ToyotaCare worth using?

After all the stories I've read on here lately, I wouldn't trust a dealership to put floor mats in my truck. I'll do my own. Plus its inconvenient as all get out to sit there and wait for someone to change my oil.

I'd rather pull the plug, drink a beer awhile waiting for it to drain, put the plug in, pull the filter, drink a beer, put on new filter, drink a beer, line up the oil containers, drink a beer, pour in one, drink a beer, pour another, drink a beer......long job..and I need at least a 30 pack.

 

^ lol

 

With that many beers just make sure you aren't filling your engine with windshield washer fluid, crisco, or anal nitrate

 

I responded to this in another thread last week, but will throw in my 2 cents again - briefly.

Wife's 2014 4Runner:

- 5K TC - 2.5 hrs to rotate tires and that was with an appointment

-10K TC - Wheels unevenly torqued. Tires inflated LF-36 LR-37 RF-38.5 RR-38.5 - door tag calls for 32. The poundage is not so much the issue as the unevenness of it. Tech must have just stuck the compressor hose on each valve stem and counted to ? Plastic oil filter housing WAY over-torqued.

What good is free if the work is poorly done or you have to wait that lomg for a simple tire rotation when you've been given an appointment.

My 2015 Tacoma is due for the 1st 5K service. I will rotate tires myself - 2 floor jacks get that done and do my own oil/filter change.

 

Agreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed

 

I'm surprised they didn't scold you for not replacing the summer air in your tires with winter air.

 

Wow, I'm almost afraid to chime in for fear of public scorn and ridicule, but here goes. You bet I take advantage of any free service they want to give me. Why, I even take my car and truck into for service when ToyotaCare runs out. I've had great luck with my dealer. They've been very courteous in my dealings with them.

 

Now that is funny

 

may as well play Russian roulette...

IMO get under your truck so you know whats going on under there

 

I was told by my salesman when I purchased my 2015 that they want you to use Toyotacase so that they can say it was services by Toyota when you trade it in for a 2017, makes it a better for them to sell your trade by making it a Certified vehicle.

 

This may be different in the US than Canada, however we only get a version of Toyota Care, 8 free oil changes by purchasing platinum extended warranty. If it is the same why buy extended warranty when, in your opinions, the dealerships are unable to change oil?
If the dealer gives you some free oil changes without purchasing warranty then feel free to condem those unreliable dealers and save them money.
We are fortunate to have a much higher level of customer service and technicians. In fifty years of dealer service my only problems were one slightly loose drain plug and one forgotten oil filler plug. Have fun crawling under your trucks, I'll crawl into bed for a nap.
The person who said that the dealership likes to have the records of service for used re-sales is correct. Makes the new purchaser more comfortable.

 

Uh.........................no.

 

Free oil change, saves you time and money, and you don't have to dispose of the oil since they do it for you. I'd say that's a win win. I've had several Tacoma's using whatever dealer happens to be most convenient for me and I've never had a problem. Just follow the manual and do everything at there regular intervals and all will be fine. To many over think this and it quickly becomes a heated topic. Just my 2 cents though.

 

I got to know the service mgr at the local dealership, nice guy, easy to talk to about any issues
Not a bad idea to establish a relationship with your local dealer, or one nearby
If you do end up having issues, it's a lot easier to get things done at the dealer, and you don't walk in as a stranger
I used to work at dealerships as a tech when I was younger, and I'm well aware of how to play their game
If they are trying to get a lot of extra work on your truck, ask them for a estimate so you can work it into your budget at a later time
You don't have to get the work done
The big issue for me is the "free" carwash, I walked around back to get something from my truck and noticed the workers using a long wooden "soft" bristle broom to wash my truck
I about flipped, never seen that done before, I'll do my own wash by hand and skip the brush marks, let alone the chance of damaging my paint with the wooden brush head!

 

I'm with the majority of the group...I have trust issues when it comes to my trucks. I've always done the service work (including timing belt changes). My 2015 TRD OR is due for the 5K this week. Given the care plan is in play, I called the local dealership to consult the service group on what type of synthetic they use. They already service my brothers Tacoma so I thought I might give them a try for the 1st change. I assumed the truck came with dino from the factory. I've used Mobil 1 5w-30 in my 1998 for 248K miles so that's the plan here. I mainly called to see how much the up charge was for switching to synthetic. I was told that for 2015 models...they only use synthetic oil for the 2yr/25K plan. Has anyone else heard this or can confirm it? My plan is to go over all of this with the service manager before letting them touch my truck. I will definitely do my own tire rotations. Too many rim or center cap mishaps on the wife's 4Runner recently. I let the dealership do the first two rotations since the tires are close to change out and needed balancing. Learned my lesson on trusting them to care. I for sure will check behind them before leaving if they do the 1st oil change. Already marked the filter in case they do the work. Still undecided.

 

I was told the same thing from the Finance guy when I bought it. And after doing some research I found out mine has just good ole plain oil in it. No synthetic, so my 5,000 mile first oil change is coming up. What jug of Mobile 1 do I grab to do it?

 

I signed off for oil change and tire rotation.....didnt get either one. Receptionist states not to tell anyone, but they do it all the time.

BRIAN EASLER TOYOTA HENDERSONVILLE, NC

 

Not sure about the '15 4.0, but the 2.7 has called for 0w-20 synthetic since '12.

Here's my deal. I too have some trust issues to some degree. But that's only part of why I do my own OC's. I actually enjoy doing it. I'm mentally and physically capable of doing it, I know it's done right and it gives me some time under the truck to check out other things and make sure everything is doing what it's supposed to be doing. Not everyone can do this....some don't know how...some have restrictions that keep them from crawling under their trucks....maybe restrictions where they live that prevent it, etc., etc. For these folks...Toyota Care is great!

For the rest of you? MAN UP!!...J/K

Now let's really get this thread messed up....I use M1 0w-20 and a PureOne filter.

 

Love my Toyota. But having to make an appointment For an oil change drives me nuts. I will stop going when mine expires.

 

F.T.D.