This is what I would do.
Toyota "FREE" oil changes
- Thread starter danez_yoda
- Start date
I managed to talk them into a 2,500 mile first oil change under Toyota Care - the flex fuel actually calls for 5,000 mile intervals. I told them that the truck sees severe use - extensive idling, sits for months at a time, gets short tripped. All true, of course.
So, Groove Toyota, in Littleton, CO, changed it under Toyota Care (meaning for free) at 2,500.
So, Groove Toyota, in Littleton, CO, changed it under Toyota Care (meaning for free) at 2,500.
A Toyotacare service is more than an oil change. They are rotating your tires, checking your lights, checking your air and cabin filters and topping off all your fluids as well.
They might have been running a little slow, but I find that service typically runs about 45 minutes.
My MIL has been taking her Camry to the local Toyota dealership for the oil change. Every 10K. I took her to pick it up last time when we were down visiting (she is in Florida) and I asked the Service guy what they used, expecting him to say Toyota oil. NOPE. For the free oil changes, you do get a Toyota filter, but bulk oil by ConocoPhillips. Not a big deal, but was surprised. Ironically, the local KIA dealership by my house also uses bulk COnocoPhillips.
I bet they even invoice the service ticket listing Toyota oil part number but used bulk whatever jobber oil. That is a pretty common practice.
Having driven (3) different 4Runners over the last 5yrs I would highly suggest doing it yourself or finding a reputable shop in lieu of the dealer. They frequently screw up skid plate bolts, leave the oil plug cover off the skid and ding up the wheels doing the rotate. On my first 4Runner they ended up replacing a wheel at 5K after my "free service". I change my oil at 5k intervals after doing one at 1K then I just let the odometer roll and do it at 5/10/15 etc.. They also won't lube the prop shafts and u-joints even though it says to. My rig means a lot to me and wasn't cheap so I just buy the filters in bulk from McGeorge or Camelback Toyota (or other reputable online dealer) or even at your local one and just write down the mileage and date on the receipt's when I change it. I also enter the maint data on the Toyota website along with anything else I do. I don't take pictures of me doing the changes or anything crazy just keep the receipt and accurately document what you do. The people that are doing these changes usually aren't exactly Master Tech's, they're the new lube tech guys with the minimal amount of training. I'm not knocking them and I'm sure there's some good ones out there but from everything I've seen / been posted most of us are staying far far away.
