150k Mile Service

Just charged $810 at the dealership when I originally just went in for an oil change. They came back wanting to change spark plugs, coolant, power steering fluid, air filter, tire rotation, new serpentine belt(hairline cracks), and….all new lug nuts??? They said ALL the lugs were “swollen” and they had trouble getting them off. I know for a fact they looked perfect not too long ago when I was cleaning my wheels. After the tire rotation and oil change they took me out to see the lugs and nearly all of them were stripped after they touched them so now they have to be replaced. What’s going on here?

 

Could’ve been 600 bucks cheaper doing all that on your own

 

Unfortunately I’m away from home in college and have no tools.

 

All that could’ve been done in the parking lot with cheap hand tools

I could have never sucked up to the stealership and paid that ridiculous price for basic maintenance

 

Yes swollen lugs is actually a thing, especially in the rust belt.

The factory lug nuts are an actual smaller lug nut with a stamped chromed cap on top the nut can corrode underneath and swell up under the chromed stamped cap to the point where the socket won't fit right and you end up using a bigger socket that will round it over.

I have actually seen a cross threaded lug nut have the chromed outer twisted off of it by an impact.

All that said however it still sounds like the dealer took you for a sucker.

The tech should have noticed the lugs were swollen and then asked if you wanted them to continue before proceeding due to the possibility of damage or breakage.

Instead sounds like they broke your shit and then blamed you and sent you the bill for their negligence.

So yeah, I'd be pissed.

 

Tech was very rude and short with me when I started questioning about them. But hey what can I do they effed them all up before telling me.

 

Unfortunately not kuch you can do.

Tech probably realized their mistake and tried to shift blame and blow you off so as to night have you fight it.

You could try to reason with the service writing and or service manager but good luck.

I have been a tech, and have had techs on video (dash cam was running in the truck they left the key in the ignition which they're not supposed to do.) record them not fulfilling the work they were paid to do and they still wouldn't even refund me, called corporate and they basically gave me the run around, ended up disputing the charge with my bank and at least got a refund for the work that way but no compensation for damages and wasn't about to take it to court over a few hundred.

Sorry about your luck though.

Leave them a bad review on google and never go back again is about all you can do.

 

They haven’t replaced the lugs yet. Gonna question them more about it when I go back. I just don’t see how they could be “swollen” when it’s spent most of its life in the hot dry California valley, and less than a year parked inside a garage at the coast.

 

If you just went in for an oil change, why were lug nuts ever touched at all?

 

Most shops use 12 point 13/16" sockets and air tools to work on the lugs which are skinned with a chrome cap as stated above.
Buy some Amazon mag wheel lugs (sets come with 20 or 24 so buy based on 5 or 6 lugs per wheel). Just beware that all these are Chinese so if you buy black ones paint is thin and they will rust unless you spray them a few coats of satin or gloss black Rustoleum before installing then get yourself a 21mm 6 point deep socket. The acorn lugs are for steel wheels only. The mag ones are for alloys and look at the slight taper on the end so they work with the steel spare too. Size is M12x1.5 and head any size 1.5" long and up based on your preference.

They didn't get you for the cabin air filter that's a big money maker for them.
At 150k your idlers and tensioner pulleys will be going soon unless already done.

 

Decided to do tire rotation as well

 

Did they even buy you dinner before they bent you over? For $810 you should have at least got a free meal.

I don’t know your financial or personal situation, but always say no to dealer prices. 10 out of 10 times they are ripping you off. All the stuff you listed could have been done by you for about $200-$300 if you did it yourself or about $400 if you brought it somewhere else.

 

Unfortunately dealerships can be a necessary evil when you need certain types of service done however, oil changes are not one of them. OP, sorry you got hammered ... lesson learned I’m sure.

 

Any time you take a vehicle to the dealership for the slightest maintenance they’re looking to add services, so important to stand fast on what you’re there for or at least get a written quote in advance so you can make an educated decision.

Don’t forget that you can borrow tools at the local auto parts store and literally do all this maintenance while you’re there and probably even get a hand from someone at the store. Or ask on here, lots of members are happy to help. If you lived near me I know I would.

Good luck!

 

Get used to this feeling cause you’re gonna get hosed many more times in life. Not just by the auto industry but by every industry there is. All you can do is to try to learn from each mistake and actively try to prevent it from repeating. And get yourself a mantra. After those moments when you have been jimmy-fleeced and you are frustrated and angered, repeat the mantra three times. I offer one here for your consideration courtesy of Ralph Kramden:

Pins and needles, needles and pins, it’s a happy man that grins.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BgopEnmFEGo

 

One point to remember.

The shop needs to provide you with the used parts removed from your vehicle. This gives you a chance to verify the invoice and to question why a particular part was replaced.

I think this may be a requirement by law.....possibly particular to the State law.

Swollen cap on a lug nut is possible, although stripped threads should not happen unless someone FUBARd the lug nut.

 

If you went in for an oil change, there should be no other work done without authorization. California cracks down on dealers/repair stations doing un authorized work.

SLO - Assumption is you are a student at Cal Poly? I would tell them "no to all work, only oil and filter as agreed upon" - How far away is home? Heading home for the summer, do all your maintenance at home (providing you have tools/a place to work).

Dealerships are there to make money. That's fine, but understand that upfront. 13-year-old Tacoma, college kid with Dad's credit card, that service writer goes BINGO (he makes commission). Good for you for questioning them! There are many fine independent shops that specialize in Toyota's and would go "meh, save your money".

Oh, I graduated from Cal Poly SLO 1983. Keep at your studies, but with a 13-year-old Tacoma doing all fluid changes (not flushing! but drain and refills) is a good thing. We can walk you through everything you need to do.

 

They make a 21.5mm socket for this.

Been there, Done that
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/i-got-a-case-of-the-swollen-nuts.686539/

See here for future socket choice (check Amazon)
https://www.lowes.com/pd/STEELMAN-1...l-21mm-x-21-5mm-Impact-Flip-Socket/1002701892