Service Dept said I couldn't run synthetic.....

So I just got back from the dealership getting my 5K mile service done.

I know, I know, do it myself to save money but I thought I was saving money by having them do it since I got the 2yrs of maintenance for free.

When I give them the keys and say that I want them to put synthetic in it initially there is no problem since my maintenance plan stated that synthetic was cool but then the service rep called the oil service guy who said the truck won't run right if they put synthetic in it. Now this blew me away since I've run synthetic in almost everything I've ever owned and had no negative results. Additionally, I know that just by reading this site the majority of the people here run synthetic.


In order to try and convince me that the oil guy was right the service rep grabbed a master mechanic since "he'll know the right answer" and surprise surprise he sided with me that the synthetic oil will not only do no harm to the vehicle but will probably be better off for it.


At that point the rep is onboard with synthetic again and notes down to have it put in. About 10min later she comes back with the original oil guy who said no and he was still saying no. I asked him why he had and issue and his reasoning was that 0w-20 would be bad for the truck. Again I was awe struck since the truck requires 5w-30!


So after a bit of discussion with him that 0w-20 was not the oil that was gonna go in my truck I found out that the pre-paid maintenance was setup wrong at the trucks purchase. The plan outlined coverage for 0w-20 synthetic and not the required 5w-30. After convincing them to put Mobile1 5w-30 in the truck I had to pay $25 for the service since the oil was more expensive than what the pre-paid plan would cover.

Now I have to wait till Monday to call Totoya Autocare to get them to correct the coding in the system so I don’t have to go round and round with the dealer when I go in for the 10K service....what fun.

 

My advice....Dont go back

Do it yourself

 

OMG.

M1 is even cheaper at Walmart or use Pennzoil Platinum like I do for $20.

 

That oil guy is a moron. The problem wasn't synth vs dino...It was the wrong oil listing. Just sad.

 

well... the free matinence plan wasn't free

 

Go change your oil yourself in their parking lot. And "accidentally" forget to put a bucket under the drain plug.

 

Once you get the plan straightened out you should be fine.

 

Can't run synthetic?
Wow the two dealer ships I have dealt with stated the 2010 Tacoma comes with synthetic from the factory and the recommended oil changes showed to use synthetic, hence the extra $30 they charge for a Tacoma oil change.

 

I've got 0w-30 mobil 1 in my truck, it seems to like it just fine.

 

Wow, I don't even trust those monkeys to do it right to start with. The $50 and 20 min I spend myself to throw in some Castrol GTX Syntec, K&N Oil filter, clean the air filter.... is well worth knowing it was done right than maybe even not at all.

As for the weight, depending on your location 0w30 may be ok, but in az that'd be near suicide lol.

 

Also both service depts said the Tacoma is shipped with synthetic from the factories and that more models will be requiring synthetics oil.

 

Synthetic oil in a new engine will not allow the engine to break in. The dealer is FOS.

 

Thats why i do not let stupid people touch my truck......One condition is that i know them well and they buy me shots of Jim Beam

 

I too have the "free maintenance" plan on my 2010 2.7 and will let the dealer use whatever oil they have as long as it's 5W-20 that meets the current API service classification for gasoline engines. After that I will switch to Mobil One or Royal Purple full synthetic, which ever is cheaper at the Base Exchange Auto Pride. I prefer synthetic oil because of it's ability to hold it's viscosity at all temperatures, especially in a 20 weight.

 

Urban legend / old mechanic's tale. Lots of vehicles leave the factory running synthetic and they break in just fine.

 

X2, synthetic oil can be used from mile 1 with no harm.

 

DITO...

on a 2nd note...that service tech. is retarded beyond a doubt for telling your truck can't run on synthetic...he must be gay...lol

 

I thought Chris4x4 followed up on that and they put some of Mobil 1's cheapest dyno oil in the trucks that only come in the drums.