Concern about quality of service on 2021 TRD OR 6MT

I’m at my very first Toyota service. After 30 mins someone comes to me and says they cannot start my Tacoma. They even tried jump starting it with no luck, so they came to get me and see if I knew anything. Turns out, the idiots did not even notice that it was a manual transmission and did not even attempt to push in the clutch to start it! At this point, I am worried about the quality of service that I am going to get. Who is going to drive it to the service bay? How can anyone working in service at an auto dealership be so incredibly ignorant? I am seriously worried about what they are going to do to my truck. At least it is only the first service, but what about when they tackle the “incredibly complex” oil change next time? Has anyone encountered ignorance as great as this?

 

Not noticing a vehicle is a manual is easy ro overlook, but that should be noticed before you get out of the vehicle to evaluate the problem.

 

LOL WHAT

Run away from that dealer, should've just taken the keys back at that moment

 

There is nothing in the ToyotaCare services that has anything to do with either transmission or the MT clutch. Actually checking driveline fluids is not actually part of the services. Just engine oil, coolant, and brakes.

So, there are no worries there. For the work they are doing, you shouldn't have to worry more than checking that they actually rotated the tires and changed the oil filter. Some folks marked those before going in.

My concern is always about over-torquing the lugs. It is also common to find the oil filter housing overtightened.


It was funny that just about every time I was in for a ToyotaCare service, there would be a call for a 'lot porter to the service entrance.' I took that as code for: Find me someone that can drive an MT.

 

Ah, to go back in time when there was no clutch/neutral safety switch. He would have had no problems starting it and quickly entering the building. lol

 

And, here I am wanting that exact thing.

Had it on another car and a bike from the factory and converted my other bike to be like that.

 

Have to wonder what they attached the jumper cables to?

 

Every human every time they've visited the dealer. What's the surprise?

 

Your pre purchase prep, 'free' services and washes are performed by the lowest paid rookie in the class.

Some are great up and comers doing excellent work.

Some are just hanger ons.

Who they report to and the expectations / QC of that supervisor matter.

You might want a 'friendly' discussion with the Service Manager. You can decide from how that goes if you'll be back.

 

Last time I had a manual I lived in Houston, where mandatory valet was a thing for a lot of restaurants and bars. The number of times I had to say "just give me the keys, I saw what you did when you tried to park it" was infuriating. Same with car washes (actually got refused service at those more than once), oil changed, and state inspections.

But yeah, a lot of guys are trained to just swap tires and oil plugs. Sticks are above their pay grade.

 

We used a valet just once. I was sure to not walk away until they at least started out. I was thankful for the proper driving they did while it was in my sight.

Still though, in places where valet was more or less a thing, I'd just drop off and park far out or we'd walk whatever distance. Too many vids of issues, not counting all the shop tech videos / crashes that get shared. It is just a hunk of metal, but it is our chunk of metal.

 

I hear you. I hate valet with a passion and would actively avoid those restaurants because of it. But its a shitty excuse when your circle of friends say "we're meeting at the kung fu lounge" and thats in a neighborhood where if you try to avoid the valet, you'll likely get your ass towed.

All I can say is thank goodness I have a network of commuter trains and Uber now, because if we are eating in the fancypants part of town, the truck stays home.

 

How to drive a stick, I think, I wasn't really listening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDJQBuQdFkg

 

Yep. It was a work function or something like that. I rationalized that the likelihood of bad shit happening was low as long as I mitigate it by aversion normally. Hahahaha!


Don't even get me going on Lyft / Uber.

 

Easy to overlook? You're kidding right?

 

Find another dealer.

 

That parking lot was in perfect condition for learning.


BTW, I was wondering what all the noises were when turning. She needs to roll those fenders. Hahaha!

 

Did that when I was about 10. My parents had 85 golf. When it jerked, it freaked me out, haha!

 

In this day and age, I would say so.