Your thoughts on dealer maintenance visits
- Thread starter molocono
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tkr128
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Personally, I think the best thing is to follow Toyota's maintenance schedule, since it maintains the warranty. I have mine done every 5k miles since my dealer's schedule is pretty much in line with Toyota's schedule. Some of the things the dealer does really aren't necessary since Toyota just recommends an oil change and tire rotation every 5k miles with some additional maintenance items at 15k, 30k, 45k..etc.
I hope this was helpful to you.
I hope this was helpful to you.
but i'm sure somehow and somewhen... they'll take it from me somehow.I only have them perform specific tasks (usually nasty ones), like changing the fuel filter at 100K mi, replacing the belts (PITA to tension up the belt when there's no tensioner), replacing the t-belt at the recommended interval (along w/ the H20 pump). The other stuff (oil changes, drivetrain lubing, brake maintenance, tire rotations, etc.) I do myself. On my '01 honda prelude, I changed out the diff and manual tranny fluid at only 13K mi and used Redline ATF & MT-90, mainly since I was moving to AZ and needed the synthetic for the heat.
The 4x4wire website is pretty good, but really only addresses 1st-3rd gen runners. Otherwise, for the 4.7L V8, you can find info on the ih8mud Landcruiser 100 forum.
Nice thing about Toyota trucks is they use a similar construction for the suspension parts (at least through the 2nd gen runner and LC 80), similar brake system components (like master cylinders...same bolt pattern), same colors for electrical wiring (green or green w/ stripe for power, white w/ black stripe for ground, etc.). So what's learned from owning one Toyota can usually be transferred to another (if you can repack the front wheel bearings on a 1st-2nd gen 4runner, you can also do the same on a FJ60 or FZJ80).
Nice thing about Toyota trucks is they use a similar construction for the suspension parts (at least through the 2nd gen runner and LC 80), similar brake system components (like master cylinders...same bolt pattern), same colors for electrical wiring (green or green w/ stripe for power, white w/ black stripe for ground, etc.). So what's learned from owning one Toyota can usually be transferred to another (if you can repack the front wheel bearings on a 1st-2nd gen 4runner, you can also do the same on a FJ60 or FZJ80).
One lesson I learned. The dealers may miss things they should know about. This forum supplies a lot of information and knowledge about our 4Runners.
Little things I have run across. I was told that Toyota has no zerks, any more -wrong. They are not lubing the zerks on new 4x4 Toyotas -wrong.
I use Red Line oil and was told that 'stuff like Red Line, Mobil 1 and Amsoil' could cause warranty problems - wrong. I was also told that they use 10w-30 vs 5w-30 because they have better 'local knowledge' than Toyota - wrong again. They also tried to sell me a silicone spray for my paint and oil and gas additives. They said these made all the difference in a new vehicle - wrong.
I was told that the dealer was the only place to get the wheels balanced -wrong, Discount Tires has the right stuff for the center mount wheels. They charge 4 times the Discount Tire price, plus Discount tire will, for a couple of bucks more than their one time price will sell you a lifetime balance.
I was told that, although the severe duty oil change interval was 5k that they like to do all their oil changes at 3k because they have better 'local knowledge' than Toyota -wrong.
I had my sunroof repaired under warranty. It was a know problem and there is a repair kit. The problem came back. When we test drove my 4Runner is was quiet until we hit little, sparp bumps and then it rattled, open or closed. The jerk told me that the warrany did not cover the noise if I had to provoke it by driving over bumps (like the dots between lanes on the freeway). I know have to find another dealer. When they brough my 4Runner up to the service line, to return it to me, they reved the engine way up and spun the tires wth a dead cold engine, things I don't do.
My advise, lean all you can about periodic/preventive maintenance. Any major that I don't want to do is going to an independent mechanic. I just can trust the dealer, any more.
Little things I have run across. I was told that Toyota has no zerks, any more -wrong. They are not lubing the zerks on new 4x4 Toyotas -wrong.
I use Red Line oil and was told that 'stuff like Red Line, Mobil 1 and Amsoil' could cause warranty problems - wrong. I was also told that they use 10w-30 vs 5w-30 because they have better 'local knowledge' than Toyota - wrong again. They also tried to sell me a silicone spray for my paint and oil and gas additives. They said these made all the difference in a new vehicle - wrong.
I was told that the dealer was the only place to get the wheels balanced -wrong, Discount Tires has the right stuff for the center mount wheels. They charge 4 times the Discount Tire price, plus Discount tire will, for a couple of bucks more than their one time price will sell you a lifetime balance.
I was told that, although the severe duty oil change interval was 5k that they like to do all their oil changes at 3k because they have better 'local knowledge' than Toyota -wrong.
I had my sunroof repaired under warranty. It was a know problem and there is a repair kit. The problem came back. When we test drove my 4Runner is was quiet until we hit little, sparp bumps and then it rattled, open or closed. The jerk told me that the warrany did not cover the noise if I had to provoke it by driving over bumps (like the dots between lanes on the freeway). I know have to find another dealer. When they brough my 4Runner up to the service line, to return it to me, they reved the engine way up and spun the tires wth a dead cold engine, things I don't do.
My advise, lean all you can about periodic/preventive maintenance. Any major that I don't want to do is going to an independent mechanic. I just can trust the dealer, any more.
