Oil Change ??

So I am changing my oil my self for the first time on my 2011 Toyota Tacoma ,The dealers ship has changed it in the past, I want to be sure that I am draining the right pan because the transmission pan is very close to the front of the motor on this truck
So I call Haddad service department and they inform be that they are not a service tect line, Really !!!!!! I go back to 1970 with Toyota and have bought manya truck and car from them !! and was getting ready to buy a new Tacoma . I will be checking out other Dealer Ships from this day on

 

I don't want to be rude (seriously), but if you can't tell the difference between an oil pan and a transmission pan, maybe you should let someone else keep changing the oil.

Using Jiffy Lube type places (unless you know the tech) is just about as risky, but cheaper, than using a dealership. I mean I doubt the dealer has the full on ASE guys changing your oil anyway.

I'd recommend hunting down a good independent mechanic, one that can perform most all the services you'd want to have done. They'll be about 1/2 of a dealerships cost, and do just as well, if not better.

And while I'm not really a dealership fan, you could have just gotten one bad apple on the phone. Like everything else in life, it's all about relationships. Your 40 years of owning Toyotas means nothing to a guy who likely isn't even that old, much less has never seen your face before.....

 

I have just heard so many horror stories about people draining the trans fluid thinking it was the oil pan , just wanted to be sure.

 

Not everyone should be allowed to hold a wrench or have children.

 

Hey, If I were you I would disregard the above post. There has been more than one mechanically inclined user on this forum who has scratched their head over the tranny and oil plugs. Find out which one it is and go for it.

 

I have held many a wrench and had kids to lol. I have also restored many 1969 Roadrunners Like the 6BBL IN my profile picture !!

 

Not for nothing OP, but I don't blame them. For two reasons.

One. You are calling someone that makes a living off of doing that job and asking them how to do that job so you don't have to pay them. When I worked for Ford, we used to get hose calls all the time. Our response was the same as what you heard.

Two. There's a certain liability to it. Perfect example, I got a call about a year ago in my current industry with a basic question on how to shut off power to a part.. I helped the guy out and he didn't do it right. Long story short, my company ended up replacing a $1k circuit board plus labor for free because the guy started getting his attorney involved.

And the response that you'll never buy another vehicle from them. They know most other dealers are going to give the same response and that when the day comes, you are going to have to go to one dealer or another, and most likely you will ultimately decide based on price.

 

Didn't say he shouldn't go for it. Just that if he (or anyone else) can't tell the difference between an oil pan and a trans pan, maybe they need to let someone else help. At the very least get with a local group having a tech day and let a seasoned person show him around.

I mean it is a North-South driveline, and the trans pan will be behind the engine pan as Rock pointed out..........

And while you are online today, could you call some of your cousins back home? Our roads are getting a bit clogged with their winter wanderings. They're all jammed up on the beach today with their black knee socks and sandals, turning lobster-esque in our 75* sunshine.

(Jesting with you. Have family down on Mosher island. But I think they're a bit daffy. Tough duty at this time of year)

 

Hopefully not at the same time!

Love the RR's. Never have had enough time or space (or guts) to do significant resto work on anything. Cudo's to you! Thanks for saving some automotive history!

I'm an old goat too. Owned GTO #104, also with trips. Which while pretty and sweet sounding, pretty much stink compared to modern EFI.

Crewed on an NHRA E/S ET record holder in '70, which was a '69 Judge. Record only lasted about a week, but it was fun for a bunch of unsponsored local boys.

 

Wow !!! All I did was ask simple ??? At My age I have learned to ask if you are not sure !! One thing I don't do is judge people by the ?? they may ask I though this was a type of site that help people that's all.
Just do not know very much about today autos and really do not want to


And the response that you'll never buy another vehicle from them. They know most other dealers are going to give the same response and that when the day comes, you are going to have to go to one dealer or another, and most likely you will ultimately decide based on price.[/

As a matter of fact I called two other Toyota Dealers and they let me talk to a mechanics and they were Happy to answer my ??

 

Boom! But yeah just double check you are draining the Engine Oil and not the transmission lol.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/11201-4-0l-1gr-2nd-gen-oil-change-guide.html

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/site-suggestions/66102-my-halftime-speech.html

Its cool, Tom. If you aren't sure of something that could potentially damage your truck if done wrong, then this is the place to ask.

Part of the fun of owning a Taco for me is this site, and tinkering around with some of the cool ideas and information you can find here. Don't let one guy derail you from asking questions in the future. Peace

 

I am ok with this, I love this site and have leaned a few things from it !! Not much of a great source about Toyotas even though my first was a 1970 Toyota Corolla Sprinter
That I wish I still own

 

Nice, check out my profile picture, I can turn a wrench but no kids.

 

Hi all.

Hi Tom.
Don't let the few negative posters on here deter you. Most here are more than helpful.

Never a stupid question - only a stupid action that should have been questioned ...

Here's a pic of the tranny pan - taken from the side- located behind the frame cross member.



Here is a pic I labelled of the engine oil pan - taken from the front - located in front of the frame cross member.
The arrow is pointing to the drain plug.



Cheers
Ray.

 

Good post for the OP Fury. Some people have trouble under the hood, so they go on as though others have the same problem.


You deserve a full rep Fury, enjoy your full green bars.

 

^ THIS!!

 

Tom, don't forget to put a catch can or drain tube at the oil filter housing. Just remove the plastic cap below the oil filter mount and use a plastic bottle or 5/16" i.d. drain tube long enough to reach the ground. Put end of tube in oil catch tub.

If I had my truck with me at work I'd go out and snap some picutres. (Great pictures Fury!!!)

 

Lol the how to and everything is in the link I posted up there!

 

OMG!!!