Who does their own oil change?
- Thread starter sant6236
- Start date
I have not allowed anyone to change my oil as far back as 1978. I am 70 and it's not a problem to do it today on all my Autos and trucks. The 98 Nissan Maxima needs front left wheel removed to make getting the filter off easy. That worthless Kia Sorento needed two brush guards removed to change oil and filter. My 82 Ford Bronco is easy just the filter causes a real mess to clean the cross member.
The new v6 4Runner is a easy change for both oil and filter.
I never intend to let my stealership ever do it for me.:awais:
The new v6 4Runner is a easy change for both oil and filter.
I never intend to let my stealership ever do it for me.:awais:
climb.on
New member
riverider said:
Yes, there definitely are grease fittings on the drive shaft - both drive shafts actually. Check this thread.
peter78
Super Moderator
A little off topic, but I just got an ad from Advanced Auto. I am not sure if you have them in your area, anyway until March 15th they have 5 Mobil 1 quarts and one Mobil 1 filter about a $10 value for $29.99, I have seen better pricing, but still for today's time, not too shabby.trey99ek said:
Well I was trying to be a loyal customer until the warrantee period was up but my dealer (Burien Toyota) charged me almost 10 bucks a quart for Castro synthetic. To add injury to that was that 1st they charged me for 7 quarts and the second time they charged me for 8 but put the partial quart in the back to justify the extra quart. On top of that they did NOT take anything off the price for the standard oil that was suppose to be part of the service. I'm a Amsoil perfered customer (use it in my Harley) so now I get it and their filter for both my Harley and my 4runner. So if there's any dealers that watch these forums beware. Some custmers that would normally be loyal won't stand for unfair practices. Almost forgot. The service department also stripped out 2 of the 4 bolts holding on the skid plate and didn't even bother trying to fix it. I retaped and bought new bolts myself. Now I cannot trust them any more any way.
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hoggy said:
This is about what I would expect from a dealers service Dept.
When mine had us new buyers out for a cheap finger food and service B.S. sales pitch one evening a few Months ago, The service guy even informed us that they were on commission :bash:
I know they don't use their best people to change oil so I would expect things to get done fast as they can get it done.
They only charge $19.95 for their filter and oil change, so I don't think it's a great deal if there is a chance it not done correct. Or if it is really done at all.
: I just left that night with a really bad feeling about my dealers service Dept. and the people working there.
That's what makes things so bad. We depend on proper service so our vehilces last as they should. Toyota's have such a good reputation for lasting a long time I guess the service departments play the odds that if things don't get done right it won't catch up with them. Trouble is some of us buy our vehicles as if they are our last vehicle purchase. I'm old enough that this may just be my last vehicle if it lasts and I depend on things getting done right. Now if I cannot trust the places I take it to that leaves it all up to me to do what I can to maintain my 4runner. I'm not as young as I used to be so this is getting harder all the time. If there's a need for warrantee I may have a hard time getting it covered no matter what it says about being able to take it to other places or doing it yourself. If there's a loop hole they (factory warrantee) will find it. This is my 1st foreign purchase and I was hoping it would be better than our USA vehicles but it seems its just not. Dealers are dealers no matter what auto manufacturer.
074.0Runner
New member
riverider said:
This is why I don't go to service stations now. I have had the oil changed at a Valvoline center and they must have lost it!!! I did my first oil change with Mobil 1 and K&N 2,000 miles ago and I did'nt have a plastic cover!
peter78
Super Moderator
Someone at work had a oil change and they forgot to put the oil in, they did pay for a new engine. Once, a friend saw oil coming out of his hood. When we stopped, the oil cap was off and to the side, it had not fallen off. He just had a oil change at the dealership.
I had a mishap once, I put the wrong Honda filter on. I had a Civic and an Accord. It leaked after I started it. I took the filter off and quickly put a new one on. I cleaned up the mess and made sure the oil level was right. So, I guess these things happen.
I had a mishap once, I put the wrong Honda filter on. I had a Civic and an Accord. It leaked after I started it. I took the filter off and quickly put a new one on. I cleaned up the mess and made sure the oil level was right. So, I guess these things happen.
Everyone makes mistakes. Its when you do and don't fix it that I get really pissed. Like when they stripped 2 bolts when putting the skid plate back on after an oil change. I discovered it because I heard a strange rattle and tracked it down to the skid plate. Thank goodness whoever did it stopped before it turned into a hard fix instead of an easy one. I simply retaped it and the threads were only ruined for about 3/16". Which left enough good threads left. I've since gotten rid of the tappered screws the factory uses. The pan actually had at least 1/2" play. I was an EN2 (2nd class engineman) wile in the military so I'm fairly qualified when it comes to these types of things. The thing is in the service shop at the dealer it would have been really easy for them to fix it instead of letting it go. Hell, I could have maybe lost the pan on the freeway causing a major accident. Maybe the mechanic was afraid of losing his job. Who knows and I don't care. The fact is he didn't care enough for the customer to my way of thinking. This act cost that dealership my business. Have they never heard of a drift pin to line up holes?
97-4xFunner
New member
Who doesn't love giving their Runner the attention it needs? I am a new auto mechanic. Even after turning wrenches all day, I still enjoy the satisfaction of performing my own maintenance. Besides this is good time for me. Im in my space(garage), generally enjoying a frosty beverage(Beer), and no one to bug me(wife). Besides all that, I don't think anyone should entrust their Runner care to anyone else accept perhaps a reputable shop. Dealers and Quick lube places are not on that list. Oh yeah, one other little tid bit I found out. The filters used by quick lube places only cost them about a quarter. Must be some quality.
I have to say I enjoy doing my own maintenance greatly. The dealer's only reason for touching my truck is for state inspection annually. I usually use Pure One filters which are <$5 plus about $25 for 6 qts of Castrol Syntec. I have been stocking up on Toyo filters because I keep getting coupons from a competing dealer for $3.95 so my cost basis would be even less with those. I like to dump the extra .5 qts in with the drain plug removed to do a half assed "flush" because it makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
The OEM crush washer is aluminum, and the ones you get at the dealer are plastic so I just rotate the OEM one, no worries.
Ditto on the frosty beverage! :bigok:
The OEM crush washer is aluminum, and the ones you get at the dealer are plastic so I just rotate the OEM one, no worries.
Ditto on the frosty beverage! :bigok:
peter78
Super Moderator
When I got the used 4Runner in November, I changed the oil the next day. I decided to use a after market filter and I chose the Pure One. It said it would be 99% effective in filtering out stuff. It seemed to make sense, do you think it is better than a Toyota filter?GMZ said:
Picture of engine with filter.
BROOKLYN
New member
i used to love fixing my cars, now i hate it, i love doing mods and detailing but maintenance and repairs sucks. i do all services myself but when it comes to oil change i walk up to my old dealer give my keys to a lube guy put a cigar in my mouth and drink a beer or coffee and bs till its done. i pay 20 bucks plus my own synthetic oil and on occasion they change da air and pcv and then i leave. between my job and side jobs its a pain in the ass.
peter78 said:When I got the used 4Runner in November, I changed the oil the next day. I decided to use a after market filter and I chose the Pure One. It said it would be 99% effective in filtering out stuff. It seemed to make sense, do you think it is better than a Toyota filter?
Picture of engine with filter.
If your not worried about your Toyota warranty use any filter you want.
:
peter78 said:
Looks exactly like mine...
If you look at several of the oil filter tests the Pure One has one of the best filtering rates(filter surface area also), even higher than M1 or K&N. However there are some reports (or opinions depending on how you look at it) of somewhat restricted flow due to the filter area. I'll stick with Pure One as I think it is on of the best filters, and for about 1/2 the price of the big box names. Are they better than Toyota filters? Id say perhaps a little to us, but maybe more to BITOG.
Warranty affected by oil filter brand? Pleeeeease :awais:
074.0Runner
New member
riverider said:If your not worried about your Toyota warranty use any filter you want.
Total BS. Aftermarket filters will not void your warranty. For that to happen, Toyota would have to supply you with filters.
To whoever asked about the bigger Purolator filter, the P/N is L20195
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