First service at the dealership

Ok, didn't really know where to put this, so if one of the mods wanna move this to an appropriate area, fine

So I'm about to hit 5000 miles on my Tacoma and i figure i would schedule a service at the dealership since i bought the truck while they were toting the ToyotaCare Plan. Figure i have the two years of free servicing, might as well take advantage of it.

This is my first new vehicle, so i'm asking all you guys with the experience out there, what should i be asking/getting done at the dealership? Are there things that i should ask for that they usually don't perform unless asked? Should i see if my truck needs any of the TSB's done? Anything else? Any advice would be great!

 

I know some others have had bad experiences with the service from their dealership but I have had nothing but good so far. I took mine in a couple of months ago for the 5000 mi service and all went well...basically it was an oil & filter change and they topped off my washer fluid.
I did decide to have the leaf spring TSB done a couple of weeks ago. It is a replacement from the 3 leaf to a 4 leaf spring. It is not necessary but since I pull a boat I wanted the upgrade. All I did was tell the service mgr that it felt very unstable when pulling the boat and could I get the upgrade. They did it with no hassle.

 

I was thinking about getting that done to my truck too since i'll be towing a uhaul in a few months, but I didn't really know if it's necessary though, haven't gotten to put any load on my tacoma yet. Do pretty much all the 2nd gen's need it?

 

Well I started looking at those 3 leafers and they had no arch hardly at all. It bothered me so I decided to upgrade. It is not necessary and I'm sure the truck will be just fine with 3 leafs. You can get upgraded at anytime during the 3 yr 36000 mi warranty so you have some time to think about it.

 

can you do this at any toyota dealership for the tbs's or just the one you bought it from?

 

Any dealership can do it - but not all will.

 

I did mine at the dealer that sold me the truck. My guess is you should be able to request the work at any dealership since it is considered warranty.

 

Thanks! i may do this in the next month or so. is it free or do i have to pay for labor?

 

Totally free as long as your in warranty.

 

Sweet! Does it give a little lift or is it just for ride and towing quality?

 

I stood about 3/4" higher in the rear after the TSB. The ride stiffens up slightly but I personally didn't mind.

 

It will get you a few more inches in the rear and a stiffer ride.... I haven't heard anyone complain about it though. And I like mine a ton better since I got it done.

I will be installing some uca's and some new coilovers in the summer to level it out a bit though.

 

There was a thread a week or so ago and the guy absolutely hated it!!! But out of all that had it done 99.9% are happy, me included.

I don't think the ride was stiffer, but the way a truck is supposed to ride. It took out a lot of the body roll I'd feel when I had to make "U" turns.

 

Well, now, wait a minute. Maybe we should think twice about this.

You're setting yourself up for a "bad dealership experience" if you go in there asking for the "customer reports bad ride when carrying heavy load in bed" technical service bulletin without every having carried anything heavy in your bed, just because you read about that TSB on the internet.

They're supposed to inspect the bump stops for signs of bottoming out, and naturally there won't be any on your truck.

So it'll turn into a big argument shitfest. You'll report back here about how horribly you were mistreated by your dealer who didn't give you the TSB you are entitled to.

You mentioned hauling a U-Haul trailer, but that's gonna have to be a big MF trailer to have enough tongue weight to need those TSB springs.

My advice? Use your truck the way YOU use it. When and If you start carrying heavy loads and bottoming out or swaying around a lot, THEN go back to the dealer and ask for the TSB.

 

Well i have towed a bob cat T190 and a little bigger and some other things on a short trailer and the ride felt horrible i only drove like half the speed limit because i was worried about bottoming. so is that probable cause. I also tow a bunch of shit for work quite often.

 

I'm sorry Susan, I didnt see that thread.

But it does seem that almost everyone is happy with it, because its really not that big of a difference. And I do agree with you about the body roll. It seems a bit more sturdy now.

 

No worries and I can't find it right now....

 

Is this TSB recent? Just wondering why they haven't already changed the leaf's out on the new models unless they haven't had time hit the dealers yet. Point being, could mine already have them? I just got mine 1 1/2 weeks ago. Although it was built in Oct. 2010 I believe. I guess I should just go to the gargage and have a look. So I should only have 3 leaf's total unless it was already done? I dont do much towing, but reading this is making me want mine to be done in advance. I dont want to wait until after having a bad towing experience.

 

Only "Dawg" fans are not eligible for the upgrade...lol!! Go Gators!!

I don't think Toyota is offering the spring replacement unless people complain and ask for it. It is not a recall. From what I have been reading, the Toyotas distributed in the good ol US of A are getting the 3 leaf and our brothers up in Canada come with a 4 leaf from the factory.