SavageRunner
New member
I would really rather do the work myself and pay for it than to let the dealer do it. How many others would rather do it this way?
How many people don't use the free oil changes and service?
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rigtec
New member
Too lazy, too tired, too old, and those darn skid plates... lol. I have 8,880 miles on the truck and I've already had THREE FREE oil changes; one at 1,000 one at 3,100, and one at 7700 miles. But the next I'll be paying for because the party is over "Said the toyota service dept rep", t'was two years old in April... and I enjoyed every 'slippery' minute of it hahaha! Cheers
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Jeremy556
New member
I would. I tried to get a free oil change from Toyota care - they didn't change the filter, didn't drop the skid plate and filled it with oil, and they managed to destroy my alignment. Not sure if they drove it into the pit or dropped it off a lift.
I hate doing oil changes, hate, hate, hate, hate it. Especially with the stupid new cartridge filters, but for peace of mind of knowing it was done correctly, and not having to bring it back for stupid mistakes, I endure it.
I hate doing oil changes, hate, hate, hate, hate it. Especially with the stupid new cartridge filters, but for peace of mind of knowing it was done correctly, and not having to bring it back for stupid mistakes, I endure it.
rigtec
New member
So... are you saying that you don't like doing oil changes or... :shrug:
I do all my own maintenance , I use the Toyota filter and oil but do not trust dealers. I would only use a dealer for warranty work or something I just can not do. Years ago I had a 1993 Toyota pickup and I changed the oil myself , I used a silver paint pen to write mileage and date on filter. I got lazy next oil change and just swung by my selling dealer (large so cal dealer) for oil change.next oil change I decided to do myself and guess what ! Yep same filter , back to dealer with my receipt and truck. Had a calm talk with management and received free oil changes for life but never used one. This is just one of the many examples I have had with dealers or employees not caring. These vehicles are a big investment and I enjoy doing the work also.
MadeInMaine
New member
I thought the free oil changes/ rotations/ "toyota care"/etc only covered oil change every 5k miles or 6 months?
ALSO: to everyone...
When I lived in Southern California, there was a big deal with oil change shops not putting in the good oil you pay for, or reusing oil.
Does anyone think the dealer does that? Or is there a way to check? I guess look at the dip stick as soon as you get the rig back....
Cheers
Lester Lugnut
New member
And given the design of the new 5th gen 4 Runners this is exactly what is happening to a lot of people who take their vehicle in for the "free" Toyota Care. Changing the oil is quick and easy. Pull 2 bolts and remove a small cover plate; then remove oil pan drain plug. Done in 5 mins. Getting to the filter - whole 'nuther story. It may have to do with how Toyota is reimbursing the dealer - likely a warranty type rate vs. customer pay rate for the Toyota Care work.
I feel sorry for people who depend on any dealership for maintenance work. It is and has been one of the biggest ripoffs in auto repair from day one.
Lester Lugnut
New member
I understand where you are coming from as it is a seemingly simple task, but one that is improperly performed countless times not only by the Quick Lube places, but dealerships as well. The internet is full of dealership oil change horror stories.
I'll take my chances on me vs. a dealership lube tech any day of the week.
You are fortunate to have a dealership you trust.
vicpick58
New member
I never took advantage of the free oil changes either. I did try at 20k miles and was told it would be a 3 hour wait.
I just went home and did it myself.
I have been doing oil changes since the late 1960s as a kid on my parents vehicles.
I just feel more comfortable doing it myself and knowing it is done correctly.
I just went home and did it myself.
I have been doing oil changes since the late 1960s as a kid on my parents vehicles.
I just feel more comfortable doing it myself and knowing it is done correctly.
Fishpilot
New member
Dealer left the oil cap off mine twice in the 4 free oil changes I received. Just like in everything, trust but verify. Check under the hood and inside the skid plate BEFORE you leave the dealer. If you are still curious about the oil and the internals of your engine, get an oil sample kit from one of the many companies out there. Kits are free but the analysis usually costs a few bucks. Have the tech fill it then you send it in. They provide more oil info than you'll ever need. I do it with my Harley and the info you get is great for piece of mind as well as potential preventative maintenance issues.
Blackstone labs is $25 and super easy.
Blackstone labs is $25 and super easy.
Lester Lugnut
New member
You will be able to pull the dipstick and examine the condition and level of the oil assuming you checked it just before taking it to the dealer - comparing what the oil looked like before vs. what it looks like after. You'll also be able to ensure they reinstalled the oil fill cap.
You will not be able to determine if the filter was changed as it's a paper element that's inside the filter housing. The spin-on types are apparently being phased out. Toyota started this in 2005 with the 2GR-FE engine used on Avalons, V6 Camrys, Siennas, Highlanders, RAV4 and maybe one or two more.
It's my understanding the newer Corollas also have this style filter.
The exception might be a dealership that has a waiting area with a view into the service bay. You might be able to see the big shroud(pan) underneath being dropped. If they did that, it's possible they changed the filter.
As I stated above, the overall design of the oil/oil filter drain/replace system used on 5th gen 4 Runners makes it too easy for a dealer to simply change the oil and skip the oil filter change altogether.
BobsTrail
Senior Member
Dealer Oil Change
I removed the air dam and front skid plate before going in for my free oil change. The 10K change was OK but there was oil all over under there and a little dripped on the garage floor. Went under to check and found all was OK but they must have made a mess removing the oil filter.
I'm due for my 20K free change and am undecided about getting it free or doing it myself.
The last three free inspections with tire rotation were a problem A few lug nuts not torqued to spec and a few were too tight. I remove my wheel locks, then replace them after the service, checked the others while replacing the locks.
I removed the air dam and front skid plate before going in for my free oil change. The 10K change was OK but there was oil all over under there and a little dripped on the garage floor. Went under to check and found all was OK but they must have made a mess removing the oil filter.
I'm due for my 20K free change and am undecided about getting it free or doing it myself.
The last three free inspections with tire rotation were a problem A few lug nuts not torqued to spec and a few were too tight. I remove my wheel locks, then replace them after the service, checked the others while replacing the locks.
MadeInMaine
New member
How do you look at the filter and oil and see if they changed it?
Oil, I figure pull the dip stick and should be a golden color. Not the dark brown/black it turns too.
But how on the filter?
I find it incredibly ridiculous that we live in a world where an owner has to mark an oil filter in order to verify that the scamming dealership is actually doing what they say they'll do. It seems stupid.
But I'll mark it.
Then I'll request the earliest appointment of the day for my free oil change so I can enjoy all the free coffee, donuts, bagels, wi-fi, etc. my dealership offers during my 1/2 hour wait.
But I'll mark it.
Then I'll request the earliest appointment of the day for my free oil change so I can enjoy all the free coffee, donuts, bagels, wi-fi, etc. my dealership offers during my 1/2 hour wait.
Antman
Elite Member
I change it because I enjoy any wrenching time I get, and because I know it'll be done right. I am not going to pay someone and then take time to check their work and then get pissed off and go through the process, blablabla. I don't trust dealers, thanks to years of poor experiences, and I am particular about my stuff.
There are people like [MENTION=99235]Scott@Hightech[/MENTION] that I trust to work on my truck for just about anything. But my 4Runner hasn't seen a Toyota dealer since it left the lot and I hope it never will.
There are people like [MENTION=99235]Scott@Hightech[/MENTION] that I trust to work on my truck for just about anything. But my 4Runner hasn't seen a Toyota dealer since it left the lot and I hope it never will.
NoDak
Senior Member
once I hit 10k miles and 20k I will get the free oil change since its syn.
afterwards when its on my dime I will change it every 7500 and track it in my app anyway.
and yes I let the dealer do it, but then again I never had any issues with them changing the oil/filter.
the service bay for they quick work is right out in the open and I can watch from 3 different directions and if need be, stand right next to the quick lube manager desk next to the service bays. they make the service manager for the quick lube bays stand next to the actual work area.
if that isn't enough over sight to do it right, then I am screwed.
afterwards when its on my dime I will change it every 7500 and track it in my app anyway.
and yes I let the dealer do it, but then again I never had any issues with them changing the oil/filter.
the service bay for they quick work is right out in the open and I can watch from 3 different directions and if need be, stand right next to the quick lube manager desk next to the service bays. they make the service manager for the quick lube bays stand next to the actual work area.
if that isn't enough over sight to do it right, then I am screwed.
