Dealer Maintanance or not?

[Buckfever]

I was contacted a couple weeks ago by the dealer to make an appointment for the first scheduled maintainance at 5000 miles and I was quoted somewhere around $27. Well I couldn't make the appointment at the time, so I call back today and ask to schedule and oh BTW how much was it again? $68 bucks and "oh the dealer recommends even more, but you don't have to do that the first time". Oh okay, I'll call back.

I hate being #$%#ed around. I know I can call back and get the oil changed over there for around $27, but now I don't even want to go there. What do you guys do/recommend?

TIA,
George

 

[drake3]

What did they say was included with the "more" service? I changed my oil at 1200 miles and then again at 5K. Simple operation and quickly done by yourself. I don't liked being jacked around by the service departments either so I try to do most of the maintenance myself.

 

[Bill3508]

I do mine in the garage. Only major issues go to the dealer. That way there less chance they can screw things up.

Bill3508

 

[toto]

Unfortunately, each dealer has their own definition of the "x,000 mile service", and it usually includes a lot of things you don't need in order to increase their profit.

If you're going to go to a dealer for service, then use the Maintenance Schedule to itemize the exact things you want them to do and give you a price based on that specific list. That way, you'll get only what you need, and you'll also be able to compare prices among dealers if you so desire.

 

[Buckfever]

You know what it is that bothers me the most, is the presumptive condenscension. That I'm presumed to be such a dumb schit that I won't get it and that I'll be duped by the setup. That I'm being worked bothers me. And you know what sucks, is that I'd pay a premium to have it serviced at the dealer, but that cost of being subjected to the play, is what's too high. And I'm skilled at negotiation, I can deal with this, I guess it's unclear to me why I should have to.

Anyway I sent an email to service, asking for clarification regarding the various pricing, coming out of their department, but I'll probably have it done locally tomorrow for around $20, to get it out of the way. There are several local shops here that will be pleased to do it for around that price.

Either that or I'll get some Mobile One and do it myself. We'll see how lazy I feel in the morning.

 

[Buckfever]

So I'm an idiot. I just want to get it over with and have a $5 coupon for Jiffy Lube and they happen to have Mobile One, no wait, $71 and I'll figure things out for next time. Well they didn't take the skid plate off and of course spilled the oil from the filter. I cleaned it up pretty good, but I think I'll do the oil changes on my own from now on.

I think I'll make a thread on it, get some advise.

 

[greasefingers]

My dealer wanted $ 149 to clean the fuel system, which never needs to be done!

 

[charlier180]

I have had absolutely no problems with my dealer doing the maintenance on my 4Runner.
Before going in for a maintenance service I print out the Toyota Vehicle Service information at: http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/index.php.
and give a copy to the service writer.

FYI, my 5K Maintenance cost $50, 10K was $30 and 15K was $105.
Yes, I could have saved money doing it myself but with only so much free time and a number of vehicles to maintain the 4Runner goes to the dealer.

 

[drake3]

I have had so much bad luck with dealer service for my Japanese cars that is the reason that got me going to do the services myself.

Once the dealer did not see the engine was running on a Nissan Z of mine and when they went to move it they tried to start it while already running. Same dealer left the filler cap off the engine after an oil change messing the engine up.

We had a old Toyota Cressida one time which we always had the oil changed at the dealer. Same thing, they left the filler cap off, messed up the engine compartment royally.

Had an old 84 Toyota 4x4 truck which I was driving. Sometimes in the morning it would not back up because a wheel was locking up. Took it into the dealer (from which it was bought from new) and the senior mechanic said it was the differential after putting it on the lift. My dad thought it was the brakes and he was right after a new differential was installed on the truck. Man, was he mad.

I am sure experiences vary, but for my experience I tend to stay away from Toyota service departments. I am more than happy to take 30-40 minutes out of my weekend or evening and make sure the oil changes are done clean and right. And I can actually see mobile1 coming right from the can and going into my engine.