Careful when using the Free Service visits

I haven't seen this mentioned and it caught me off-guard. In short: If you pull-up one of your 2-year/25k mile free service visits to get an earlier oil change, they will close out the "skipped" service.

In my case, at 5k miles, I had them do the "10k service" since I didn't want the engine oil from the break-in period in there for the full 10k miles. "No problem Mr. There, we'd be happy to do that." and they did.

Came back at 10k and said I'd like the 5k service I skipped (really just wanted them to rotate the tires, but sure they can look at the air filter and whatever. I'll get the oil changed at 15k). The service writer said "You mean the 15k service?" I said, no, I want the one I skipped.

He explained and showed me on the Toyota system that when I jumped to the 10k service the 5k service was "closed". I think the 10k said "used" or something like that and the rest said "available" or something along those lines.

So I'll miss out on one free tire rotation. Not a big deal, but I was a little grumpy about not having the situation explained at the 5k so I could make an educated decision. So now I'm explaining it to you so you can make an educated decision.

 

I just did my 5K last week and did the same thing. They told me I had to forfeit my 5K service and go directly to 10K service if I wanted an early oil change.

Also, they washed my truck for free afterwards. It looked super clean until I got home and saw a shitload of linear scratches in my clear coat. Looks like they used one of those big brushes on it.

Don't get the car wash.

 

I would never get the free car wash or paid . Nobody takes care of my vehicles like i will and do .

 

My wife took it in for the oil change at 5k and they told her the 5k service was forfeited.

I don't really care. I'll get certs and have Americas Tire do it for free

 

I won't even let them change the oil...for free. And from everything I've read about VVT engines and

$54 0w20 oil Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil

0w20 oil, I'll be changing it every 3,000 miles for sure, with the filter too. Cheap insurance.

The only reason I'd ever go back is for warranty work if I need it or a software flash, like the TSB on the tranny.

Nobody takes care of my vehicles like i will and do. Amen.

 

+1, my dealer uses brushes so I skip. I have not been there since the free oil changes were done. Discount Tire does free rotations.

 

Is it that hard to either pay for an oil change/rotate at a shop of your choosing, or do it yourself.

 

Were living in new times now and mechanic are becoming a thing of the past. Forget the "free" service and just do it yourself or take it to a local shop you trust, dealerships are the last place to take you car.

 

I don't know about the "last place". But I wouldn't be crying over a free rotate when you can do it yourself in 15 minutes.

 

Is like going to pizza hut and asking for a deal they had two weeks ago lol.

 

Maybe with a large floor jack and an air powered impact. I use to do myself but Discount does for free and they are on service road on the way home. I do all my other maintenance except this one.

 

You have to buy tires from them first? Or is it free regardless if you bought it from them or not?

 

Careful when using the Free Service visits"

I found out a man is better off checking the things on the list himself if you have the mechanical abilities. If not might as well take it to Walmart. This is how I felt after my trucks 6 month check up.

As far as rotating my tires... I'll take it to a tire shop. And tell them not to beat the hell out of my lug nuts with the impact. Then stand and watch that they don't.

 

I think every service I tell them not to wash my truck at least 10 times

 

Crud.. I have 7500 miles on my truck and have not had an oil change. I used to change my oil after the first 1000 miles (did this on my 1st Gen) but I hear that is not longer necessary since the motors are machined so well that there are not a lot of metal fragments floating around in the oil and no break in period like the old days. I wondering if I should change my oil now...

 

Rotation is free regardless. Balance & rotate is free if you buy from them. They rotated OEM tires on both my Tacomas

 

There's still a 1000-mile break-in period, like it says right in the owner's manual.

 

After the 2-year /25k free service period, rotation is NOT free at my dealer. I can get it done at local tire shops for free however. If replace my tires before 25k, I would still expect the dealer to do free rotations under the 2/25 program.

 

I wouldn't sweat it. I usually do new cars at 1000 miles, but I figured since this was synthetic with a 10k change interval, 5k would be OK. Not based on much in the way of facts, just my preference. I'm going to try to be organized enough to get oil analysis done when I get the oil changed at 15k miles (after a 10k run); Then I will have actual facts to use for my oil change interval decision.

 

No.
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