Synthetic after the 25,000 miles of free changes

I always run synthetic but just got the new truck w 25,000 miles of free changes. Should I take advantage and save a few hundred bucks or just do my own with synthetic like I usually do. My concern is buildup from Dino oil but I wouldn't think it would be a problem for 25,000 miles, which I'll blow through in a year.

Also, I really don't like other people touching my vehicles.

What would you do? WWTWD?

 

Do your own oil changes. I made the switch from dino to syn at 15,000.

 

Do your own and switch to syn. I agree, I don't like others changing my oil.

 

if you change your oil regularly... you will have no issues with standard.... pop's 04 tacoma (i know its different motor but its still a yota) has 192k miles on it... seen nothing but the "cheapie costco bulk 5-30 standard oil" its whole life... never had an issue, runs like a top no weird noises.

Unless you want to go longer oil change intervals... or are running your truck hard (im talking WOT desert running for the life of the truck) you wont see any benefits of syn over standard.

 

You're going to get most people saying to do your own. These trucks are really easy to do the change on. If you have the room to do it and the tools to do so then I would be doing it if I was you.

You should have done a poll.

 

I just did my first oil change with the dealership. Quite a deal, especially since I have to use synthetic (got the 4-cylinder). That stuff's expensive. But really hate having other people touching the car and frankly don't get a good vibe off the dealership repair depot, so I'll do the next and subsequent ones myself. If there's a major maintenance interval due before the 25k miles - and I don't think there is - I'll probably just have my regular mechanic do it. Been with him for 12 years, family's been with him for 30, and I trust him.

If you're reading this, Toyota, you got some work to do with your dealership service departments. The intake people were professional. The facilities were nice. Really nice. But I don't trust the entire experience, mostly because I don't get to talk to the actual guy doing the work. It's like taking your dog to the vet. I don't need to watch him work on her (although I do) but I damn sure want to sit down with the guy and talk to him before he lays a finger on my dog.

 

I totally agree with you. I got 2 more free oil changes(full synthetic) I pay the difference for and then I am going to my own mechanic. When I got to the dealership I can't see who is working on my truck and what they're doing. I wish that I had the means, the space to do my own but I don't. So I have to pay someone to do it. Last week I had an oil change and they didn't put the recommended synthetic that's in the manual. I had to take it back and have them re-flush it and put the right stuff back in. I love the customer service I get from the person who takes my vehicle off my hands(she had my vehicle in and out in 30 minutes) and the person at the desk in who I pay. I am not too fond of the person who works on my vehicle because I can't see what they're doing. I am still waiting for a reason from management to why it happened. At my mechanic I can see what they're doing and I have known them for about 9 years now. They have done and currently still do my friends vehicles. I think that I've expected too much from a dealership, even though it's 2 years old and a 10 minute drive.

 

No one touches my truck but me.

 

Yeah I always do my own maintenance and most repairs, I was just thinking about taking advantage of the free stuff. In reality, I'd probably lose sleep if I let someone else do it free or not. I'm kind of anal I guess.

You guys helped me make my decision, thanks.