5K service

[Larry]

For my 03 v8 2wd 4runner I have been quoted three prices for a 5k service: $50, $60 and $98.

Dealer 1, change oil rotate tires 5w-30 oil
Dealer 2, change oil, rotate tires, adjust brakes, 10w-30 oil
Dealer 3, change oil, rotate tires, adjust brakes check nuts and bolts that 'always come loose', 5w-30 oil

I get the feeling that someone is planning my maintenance without looking at the same book as the others.

Service writer 2 said there would be an extra charge if I had drum brakes, he'd have to check when I came in.

Service writer 3 said I have to have my emergency brake adjusted which is a drum brake (?)

Service write 1 uses Penzol, service writer 2 uses Castrol and service writer 3 uses 'engine oil'.

They have scared me off.

I'm going to change the oil myself, using a Toyota oil filter, actual Toyota engine oil, then go to Discount Tire and buy a Lifetime Wheel Balance and Rotation for $40 and I'll check the nuts and bolts to make sure their tight. The last thing I'm going to do is get a flashlight and some friends and go look for those drum brakes and be sure to save all the receipts.

...so do you thing I'm doing what I need to do to keep my warranty in place?

Does the skid plate have to come off to extract the oil filter and are there any tricks to the job?

And I really like my 4Runner, it is everything I hoped it would be.

 

[Thai]

I don't think you have drum brakes. The 3rd and before generations had rear drum brakes. But, doesn't all 4th gen 4runners have 4-wheel disc brakes?? If so, then your service advisors are nuts!

From what i have learned on my 4runner, do NOT use any other oil besides Castrol GTX or Mobil.

Discount Tire Co. may NOT know how to correctly balance your tires. Rotation is OK, but balancing a Toyota rim needs special equipment. See this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=173

Do what is described in your owner's manual...and save all receipts.

Good luck.

 

[peter78]

I did basically the same thing with my 2001. I got a lifetime wheel and balance from a Goodyear store, about a mile from work, even though the tires were Firestones.

Now, about changing your oil the first time. I bought Toyota filters and bought a wrench that would match the filter. When I replaced the first filter, it was on REAL tight and it was a different size, the wrench didn't work. It turns out it comes with a Japanese oil filter and is replace by a U.S. made oil filter. There will be different numbers on the filter if yours is like mine. Since the wrench didn't work on the first filter, I had to use the good old way of stabbing the filter with a screw driver and getting it off, very messy. You may not have a problem with the "First" filter like I did, but be prepared.

 

[Larry]

Discount Tire claims to have already done new 4runners and is aware that they are lug centric, and has the adaptor.

I just asked dealer 3 about balancing new 4runner wheels and if they were hub centric or lug centric wheels and got put on hold. He said they are six lug nuts and they balance the wheels on a machine for $36.00.

I did not ask for the price to balance them without using a machine.

Dealer 3 is not getting the keys to my new 4runner.

Also, what's the deal with engine oil. Manual says 5w-30 and 2 out of 3 dealers here use 10w-30.

And, any trick to getting the skid plate off?