Dealership or elsewhere for oil change?

I almost always change the oil myself, but needed the oil changed and didn't have time to do it before a long trip. Decided to let the dealership change the oil and rotate the tires also. Being cynical, I marked the oil filter and tires. Got the truck back and the oil filter had not been changed. I didn't raise hell but did point out the issue to the Service Mgr. He looked stunned and said, "May I have your keys? I'll take care of this right away". Brought my truck back and said, "I'm very sorry this happened. I changed out the filter myself, so we know it has been changed now". I told him that there was no problem, mistakes happen, and left. Folks, you just have to keep your eye on them.

 

My reason exactly for doing mine. I'm accountable for success or failure.

 

Mistakes happen?

That wasn’t a mistake, that was deception and dishonest business plain and simple. I wonder how many other people they screwed that day and beyond...

 

I haven't, and won't, be using that dealership anymore. Could have been an honest mistake. They don't usually have their top techs performing oil changes.

 

No one can do a proper oil and filter change + wash the truck in 20 mins. I hope that when it was all over you popped the hood and checked the oil level on your dipstick...after the oil had a chance to settle.

Why waste 20 mins? Next time go to this place, but you'll have to wash your own truck:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlrAyvezma8

 

Well i did the oil change myself, Mobil 1 full synthetic advanced fuel economy, 5.5 quarts, non-toyota oil filter, new drain plug washer and a great learning experience
Will definetly keep doing it myself and avoid the “stealer”ship
Do you guys recommend sticking to the 5.000 miles interval? After 5k my oil looked pretty dirty

 

The 4.0 Tacoma is the absolute easiest vehicle to change the oil that I have ever had. The filter is on top and the drain is easy to get to. I don't need ramps at all.

Don't forget the fiber washer for the drain plug and you have grease zerks on the driveshaft. There are 3 on the rear driveshaft, all 3 are lined up, if you can see one, the others are right in line with it.

There are two on the front driveshaft on the front and rear u-joints.


I try to stay away from the dealerships ever since my little brother had 2 dealers screw some stuff up. One was involving an oil change. He bought a brand new Nissan 350Z and it came with so many free oil changes (can't remember the number) and the dealer would change it on any vehicle. He wouldn't let them touch the new car but he did take his old CRX and they stripped the drain plug. They never got it stopped leaking.

I've known a couple people who have had the filter not be changed like the story above as well.

 

It is very easy to change yourself. I am 60 and I don't even have to jack the truck up. The only problem I have with it is finding the right hose to fit the bottom of the oil filter housing. I have some clear tubing that I have been using and run it down to the drain pan, but it is a little too stiff. Was thinking of trying to find something that I could leave on there, so that I am not trying to snake that tube down through to the oil pan. I use OEM filters and Mobil 1.

 

I'm definitely over 60, still working a 40 hour job and I'm able to change the oil on my 2.7 liter, 4 cyl Taco - which has the filter tucked up under the exhaust header.

Reason #1 - I prefer to choose my own oil. #2 - I use a torque wrench to button up the drain plug. Last but not least, - #3 - To hit those drive train zerks with a spot of grease.

Time wise - including the recycling of the used oil afterward - it's less than 45 minutes. At the dealer, you never know. Including drive time, it be at least couple of hours

 

Great job @Rollingstoned ! Keep hanging out here and you'll find yourself doing a lot of things you never thought you'd do yourself. These trucks are easy to work on, and there's so much info and how-to's on the forums it's ridiculous.

Yeah, I'd stick to the 5k intervals.

 

I actually look forward to changing the oil in my truck...maybe I need to get more out of life?

 

What are the zerks? Are those the U shaped bolts on the driveshaft?
Do i just put grease on it with my finger?
I have a 2wd prerunner
I will do some more research

 

They’re little nipples on the driveshaft by the u-bolts. Stick a grease gun on the zerk and slowly pump grease until the new clean grease starts to ooze out. You’ll see it. Not sure how many are on the 2wd prerunner. If you search the site for “zerk”, I’m sure you’ll find a thread specific to the 2wd.

Better way to search is to use google. Put in your search term(s), then “site:tacomaworld.com” without the quotes. It’ll show you results from this forum.

 

Full synthetic can easily go 10K. But, if you didn't get a synthetic or synthetic blend oil filter, stick with 5-7K.

 

Elsewhere, for sure!

 

This is the best money saving thing that you can do for the truck. Fumoto valve + rubber hose for filter drain + no tools needed + several beers + jugs of hoarding synthetic in the basement = best thing ever. Rebate on synthetic is pretty year round. Each 5 qt jug is around $12.

 

I got 5 quarts of mobil 1 and a extended life filter for $30
Where can i get a 5 quart jug for $12?! Now thats a good deal
I will have to get a fumoto valve thats seems bitchin

 

I'm pretty sure the 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 for $12 is referring to purchasing the Mobil 1 from Walmart or another retailer at about $24 for a 5 quart jug and getting the $12 Mobil 1 rebate that is typically offered twice a year (once in the Spring and once in the Fall) resulting in a net cost of $12. The next rebate period should be around the Sep-Oct timeframe

 

Just watch for rebate from Mobile, Pennzoil, ect. The rebates are usually $12. Oil from Walmart ranges from $23-26. If the rebates are out, I go to Walmart to buy then stock in basement. Fram Ultra filters there are $9

 

You are reading the reviews from 2 years ago.
I bought em, they are oem.
Current reviews are 5 stars.

I guess you cant trust the 4.5 star overall ranking from 800 plus people.
But I guess keep searching for something that cost $7