Do you guys do your own Maintenance Checks? My Dealer is now a complete RIPOFF.

[morphius909]

I called my dealer to book the rig in for my 80,000 Kilometer service maintenance.

The service is oil, lube and filter + tire rotation + some minor inspections. Usually about 100+ dollars.

The girl quoted me 385. I said WTF???

The girl pulled up my service history and started giving me attitude because I declined their so called TUNEUP package for 200 bucks ( I said the Sparks Plugs? yeah i did that myself using Genuine Spark Plugs from Toyota at 48K). Then the Propeller Shaft. Yeah I do that myself for a fraction of the price. Then this and that. I said yeah...well according to the OFFICIAL TOYOTA Maintenance schedule none of the stuff she was mentioning is required.

Yup 385. I hung up the phone. Gonna find a new dealer AND file a written complaint to the DEALER and TOYOTA CANADA.

 

[techno]

I do as much as possible myself, and for the same reason you are describing. If you actually take the time to see what they are 'maintaining', 90% of the stuff is just an inspection. Seriously, how hard is it to look at things and decided if it bad? Rubber boots and bushes - easy. Brake pads - easy. Brake lines - easy. Fluid levels and leaks - easy. Filters - easy. The list goes on. And if something they inspect is faulty, then that costs extra to be repaired!

I bought a full set of factory service manuals for $110. Money extremely well spent!

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

Yep it's a shame what they do to make money and HOW they do it. My dealer put a nice scratch on my fender and said I can fill it under my own insurance. BS. I do as much as I can as well and if I need help I come here to t4r.org or go to my uncle who runs his own garage.

 

[Ducman]

Dealer

No offense guys but if you think the dealerships are charging too much to do what you consider 'easy stuff' why are you setting up appointments to take your truck there in the first place?

 

[morphius909]

I don't mind spending 100 bucks 1x a year for a quick looksie by the dealer to ensure I don't miss anything, plus I'm not Brake expert or some of the other things.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

In my case the maintenance was free for one year when I got the car. I guess free also included poor service free of charge as well. this was back in 2007 and I haven't been back there since.

 

[Acidmeld]

Most people that go to the dealership dont know where their hood latch is let alone how to check brakes and spark plugs. It takes time and costs money to inspect everything. If you dont want to pay for all that just ask for an oil and rotate instead of a service. If you ask for a service they charge for it. Ask for what you want and be clear about it otherwise theyll assume that youre just like every other housewife that walks through the door.

 

[rook]

So the dealer provides you with a quote, goes into the details of what is performed and you are going to file a written complaint? Its an estimate, and it sounds like the girl was transparent when she talked to you.

Although the XXX mile service does not get you a discount, meaning it is just a combination of all individual services at full parts/labor prices, the cost was given to you up-front. If you don't like it, do it yourself or request that only certain services be performed.

If you want the mechanic to perform a vehicle check, tell the stealer you are willing to pay a certain $ amount to have the truck looked at. Then if you decide to have any of the service work performed, see if the inspection time can be "credited" towards any of the work performed.

If a dealer eff's up and does not stand by their work then they deserve to get blasted. Judging from what transpired in your conversation, I see a form-letter response.

 

[morphius909]

Actually I shouldn't blame the Dealership. It's that female Service writer. She has zero idea what she is ever talking about, tries to UPSELL everything on every visit. I cringe when I see her. It's like no...no...no...what part of NO do you NOT understand?

I once was at the dealership and she nearly convinced a guy to get 300 bucks in maintenance for his new camry which was only like 4 months old from what I could tell from the Conversation. She had to take a phone call and when she did, the guy looked around bewildered and I shook my head at him and I think he got my drift. He simply got the oil change which is all he ever wanted in the first place.

 

[sheik]

Are there other dealers in your area?

The one I bought our 4R from couldn't get an alignment right on it after FOUR visits at 2 hours plus per visit. They treated me like I had no idea what I was talking about. It was crystal clear that the vehicle continually pulled to the left at any speed, on any road, regardless of wind conditions. This dealership would not provide me with the printout from their alignment machine until the last visit, when I finally made a big enough stink about it. They produced a sheet that did not show any values for the front and blamed it on their printer and said their machine was dead on.

I brought it to the other one in the area, not only was I treated exceptionally well, they fixed the alignment in 45 minutes and I've never looked back.

The dealership I bought it from had BOTH front tires toe'd so it would pull left and they were BOTH drastically out of spec.

Sorry that my rant is slightly off-topic, but my point is, if you aren't getting good service from one dealer and you have another one in the area, give them a try.

And to answer your question, I do as much of my own maintenance checks as possible.

 

[morphius909]

Are there other dealers in your area?

The one I bought our 4R from couldn't get an alignment right on it after FOUR visits at 2 hours plus per visit. They treated me like I had no idea what I was talking about. It was crystal clear that the vehicle continually pulled to the left at any speed, on any road, regardless of wind conditions. This dealership would not provide me with the printout from their alignment machine until the last visit, when I finally made a big enough stink about it. They produced a sheet that did not show any values for the front and blamed it on their printer and said their machine was dead on.

I brought it to the other one in the area, not only was I treated exceptionally well, they fixed the alignment in 45 minutes and I've never looked back.

The dealership I bought it from had BOTH front tires toe'd so it would pull left and they were BOTH drastically out of spec.

Sorry that my rant is slightly off-topic, but my point is, if you aren't getting good service from one dealer and you have another one in the area, give them a try.

And to answer your question, I do as much of my own maintenance checks as possible.

I am planning on doing so. I bought the truck from this dealer and thought that meant something, apparently not. I have never really been happy with their service, from a botched under warranty radio replacement (which they damaged 1500 bucks worth of trim that they had to replace (took them 2 more times to get it right) to the front Seat Creak replacement which still pops and I basically gave up to just the general attitude that they THINK they know better when they don't).

 

[morphius909]

Called the other Dealership. Got a quote of 135.00. For the exact same services.

It was a world of difference just from the initial telephone conversation. Usually when I call my original dealership they immediately start upselling, this place was basically what would you like. Okay, that's what is recommended. Even their website has a nice detailed list of TOYOTA CANADA service recommendations and that's what they book you in for. I told her I do Cabin Air Filter, Propeller Shaft Myself so no worries. She said no problem.

Now this is only telephone. I'll know after May 15th what the actual experience is like.

 

[sheik]

It's amazing that some of these dealerships are able to remain a Toyota dealer. I hope you have a good experience with the new dealership like I did.

From doing something so simple as an alignment correctly, treating me with respect, and listening to my concerns, they've earned return business from me. I buy all my oil, filter, and parts I need from them even though it's a farther drive. And I will buy my next Toyota from them too.

Why some dealerships don't get that is beyond me.

Anyway, good luck!

 

[Net4n6]

Most people that go to the dealership dont know where their hood latch is let alone how to check brakes and spark plugs.

My friend's car light bulb burned out and he asked me should he take it to the dealer. "Are you kidding me?" I said. I told him I can replace his light bulb for a coke.

 

[jeober]

Hi Morpheus,

If you change spark plugs and grease drive shafts then oil changes and tire rotations should be a piece of cake for you. Inspection of brake pads (and rotors) is a simple observation during tire removal. Pads should be uniformly worn and the rotor also smoothly worn with little grooving or skipping. This can save you some money.

On the brakes you also might want to check for a frozen caliber by seeing if
each piston willingly backs off with some applied force. You need to see only the smallest of movement to verify OK. Maintenance on the 4runner is pretty easy -- lot's of space underhood and good ground clearance to crawl under.

Good luck with the new dealer service.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

I let them tell me what to do and then go elsewhere...

I take my own synthetic oil and Toyota filter to the stealership and then they wash it at no extra charge and charge me $20 for an oil change labor.

They typically do a 'new customer free inspection' and tell me time for a power steering flush and so on. I trust their judgement, when they base things strictly on the vehicle's mileage-but I don't volunteer that I just had that done 15K miles ago by the crack staff at Irbis Off Road..so I decline to have the work performed at the overpriced guys-but use their knowledge to stay apprised of what all is coming due. I would much rather support my good friends at Irbis and trust their expertise much more than a dealer.

We have 6 or 8 metro Denver dealerships, so by moving around town I can see who keeps their mechanics happy and which service writers hold a job more than a few months...

You're learning Morpheus-call around and compare-take everything they say with a grain of salt. Ask your T4R and Yota Tech buddies and get some varying opinions on most everything. By taking care of maintenance before it becomes an issue-it is always cheaper and you buy valuable time to get the real scoop.

yes I can do my own oil changes but honestly it's a good way to get some experts looking at my ride and advising me of the small details I may have not noticed or caught up to yet.

Besides... who would I rather trust... some guy in a uniform or my local buds here ? Du hockey and SnowRunner left to right, not pictured-steeze mcqueen

 

[morphius909]

Experienced some very good service today. Vehicle was done on time. Heck they even washed it really nice for me 2 1/2 years at the previous dealership and not once did they have it ready on time OR give me a free car wash.

Ended up picking 6 spark plugs as well (4 bucks a pop). Getting closer to the 96,000 km mark

 

[ItBeMe]

Well let me tell you, if i went to that dealership that girl would probably hit on me cuss I am such a good looker. I get the looks from all the girls where ever I go. Oh well some got it and some don't.:happens:

 

[Marky Mark]

I called my Toyota Dealership for a quote for changing my sparks plugs $160 pretty good deal. Why is it half NGK, half Denso?

 

[Uneek]

Why is it half NGK, half Denso?

No one really knows for sure. It's one of those great Toyota mysteries. Some speculated that Toyota has a 50/50 contract with NGK and Denso, so installing half NGK and half Denso will ensure a 50/50 use of each brand.