Just found out that my 4Runner does not have the correct engine oil!

[1engineer]

Another reason why you should change your own oil.

It is the most important maintenance task you'll ever do to your vehicle and it must be done numerous times during the life of your car in spite of reduced oil change frequency.

All it takes is one screw up and you can lose an engine and I'm not talking about someone using the wrong viscosity or refilling with conventional vs. synthetic. That is not going to kill a 1GR-FE.

How many times are you going to tell people to change their own oil? I used to change my own until I could afford to have someone change it for me. Changing oil is not rocket science and there are 1000's of people who can do a good job in shops all over the country. You, as an owner, should vet a local shop before trusting them to care for your vehicle. I have a great dealership that I trust. It's as much the management's job as it is the techs.

Again, I have other fun things to do with my time than change my own oil. Usually riding my bike. I also don't have to change my oil to feel like I am doing something important. It's not hard and a 4 year degree in petroleum engineering is not required. A high school degree with some mechanical aptitude is all that's needed. Some guys enjoy doing it and that's fine. Not me as I have been there, done that for too many years.

 

[Antman]

My opinion-
Threads like this are exactly why you should change your own oil.

I would rather spend my time doing it right than waste my time if they screw it up.

 

[dekeman]

I hope you checked the dipstick when you got home.

 

[philsey]

[MENTION=95402]T4RT[/MENTION] My takeaway from your original Jeep dealer experience is that you never got a filter change (as stated on the service report). Right? They didn't know how, right? Skipped it, right?

The next takeaway is that you were probably driving around with the 0-20 that was left in the filter, and whatever they put in it, right?

Great story. Kudos on keeping your cool. Honey is always better. If you were being an AH, they'd have shut down and finished tomorrow.

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

I'm not going to come into this thread to say you should change your own oil, blah blah blah... You're an adult, therefore you can make your own decisions.

With that being said, I think you were right in going back to the dealer to have them fix their mistake.

Personally, I like changing my oil although I feel like that makes me the minority in today's society.

 

[T4RT]

I hope you checked the dipstick when you got home.

[MENTION=48776]dekeman[/MENTION] - ABSOLUTELY! I watched all 6.6 quarts of oil be added back to my motor by hand. The tech pulled a new unopened case of six quarts and a single extra quart from the parts area. When I got home I double checked to be sure I wasn't leaking. My only concern now that I think about it is they didn't replace the crush ring on the back of the oil pan drain plug. I will have to keep an eye on that to see if it starts leaking.

[MENTION=95402]T4RT[/MENTION] My takeaway from your original Jeep dealer experience is that you never got a filter change (as stated on the service report). Right? They didn't know how, right? Skipped it, right?

The next takeaway is that you were probably driving around with the 0-20 that was left in the filter, and whatever they put in it, right?

Great story. Kudos on keeping your cool. Honey is always better. If you were being an AH, they'd have shut down and finished tomorrow.

[MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION] - When the Tech replyed - "Is that what that is for? I have seen this one time before but I didn't know what to do with it! THANKS!" - and I explained the small o-ring to him and how the extractor worked, the thought did run though my head that this might be the guy who screwed it up the first time! Maybe they changed the filter the first time, maybe not. Honestly we will never know. I do know that I stood there and watched every move and made sure I had peace of mind knowing it was done right this time.

I'm not going to come into this thread to say you should change your own oil, blah blah blah... You're an adult, therefore you can make your own decisions.

With that being said, I think you were right in going back to the dealer to have them fix their mistake.

Personally, I like changing my oil although I feel like that makes me the minority in today's society.

[MENTION=51788]Swimmerboy2112[/MENTION] - If there is such a thing and being in the minority for changing your own oil, I will gladly stay there!

 

[LandCruiser]

I run the truck, then remover the skid, drain the oil.

Clean my guns.

Change filter and refill oil.

Use the rest of the 0w20 to lube my guns.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

How many times are you going to tell people to change their own oil? I used to change my own until I could afford to have someone change it for me. Changing oil is not rocket science and there are 1000's of people who can do a good job in shops all over the country. You, as an owner, should vet a local shop before trusting them to care for your vehicle. I have a great dealership that I trust. It's as much the management's job as it is the techs.

Again, I have other fun things to do with my time than change my own oil. Usually riding my bike. I also don't have to change my oil to feel like I am doing something important. It's not hard and a 4 year degree in petroleum engineering is not required. A high school degree with some mechanical aptitude is all that's needed. Some guys enjoy doing it and that's fine. Not me as I have been there, done that for too many years.

I believe this is first time I've suggested it on this forum?????

Yeah....1000s can do a good job and 1000s can do a lousy job. You can find what you think is a good shop and then one day they hire Mr. Bad Attitude. That's all it takes.

You can change your own and still find time for personal pleasure.

 

[thebwlife]

I believe this is first time I've suggested it on this forum?????

Yeah....1000s can do a good job and 1000s can do a lousy job. You can find what you think is a good shop and then one day they hire Mr. Bad Attitude. That's all it takes.

You can change your own and still find time for personal pleasure.

For me I worked in an oil change bay for 6 years in high school and college. I change my oil faster than I can drive to any oil change place. I just buy my filters in bulk 5 at a time, and mobile 1 at Walmart and call it a day.

And I don't sit and let it drain for an hour to make sure every drop is out. Takes about 5 min bottom side then, 5 min top side max. Start, check for leaks, turn off. Dunzo! I don't remove my skid, just push it down and forward.

 

[thebwlife]

Would it be helpful if I made a how-to video for oil changes? Don't want to do it if it would not help.

Edit: next time I do an oil change I'll do a video.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Would it be helpful if I made a how-to video for oil changes? Don't want to do it if it would not help.

I cannot imagine anyone not appreciating something like this. If you have the time, please do.

 

[1engineer]

Would it be helpful if I made a how-to video for oil changes? Don't want to do it if it would not help.

I think it would be a great complement to [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] "How to" oil change thread. Some new young owners probably would like to change their own oil but have not been brought up doing it for themselves. I did it for a job as a teen and really don't care if I ever have oil run down my arm again but I'm sure there are plenty that want to do it and need help. Go for it!

 

[Americas High Five]

Would it be helpful if I made a how-to video for oil changes? Don't want to do it if it would not help.

Believe it or not I have never changed my own oil (age 27) - My 2010 Limited is the first "nice" vehicle I have owned and I will admit I am a bit hesitant to change my own oil. The write-up and pics are a great reference for those who have changed oil before but If I had a step by step video to go off I will start changing my own oil (hint...hint).

I'm at the point where I can afford to pay someone to change my oil but I believe this is one of those "life lessons" that I was never taught but would love to know how...and pass on to my son

 

[CookieRoe]

all adeui about nothing????

To the OP: Sucks what you went through. I completely HATE incompetency. However, and with all due respect, I think this oil thing got blown way out of proportion. 5W20 isn't going to damage you engine. It's not an M3 engine, nor is it a Ferrari engine. It can take pretty much whatever oil (close oil weights/synthetic or not). It's been said that an oil change doesn't cost very much. Why didn't you just go to a Toyota dealer? When I purchased my 4T a few years ago and saw the state it was in (very dirty oil, filter, air filters that were dirty, etc), I didn't make a stink (papers where already signed, I trusted that it was ready to go with new oil, filters, etc....... CHRIST was I wrong). Anyway, no biggie, I changed all that out myself, but I could've gone to another dealership to have it done. In the past when I see incompetency (work not being done right, etc), I try to make it right with them and then NEVER RETURN. I'm just trying to say I don't think it was worth getting crazy angry over it.

I doubt you would've returned to the heap dealer anyway.

I change my own oil/filter/etc myself because it relaxes me. I can easily afford for the dealer to have it done, but I like to do it. That, and I know it's done properly. Whatever.

ANYWHO, hope you enjoy your 4R !

 

[JBecker]

I am amazed that people can let an oil change turn into such a headache. How hard is it to go to Walmart, buy the oil and filter, and do it yourself?

When I bought my used 4Runner I changed the oil and filter the very next day. Even though I was told that it had been done when they took it in on trade.

 

[Intruder]

How hard is it to go to Walmart, buy the oil and filter, and do it yourself?

It isn't hard, but not everyone has the time or even the space. I live in an apartment with outdoor parking. No room to store all the tools/equipment and my condo bylaws forbid working on vehicles in the parking lot. I've borrowed friends' garages to install lifts, skid plates, UCAs, etc. but I already hate imposing on them for stuff most dealerships/mechanics won't touch so wouldn't want to do it every time I needed an oil change as well.

 

[T4RT]

ANYWHO, hope you enjoy your 4R !

Thank you! I will.

And for the record I was cool as a cucumber when I went to the Dealership.

 

[eddiebx]

Incompetent or not, those techs at the Jeep dealership demonstrated a great amount of humbleness in their character, and have certainly earned my respect. Kudos to you for handling the situation with class and making sure everyone went home happy.

IMO, you did the right thing, the manual calls for 0w20 and specifically states that if you put in 5w20, you must have it changed early (@5000 miles) and put in 0w20 again.

PS: Don't worry too much about the crush washer, chances are you will be okay as long as it's cranked down tight enough. Some people go through the life of the vehicle w/o changing it, lol. Just make sure to change it out next time around.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

IMO, you did the right thing, the manual calls for 0w20 and specifically states that if you put in 5w20, you must have it changed early (@5000 miles) and put in 0W20 again.

I suppose the 10K interval Toyota recommends is because synthetic oil is being used. No conventional 0W20 available that I know of. Though a different chemistry, it reminds of the 50K(red coolant) - 100K(pink coolant) issue.