30k service with spark plugs for the busy person :)

I think some people mistake the 3/8" air ratchet for the 1/2" impact gun. Nothing wrong with using power to run the plugs down once the threads have been started by hand. Stop once they're seated and finish tightening by hand. Hell, one can run lug nuts down a stud and never make the impact pawl of the gun actuate, just make sure the nut is started by hand first.

I was mentored at an early age on how to use hand tools, and once proficient, I was allowed to use power tools. It's all about feel..... some have it, some don't.

 

That sounds like a reasonable price. I'm a tight ass though and I would have to wait so I do almost ALL of my own repairs. You're going to get negative comments about this just like when I admit I use Fram oil filters. They're crap! You're going to roast your engine..... I've used Fram oil filters my entire life. My
'98 T-100 has 263,000 miles on it, my Corolla has about the same miles on it and my wife's Sienna has 169,000 miles on it and are all running fine and only the Corolla uses a little oil on a 5,000 mile change.
If you're happy with it, rock on!

 

Impact or air tools for spark plugs is bad juju.

 

If you look at more recent videos in his Youtube channel (including spark plug changes on other Tacos), now that he's working from his garage at his own pace, all spark plugs are threaded in by hand. Sometimes the mechanics are more cavalier when trying to beat the flat-rate clock working at a dealer.

 

To be fair, if they cross thread it that's on the dealer. They can't come to me and say "oh its stripped, you need to buy a new head." Nope, came in just fine (especially on a truck with 30k), they're paying for all repairs as a result. It's under warranty still anyway. They may put up a fight, which is obnoxious of course, but in the end you win that battle.

Now, if you're as say 60-100k and have done a couple plug changes yourself, they may try to screw you over with it.

 

I thought you had to have a cold engine to change the plugs? Passenger side goes fast. Drivers side add about 10 minutes due to having to remove stuff that is in the way.

Seems like a good price to not have to do it yourself. Not everyone wants to do it themselves.

 

It takes 45 min if you diy. How much time was spent driving to and from the dealer? Then sitting at the dealer?

 

I am mechanically inclined and have no problem change out my spark plugs. But I also just took my truck to my dealer to have the 30k service. For me it has to do with having documented service from a dealership of all service. I have bought used vehicles in the past and it's a no brainier for me to purchase the vehicle that has all documented work performed verses some person who promises they changed the oil every 3-5k with synthetic, flushed the radiator, flushed the tranny but has no proof. But hey that's just me.

 

Valid point.

Saving receipts with mileage written on them would be a way to prove the work was performed.

 

Not even that long. Did it in 30 min my first attempt at 30k looking at the DIY write up here on TW.

 

Receipts of parts and consumables with date and mileage on them would be the documentation. The added cost of dealer service over say, 10 years, isn't going to be made up by the little extra you might get for your truck with having dealer receipts. These are not supercars. Tacomas in good condition sell quickly at good prices regardless.

 

If I had a dollar for every angry post about paying for service and not getting it done.

I hope you marked your plugs.

 

yeah but there is the time to get there and to do paperwork and other stuff. $100/ hour is a pretty good salary. Works out to $200k+ annually

 

They didn't mention changing out the front/rear diff fluid or tcase fluid? That all is supposed to be done at 30k as well, isn't it? I also do my tranny every 30k, but I'm a manual, not sure how hard it is to do an auto or if they need it that often.

 

I don't think you read my post correctly. I compared having documentation verses no documentation. There is a difference. If someone were to keep detailed records as you speak of then I would have to agree to some extent. However, you then have to trust the person that did the service themselves knows what they are doing. Also, most people will not keep detailed records like you are talking about.