How can I tell if the dealer changed my oil?

[Hans Moleman]

I got the 1 year / 10k service done yesterday that included the oil change even though I only have a little over 5k miles.

But from my observations, I'm unsure if the oil change was actually done:

1) No greasy finger prints or oil residue on the oil cap, oil filter, oil plug, or anywhere on top of the engine.
2) No broken skid plate bolts.
3) The oil does seem clearer and harder to read on the dipstick. I can't remember if it was like this before.
4) The oil level is exactly on the 2nd dot.

From everybody's horror stories about dealer oil changes, I should see some sloppiness that shows that an oil change was done. Is it possible the dealer I went to is this neat at doing oil changes?

 

[YellowSnow]

Put torque stripe on your drain plug and oil filter housing. If it’s broken, you know you’re good.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Pull the dipstick... If it's black, take it back.

Even at 5k, your oil will be dark brown/black.

 

[macscac]

lol.. is this your first car??

what a weird question to ask

 

[andrew4r]

lol.. is this your first car??

what a weird question to ask

Is this your first time being social?

 

[83Mule]

The only evidence I have done the oil and filter is the clarity of the dipstick afterward........a good Dealer would make it look the same. If the oil is light or almost clear it was done!

 

[1000MPH]

Well I thought your post was funny.
Bet the dealer was “In the Big Rock Candy Mountains”.

:music:All the cops have wooden legs
And the bulldogs all have rubber teeth
And the hens lay soft-boiled eggs
The farmers' trees are full of fruit
And the barns are full of hay
Oh I'm bound to go
Where there ain't no snow
Where the rain don't fall
The wind don't blow
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains:music:

I got the 1 year / 10k service done yesterday that included the oil change even though I only have a little over 5k miles.

But from my observations, I'm unsure if the oil change was actually done:

1) No greasy finger prints or oil residue on the oil cap, oil filter, oil plug, or anywhere on top of the engine.
2) No broken skid plate bolts.
3) The oil does seem clearer and harder to read on the dipstick. I can't remember if it was like this before.
4) The oil level is exactly on the 2nd dot.

From everybody's horror stories about dealer oil changes, I should see some sloppiness that shows that an oil change was done. Is it possible the dealer I went to is this neat at doing oil changes?

 

[whtout]

If the cap, filter, dipstick or anything else is dirty or has prints after an oil change, I wouldn't go back. Doesn't mean the job wasn't done, just means they're not paying attention and mistakes are probably common.

With that said, I always look at the filter when I don't change oil myself. If the filter has road grime, the job wasn't done even if they changed the oil.

 

[Axix23]

Funny thing you should say this.

I just went into the dealership to get my 10k / 1 year service which includes an oil change and tire rotation. I selected the 10k/1 year service online as well when booking the appointment.

Well, 20 minutes later, they pull my car up and said my car was ready. I was like yall did the oil change that fast?!! Service adviser was llike we didn't do an oil change but just the tire rotation.

Wtf! I was like I selected the 10k / 1 year service which is an oil change. They were only going by my mileage on my car which was only 5k. Which makes no sense bc when I booked the apt, I selected what service I wanted. I don't drive alot.

The easiest way to tell if they did an oil change is look at the oil on the dipstick. Brand new oil should be very clear. You can tell the difference between old and new oil.

 

[macscac]

Is this your first time being social?

Yeah buddy. Sure is


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Yeah buddy. Sure is


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This might help

 

[71gs3504sp]

I also got the free maintenance for my 4runner!
I am going skip the free service and still do it myself!
It is hard to trust anyone anymore especially what you read on social media!
Everyone is always trying to sell you more than what you need!

 

[wsgoat]

Look for stripped skid plate bolts, broken or over-tighened oil canister, oil level too high or low, wrong filter element installed, oil leaks, loose drain plug.....would be a few tel-tales that a dealer has changed your oil.

 

[flea1983]

I would say if you're going down the highway and the engine locks up, you could be reasonably sure they didn't change it.

 

[jrandom]

Well I thought your post was funny.
Bet the dealer was “In the Big Rock Candy Mountains”.

I thought he was joking too.


I am sure there are a few dealers out there that actually pride themselves on doing a good job. I haven’t been lucky enough to find one here, so much so, while I can afford to pay for it, I do it all myself, yet again, like I did before I could afford it. It is all turn and burn here.

To date, my experiences with dealer service (parts counters are the exception) have always been disgustingly brown nosey with sub par work. It really does blow to try to work with “service advisors” that deal with so many stupid people that they don’t actually listen to you when you tell them something important.

While I am hoping for a positive experience, I am dreading getting my airbag recall done.

 

[cbreze]

Oil should be very clear if changed but the bigger concern IMO is did they lube it.
I’ve had dealers tell me it doesn’t need lubing every oil change. I don’t use the dealer anymore. Their express oil change lane is a little to express to suit me.

 

[flyrv9]

Not everyone is a car guy. OP asked an honest question. Lighten up. As others have said - clear (hard to read) oil on the dipstick is good evidence it was changed (you want to check anyway to see if level is correct before leaving dealership); along with looking at the skid plate to see if dirt was disturbed by handling. Some folks remove their skid plates before going in for service to prevent the broken / stripped bolt problem. Torque stripe is a great idea - or otherwise marking to see if anything was done.

 

[CMTAZ]

Watch Them.....

I for one will watch from the window overlooking the service area, or if there in no window, i'll stand outside the vehicle entry door watching untill i see them drain the oil, and remove the tires.

It's amazing how often a task will be perform correctly, when they know someone is watching them.....

 

[jrandom]

Not everyone is a car guy. OP asked an honest question. Lighten up.

Apart from the always random rogue smart ass that will appear in every thread at some point, I don't think there is really much of a need to tell everyone to lighten up, pretty civil here by most standards

The bullets points are exactly a lot of peoples dealer service experience, that is literally what made it seem so humorous. You could seriously joke about it is so on point.

I got the 1 year / 10k service done yesterday that included the oil change even though I only have a little over 5k miles.

OP I should have read your post a better, now I see your concern.

I didn't catch that first time around. You have to watch those fkr's like a hawk. I pulled out into the lot expecting they gave me full 1-year service when I took mine in under similar circumstances. I looked over the invoice before leaving in customary fashion... what wasn't there, an oil change, after I specifically told them to do it.

As I mentioned earlier, this is the final reason I went back to doing all my own work. If I were driving and trading/selling every couple years I certainly wouldn't care as much. I would like 20 years out of this thing

 

[CavPro]

You want to see a room full of people NOT having any fun? Just pop into the local jiffy lube, scratch that, toyota dealer, and there they are getting a 'free' service.

I popped in to get a oil filter.

Parts guy (with a wall of toyota certificates behind him): What year is your 4runner?

Me: 2018

Parts guy: What motor do you have? (while he's looking at his parts screen).