Oil change question

[paquitox]

I just bought my 2005 4runner SR5, two days ago, with 48K. My inquiry is about oil changes. We take our other car, Honda Element 2003 for oil changes to Honda dealer, I was wondering if you guys have a preference oil change distributor like those general express lube, in which who knows what kind of oil they use. Should I go to a Toyota dealer and service distributor? Or will those lube locals will work?

Also , since I just bought mine, should I go right away and change it, I check the oil and its looks pretty clear. Do you guys have a preferred oil brand?

Any help will be appreciated!

 

[CookieRoe]

Welcome Aboard!

Most of us DIY. Changing the oil on a V6 4Runner is extremely easy. But, if it were me, I would take it to the dealer. They are not expensive. I think my dealer charges something like $30. I would never go to a "Jiffy Lube" sort of a place, too many horror stories. I use Mobile1 5W-30 with an OEM filter.

 

[paquitox]

Yeah, DIY its not a option for me right now.....maybe later.

I just called the nearest Toyota dealer and they charge $34.99 for it, which seems kinda of an average price in compare to other express lube places.

The car doesn't have any stickers from previews services(dates and mileage) for next schedule service. Should I go and change it, even though it doesn't look that dark? Just to be sure.

 

[4Rida]

If your oil looks clear, you should be good for another couple thousand miles.

If you're OCD like me, I would check the oil filter brand and see if it's decent.

 

[CAN-03runner]

If you don't trust the el-cheapo lube places, and dealer only charges 35$ just go to the dealer. I brought my Acura to the dealer too. And it even came out of the service center with a free car wash.
But regardless of where you go, check your dip stick to make sure the level is correct.
If you're a real stickler for this stuff, you might want to have your other oils verified,such as transfercase, transmission and differentials and either changed or topped off. If ever it's been serviced before for these the amounts might not be acurate. I had all mine done, and they needed topping up after I rolled with it.

 

[scottm]

I've had two Toyotas messed up by dealer oil changes, it's not like they have certified mechanics doing oil changes. But I'd still take a car there before the quick-change places.

Your "maint" light will blink a few times after start when it's been 3000 miles since it was last reset, then stay on at 5000 miles. I wouldn't rush to get an oil change, but I'd take it to the dealer for a complete fluids check, they'll usually give the rest of the car a good look while it's there. Peace of mind.

My choice for oil is Shell Rotella T Synthetic. It's one of the better synthetics, and I get a gallon for $21 at WalMart. I prefer the Toyota filter, next choice is the NAPA Gold.

 

[TUZ04SR5]

If you're not a DIY guy, then stick to Toyota. They'll use oem parts (filter, drain plug gasket, and reg. oil) and everything will be documented in thier database for the car's maintanence history. That way they can't say anything about you not keeping up with your car if anything mechanically would happen to go wrong in the future.

Every car I buy gets a tune-up right off the bat, just for the peace of mind. It couldn't hurt to have your oil changed and have the fluid levels checked just so you know where you stand.

 

[galactic_04]

I'd go with a synthetic Mobile 1 or Valvoline with a good filter like mobile 1 or STP or the dealer filter if they're in the area. The dealer just uses kendall oil here... It's nothing fancy

 

[MikeInNH]

NEVER EVER take ANY car to these oil-chain places (i.e. Jiffy Lube).

The internet is loaded with complaints about these oil-chains destroying engines because of sloppy and/or incompetent employees. Their business model requires them to work at a very fast pace and this forces mistakes.

You have 3 options.

1 - Do it yourself. One of the easiest vehicles I've ever done an oil change on.
2 - Dealer. But they tend to be high.
3- Trusted Independent.

As for the oil to use. In most cases you don't need synthetic oil. I use synthetic because of the harsh winters and the towing I do during the summer. But any good oil that meets the minimum specs for this vehicle will work. 5w-30 is the preferred weight. Filter? - Any filter designed for this vehicle will be fine. Don't get hung up on brand name. I've been using Wix lately because my local auto store will sell me a case of 12 for $48. Use to use OEM, but the dealer stopped giving me a deal on bulk purchases (new management).

 

[Sungod]

I would check with the dealer to see that a $34 oil change really costs. My dealer advertises that, but you also get hit with a $5 shop fee and a $6 disposal fee. Then they also hit you up for all the other things like air filter, cabin filter, etc. I got so irritated with it that I told them to just put the oil in a jug and I would take it to the parts store next door, and since they weren't disposing of the old oil there should be no need for a shop fee. They waived the disposal fee, but said that I would still need to pay the shop fee. I asked what was I getting for that. They said it was for rags and wipes. I told them that their tech should be more careful and not spill. I shouldn't have to pay for their mistakes. They wouldn't budge. I guess $40 was still better than me lying on the frozen ground, but I would have been happier if they had just been honest with me up front. They actually sell the used oil which really makes it a scam that they charge you to dispose of it.

 

[snowbrdr033]

I used to DIY my oil changes on my 3rd gen V6 however now with a 4th Gen and a V8, it's much harder to get to the oil filter and it can only be accessed by taking off the skid plate.
I now take it somewhere but always follow up to make sure they changed the filter, put new oil and I always check the levels before driving off. Some of the moronics they have doing them don't account for the oil the filter "soaks" up when it is run through the first time. I called and complained, so they topped me off "at no charge" if they had done it right the first time....

 

[Joshv4runner]

Also go to your local dealership website and see if they offer coupons for oil changes, etc. If they don't, then try another dealership around your area and print off their coupon, but make sure they will honor it.

 

[MikeInNH]

They actually sell the used oil which really makes it a scam that they charge you to dispose of it.

A couple of the dealerships around here have waste oil heaters. They heat their garage with the oil they drain when doing oil changes. My town has waste oil heaters also and use the oil we do-it-yourselfers drop off at the transfer station.

 

[paquitox]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, definitely will try an take it to dealer just to be sure, "peace of mind" right?! Check all the oils and a general check up.

 

[jow]

pauqitox, Call your Local Dealer/Service/Dept and ask them to run the Vin # that should show any past services in their database that were done at a Toyota Dealer. With Luck , you might find pleasant records to start with. I purchased an 07 V6 2WD a year ago and found good records in the Owners Records and through the Dealer Database with the Vin # that basically verified purchase mileage and past services.

With my Wife’s New 2001Camry we purchased oil at Wal-Mart, a case of dealer filters at a good discount and the dealer changed it at a reasonable price (about 10.00, to avoid 100,000mi/10yr warranty issues). I am doing DIY on the 07 purchased @43,000 Certified to 75,000 and Ext Warr. My Problem is, I only drive 3,000 mi a year but the change is due every 5,000/6mo (2 oil changes a year).

scottm, In general what happen with the two bad oil changes at dealers? “I've had two Toyotas messed up by dealer oil changes, it's not like they have certified mechanics doing oil changes. But I'd still take a car there before the quick-change places.”

Good Luck! jow

 

[sonerick]

pauqitox, Call your Local Dealer/Service/Dept and ask them to run the Vin # that should show any past services in their database that were done at a Toyota Dealer.

You can do this on the Toyota Owner's website. No need to call the dealership.

 

[paquitox]

You can do this on the Toyota Owner's website. No need to call the dealership.

You sir, are correct. Just register with the VIN at the Toyota owners website, and it appears that the last registered service at a Toyota Dealer was at 2009 when it had 42K miles(48K now). It also shows all the previous service history done at Toyota dealers.

Thanks again, this was lot of help.

 

[scottm]

scottm, In general what happen with the two bad oil changes at dealers?

First owner of my '97 Land Cruiser took it in for it's first oil change, and they double-gasketted the filter. New engine at 3000 miles!

I bought my '03 Land Cruiser at a dealership, it had an engine vibration. After I bought it they replaced the torque converter to fix it, then checked every aspect of the engine trying to find the cause, without success. I took it home, found the oil way above the full mark. They had double-filled the crankcase when the previous owner brought it in for service, that PO sold it fearing it was failing. Got a good price for it.

But my son's three friends worked at a quick oil change place, they wrecked a lot of engines. At least a dealership might possibly be compelled to make things right.

 

[MikeInNH]

And that's why besides doing it myself..and independent is a better choice.

A dealer will have their lowliest person in the shop doing oil changes. An independent doesn't have enough business to hire flunkies to do oil changes. The independent guy I go to for the jobs I don't want to handle or don't have the time to handle it's just ONE guy who's been a mechanic for over 30 years. Can run rings around any dealership mechanic. He does all the oil changes. Very very trustworthy. When I tore out my knee 10 years ago he's the ONLY guy I trusted to do my oil changes.

 

[williamZ]

I use AMSOIL oil and fluids in my vehicles. For the oil filter I use OEM and I change it every 5K. I do it myself. Otherwise I know some of the oil change places will allow you to bring in your own oil and they will change it out for you for $10.