Change your own oil (and possibly void warranty) or let the Dealership do it?

The policy is clear. Whether you get a special deal from them doesn't mean anything with regards to the terms of Toyota Care.

The goalposts have moved...at first it was your assertion that Toyota Care includes oil changes every 5K miles. Then it was because you were following the severe service interval and that was included in the terns.

After everything has been posted showing that graphically and in writing that only two oil changes are included, your take is now that you are getting special consideration from them from being a long term customer. Whatever.

Ladies and Germs, Toyota Care for the Tacoma includes two free oil changes and excludes severe duty service. Our friend from Texas may get special consideration - but that doesn't change the services included by the manufacturer as part of the program.

 

Gotta love it

 

Dealer told me the same thing but I still change my own oil and the dealer said nothing about it.

 

If you like to change your own oil then dealership shouldn't count it against you

 

FFS the sticker only tells you when you’re due for your next service. It doesn’t say your oil was changed and it doesn’t mean your oil was changed. Truck is spec’d for Oil change every 10k miles. That’s all they do. You can pay for more if you want, but your manual says every 10k so that is what’s included for free.

 

Just let them change it, its the toyota care kids they change dozens a day they can do it with there eyes closed, if it was an iffy lube then id be cautious , if anything does happen then take it to them, walla

 

Here ya go, 2 free oil changes at 10K and 20K

#2 at the bottom clearly states that Special Operating Conditions in the manual are not covered

 

When they told you that, you should have turned your head and spit on the floor. Then turned your head and looked them dead in the eye and said "I recon not." That is how I do it anyways.

 

I’ll admit I didn’t read all 5 pages of replies but if I were you I’d just change your own oil.

In the state of California we have a lot of consumer protection laws, like if you ever got in an accident you’ll be told “here is a list of approved shops” but you can actually go to any shop of your choice. Likewise for your oil changes, just buy the correct spec oil and filter, keep your receipts and if anything happens they can’t void your warranty if you show it’s been reasonably maintained. Also, another cool one, and I believe this applies federally, if you have something “emissions related” you can actually get it covered by the federal emissions warranty. I’m the lead tech and manage a great shop in the South Bay and I send my customers to the dealer all the time when they have issues with catalytic converters, reducing agent tanks AKA DEF fluid on diesels, direct injection fuel injectors or high pressure fuel pump issues. All kinds of cool stuff gets paid for my the manufactures if you just ask. A good rule of thumb is the federal emissions warranty is ten years or 100,000 miles. Lastly, if a modification is approved by the California Air Resource Board form use on a road legal vehicle (think a tune or cold air intake), the dealer can’t void your engine warranty.

I also have a ‘19 Taco and I never saw the dealer after the day I left. I run genuine filters, correct spec oil and I do all my own services. Honestly I don’t trust dealers, I once was an eager young kid (I’m also training one at my work) and they do make mistakes. As a business manager I’ll always make things right for the customer if something happens but at the end of the day the only person who works on my truck is me. I don’t baby my truck but if it’s gonna get scratched, something messed up or if the impact gun jumps and scratches the wheel then I want to be the ass hole who scratches it, not the production crew at the dealership.

 

I meant to add, you can also contact BAR or the Bureau of Automotive Repair. They’re a mediator between customers and a shop they have a dispute with, they’re actually pretty helpful and could answer any questions you have.

 

I’m sure a size-able number if dealer mechanics aren’t worth their weight in salt. However not all of them are bad. My buddy worked for a dealer for quite a while before his back became too much of a problem to do it full time anymore. He’s a top notch mechanic and knows Toyota’s better than anyone I know. He installed my lift, etc. Those are good guys to have in speed dial.

 

I see you’re in sac, were you getting the info from Folsom lake? Their service dept has given me problems in the past so I stick with Elk Grove or Roseville.

 

Check my thread about diff weeping. Folsom couldn't/wouldn't quote me $ info and just said come in. Roseville has a preferred service for a 4x4 for a grand (which I'm not shocked from little hollywood).

 

Nothing like an 'anti-dealer' thread to get people riled up on hump day. Service dept\dealer needs your money, they don't make money on car sales so of course they'll use anything to get you in there. Like others, I have done my own service work and let the dealer handle recalls and warranty claims. Never had an issue getting denied. I have fixed issues they created years later due to their negligence which showed up after I moved away from the area where I got the car.

Do what you're comfortable with and let dealer either handle the rest or find a trusted indy shop. Keep in mind a warranty is only as good as the company honoring it. They have the final say and can either help you out or leave you stranded.

 

I bought my truck from Maita. The purchase was a little slimy (OHHHH...we JUST sold the truck you wanted last night, etc., etc.), so I really don't trust them. At best...I'm very skeptical of their advice and service.

Ed

 

Yep, sounds like a dealership to me. Makes you wish you could order direct from the manufacturer and cut the middleman out of the process.

 

I had a sketchy experience with Maita back in May too. Had an appointment with one of their internet sales managers to do a test drive, when I arrived he "wasn't available", so they had me test drive with another sales person. I made them an offer, which was roughly 12% off MSRP. They said we're not even close and wouldn't even counter. I ended up buying a couple weeks later at Toyota 101 in Redwood City, easiest deal ever. Got around 11% off MSRP and didn't even need to negotiate.
I never heard back from that internet sales manager at Maita. Usually if someone misses an appointment they follow up and apologize. I don't even know if he exists.

 

I work on all my own stuff, but where does dirty Mitzy work again?