Switch to Amsoil or get free dealership oil changes

I'm due for my first oil change and was thinking about going with all Amsoil lubricants. Is the change really worth the money? Will this F me with the warranty if I ever have problems?

 

Personally, I'm going free dealer changes, then Pennzoil Platinum DIY after that. Just to buy PP and an OEM filter I'm at $30+
My wife's Subaru is DIY OEM filter and PP 0w20 I don't see the point in Amsoil, it's expensive, not available locally and not worth it to me. Pennzoil Platinum or Mobil 1 Extended Performance is cheaper and in stock at Wal Mart, but both of those are more expensive than free(already paid for with the truck)

 

Just FYI, free is nice but usually the oil techs are the ones just starting out at the dealerships. More than a few times, I've seen them wonder which plastic piece and which bolt needs to get undone to get to the oil cartridge on a 4Runner and a Prius. They are supposedly factory trained.

 

Local Napa store has it and will cost me $60 for 6 quarts plus OEM filter. I just don't trust anyone doing something for free and taking notes on mods that void warranty.

 

Just remember, Magnuson-Moss act puts the burden of proof on the dealership or manufacturer that your aftermarket part caused the failure to deny you warranty.

 

It's not free, you paid for it with the purchase of your truck, the technician(which may be the low man) is still paid and it doesn't take much skill to change oil..... also, they break it, they will have to fix it, just check their work when it's done.

 

Will the dealership bulk oil protect the motor as good or just long enough to get past warranty.....I know I keep saying warranty knowing that it's all a BS perception of coverage. I'm not one that sells vehicles every three years my last one was a 98 and still have it.

 

^Bulk oil is the same as the "TGMO" you buy in a bottle. Most dealers have enough vehicles going through the ExpressLube lane that the oil is always fresh.

You live in a state with road salt in the winter? The engine with just conventional oil will outlast the frame. So no, Amsoil is not worth the money.

Amsoil meets the API oil grade listed in the manual, so there would be no problems with powertrain warranty if you still change the oil at the 5k/6mo intervals required by the maintenance booklet.

BTW, based on experience from a few cases seen online, even if it receives no oil changes at all, the engine will probably make it past 60k before dying of sludging.

 

Road salt is a problem in my state but after the new truck feeling wears off I'll be lucky to put 3-4 K a year on it. I drive a work truck 6 days a week. My 98 has 75k on it. After all my surf fishing trips I wash down the shocks and frame as soon as I past a car wash and plan to do the same in the snow. The snowmobile is more fun to ride anyway!

 

Hi LiveFreeOrDie20, what kind of engine do you have in your 2015 Tacoma? That will alter our recco … for example: the 2.7 liter engine takes 0W20; while the 4.0 liter engine takes a 5W30. Additionally, the oil you choose should be API SN/ILSAC GF5 approved. That being said, we would recommend Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic motor oil 0W20 and/or 5W30 depending on your engine. If you stick with a specification approved motor oil with the correct visc grade, you shouldn’t have any problems with voiding your warranty. Hope this info helps! – The Pennzoil Team

 

well after i watched the oil change boy drain my oil n change the filter then almost start the truck without putting oil back in.... yeah, that was the first and last time ill EVER let the dealer touch my truck to do oil changes.

Grab 10 OEM filters n drain plug gaskets on ebay for 45 bucks.... then fill with what ever oil you wish. Personally i run 0w-30 mobile 1 in my v6. But thats up to you. The ~ 28 bucks per oil change is well worth it... hell id spend way more than that in gas and my time waiting around the dealership for them to change the oil.. AND i get to get under my truck to make sure everything is good and grease the driveline.

 

Thanks for all the advice, I'm going to be changing my own oil. Gives me more excuses to do more mods and upgrades when I'm changing it.