filter wasn't changed as they said it would've cost another $56. I checked it yesterday to confirm. It wasn't really that dirty, but I'm gonna replace it w/the 3M Filtrete soon. I haven't got a chance to pull out a sparkplug or to check the diffs yet, but I will soon. Thanx for the feedback guys. Btw, I took it to Oakbrook Toyota. The price they charged me is the same price Longo Toyota (back in CA) quoted me and I know Longo is pretty reputable, being the largest TOY dealership in the nation. I originally wanted my buddy's dad (mechanic) to do the service, but decided to wait til after the 2,100 mile trip to Chicago.

 

[Spider5]

LONGO Toyota/Lexus is a good place to buy a car and get maintance on a Lexus but they try to services to many cars per day on their Toyota side to do a good job. I have had to bring various Toyotas back several times in the past for leaks after services, dummy lights coming on, and bolts not replaced on trim panels, covers, etc. If you want a rush job and probably things not done go to LONGO Toyota service.

 

[Hank]

Need advice as to what I should do next

Well, I pulled a plug today and it confirmed my gut feeling that the stealership didn't replace the sparkplugs in my 1GR-FE V6 as required for the 30k mile service. They have agreed to replace the plugs, but the fact remains that they have cheated me. Who knows how many other people out there are being ripped off! It really pissed me off discovering that they did it to me. Had I not pulled the plug, I would've driven up to 60k miles before replacing the sparkplugs Talk about decreased MPG and performance. Any advice as to what I should do next? Should I have them change the plugs and also file a complaint against the stealership? Any legal action? For the full story (& pics) on my situation, check out this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=12230

P.S.- President's Award status my a$$!

 

[lockerc18]

30k tuneup and plugs

I just had my 30K tuneup done at the local dealership, and there were some things that were done which were not called out in the owners manual. But, they needed doing, I guess, so what the heck. But the service lady there told the mechanics to not replace the sparkplugs because my truck had the "irradiated" plugs which only need to be changed every 100K miles. When I went to pay for the service, I noticed that there was nothing on the bill about plugs, so I asked her and she told me what she'd done. After I got home, I did some checking, and since I have the V6 engine, it's the 1GR-FE engine, which DOES need the plugs to be replaced at the 30K checkup. So I called her back and talked with her about that, and she agreed, and said the dealer would replace the plugs, and they'd pay the labor, and I'd only pay for the plugs. Sounded OK to me, although it took about an hour and a half to do the work.

I have to say, though, that I was surprised at the difference in performance the new plugs made. I mean, the V6 is pretty peppy for a truck this size, but it was REALLY peppy after the new plugs were installed. I guess I don't understand why, since I have to believe that the plugs weren't fouled very much after only 30K miles. But, I won't complain. (About that, anyway.)

 

[CRDNLPLT]

Is the engine oil on the invoice? Did I miss it or did they just change the filter?