Do not go to dealership for oil change!

[ElectroBoy]

Lately, I've been going to Skips Tire on Cottle Rd. for most of the maintenance of the 2011 T4R (sold) and they haven't caused any extra problems that I know of. Done when it's supposed to be and reasonable cost too.

Most dealers techs are paid book time, which means they get paid something like 3/10ths or 4/10ths (18 mins or 24 mins) for an oil change. If they get it done in 6 mins, they still get paid for the entire time it's billed. Just encourages sloppy work on short jobs.

Since 90% of the customers never look below the window line they can bugger it up all they want and make it the next guys problem.

What really pissed me off about the lugs is that I could have been on the train and gotten a flat 60 miles from an auto parts store. 3 broken lugs on one wheel is sort of an issue.

True.
The oil changers never met a bolt they couldn't use an air tool on. Result: crossed threads on skids and drain bolts, and over torqued wheel lug nuts.
Solutions: Find a competent independent mechanic, or DIY. If you do use a dealer at least check the their work before you leave.

 

[4FL]

I go to the dealership, too many idiots in independent shops around Miami to weed through to find that one good one. I figure at least if the dealership screws up, I am better off dealing with them than some independent shop in trying to fix the screw up.

 

[jcpastor10]

The parts numbers you are looking for are:

51403-60020 (without dynamic suspension)

or

51403-60030 (with dynamic suspension)

Whichever applies to you, driver & passenger side use the same part number. They are less than $80 each from here.

Anyway, these are the front braces that the splash shield bolts on to. The braces themselves are just bolted on so they are easily replaced when the splash shield mounting holes get stripped or messed up.

Oh yes!! I had taken them off alrdy after i took off the splash shield. Thank you so much

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[jcpastor10]

The parts numbers you are looking for are:

51403-60020 (without dynamic suspension)

or

51403-60030 (with dynamic suspension)

Whichever applies to you, driver & passenger side use the same part number. They are less than $80 each from here.

Anyway, these are the front braces that the splash shield bolts on to. The braces themselves are just bolted on so they are easily replaced when the splash shield mounting holes get stripped or messed up.

How would i know if i have dynamic suspension or not? Im running stock suspension.

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[jcpastor10]

I had similar issue with my 2016 4Runner. When i went to take off skids for 1st time (have used dealer up until that point for oil changes), a couple of the splash guard screws just snapped. It gave me an excuse to get RCI skid and their splash guard (other aftermarket companies also make splash guard). RCI splashguard uses different bolts and attachment points than stock does. You may want to see if their splash guard would work with stock skid. Others here may know the answer.

Yeah im looking at maybe getting one from Victory 4x4. Its running me abt $300+ to get their front skid plate. And with the installation, you hve to take those 2 front braces off and uses different holes to put a bolt and a nut to hold the skid plate.

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[Dynamo]

How would i know if i have dynamic suspension or not? Im running stock suspension.

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Dynamic suspension (KDSS) will have a pump with lines running to it located on the frame rail on the driver side towards the front, like by the driver door. It's on the outside of the frame so you can easily see it if you take a quick look under there.

Check this thread: How do I know it has KDSS?

 

[4runruner]

Very helpful - thanks you.

 

[DougEFresh2]

ALL FLUIDS GUIDE: Beginner Fluid Maintenance

This guide makes it much harder to make excuses about why we can't change our own fluids! LOL

:banana:

 

[DallasTRDPro]

Went to dealership for my 2nd oil change and tire rotation. They did the rotation since I marked the tires to make sure. When I crawled under the 4R, I noticed something hanging off. It turned out to be an easy fix, but I will never go back to a dealership. The simplest thing to do and they screw it up. I’m assuming they changed the oil, but I have no idea.

 

[DougR]

Went to dealership for my 2nd oil change and tire rotation. They did the rotation since I marked the tires to make sure. When I crawled under the 4R, I noticed something hanging off. It turned out to be an easy fix, but I will never go back to a dealership. The simplest thing to do and they screw it up. I’m assuming they changed the oil, but I have no idea.

I suggest calling back and sending pictures to upper management. They may apologize and offer something to compensate. It's OK to tell them you will not return. They can take the feedback and improve (or not).

 

[ElectroBoy]

Went to dealership for my 2nd oil change and tire rotation. They did the rotation since I marked the tires to make sure. When I crawled under the 4R, I noticed something hanging off. It turned out to be an easy fix, but I will never go back to a dealership. The simplest thing to do and they screw it up. I’m assuming they changed the oil, but I have no idea.

After my 2nd free oil change a similar thing happened to me. The two front bolts were missing from the front skid plate. It was just dangling by the two rear facing ones. I gave the service manager hell and never went back.

These occurrences will never end. Think about the average dealer and how they handle personnel. You hired a new inexperienced guy, where do you put him to learn? Oil changes. Where they also make more money the faster they work and cram more oil changes into their work day.

 

[Mark4runnar]

My mistake was going to the dealership for an oil change.

1.) they put in the wrong oil. then they said they put in the right oil after draining the wrong oil.
2.) they loosened the transmission instead of the oil pan nut. Had atleast 1 pint of tranny fluid on my driveway after coming home from the dealer.

I couldnt find a transmission dipstick on the 5th Gen to check how much tranny fluid i really lost, so now i have to go back to the dealer and tell them either to top it off, or, drain and replace all the tranny fluid.

Never going back to the dealer for an oil change.

I think my RCI Skidplates confused them on where the oil drain plug was. Why would they even touch my tranny. The tranny drain plug was loose, had to tighten it up.

*pissed*


Next time i go to my local mechanic for Mobil1 oil change or do it myself.

sorry to hear this -- I will never go back to a dealer for oil / filter change....... the 5th gen is the most complex oil / filter change I have ever done.I have 115lkon the 4runner and have done oil / filter every 5000 miles....guess what I am now an expert. I have a killer garage at the summer house in RI. I will show you how to do it if you want to swing by.

 

[Dreeves]

My mistake was going to the dealership for an oil change.

1.) they put in the wrong oil. then they said they put in the right oil after draining the wrong oil.
2.) they loosened the transmission instead of the oil pan nut. Had atleast 1 pint of tranny fluid on my driveway after coming home from the dealer.

I couldnt find a transmission dipstick on the 5th Gen to check how much tranny fluid i really lost, so now i have to go back to the dealer and tell them either to top it off, or, drain and replace all the tranny fluid.

Never going back to the dealer for an oil change.

I think my RCI Skidplates confused them on where the oil drain plug was. Why would they even touch my tranny. The tranny drain plug was loose, had to tighten it up.

*pissed*


Next time i go to my local mechanic for Mobil1 oil change or do it myself.

When I did go to the dealer for my first few “free” oil changes I specifically spoke to the service manager about stripped skid plate bolts, oil leaks and mega torqued on oil filter assemblies. I told him I could not believe all the comments on the internet about low quality service from dealerships. I never had a problem, maybe that helped

 

[Dreeves]

Yea, i couldnt make up this story if i tried. Spent most of my morning today power washing my driveway in 40F degree weather. Jesus... baking soda & dish liquid... over and over a few times....i swear, i better not have a fresh oil stain tomorrow morning or else i will flip out. :doh:

** If you noticed it says (6) qt of Mobil1 on the service ticket above.

*** Now look at what it says above on this service ticket.. (6) qt of 0w20 BULK OIL-W and 1 qt of Mobil1. What are they using 0w20 BULK OIL-W for? Makes me think they drained all my Mobil1 Oil, added their shitty synthetic blend, and added 1 quart of Mobil1? I'm Confused

Oil on the top, Tranny fluid on the bottom...courtesy of Sansone Toyota.

Another reason to not go to a dealer. No business in my trunk.

 

[Jivewalker]

I go to the dealer for every oil change, just to buy the oil and filter. Parts counter guys recognize me and are selling me the Toyota oil for less than I can get the "other oils" and the filters for like $4. They also sell me the cabin and engine air filters for $20. Parts guys are "usually" pretty cool on deals and price match. Service guys, different story. I try to do all of my own work if I can.

 

[Nalcyon]

Went to dealership for my 2nd oil change and tire rotation. They did the rotation since I marked the tires to make sure. When I crawled under the 4R, I noticed something hanging off. It turned out to be an easy fix, but I will never go back to a dealership. The simplest thing to do and they screw it up. I’m assuming they changed the oil, but I have no idea.

I had a similar issue on my last "free oil change" a month ago. The dealership stripped one of the skid plate bolt holes, (common), and left that little cover plate loose, they at least had both bolts in unlike yours, but they were not tight and the plate was rattling around. FWIW I now carry a bag of spare skid plate bolts and the tap in my tool kit as that seems to be a common problem.

 

[Blue 4ever Runner]

Not just Toyota dealerships. I brought my '19 Forester in for a power tailgate failure and had them do the free oil change against my better judgement. There is a plastic belly pan under the engine with a little door like our 4Runners. Plastic pop in fasteners hold it in place. One was missing and the door was hanging by the other one. Never again. The dealers will only see my vehicles for warranty/recalls. Nothing else.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

After my 2nd free oil change a similar thing happened to me. The two front bolts were missing from the front skid plate. It was just dangling by the two rear facing ones. I gave the service manager hell and never went back.

These occurrences will never end. Think about the average dealer and how they handle personnel. You hired a new inexperienced guy, where do you put him to learn? Oil changes. Where they also make more money the faster they work and cram more oil changes into their work day.

Yeah, I had a similar experience where the tech dumped oil all over my engine bay and all over my brand new AGM battery, and their excuse was, well the guy is new.... Um, well either way it's unacceptable, but great cop out

 

[Nikko]

In the Jeep forums it's nothing but overfilling the oil on a change. JL's are 5 quarts and the older ones were 6 quarts. Amazing that after a few years of them being out, dealerships still overfill.

At the end of the day, nobody cares about your truck more than you!

 

[Keep 'Em Flying]

I can only imagine how bad a dealer can screw up a airbag recall when they tear apart the dash