6-month checkup questions

E

Ezekiel2222

New member
I just brought my 2015 Trail in for the 6-month checkup (closer to 7 months actually; I only just hit 4K miles). I just want to make sure everything happened that should have:

First of all, I live exactly 3.5 miles from where I work, so most days I'm not driving more than 7 miles total. We had plenty of sub-freezing weather this winter here in Colorado Springs as well. I asked the service writer about the Special Operating Condition for "frequent short trips in sub-32 degree weather", and do I need an oil change? In his opinion, I was still driving the vehicle "enough", and he felt the Special Operating Condition was more for someone who only put 1K miles on the vehicle in 6 months. Anyone agree or disagree with this?

Second, one of the standard steps of the 6-month checkup is to rotate the tires. I forgot to mark them ahead of time. Is there any way to tell if they actually rotated them? I also asked if they rotated in the spare, and at first the service writer tried to tell me that I had a temporary spare, and when I informed him that it was a full-size, he asked another service writer, who confirmed that they do not rotate in the spares. I know the whole 4-vs-5 tire rotation debate is ongoing, and I'm not sure which way I lean yet, but I just wanted to make sure this was the common response from the dealer.

Lastly, I had to basically hand the service writer the maintenance book that came with the vehicle and ask him to fill it out and sign it. He claimed that they normally don't do that, but was happy to do it when I asked. I thought it was critical for all maintenance to be documented in that book? I also forgot to check the electronic maintenance reminder thingy to see if they updated it; hopefully they did. At least they put a sticker in the windshield...
 
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You don't have the same rim on the spare. Do you expect them to take the tire off and swap with one of the 4 finished rims when they rotate?? No shop is going to do that for a "standard" rotation.

As long as you keep the printoffs from what they serviced I don't see why you would HAVE to document it in the manual. I guess it's convenient though. Edited to add that you can also update your service history through the online portal. So far, mine has only been serviced at a Toyota dealership so the history is pre-populated online.

You're worrying too much about the oil change.
 
Last edited:
1st 6 month service

The oil change at 4,000 miles was a good thing. What's the recommended service interval for changing the oil?
Did they check all the other fluid levels: both differentials, transfer case, transmission, grease joints? Did they change the oil filter (stupid not to)?
As for the spare, what I used to do when all 5 of my tires matched, was to replace one tire and rotate in the spare whenever I needed a new pair of tires. One of the old tires, the best one of a pair, becomes the spare and you discard the worst tire. That way the spare doesn't get old and worn just from sitting out in the smoggy air. Now my tires are slightly larger than the spare so I can't rotate in a different size tire. The last couple of tire changes have been a replacement of all four at once. Is the T4R spare the same size and tread pattern?
The post above is correct. No one wants to change out the spare tire and install it on one of the aluminum rims, requiring a balance also. That would place a new tire paired with an older tire that has slightly more wear and a different radius. But you could if you wanted to pay for the service.
 
To clarify, they did NOT change the oil, as that is normally only done at 10K/12mos. They only do it at 5K/6mos if a special use case requires it, which the dealer felt was not my case.

I was told they checked all the fluid levels, as that is one of the standard items they are supposed to check.

I understand the points made about the spare; pretty much what I expected. Just wanted to make sure that was the standard answer.
 
I thought the spare was the same rim? It might have a yellow protective coating, but you can remove that and it's not necessary. It probably doesn't have a TPMS sensor, but since the car won't know since all four sensors are still there, it just won't be able to monitor that tire. Or maybe they changed it and it's not the same rim?

Here's some info on 4 or 5 tire rotation. There's not much advantage to doing it either way.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/130567-5-vs-4-tire-rotation.html
In the long run if you never rotate it, you should consider replacing the spare due to age. Mine has the original factory tire on the spare, which is 8 years old now. It's unclear how long tires last, but if I had to use my spare at this point, I would only do it temporarily and I would try not to drive too fast. Replacement is recommended after 10 years.

I would say 3.5 miles one way is borderline, but the engine and synthetic oil can handle it. Does the temperature gauge get to the normal position every time? If so don't worry about it. If not I wonder if it would be worth driving around a bit to get it fully warmed up before you park? I have a 2 mile commute, and the engine doesn't usually warm up all the way. I mentioned in this thread that a block heater is a good idea for short commutes. It's super easy to install in a Toyota aluminum block, and you'll have a more comfortable ride since the heat will work sooner!
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/187421-my-3-mile-commute-bad-my-4r.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/190133-how-bad-short-commutes-toyota-4runner.html
 
Ezekiel2222 said:
I just brought my 2015 Trail in for the 6-month checkup (closer to 7 months actually; I only just hit 4K miles). I just want to make sure everything happened that should have:

First of all, I live exactly 3.5 miles from where I work, so most days I'm not driving more than 7 miles total. We had plenty of sub-freezing weather this winter here in Colorado Springs as well. I asked the service writer about the Special Operating Condition for "frequent short trips in sub-32 degree weather", and do I need an oil change? In his opinion, I was still driving the vehicle "enough", and he felt the Special Operating Condition was more for someone who only put 1K miles on the vehicle in 6 months. Anyone agree or disagree with this?

Second, one of the standard steps of the 6-month checkup is to rotate the tires. I forgot to mark them ahead of time. Is there any way to tell if they actually rotated them? I also asked if they rotated in the spare, and at first the service writer tried to tell me that I had a temporary spare, and when I informed him that it was a full-size, he asked another service writer, who confirmed that they do not rotate in the spares. I know the whole 4-vs-5 tire rotation debate is ongoing, and I'm not sure which way I lean yet, but I just wanted to make sure this was the common response from the dealer.

Lastly, I had to basically hand the service writer the maintenance book that came with the vehicle and ask him to fill it out and sign it. He claimed that they normally don't do that, but was happy to do it when I asked. I thought it was critical for all maintenance to be documented in that book? I also forgot to check the electronic maintenance reminder thingy to see if they updated it; hopefully they did. At least they put a sticker in the windshield...
Click to expand...

I admit I did not read through this entire thread, so this may have been addressed already but I will say this: Driving just 3 miles or so is generally not enough to get the engine up to full operating temperature in sub freezing weather. There is some amount of condensation that builds up from the air and the temperature shift as the engine warms up. After you drive a few more miles, that condensation is burned or steamed off and out of the crankcase and away from the oil. Frequent trips that do not reach that temp, may condense more of that water vapor and let it settle into the oil, contaminating it or shortening it's life. That condensation contamination is the single reason why short frequent trips are considered a special operating condition. It sounds like your service writer is not experienced enough to know that.

Having said all that, just pull the dipstick and take a look. If it's clear and clean, you're OK. Sure you could always send a sample out for analysis like the diesel guys do sometimes, but it would be cheaper to just change it a little more frequently. If you have any skills and motivation, I'd suggest learning to do it yourself! It's really easy and can be fun as well as produce a sense of satisfaction at a job well done.

Best of luck to you!
 
Toyota on Line should be updated by the dealer and you can log in to view their entries and add your own if you do self maintenance.

Toyota Owners Official Web Site: Service Coupons, Owner's Manuals, Service Scheduling And More

There is very good info on the site and a list of pdf docs with owners info.

I had the dealer do my first two tire rotations. If you have a torque wrench check the lugs to see if they are near 81 ft/lbs. If not, they probably did the rotation. Mine were incorrect after the dealers work, now I do my own.
 
m85476585 said:
I thought the spare was the same rim? It might have a yellow protective coating, but you can remove that and it's not necessary. It probably doesn't have a TPMS sensor, but since the car won't know since all four sensors are still there, it just won't be able to monitor that tire. Or maybe they changed it and it's not the same rim?
Click to expand...

^This is why some of the old time forum members bash on peoples comments.

The protective coating requires prep and its not Platidip that can just he removed.

The TPMS will most likely come on because there is no sensor where the system believes there should be a sensor. It wont ignore it just because there are 4 sensors on the car somewhere.

Third, its not manual, its Manuel, totally different.[emoji1] Shoot, I'm staying out of this one now.
 
4Surfin said:
manual is not just a migrant farm worker
Click to expand...

I just got this, :usa: after lexusbc called it to our attention again. I was going to ask what the heck you were talking about but decided not to. Manuel Labor is the reason we enjoy cheap strawberries, grapes, lettuce and tomatoes. Be glad that migrant farm workers exist. It takes all kinds to make the world go 'round.
 
Ezekiel2222 said:
...I asked the service writer about the Special Operating Condition for "frequent short trips in sub-32 degree weather", and do I need an oil change? In his opinion, I was still driving the vehicle "enough", and he felt the Special Operating Condition was more for someone who only put 1K miles on the vehicle in 6 months. Anyone agree or disagree with this?
Click to expand...

Totally disagree. Then again, I don't and won't take my vehicle to the dealer for service. 3.5 miles at a time day after day is severe service. Period.
 
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