People with the Toyota Care free maintenance..

[pointman]

are you using it? Oil changes, rotations.. etc. I am curious if its something worth utilizing after reading many complaints of the dealership not properly putting the vehicle back together. Personally, I just had the dealer scratched my 4Runner and not take ownership of it. Curious what you are all doing with your free maintenance. I am fairly certain I won't be going back, unless its for warranty work like on my beautiful sunroof rattle.

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

One and done for me. Lesson learned on a simple tire rotation. I had a positive interaction with the service team when I pointed out paint flaking from inside the rear door, which led me to utilize the 5k service. I tried, they failed.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

98% of 4runner owners will have a positive experience. Forums tend to find the 2% that do not. I have had positive experience with my dealer. It all depends on the tech that does the work.

 

[JAXJeremy]

98% of 4runner owners will have a positive experience. Forums tend to find the 2% that do not. I have had positive experience with my dealer. It all depends on the tech that does the work.

I'd tend to agree with this. as part of the toyo care plan when I bought my 4ER, I had my first oil change done at the dealership and will have the 2nd one done there as well..I mean it's free..after that I'll do them myself..

 

[the_fornicator]

I brought my 4runner back from the first free service (12K kms on the rig) where they do a visual inspection, fill up fluids, do an oil change, and rotate the tires. I took the rims/tires off 2 days later to put on my winters myself and I swear some of the lugs were torqued to around 100 ft/lbs whereas the manual says 82.5 which is impossible to do with my torque wrench so I just do 84 ft lbs. They were pretty damn hard to take off. Luckily none of the lugs looked stretched (I realize that'd be hard to do at 110 ft/lbs but doesn't hurt to do a quick check).

So yeah, no more tire rotations from those monkeys. The ROI is so small to let them do the basic stuff. You'll spend hours if not days trying to get your shit fixed and sorted out that it's just not worth bringing the runner to the dealership for the basic stuff. For actual warranty claims, sure, go to the town. But not basic maintenance.

A bit of a waste since I have free oil changes for life. Oh well, not worth the headache. I can use it as an opportunity to teach my daughter how to change the oil on a car.

 

[headpaneer]

Part of the 2%!

I probably should have done all the maintenance myself the first two years, considering the time I spent trying to head off potential issues, double checking their work afterwards and taking the truck back to fix their screw-ups.

 

[Dillusion]

Voted.

I do stuff my self. Don't trust a minimum wage oil change tech.

 

[Cndnmax]

I had them do the first oil change and probably will have them do the second. I take the skid plate off before bringing it to them.

 

[johnbt]

Yes. The end of 2016 we bought a new Avalon Touring and a new 4Runner TEP. We have used the 2 years of Toyota Care that were included with the deal and now we're using the 2 years of 'dealer care' that were included. I liked getting free 30k service on 2 vehicles. Free state inspections too.

Free is free and fine with me.

 

[TOYO74]

98% of 4runner owners will have a positive experience. Forums tend to find the 2% that do not. I have had positive experience with my dealer. It all depends on the tech that does the work.

In my opinion, you are fortunate to have a dealer service dept you can trust.

I have lived in the PHX area 40 years and during that time have tried several different dealers and each time I kick myself for going to the dealership for service. I guess the positive thing with that experience is I have learned to do the work myself. I do use one dealership for parts I need and have had a very good experience with them.

Maybe I should drive out to Lake Havasu! :thumb3:

 

[GripT4R]

Nope, i have no reason to return to a dealership unless its for a recall or warranty claim.

 

[spartacus]

I got the extended service contract due to convenience. Oil changes, rotation, drive shaft lubrication atf fluid swap etc . I drop of the car they drive me to my work, pick me up at the end of day. I read the forum and check every bit of it but so far so good. With two little ones and every thing that comes with work and family, it works out better. The only time I get to work on my cars is when the wife and kids are sleeping which is Fri and Sat night if we don't have anything going on which almost never happens.

 

[20164runner]

I let them do everything but the oil changes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dillusion]

Forgot to add.

It would take me longer to drop off my 4R & wait or go back for it than the time it would take me to do it on my own.

My time is more valuable than a free oil change.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

98% of 4runner owners will have a positive experience.

How did you come up with this number?

 

[ForRun]

Asked my dealer can they do one or two things
1. Can I stand there and watch the tech....answer = no
2. Can you give me oil and a filter.....answer = no and asked why?
I said because most your oil change work goes to the new gen idiots and I don't trust them with my vehicle.
Multiple manuafures and multiple dealers, I have horror stories from all!
One reason I went 4runner is its easy to work on

 

[YelloLab]

Forgot to add.

It would take me longer to drop off my 4R & wait or go back for it than the time it would take me to do it on my own.

My time is more valuable than a free oil change.

I look at it the same way.

Also don't trust the competence of the dealer techs. I am very OCD with the way I keep my truck.

 

[69L46Vert]

I don't trust them to take the care that I myself would. Too many negative stories. Bought a 10 pack of Toyota filters and drain plug washers, the special funnel and the oil filter wrench/tool. I'll do it all myself. Fortunate to have a lift.

Brother bought a new Tacoma in 2016. Takes it to the dealer for everything. We just fluid filmed it a month ago and found some skid plate screws were cross threaded and of the 6 the little clips that hold each hubcap on, 2 or 3 were broken off every cap.

On another note, I bought my Tacoma new in 07. Never once took it back to Toyota until the frame needed replacement. In their defense, the techs did a great job. I had zero problems even though I expected they would miss something. The fact that they replaced my frame at no cost to me was a big reason why we bought the new 4Runner. Toyota did right by me and because of that, I felt they certainly deserved my business again.

 

[johnbt]

"Fortunate to have a lift."

That's about the only thing I don't have. Three bays, floor jack and stands, engine hoist, engine stand, compressors and tools, steel ramps, etc. I also have things I maintain; a trailered boat with outboard, a trash trailer, a Toro 50" ztr with 2 2800 Hydro Gear drives & a 24 hp Kohler, a 48" Deere X380 with a 22 hp Kawa, a second hand Lowe's 21" push mower, some chain saws and some other junk that always needs attention.

I'm not turning down 4 years of free service on 2 vehicles. Nope. Supervising their work takes almost no time at all.

 

[csommers]

I've had zero issues with the dealer I go to, but then again...they're one of the premier Toyota dealers with one of the best offroad shops.