Dealership Oil Change - Total Time?

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Jayhawk5G

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Tried to search this forum and couldn't find anything specifically related to my question. How long should it take a dealership to complete an oil change on a 5th Gen 4Runner?

I don't change my own oil for a few reasons, one the amount of money I would save would be negligible, two I have a bad back and shoulder, and three I like having the service logged in the computer under my VIN so I have a complete service history. However I hate how long it takes.

The first dealer I had been using would not schedule service and the last oil change took almost 2 hours of waiting at the dealer. I recently moved and the new dealer will schedule, but is quoting an hour. Is it wrong to believe that this shouldn't take more than 30-45 min tops? Don't want to go to a Quicklane, but at least they get you in and out quickly...
 
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Jayhawk5G said:
Tried to search this forum and couldn't find anything specifically related to my question. How long should it take a dealership to complete an oil change on a 5th Gen 4Runner?

I don't change my own oil for a few reasons, one the amount of money I would save would be negligible, two I have a bad back and shoulder, and three I like having the service logged in the computer under my VIN so I have a complete service history. However I hate how long it takes.

The first dealer I had been using would not schedule service and the last oil change took almost 2 hours of waiting at the dealer. I recently moved and the new dealer will schedule, but is quoting an hour. Is it wrong to believe that this shouldn't take more than 30-45 min tops? Don't want to go to a Quicklane, but at least they get you in and out quickly...
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short answer: how long? too long! haha. a 2 hour wait seems normal to me, honestly. i'd rather spend my morning in my own garage, but i do understand your physical situation complicates it.

i'd definitely avoid any quick-lube joints. between dropping the skids and working with the canister filter housing it just seems far too likely they'd screw it up and you'd end up spending more time waiting at the dealership for them to complete some far more concerning repairs.

my 2¢.
 
The actual oil change itself is 20 minutes. But there are other steps:
Initial drop off
Logged into database for appt
Documenting VIN
Documenting Mileage
Moving vehicle from check in to oil change bay
Changing oil, filter
Running engine to check oil level
Check for leaks
Grease and check fluid levels
Visual check on brakes and air filters (both cabin and engine)
Moving vehicle back to customer pick up
Paying bill

It usually takes 45 min to an hour at my dealer and yes, they do all those steps there.
 
1engineer said:
The actual oil change itself is 20 minutes. But there are other steps:
Initial drop off
Logged into database for appt
Documenting VIN
Documenting Mileage
Moving vehicle from check in to oil change bay
Changing oil, filter
Running engine to check oil level
Check for leaks
Grease and check fluid levels
Visual check on brakes and air filters (both cabin and engine)
Moving vehicle back to customer pick up
Paying bill

It usually takes 45 min to an hour at my dealer and yes, they do all those steps there.
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Thanks for the detailed response. Sounds like I'm being impatient, I'll stick with the appointment and hope it goes faster than the quoted time. Oil Changes rank with my least favorite things to do... so the idea of wasting an hour of my evening sitting in a car dealership is hard to accept.
 
philsey said:
..... and it's only once every 10K. (A comment which will undoubtedly take this thread OT).
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Absolutely a fair point, 10k means the oil change doesn't come up as often... but I still hate them, and don't want to waste anymore time than I have to sitting at a dealership when I could be doing anything else. I can get through an hour (hopefully less) but I will never go somewhere that doesn't take scheduled appointments again.
 
My dealer usually takes about an hour and a half. All of the things listed by 1engineer plus a wash job. I make an appointment about three days in advance. I don't mind spending the time walking around checking what is displayed on the lot and chatting with a sales guy.

It's a very large dealership; plus it's a 45 minute drive each way into Reno. I generally enjoy the experience.
 
My local toyota dealership in Utah - I just went there on Saturday. I was a bit late - 17.5k miles for my 15k service so they just did the oil change with the late 15k service and then I'll change again at 25k and go every 10k from there on.

It took about 30 minutes from when I drove up until I drove away. Not too bad.

The dealership I bought from in Montana is a bit faster. Their lube/service shop will do the oil and tire rotation while you sit in the car. It's a team of 3. One in the engine bay, one in the pit below, and one person at the window of your car. Takes about 10 minutes and you never get out of your car.

At the Lexus dealership it takes about an hour. I usually go check out the new models and they have food and coffe/soda so I usually grab a snack while I'm there.
 
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Mine takes around an hour. Not bad once a year as I don't rack up the miles like I used to, and killing the time looking at the new trucks is fun.
 
Im fortunate my dealer is 5 minutes from my work. I schedule a week out, drop off, get shuttled to work, and then either catch a ride with a coworker or shuttle back when service is done. They seem to let me know its ready within an hour of when appointment is set up for. I do hate to wait there and I cant even look at new vehicles because the service department is a block down the road across a very busy intersection.
 
BLACK-FL4RUNNER said:
I prefer they take their time and do it right. I don't mind the wait. :noidea:
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I absolutely agree, was trying to figure out how long it would take a competent tech to perform an oil change. I could certainly go to a smaller lube shop and get a cheaper quicker oil change but I prefer the peace of mind that comes with taking it to Toyota.
 
5ontheFloor said:
Im fortunate my dealer is 5 minutes from my work. I schedule a week out, drop off, get shuttled to work, and then either catch a ride with a coworker or shuttle back when service is done. They seem to let me know its ready within an hour of when appointment is set up for. I do hate to wait there and I cant even look at new vehicles because the service department is a block down the road across a very busy intersection.
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That would be fantastic, unfortunately there are no dealers close to my work.
 
Jayhawk5G said:
That would be fantastic, unfortunately there are no dealers close to my work.
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I'm lucky have a former dealership guy who opened his own shop & does both lexus & toys . 45 mins tops plus usually have him lube drive shafts same time ! Now don't read some of the horror stories from guys who have had REALLY BAD experiences so check your stuff before you drive away !!! :lookout:
 
Do Lexus dealers honor the 2-year service plan?

The dealership experience is one of the things I miss from selling the BMW
 
e60ral said:
Do Lexus dealers honor the 2-year service plan?

The dealership experience is one of the things I miss from selling the BMW
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I don't think so. They'd be overwhelmed with Toyota service visits. You could call and ask. You'll need some special approval to get your Lexus done at Toyota. A Lexus oil change is only about $50, so you could probably just have it done there anyway once your 2 freebies are up. $50 for a synthetic oil change is competitive with most other places.

On the bright side for the cost of a BMW oil change you can drop off your Toyota, uber to a nice cafe, have lunch, uber back, and still be cheaper.
 
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