Dealer Service

So I have gotten my routine maintenance done at the dealer for the life of my Tacoma (2017).

I usually purchase a package that includes 6 or 8 (I forget) services. I think it’s called Toyota extended care or something like that. Anyways I took it in yesterday. It is typically just an inspection, oil change and tire rotation.

So when I got home I realized there was an oil filter brand new in the box on my passenger seat. Did they forgot to install it? Place a spare there by accident? What do you all think?

 

Could be your filter housing is jammed on so tight the guy couldn’t get it off and seeing as you paid for the filter he left it on your seat. Whatever he did my bet is you don’t have a new filter on your engine.

 

Option 1- I’d change myself, so I’m sure it’s done correctly .
Second option- take it back and tell them to try again. No one will know until it’s cracked open.

 

Uh.. why don't you ask the manager of where you took it instead of us ??

 

You'll never know.

Take it back and have them change it once more for piece of mind. Otherwise, change it yourself. It only takes about 15-20 minutes.

 

Obviously I tried that but the service department is closed. So I wanted the opinion of others on this forum. After all that’s what the forum is for. It’s Sunday try and chill out.

 

I'd at least check the dipstick and make sure there's enough oil in there. Call the shop Monday and find out why they left a gift on your seat. Have they done a good job at your other check ups?

 

My hope is if the filter on the seat was suppose to go into the filter housing, the Tech at least left the old filter in the housing instead of no filter.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/no-oil-filter.748693/

 

Sometimes I grab them with the repair order and keys, do the oil change, grab another filter and forget that I have 2 filters in my bay.

I wouldnt put or leave one in the car but its my theory.

It's unlikely they removed the old filter and left no filter, but possible.

It's possible they didnt replace the filter.

Either way a phone call is in order.

 

Thank you all for the responses and sharing experiences and other threads. That is precisely why I posted in here. Thanks guys.

 

UPDATE: I checked the oil and its definitely new.

I did drive back to the dealer service department and explained what happened. They told me that the tech told them I brought in my own oil filter and since I had already paid for the package they used a new one from their inventory and left the one that they assumed I brought with me in my truck.

But I never brought one with me!

So when I told the advisor that I never brought one with me he said that the driver probably grabbed one and left it there for the tech, and the tech assumed it was me who had left it there.

All to say I was basically told they did replace it and I could keep the other one.

 

Start doing your own oil changes

 

Unfortunately you can't trust most dealers with even a simple oil change, as they often have inexperienced techs doing them. I had paid for the oil change plan like you, but after a few incidents, the last one ending with my truck spewing oil all over the highway, I walked away from it and found a local skilled and reliable mechanic instead.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oil-dump-on-the-highway.816185/

 

They probably did replace it,,, probably. You can't be sure until you open it up. It sounds like they are so sure, the service writer or tech made up a story,,, only you can decide.
I would do my own oil change or take in to a reputable tech to be sure.

 

Makes a good case for asking for the old filter back after the change.

 

I understand we can't all do our own service. Thats fine. However, for the dealer, if he/she is a good guesser so be it. They should have said, if you and I are unsure, lets go ahead and do the filter change and top off the oil... for free!

I don't know, that's just me. I'm not a good guesser (i.e. haven't won the lottery, yet)

 

Totally agree. I admire the ignorance of those that think that doing it yourself is the ultimate way. There are a lot of people that don't have the means or skill to do it themself. Doing it yourself doesn't guarantee that it is done right, and for some it offers no one else to blame. I have seen multiple times where even people that know their way around tools have made mistakes. Reading posts here the web warriors are so much more skilled than someone that does it for a living and makes me wonder how these shops stay in business.

Also agree in this situation that unless the dealer can explain the process, the least they should do is swap the filter just for peace of mind.