taken to the cleaners on an oil change at a Toyota dealer?

[desertred]

I'd have to agree with Ducmonsta in saying that the dealer is taking a loss at a performing a synthetic oil change at $37.15, unless it was built into the sales price of the vehicle. Shoot, I can't even buy the oil for that, let alone the filter. That's not counting any labor. With a price like that I would surely be asking the dealer if he was sure that synthetic was put back into the engine.

I post this as I wait for the oil to finish draining from the T4R. I have to say that this is the easiest vehicle I have been able to change the oil on that I have owned. I've made the least amount of mess with this vehicle as well. However, when considering all of the points I made in my post above and the ones Ducmonsta reiterated, I'll likely pay the slight extra cost to have the dealer do my 20K oil change. I'm sure I'll DIY again in the future, as I'm a hands on kinda guy, so like to just get in there and do it myself on occasion.

 

[Rix]

If you go to the dealer for anything...You're guaranteed to be taken to the cleaners...

Utter b.s.

 

[Ridin4Runner]

I used to pay ~$100 for an oil change on my BMW back in the 90s. $78 sounds about right for full synthetic. I doubt changing it yourself will save much money. Personally, I hate changing oil, especially in this heat - not to mention dealing with oil disposal. I can think of better ways to spend the time.

BMW is basically $150 w/o tax now, but it is recommended every 15K or 1 year which ever comes first on most standard models. Totally reasonable to me at 15K.

 

[NHinAK]

Sorry guys, I just have to vent a little...

$80 for a service that most of us can not "completely" do is a very fair price IMO. I think that it is great that some of us here can DIY, but are you really DIY?
For example, do you have a grease gun, know where all the grease fittings are, check tire pressures (including the spare), air filter (both of them), make sure all lights are operational (including tag lights), reset maintenance light (both of them if you have nav), etc...
It would be obvious to most people here that I am in the automotive industry and have stood up for some dealership/independent shop oil change threads. But just to let you guys know, even I pay full retail at my shop to have the techs change my oil. Granted, I haven't done that yet, as my T4 has 2k miles on it. The time it takes to get your parts, change the oil, dispose of it, AND do all of the included "courtesy" checks, it's well worth the $80. By the time I pay my technicians the labor to do the oil service, check over the vehicle, etc... I have taken a loss in the business.
Oil services is the auto industries loss leader. It is there so that we CAN inspect the car and build on the service ticket to make a profit on other issues the car may have.
Again, it still blows my mind at what we all spend on making our T4's look the way we want, drive the way we want, perform the way we want, sound the way we want, yet still complain about how much money we have to spend in the investment of potentially $80 every 5k miles. Some of us at 10k? but hey, it's your truck.
How many oil changes have we spent changing out perfectly good, brand new tires because we thought they didn't look good enough for us? I see at least 4 oil services in wheel spacers because the tires/wheels didn't stick out far enough from the factory. How about the 2 or 3 oil changes because we didn't like our factory floor mats? I won't even get started on the lift kits!

Sorry guys, it's your investment. Rant is over.

It boggles my mind that people will spend the 40K+ and then NOT personally do the simple maintenance; even if its for the peace of mind and not cost savings. My experience with dealer performed servies has been sub-par on all 6 Toyota's that I've had. I change my own oil and complete the drive shaft(s) lube after every oil change. The lube gun was $15, 8 years ago and the lube is cheap. My experience dictates that the dealers "blow-off" the "chasis" lube. And, because you specify Synthetic does not mean your actually getting it. There is no way to tell Synthetic from Conventional oil without performing an oil analysis. When I do my oil change, I know exactly what oil I'm getting.

Checking the lights takes only a few seconds and checking the air in all 5 tires get's done every other fill-up. These are things that should be performed more frequently than at an oil change.

I understand your point. But, for a few of us; we sleep better at night knowing that we've completed the routine maintenance at OUR standards.

 

[Ducmonsta]

I agree with you 100%, NHinAk. You are probably only 10% of the people WITH a grease gun that DIY. Don't get me wrong, if you're capable, by all means DIY. But do you really think everyone lubes those driveshafts when they're doing it on the ground? Let alone check the diff fluids.

 

[ltdrose]

Grease guns are cheap, use wood or buy some ramps, buy a wrench for the check plugs on eveverthing else. My first full time job when I was a kid was changing oil, 17yrs. old my interview/training consisted of identifying the major 4wd components. Just like that running 2 bays (underneath). Do it yourself and you'll know its done right. You spent 30 to 40 g's do you really trust an oil tech. barely making minimum wage (mechanics get paid much more and get training, there is a difference). Trust me, there not close to as thrilled about your new ride as you are.

Harley Davidson charges $80 for 3 quarts of synthetic and filter makes Toyota seem cheap.

 

[JayBe]

I'll easily pay the dealer $15-20 to do the job. Especially, if I have access to a larger dealer that serves up fresh baked cookies, complimentary juice & coffee, has a business office with internet access, and a comfortable TV waiting room. However, today will be a bonding experience with my T4R.

My dealer's service center has a massage therapist there 3 days a week, so needless to say I'm pretty excited to take mine in for it's first oil change hahaha :thumb3:

 

[Bob M]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I now believe that what I was charged was not out of line--I'll just have to get my perspective in line with the higher price of synthetic oil.

Regarding doing it myself, I haven't changed oil on anything but farm tractors and an ATV in recent years--the only reason I do those myself is because that is easier than getting someone else to do it.

JD--you asked where I was located: I am in Dallas, Texas.

Thanks again for the feedback. Looking forward to my next 4Runner excursion: Taos County, NM--with fresh synthetic oil.

Bob M

 

[Als VARunner]

I guess I have a good dealership. Everyone who buys a vehicle from there has oils changes, state inspections, lifetime towing and lifetime engine warrantee for life. In fact in order to keep the engine warrantee, oil changes have to be done according to the schedules maintenance.

 

[1000MPH]

... In fact in order to keep the engine warrantee, oil changes have to be done according to the schedules maintenance.

Which is subject to change at manufacturer's discretion...depending on who's paying for it...:nono:
If only more dealers were a place you felt comfortable doing business with.

 

[luv2sleep]

I understand your point. But, for a few of us; we sleep better at night knowing that we've completed the routine maintenance at OUR standards.

Amen, brotha!

 

[homeyclaus]

I purchased prepaid maintenance with my 2010 SR5, which only covered oil changes at 10K and 20K, but covered tire

I am a little confused. Both in the USA and Canada Toyota includes 25 or 30,000 miles of maintenance. That works out to two oil changes and five tire rotations.

You PAID the dealer for this "maintenance plan"?

Sorry guys, I just have to vent a little...

As long as it can go both ways!

$80 for a service that most of us can not "completely" do is a very fair price IMO. I think that it is great that some of us here can DIY, but are you really DIY?
For example, do you have a grease gun, know where all the grease fittings are, check tire pressures (including the spare), air filter (both of them), make sure all lights are operational (including tag lights), reset maintenance light (both of them if you have nav), etc...
It would be obvious to most people here that I am in the automotive industry and have stood up for some dealership/independent shop oil change threads. But just to let you guys know, even I pay full retail at my shop to have the techs change my oil. Granted, I haven't done that yet, as my T4 has 2k miles on it. The time it takes to get your parts, change the oil, dispose of it, AND do all of the included "courtesy" checks, it's well worth the $80. By the time I pay my technicians the labor to do the oil service, check over the vehicle, etc... I have taken a loss in the business.

(snip...)

Holy smokes, you need to check whether that's really done.

I have done the test, and the result at each dealer for a vehicle with

- one tire at 28 psi and
- no windshield washer fluid

resulted in getting back a vehicle with:

- one tire at 28 psi
- one cracked locknut key from their impact wrench
- no windshield washer fluid
- door panel screw covers chewed up to the point they would no longer hold in place by some guy with a huuuuge flat head screwdriver for the Toyota power window recall.

No matter what they claim, they don't do the checks. Ever. If you call them on it, you'll discover their service manager will first "offer to make it right" and claim he "has the best techs in the industry." And apparently the lock nut thing was my fault because I did not "specify when I dropped off the vehicle to hand-torque that."

How many oil changes have we spent changing out perfectly good, brand new tires because we thought they didn't look good enough for us? I see at least 4 oil services in wheel spacers because the tires/wheels didn't stick out far enough from the factory. How about the 2 or 3 oil changes because we didn't like our factory floor mats? I won't even get started on the lift kits!

Sorry guys, it's your investment. Rant is over.

Soooo your Dunflops work how well in deep mud? Sidewalls do ok on rocky West Virginia "county highways"? Arguing maintenance vs adapting a vehicle for a need, like not getting stuck, is weak. Real weak. I believe in fact that's a classic straw man attack.

If you can't do it yourself, you pay. You may have options. If you don't like them, you can DIY. But the price paid by the OP is not anywhere fair, reasonable, or anything else.

Since option E "DIY" is taken, I'll recommend option "F" - independent shop. Might as well get value for those $70. It might even be cheaper.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Amen to choice F, homeyclaus. But I'm sure YOU know I am a little biased.

It is unfortunate dealership techs don't do everything that is asked but I like to give some people the benefit of a doubt. Until they screw me, that is.