Skid plate off before oil change?

[mswaz]

I am taking my 2019 TRD Pro in for its first free oil change, Should I remove the skid plate before I take it in so they do not strip the bolts? Any suggestions on removing them at home so I don't strip them?
Might just change the oil myself, Then get them to reset the maintenance reminder.

 

[mustangr2]

I would take it off if you really want the dealer to do the change. That is still no guarantee they don't mess something up. If you have the ability to change it yourself I would.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

You can reset the maintenance light using these instructions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04I4TrJ8gFI

 

[ElectroBoy]

The forum is full of dealer oil change horror stories. Do yourself a favor and take off the front skid plate and plastic cowel under the radiator. And you might as well take off the oil drain cover plate too. All the instruction are here.
Oil Change 5th Gen: How To- LOTS of PICS!
It’s a good way to get familiar with your 4R. After your two free oil changes consider doing it yourself. It’s not difficult.

 

[euser]

I get mine serviced at the dealer and let them handle it all. Ive never had any issues. I’m sure that techs have messed up peoples stuff some in the millions of services that have been done on 4runners. I’m also sure plenty of owners have messed up their own bolts. You’re never gonna find someone making a post about something going right, even though that’s 95% of the time. You just gotta decide what’s best for you. You’ll find a lot of people who say to take it off, and while you’re at it just change the oil yourself. There’s also a lot of people on here who insist the engineers that designed the engine don’t know what they are talking about and that oil needs to be changed every xxxx miles instead of the 10k in the book. You gotta take most things with a grain of salt.

 

[Charlievee]

I get mine serviced at the dealer and let them handle it all. Ive never had any issues. I’m sure that techs have messed up peoples stuff some in the millions of services that have been done on 4runners. I’m also sure plenty of owners have messed up their own bolts. You’re never gonna find someone making a post about something going right, even though that’s 95% of the time. You just gotta decide what’s best for you. You’ll find a lot of people who say to take it off, and while you’re at it just change the oil yourself. There’s also a lot of people on here who insist the engineers that designed the engine don’t know what they are talking about and that oil needs to be changed every xxxx miles instead of the 10k in the book. You gotta take most things with a grain of salt.

Lol, i trust engineers. However i don't trust the bean counters that control the bottom line.

 

[wsgoat]

The hardest part about changing the oil on a PRO, is removing the skid plate.

 

[1000MPH]

Recommend the following as well:
Remove hubcaps.
Request they DO NOT...
Service either air filters.
Add air to tires.
Wash truck.
Top off fluids. Brake fluid, coolant, and especially windshield washer fluid if you live in a place that sees freezing temps.
Then check everything before you leave the dealership.

 

[northcoast]

I just re-tapped the threads for the skid plate and plastic cover on my 16 Trail. New bolts of course, as well. Too many people over-torquing (working on other stuff besides oil changes) did them in.

I like to do my own oil changes. Yes, dealer horror stories, but by the time I can get in with an appt around life's already busy schedule, it's easier just to do it at home on my time, which may be 8pm or something like that. Typically, what I do is drain the used oil, let it drip while I eat dinner with the wife and kiddo, then fill it and button it back up afterwords. Plus, I get the help of a rambunctious but big-hearted 4 yr old girl.

 

[jwscott79]

I get mine serviced at the dealer and let them handle it all. Ive never had any issues. I’m sure that techs have messed up peoples stuff some in the millions of services that have been done on 4runners. I’m also sure plenty of owners have messed up their own bolts. You’re never gonna find someone making a post about something going right, even though that’s 95% of the time. You just gotta decide what’s best for you. You’ll find a lot of people who say to take it off, and while you’re at it just change the oil yourself. There’s also a lot of people on here who insist the engineers that designed the engine don’t know what they are talking about and that oil needs to be changed every xxxx miles instead of the 10k in the book. You gotta take most things with a grain of salt.

I completely agree. I was a change my own oil guy for 20 years, I didn't gain anything and now I have every single service documented with one dealership. If anything does go wrong, this documentation is more valuable than a spreadsheet you create at home. Remember, the majority opinion is not always the correct opinion....

 

[Sky]

Those who state they've never had any issues really don't know that, do they?
I was surprised at all the people who did their own oil change after a dealer oil change and found the wrong oil filter element was used.
So oil was not filtered at all for those 10,000 mi it was in there.

 

[adrtoy]

Take it off and use some anti seize on the bolts when you reinstall it.

 

[patkelly4370]

I read this several years ago.
Somewhat relevant to this conversation

Funny2 - Men vs. Women: How to Change Oil 1

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[ayeyothisiskyle]

I read this several years ago.
Somewhat relevant to this conversation

Funny2 - Men vs. Women: How to Change Oil 1

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

wtf is a check?

 

[patkelly4370]

wtf is a check?

It's a line of credit from the 1900's.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[daytonaviolet]

I would not let Toyota touch my truck unless I had no choice at all. Just change the oil yourself.

 

[Jivewalker]

One good oil change at the dealer doesn't mean the next one will be good. Depends on the person doing it, and they have turnover. chances are someone different each time. It's Russian roulette. Plus, no way they let it drain long enough. When I do mine, it drips for a good 20 minutes +, and i wait for it to stop before putting the plug back in. Time is money and customers are in a rush.

 

[BobsTrail]

I like to do my own oil changes. Plus, I get the help of a rambunctious but big-hearted 4 yr old girl.

Give her a wrench and let her tighten the skid plate bolts. She will think she is really doing something and they won't get stripped.

2 of my 3 have been under a car with wrenches and think it fun until they get older.

 

[Pirateghost]

Funny not one mention of replacing skid plate with one that has the removable plate for oil changes.

 

[Teamoatmealpie]

For these exact reasons I have only gone to the dealer for my 5th gen oil changes except on 3 occasions. Them being Toyota and the seller of my vehicle builds in some accountability. So if they screw it up they will fix it. Jiffy Lube not so much.



So yesterday I braved a Jiffy lube experience for 3rd time on my 5th gen. I told the guy specifically. I wont go to your Murray Road location after they sent me out missing 2 bolts and left the drain hatch open, literally hanging by one bolt. Caught that once I made it home and inspected in my driveway.

So after telling the guy this and him saying inexperienced techs forget things. They sent me out with the same bullshit. This time I went right next door to Fred Meyer on Cornealius Pass/HWY26 and inspected and put a wrench on everything. Yep stripped skid bolt and drain hatch open hanging by one bolt. Mind you yesterday morning it was dead, I was the only rig there- so the rush excuse is out. Guy apologized a bunch, but what do you really say when presented with the failed results of the last Jiffy Lube experience only then to repeat it again.

So today I took off both skids tapped the stripped nut, but no dice, it's wasted. While under there I notice my front diff 10mm drain plug looks stripped. Yep put a wrench on it and the bite is shallow as the allen key wont fully seat. Diffs only changed once by dealer and lastly 30k ago at a Jiffy Lube. So another Jiffy lube created problem that needs to be fixed.

Moral of the story, Jiffy Lube hires from the bottom of the barrel. Toyota at least is accountable for the work they do.

I knew I was taking a risk by going to Jiffy Lube, but the idea of sitting at the dealer for 2+ hours was unappealing. So there you go kids I knew Jiff Lube was trouble, went to a different location, got same results.

If you love your rig, take your skid plates off - its only 4 bolts