Time for 4th oil change (20k miles) ditch the dealer or not???

Hey guys,
Back again for some more advice. So my truck (2012 V6 SR5 4X4) is coming up on 20k miles and it's time for the 4th service. Here's my dilemma, first off, I'm out of free oil changes, lol. Secondly, im a mechanical engineer by trade, and would like to think I have fairly good idea of most things mechanical...but who knows, haha. Anyway, I'm at the point where im decidingnwhether or not to ditch the dealer and start doing some/all of the work myself. This truck is my baby...sometimes I think I like it more than my girlfriend....but that's another story, so I often wonder when I bring it to the dealer if it's really treated as well as I would like it to be. For example, after the 15k mile service I found greasy fingerprints all over my hood and steering wheel....kind of pissed me off.
What does the dealer do that I couldn't do in my driveway? I see in the manual a lot of "inspect" nomenclature, which to me means something that should be checked but not necessarily is. These newer vehicles are fairly more complex than things I've owned in the past and I certainly don't have any electrical test equipment. And of course their is the warranty....
So who here has ditched the dealer? What do I need to do specifically at 20k if I decided to tell em to fuck off and start caring for this truck as I think it should be? I'd also like to switch to Mobil One Synthetic, thoughts?
It basically all boils down to this: I bought this truck for reliability, cause they run forever, and tacomas are flat out cool. So what do you guys think? I'll be looking forward to the input.

Thanks
-Shane

 

Ditch Him!

 

do it yourself....ditch em

 

my 2012 has a couple free oil changes...that the dealer will never perform.

 

I am at 3K miles and I have the 2 years free maintenance from Toyota. I don't think I am gong to have them do it even once. I've been debating because I wanted to do the first oil change before 5K more like 3K where I'm at now. It just hurts to go pay $35-$45 for oil and filter when I can get it free at the stealership. I just don't like anyone working on my vehicles because no one will take care of them like I will.

I will be doing my own oil changes. I defiantly would not pay the dealer to do it.

 

All the work needed is fairly simple. Definitely ditch the dealer!

 

My maintenance plan is over and have taken everything over and I have no previous mechanical experience......theres everything you ever wanted to know about your truck here. Changing oil takes 5 min and when the time comes change spark plugs, filters, diff fluids and you should be good. Keep good records and take it to them for more major issues (if you even will have them). Take care of the basics and your tacoma will last forever......that's why we bought them lol!

 

Have them give you the oil and filters.

 

You'll never be happy having someone else do this for you. I take mine to an independent mechanic that I trust. And I'm still not happy with some of the details at times.

There's nothing in the general maintenance schedule that can't be done in the driveway with sufficient time, patience, and research. The patience is what I lack, and that's why I still pay to have my maintenance done.

 

But I might take a chance on this place.

 

Im no machanic, but ive done every single oil change on my 2010 Tacoma since i bought it new. Takes less than 20min and im 100% sure im putting the best synthetic oil in my truck. I dont really trust dealers or oil change places.

 

I'll ask fo the filter (oil is bulk so I can't expect it)...wanna bet they have some lame reason why they can't.

 

I have lifetime free oil changes from the dealer every 10k so I just change it at 5k next time it's on them and free so it works out good like that

 

Hi all.

My dealer wouldn't give me anything in lieu of the (4) free oil changes I got with the extended warranty - including the filters ... They claimed the deal was with Toyota and not with the dealership ... I had to pay for a filter.

I did my own service at 1600 km after my break-in schedule. After doing all the items on the 'oil and filter service' I included more items than the dealer would have anyway, such as checking transfer and both diffs oil levels instead of just checking for leaks. I also changed over to Mobil 1 5w-30.

I will always do my own services with full synthetic and a Toyota filter. There may be some items on the 'maintenance service' list I might leave to the dealer but I'll see at the time (24 months).

Cheers
Ray.

 

Where are they located?

 

I had the free oil changes but when you figure the time to go, wait, and drive home you can easily do it yourself, just not worth the time to me so get the oil filters, air filters, plug gaskets and some oil you will be set and you get the piece of mind that it is correct.

 

Dealerships always have their least experienced and most poorly paid people doing routine maintenance. That's why you get back screwed up drain plugs, cross threaded spark plugs, parts left disconnected, and my personal favorite: air filter removed and the vehicle returned with no filter at all.

If you value the truck, do your own work.

 

Titus-Will, $88 will get you 20 filters, that's 100,000 miles of Toyota OEM filters.

No dealer will ever change my oil.

 

I believe they are easily accessed just between and below the twin towns of Clavicle.

 

I'm also done with the 2 year 25K free maintenance, so I'm going to buy 3 or more Toyota filters 9good price for that number) and get Mobil 1 at WalMart and do it myself. Like all the other vehicles I've owned. The biggest hassle will be rotating the tires.