How do I know the dealership changed my oil?

[mpaquette]

As has already been said, change your own oil. It's very easy and you'll know it's done correctly.

 

[1000MPH]

This is a good thread for the DIYers. I contributed a bunch of pics there, too.
Last I heard, Mobil was the new OEM for Toyota 0W20 but the formula is quite different than M1. Check Bobistheoilguy.com for more accurate info.
Slight overfill is not a problem. IMO, any more than 1/4" would have me back at the dealer questioning if they did ANYTHING right. You will be able to tell that they replaced the filter because your filter housing will be overtorqued past the metal clip.:lol:

 

[Barry694]

Oil changing

If you cannot tell the difference between the old oil and the new oil, it most likely did not need changing.

 

[Reata]

Since it's synthetic, can I just dump it down the storm sewer? :naughty::jk:

 

[jetmech1]

I wish I would have asked this the day i got the Trail with 3 miles on it :redbrick:

:keyboard: Okay so, Should I check my oil now and take a photo for comparison later? The vehicle has between 450 and 500 miles on it. I am going to have the oil changed at 5000 miles unless I hear a good reason not to.

I have been reading through the dealership horror stories which inspired me to create this post.

What can I do after the oil change as far as verifying it was actually performed?

I change my oil in my 2011 at 10k miles. Just because your oil is dark or black, doesn't mean it's broken down and not providing a barrier between metal parts. Gasoline has lots of byproducts that eventually some of that vapor seeps by your piston rings that turn your cars oil black. I worked on heavy use propane powered forklifts for years, and would change the oil on a six month PM and it would always be clear. The propane powered lifts were always a lot cleaner than the gas powered lifts. My advice as an ASE certified master tech, is to save your money and follow the Toyota guidelines and use the Mobil 1 0W20 @ 10k mile intervals. Just my .02

 

[garlic4runner]

taking her in Saturday for the first 5k mile service.

1.) Will they top up the washer liquid?

2.) I pan to keep a couple bottles in trunk as well, whats a fair price at the dealership?

3.) Would I be better off getting washer fluid online?

4.) Anything else you can think to tell me when I get there?

 

[Barry694]

5K service

The 5K service is free and so is all other service for the first two years or 25,000 miles.

 

[4Run4YourLife]

taking her in Saturday for the first 5k mile service.

1.) Will they top up the washer liquid?

2.) I pan to keep a couple bottles in trunk as well, whats a fair price at the dealership?

3.) Would I be better off getting washer fluid online?

4.) Anything else you can think to tell me when I get there?

Washer fluid is $2 at any autoparts store an only takes a minute to refill.

 

[phillyd2]

2.) I pan to keep a couple bottles in trunk as well, whats a fair price at the dealership?

Do birds hate you that much?

 

[WaySlowWhitey]

IF you don't trust your dealership to change your oil...find another dealership. Pretty simple. Also, don't most dealerships have a quick lube bay for oil changes? If so, watch them.

 

[Carl_G]

IF you don't trust your dealership to change your oil...find another dealership. Pretty simple. Also, don't most dealerships have a quick lube bay for oil changes? If so, watch them.

Trust is earned

 

[JohnnyT]

As I believe someone else said, simply put some WiteOut on the drain screw and the oil filter. If its gone or badly marked up afterwards, you're good.

Or tell them you want to watch.

 

[garlic4runner]

thanks for the great ideas, again haha.

Its the first 5K checkup so no oil change. I was hoping they would top up my washer fluid, yes birds **** all over my ride all the time! I drive under the 1 train all the time and my garage has birds outside

as fro washing fluid, from my experience not all washer fluid was created equal. for example, the Toyota's stuff really soaps up and creates lots of suds, that stuff you get for cheap at the gas station doesn't.

 

[Carl_G]

Interesting about the washer fluid. My girlfriend and I both purchased Toyota OEM wipers. She uses generic washer fluid and I always pay $1 more and buy the Toyota washer fluid: her wipers squeak all the time and mine don't. I also noticed the better "suds" factor.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Oil changes on a 5th gen 4Runner requires more work. The oil filter was moved from the top of the motor(easy access) to down below. For a diyer who owns the vehicle - no problem. We love to wrench on our vehicles.

But...you can bet there are dealers who will take short cuts to avoid the extra work on a 5th gen 4Runner and simply drain/refill the oil.

I realize that not everyone works on their own vehicle. If you depend on someone else to do it, try and find a place that gives you some visibility into what's going on while they service your vehicle. Some dealers have "quick lube" stations where it's easier to watch what they are doing. Other have waiting areas with a view into the service bay. Avoid those who drive your car to an area around back where you cannot see what's going on.

In the case of a 5th gen 4Runner, your oil may look cleaner after an oil change, but you won't know if the filter was actually changed.

If you get a sense that I distrust car dealers in general, you have good senses.

 

[dclark2171]

I know oil changes are a cash cow for many auto mechanic places. I predict you will soon see a sealed engine system, like transmission fluid, that is good for 100,000 miles plus. Maybe it already exist somewhere.

 

[Antman]

i predict you will soon see a sealed engine system, like transmission fluid, that is good for 100,000 miles plus. Maybe it already exist somewhere.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Some years back on a Mercedes forum, I saw a post by a person who had recently been to Europe. He saw an Audi(euro-only model) parked on the street that had what appeared to be some sort of hood locks. The owner arrived sometime later and the Euro visitor inquired about them.

Sure enough, Audi had put hood locks on that model that only an Audi dealer had a way to open. If you wanted any work done, even something as simple as checking your oil level, you had to go to an Audi dealer.

Can't say I know this to be a true story and if so, has Audi continued with this. Assuming it's true, I would suspect this vehicle was high end. Not the sort of vehicle that would receive a lot of DIYER attention. That doesn't justify the hood locks, but think of it this way. A lot of VERY high-end Italian sports cars require engine removal in order to perform mundane maintenance tasks. Another form of "hood lock".

 

[simplemind]

Just slightly off subject....my dealer here offered free oil changes for life (for the original purchaser). They discontinued that as of Feb, 2014. The salesman said it cost them $90,000 a month and really cut into their profit.
Wow, that's a lot of cars! :twitch:

 

[gm4life]

I check the sticker the dealer puts in the window! Seriously if you can't trust your dealer to do an oil change find a new dealer.