How many people don't use the free oil changes and service?
- Thread starter SavageRunner
- Start date
Whiplash Willy
New member
That, and the ones who are usually doing the oil changes are "Lube Techs" who get paid minimum wage, have little to no training, don't care about their job & other people's positions, are in high-turnover positions, and have nothing to lose.
If it were the actual techs doing the oil changes, I would have more confidence, but not a lube tech.
Also, [MENTION=103821]Speedy Gomez[/MENTION]'s video, WTF are all of those techs doing? That has got to be the worst way to move that tundra, and they even dropped it....I would be livid if that was my vehicle.
Your post is an example of what's called a lack of attention to detail, something that occasionally happens at ALL car dealerships. Did you purposely decide when you woke up that you would not use proper sentence composition by not capitalizing where it is required?
You sound like you work at a dealership, do you?
Speedy Gomez
Banned
:lol:
JB.
New member
Most people have a natural leaning on this subject.
We have a few current and former dealer techs on this site. Here's a question I'd like to ask them.
Given a vehicle owner who is neutral on whether to personally perform their own oil change or take it to the dealer, which would you recommend (and how strongly), based on what you've seen over the years?
Here are a few who I think might qualify.
[MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION] [MENTION=118720]Lextech[/MENTION] [MENTION=56046]toyotatech84[/MENTION] [MENTION=84194]ChaosStarter[/MENTION] [MENTION=104762]TakeitApart[/MENTION] [MENTION=113771]AudiTech[/MENTION] [MENTION=47812]ToyoTech[/MENTION] [MENTION=632]toyo[/MENTION]
We have a few current and former dealer techs on this site. Here's a question I'd like to ask them.
Given a vehicle owner who is neutral on whether to personally perform their own oil change or take it to the dealer, which would you recommend (and how strongly), based on what you've seen over the years?
Here are a few who I think might qualify.
[MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION] [MENTION=118720]Lextech[/MENTION] [MENTION=56046]toyotatech84[/MENTION] [MENTION=84194]ChaosStarter[/MENTION] [MENTION=104762]TakeitApart[/MENTION] [MENTION=113771]AudiTech[/MENTION] [MENTION=47812]ToyoTech[/MENTION] [MENTION=632]toyo[/MENTION]
TakeitApart
New member
My personal feeling is that if you can do your oil changes on your own, you might as well do them. If you have a lift, even better!
Most people can tackle an oil change and minor filter changes, some of them can even do a bit more intensive work, but not very many have their own lifts.
That said, I would recommend most people (who are able to), do their own oil changes but get on a schedule that includes visiting the dealer once a year, or even once every two years. That way, things that you may miss can be spotted and brought to your attention. You don't even have to do the work that's recommended, but at least you're aware of what's needed and what's recommended, then you can make informed decisions about your vehicle.
Are all dealers perfect? Of course not. The same goes for technicians. We're all bound to make mistakes. It's how the mistakes are handled that make the difference. Find a dealer you can trust and one who works with the customer and you'll be taken care of.
Any dealership worth having a dealership will take care of their mistakes and pay up to get the vehicle right. Guess who pays for it if you screw up your own vehicle?
Most people can tackle an oil change and minor filter changes, some of them can even do a bit more intensive work, but not very many have their own lifts.
That said, I would recommend most people (who are able to), do their own oil changes but get on a schedule that includes visiting the dealer once a year, or even once every two years. That way, things that you may miss can be spotted and brought to your attention. You don't even have to do the work that's recommended, but at least you're aware of what's needed and what's recommended, then you can make informed decisions about your vehicle.
Are all dealers perfect? Of course not. The same goes for technicians. We're all bound to make mistakes. It's how the mistakes are handled that make the difference. Find a dealer you can trust and one who works with the customer and you'll be taken care of.
Any dealership worth having a dealership will take care of their mistakes and pay up to get the vehicle right. Guess who pays for it if you screw up your own vehicle?
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Don't we all have something else to worry about besides oil changes? I mean come on people. Not everyone can do an oil change at their house. Also, if the dealer messes up, then they are responsible. There is a better chance probably of getting hit by a car, while someone is texting a driving then getting a messed up oil change I would hope. Carry on...
JB.
New member
But I want the dealer to be responsible if I mess up
Lol don't feel bad I did the paint trick on filter and dealer forgot to change filter?
Did not like response dealer gave me when I caught them , so filed complaint
With BBB and states attorney general? Hey service manager was a dick so I was
Too.now I just do my own,nothing is free in this world always a cost to you somehow someway
Did not like response dealer gave me when I caught them , so filed complaint
With BBB and states attorney general? Hey service manager was a dick so I was
Too.now I just do my own,nothing is free in this world always a cost to you somehow someway
ChaosStarter
New member
My first post here in a long time and it's basically been summed up already.
Doing it yourself can save a little but of money, and you know it's been done to your satisfaction. As long as you have the proper tools for the oil filter housings (if it's newer than 2010) and can remove the skid plates without smashing your face, then go ahead and do it. Just be careful and don't forget to tighten the drain plug.
Otherwise, find a dealer you like (and maybe even a tech you like), and pay the extra money to get it done there. I have a lot of customers that will always ask for me when they come in because we've developed a good relationship and I'll explain anything and everything to them and be very honest about it.
But like anything else, once a place burns a customer, it's hard to get them back, no matter what. That will happen in any industry. Only the person doing or getting the oil change can make that decision.
I'll always be doing my own whether or not I work for a dealer because I know it's done to my standards. I also won't argue with someone if they don't want to go to a dealer. It's their car, not mine.
Doing it yourself can save a little but of money, and you know it's been done to your satisfaction. As long as you have the proper tools for the oil filter housings (if it's newer than 2010) and can remove the skid plates without smashing your face, then go ahead and do it. Just be careful and don't forget to tighten the drain plug.
Otherwise, find a dealer you like (and maybe even a tech you like), and pay the extra money to get it done there. I have a lot of customers that will always ask for me when they come in because we've developed a good relationship and I'll explain anything and everything to them and be very honest about it.
But like anything else, once a place burns a customer, it's hard to get them back, no matter what. That will happen in any industry. Only the person doing or getting the oil change can make that decision.
I'll always be doing my own whether or not I work for a dealer because I know it's done to my standards. I also won't argue with someone if they don't want to go to a dealer. It's their car, not mine.
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Yeah, but does the dealer use synthetic when they do those free services?
I doubt it.
TakeitApart
New member
Considering the first two oil changes are free and Toyota pays for the 0w20 jugs that get dumped in your crankcase; yes, they absolutely use the synthetic oil.
Odds are really good that they keep using it after that too, although it may be Toyota approved bulk oil as it's somewhat cheaper. Toyota is tightening up bearing tolerances in recent years and the 0w20 is required to make the engine work with those tolerances.
Lester Lugnut
New member
100s of Toyota dealers in the U. S. Do any of them have a single vat of oil used for all vehicles that come into their shop to simplify things?
Since most shops won't allow customers in the work area, you'll never know what's in the engine unless you do the work. If you don't like doing the work, you have no choice but to trust someone else.
It's a simple choice for some of us.
TakeitApart
New member
I had a customer mark the oil filter cup on a 2012 Camry to ensure his oil was changed once.
I confronted him in the lounge to inform him that Toyota used a paper filter in a plastic cup so he would know that his mark would still be there and that the filter was actually changed.TakeitApart
New member
I can guarantee none of those dealers have a single vat of oil for every vehicle that comes in. Most likely they have separate large tanks filled with 0w20, 5w20, and 5w30, as well as 1 quart bottles (synthetic, conventional, and blend) of each, in addition to quarts of 10w30 and a local parts supplier with any other grade you may require, only a phone call and a few minute wait away.
Most dealers will now let you tour the work area with supervision. Don't be afraid to ask.
Many euro brands have been 15K+ between oil changes for at least a decade! Some 30K!
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Hotdog2121
New member
1st oil change
I just had the dealer change the oil in my 2014 TE for the 1st time at 9,765 miles. I asked them to capture about 3 oz. of oil during the middle of the oil drain process and I sent the sample to Blackstone-Labs for an oil analysis. I've attached the results here. I paid the extra $10 for what they call a TBN number. That test tells you the amount of additives remaining in the oil. The test total cost about $35 dollars. I was concerned because during my 1st 5,000 mi. service the dealer stated they would just rotate the tires. No oil change needed with the 0W-20W full synthetic oil. So at appr. 10K I was curious as to what the oil would tell me about the condition of my oil and my engine. The comment section is very interesting, at least to me. View attachment 14 4RUNNER-Blackstone-Lab PPI 021615.pdf
I just had the dealer change the oil in my 2014 TE for the 1st time at 9,765 miles. I asked them to capture about 3 oz. of oil during the middle of the oil drain process and I sent the sample to Blackstone-Labs for an oil analysis. I've attached the results here. I paid the extra $10 for what they call a TBN number. That test tells you the amount of additives remaining in the oil. The test total cost about $35 dollars. I was concerned because during my 1st 5,000 mi. service the dealer stated they would just rotate the tires. No oil change needed with the 0W-20W full synthetic oil. So at appr. 10K I was curious as to what the oil would tell me about the condition of my oil and my engine. The comment section is very interesting, at least to me. View attachment 14 4RUNNER-Blackstone-Lab PPI 021615.pdf
Lester Lugnut
New member
I would bet in the majority of cases you are correct. For me, it's not relevant.
I see you're a tech. Thanks for participating here.
diverscale
Member
Thanks for sharing this initial oil change analysis. very interesting
