Am I crazy for not using my complimentary oil changes ?

Sounds like many people are a bit too paranoid. I have been letting dealerships do my oil since my first truck (Dodge D50) in 1983 and have never had an issue with any dealership. I also have never had to replace an engine or have any internal engine repairs in my life. Its one thing to dig your ride but to "not let anyone touch it" is kind of sociopathic.

 

Taking mine in for its first oil change this Wednesday under this program

 

Why drive somewhere and wait a half hour, when I can do it in that same amount of time in my driveway, at a time that is convenient to me? Buying Mobil 1 at Wally World and OEM filters in bulk saves a ton of money, and I get to insure everything is done to my standards.

 

I've had all my service done at the same Toyota dealer which started with my first Toyota truck in 1992 it was a 4wd access cab which I sold with 135k miles. Since then my wife and I have had a 1997 4runner sold with 130k miles, 2001 Highlander sold with 125k miles. 2003 4runner with 180k miles which I still own, a 2010 Venza that my wife drives now and my 2012 TRD OR 4wd DBLCB Tacoma. I have never had one issue with this dealership the service writers have been there since 1992 and many of the techs have as well. All scheduled maintenance has been done on every vehicle and with all the miles I've put on them only a few repairs other than the scheduled maintenance was required. I attribute this to having the proper service done at the proper time. There are bad dealers out there for sure but they are certainly not all bad just find one you can trust they're out there. In my opinion it's money well spent.

 

you are correct. the truck was clean. they did put a new set of Dunlaps on it...

I saw it on the used lot and it looked like a new one...it was gone in less than a week.

 

oops....lol

 

I would use the free oil changes. Before taking it in I would mark the filter so I can easily see that it was replaced. Then after the oil change/before leaving, I would be sure the drain plug is tight (not too tight) and check the oil level, then check for oil leaks all around, and finally drive away satisfied.

 

The dealership can keep their free oil changes - those monkeys will not be touching my truck. My experience with dealership service has been terrible. Ive been lied to and burned enough. I care about my vehicle - they dont. I change my own oil and bring my truck to a trusted mechanic who my family has been going to for years - hes expensive but hes honest, knowledgable and he takes pride in his work.

 

From my own personal experience with dealerships in the last 5 years, tools left in my vehicle on at least 4 different occasions, bolts started but not even tightened at all after repairs, threads stripped on drain plugs, etc.

I guess I am just a sociopathic paranoid for no reason at all.....

 

You must be new here. If you've read some of the dealership mishaps that i've read over the years here you'd be scared too. Be afraid... be very afraid!!

 

Good Luck took my Tacoma for it's first 5,000 free oil change and tire rotation. Ended up having my truck towed back to the Dealership. They forgot to tighten my lug nuts tire came off while driving on the freeway going home.

 

My friends are the mechanics at the dealership. Even with that in mind I do my own oil change for the convenience. I can do it and be done with it rather than have them do it and wait for it. I actually stopped by the dealership today to pick up an oil filter. My friend asked me why I wasn't using my complimentary oil change. Lol

 

Step 1 is admitting it....

 

Done today, even marked the filter to check if changed... It was.

 

how about the pan bolt? torqued correctly? new crush washer? what oil used? how much? check the level? cleaned up under hood? cleaned the oil filter catch? filter catch plug reinstalled? how long did it take? how long was the drive to the service dept & back? time off work? or used your off day? were there refreshments? were the doughnuts fresh? CNN or FOX on the TV in the waiting area? God, I hate those waiting areas...don't you?

so many questions...so easy to do it yourself.

 

I decided I'm going to do it myself , it not realy that free once you add the wait , the drive , my time and trying to fit it into my schedule .

Glad I'm not the only maintance freak out there , though I don't use a tq wrench on my drain plug like others do .

 

Crazy and anal. Let them document the changes plus it is free. If something does go wrong, it is on them. Plus I hate getting rid of the oil. They also top off the washer fluid.

 

I'm not sure where people get this " its on them theory " ', dealer ships dont just open their wallets everytime something goes wrong.

I havent had much warrenty work done myself in the past , or much dealer work at all actually since ive done just about everything myself. But I often hear friends and coworkers complain about dealers not wanting cover certain work and always finding loop holes.

 

They will do everything they can to blame it on you so they don't have to, take pics in the parking lot right before u give ur truck to the dealer In case they scratch or damage anything, so u have proof