Dealer Coolant Flushed with Wrong Coolant?

[dadigab]

I have worked at 4 different stealerships none of which ever used manufacturers recommended fluids. Its about their bottom dollar and if Napa or O'Rielley's as it cheaper that what they use.
They have different gear oil weights for a reason I would use what is recommended or at least do more research first.

 

[peebee]

I have worked at 4 different stealerships none of which ever used manufacturers recommended fluids. Its about their bottom dollar and if Napa or O'Rielley's as it cheaper that what they use.
They have different gear oil weights for a reason I would use what is recommended or at least do more research first.

Hmmm, interesting insight. So there's no push from corporate to use genuine OEM fluids?

I'm trying to determine if this is what manufacturers expect from their dealers and considers acceptable.

 

[toyo]

Toyota released a TSB specifying a change in June 2008. Not a huge difference from the original specs, but none the less they should use the correct weight.
T-SB-O118-08

June 25, 2008

LT 75W-85 API GL-5 Differential Gear Oil


The differential gear oil specified for many Toyota vehicles has changed to 75W-85 GL5 synthetic gear oil beginning with some 2007 and 2008 model year vehicles. Please refer to the Parts Information section below for information about this gear oil and use this gear oil when filling front or rear differentials on applicable vehicles.

 

[MikeInNH]

So there's no push from corporate to use genuine OEM fluids?

This is the terminology I HATE.

What are OEM fluids? Fluids only sold at the dealer? That is what I find funny...since Toyota does NOT MAKE ANY OF THEIR FLUIDS. Never have...never will. You buy Toyota oil...and it's either Mobil or Castrol ...etc - depending on which contract they fill for that 5-year period. ALL of their fluids (and many of their parts) are made by third parties..and then put in Toyota containers and sell to the uninformed consumer at 3-4 times the price. The uninformed consumer thinks they're getting this great deal because they're getting Genuine OEM fluid - like it was designed for their specific vehicle..and ONLY their vehicle.

 

[jimmied]

This is the terminology I HATE.

What are OEM fluids? Fluids only sold at the dealer? That is what I find funny...since Toyota does NOT MAKE ANY OF THEIR FLUIDS. Never have...never will. You buy Toyota oil...and it's either Mobil or Castrol ...etc - depending on which contract they fill for that 5-year period. ALL of their fluids (and many of their parts) are made by third parties..and then put in Toyota containers and sell to the uninformed consumer at 3-4 times the price. The uninformed consumer thinks they're getting this great deal because they're getting Genuine OEM fluid - like it was designed for their specific vehicle..and ONLY their vehicle.

Oil,sure. But some fluids I would believed are designed originally with the manufacturer in mind such as the oe coolant or the 4runner trans fluid. Sure there are replacements now but not initially. They come to market later.

 

[toyo]

It's the compatibility he is concerned about.

 

[toyo]

Manufactures will design systems for a certain fluid design. They will contract with a manufacture to develop and produce the product to the exact specs.
The OP asked the dealer if they use OEM coolant. They said yes and did not use it.

 

[scw1991]

Manufactures will design systems for a certain fluid design. They will contract with a manufacture to develop and produce the product to the exact specs.
The OP asked the dealer if they use OEM coolant. They said yes and did not use it.

I believe this statement is the opposite. The fluid is formulated around Toyotas standard, not vise versa. Reason being, new alloys and composite materials are continuously being developed and implemented into product designs. If Toyota uses a unique or proprietary grade of aluminum in their engine block that is susceptible to corrosion by use of conventional coolants, they will contract with a coolant manufacturer to develop a proprietary formula specific to Toyota.

 

[jimmied]

I believe this statement is the opposite. The fluid is formulated around Toyotas standard, not vise versa. Reason being, new alloys and composite materials are continuously being developed and implemented into product designs. If Toyota uses a unique or proprietary grade of aluminum in their engine block that is susceptible to corrosion by use of conventional coolants, they will contract with that coolant manufacturer to develop a proprietary formula specific to Toyota.

I believe this to be the case as well, especially when we see new proprietary fluids.

 

[CC4R]

Didn't get a complete list but I can say that it is silicate free... I'll post pics of what I got later

 

[MikeInNH]

But some fluids I would believed are designed originally with the manufacturer in mind such as the oe coolant or the 4runner trans fluid.

Possibly...but you can buy those fluids outside the dealer. They are NOT exclusive dealer fluids. The Toyota WS fluid is made by a couple of oil companies...The coolant is also made by a couple of manufacturers- FOR TOYOTA. And you can buy the EXACT SAME FORMULA at many auto parts stores. May not be able to at Wallmart.

 

[MikeInNH]

The fluid is formulated around Toyotas standard, not vise versa.

That's not different then what I said. But Toyota does NOT make the fluid. It's made for them. Tranny fluid formulas that are manufacturer specific have been going on for years. Dexron and Mercon tranny fluid is made by at least a dozen different oil companies...all 100% compatible with the GM or Ford fluid.

 

[toyo]

I believe this to be the case as well, especially when we see new proprietary fluids.[/QUOTE

Let me try this again, I don't think I explained it right.

I'm gonna use the WS fluid as an example. When the Toyota engineers designed the new internals for the transmission they came away with some new materials that needed a different type of fluid that was not manufactured at that time. Did they start with the intention of a new fluid from the start? Who knows. Once they determined the fluid they needed they start the outsource process. They tell the fluid engineers I need a fluid that can do ABC. Of course this is not on all systems in a car. The power steering system really has not changed in regards to what fluid it takes.
Same thing as when the manufactures started designing engines to use a lighter weight engine oil. 5W30 was the standard for quite some time. The fluid engineers and the auto engineers came up with 0W/20. The fluid companies do not make a product and say to the car companies, Ok start producing systems to use this oil.
When Toyota changed the band material's to use Type T 1V fluid they had to get a fluid manufacture to produce it. I remember for awhile that the only place you could get that fluid was at a dealer. There is a difference in the transmission's operation when you do not use this type of fluid, believe me.

When GM/Allison came out with a totally new transmission assembly you could not buy that fluid anywhere else but at a GM dealer. In the contracts I am 100% positive they state how long the fluid manufacture has until they release the specifics of that certain fluid. It's all about the almighty dollar, it's what it all comes down to.

It's actually pretty interesting how all the different parties involved play the game. I just wonder how much Exxon/Mobil pays these car manufactures to be the 1st one to have a certain fluid available aftermarket. I just used Exxon as an example. Sometimes it's Amsoil, Castrol and etc.

Here is an interesting article about the use and sale of OEM fluids and such. http://www.aftonchemical.com/Insight/KnowledgeCtr/Research_Trends/Documents/ATFspreads.pdf

 

[ben550]

Unacceptable. A Toyota service facility should be using Toyota fluids period. That is why you brought it to them and not the jiffy lube around the block. Take it back go talk directly to the manager. Show him your receipt. Pull out your owners manual. Take pictures of your green coolant. Email a complaint to the Toyota North America Office.

That is dishonest or at worst negligent work. It needs to be corrected.

you could go as far as hiding a Go-pro camera in the engine compartment to record conversations and see what happens when they take the vehicle back for an "inspection" etc... just to make sure they dont screw around. If they do just send the video to Toyota.

 

[amlv20]

:yield:

Unfortunately this is the sad truth and happens at repair facilities more often then not.im a tech at a ford dealer and like said before it's all about bottom dollars! We have one of the most sleaziest parts managers I've ever seen and will do anything g to make a buck.he buys green and gold coolant in bulk barrels from who know were and charges for ford motorcraft coolant. Ford had a big headache with powerstrokes using wrong coolant and specified the new power stroke NEEDS to use ford specialty orange coolant.well parts man only stocks peak and autozone orange coolant and bills them out as motorcraft coolant,even on warranty repairs.

ive called him out before but he says it's the same thing,even though he keeps ford gallons for customers who walking and buy them.even told the manager and owner but when a parts man is making them $100k+ a month selling parts they will listen to him instead of the tech fixing the cars who has experience and training?same goes for oil filters on cars that are not ford will bill out motorcraft filters but give us cheap as pro filters from autozone.

And we also use the cheap shit BG products which are more expensive than the oem products like the rear diff fluid.fact is BG has spiff program with each individual shop to intentionally add more mark up to each chemical,that is used as incentive for advisors and techs to up sale more of their products.most of these BG product come with stickers one for techs and one for advisers.depending on the product they can range form $.50-$2.00 for the tech and $2-6 for the advisor and you the customer are the ones paying for this.

Some advisors make an extra $6-800 a month and techs $3-400 a month for nothing and it comes out of your pockets! Every flush uses one of these snake oil products from BG OR WYNS,and the chemical is always more expensive than the fluids! I'm sick and tired of this,customers beware,always ask and specify no BG!!!!

Sorry long time lurker,didn't want to introduce myself this way.but I'm tired of seeing people get ripped off.i defend dealers all the time but these services are just a rip off!

 

[Jerry101]

Rather amazing, - using that coolant. You are not being a "dick" . Don't let them take advantage of you.