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Anybody skip the free ToyotaCare services?

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by ninjajay, Mar 5, 2018.

  1. Mar 5, 2018 at 4:33 PM
    #1
    ninjajay

    ninjajay [OP] Posting from the toilet

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    Toytec/Radflo Lift, Ambit RS02 18x9+0, Bridgestone Revo 3 295/70/18
    With all the annoying stories about dealer service departments I'm tempted to skip the free services.

    I bought my last Tundra before ToyotaCare came out and did my own from day one. The only time I had the dealer change oil, they overtorqued the filter drain and left off several bolts.

    On my wife's RAV4, which had ToyotaCare, I wised up and inspected each time... every single oil change had an issue, with the similar missing clips to overtorqued filter drains (that had 10k intervals and I did my own in between at 5)

    From a cost perspective though, I'm thinking 3-5 free oil changes costs more than buying a new filter housing and replacement bolts at the end. My local Discount Tire does free tire rotations and I've spent enough money there over the years to not feel bad about using those.
     
  2. Mar 5, 2018 at 4:36 PM
    #2
    Diverguy

    Diverguy Breathes under water

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    Windows tinted, window visors. Bedrug, led bedlights, Nfab nerf step bars, Lund toneau cover, Evo One remote start, BAMufflers 8"
    I've had nothing but good experiences at my dealer...Performance Toyota, Sinking Spring. I'm on my second Tundra, and my wife has a Rav4, all bought and serviced there.
     
    Fireace, Dmas, 71_340 and 2 others like this.
  3. Mar 5, 2018 at 4:37 PM
    #3
    ninjajay

    ninjajay [OP] Posting from the toilet

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    Maybe I need to find a better dealer! I've had careless techs at 3 in town so far, but this is over 10 years.
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  4. Mar 5, 2018 at 4:39 PM
    #4
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    Virginia Beach, VA
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    I skipped my free care on both my Tacoma and Tundra..For me biggest issue is time, 1hr to 1.5hr for an oil change is just to much time during the day when I could be working. Plus I like wrenching on my own stuff and know it was done right.
     
    TWJLee, a_double, 15whtrd and 4 others like this.
  5. Mar 5, 2018 at 5:43 PM
    #5
    Tundra4us

    Tundra4us New Member

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    Skipped mine. Too much drama for me to bring in a lifted/modded truck to my local dealer.
     
    Omohundro likes this.
  6. Mar 5, 2018 at 5:46 PM
    #6
    Bprose

    Bprose Old member

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    Ditto
     
  7. Mar 5, 2018 at 5:49 PM
    #7
    jfrd30

    jfrd30 Lead, Follow, or Get the Hell Out of My Way

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    I did mine, but I inspected after each service also. Never trust the dealership! We have 4 here in town and they all suck a bag of dicks!
     
    Wiscdave and Rbtrd like this.
  8. Mar 5, 2018 at 6:00 PM
    #8
    RangerBP

    RangerBP SC Expat

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    My closest reputable dealer is in Grand Junction, 2.5 hours away.

    Skipped my first, plan on skipping the rest. Totalling up the price of gas to get there & back, it’s a wash to do my own. And I get peace of mind.
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  9. Mar 5, 2018 at 6:38 PM
    #9
    acmesupply

    acmesupply New Member

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    Has anyone negotiated a certain price off during purchase at the dealer? I estimated 300 plus off but they would not play as it was a "Toyota Factory program for all"
     
  10. Mar 5, 2018 at 6:42 PM
    #10
    ChrisTRDPro

    ChrisTRDPro New Member

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    I never take any of my vehicles to a dealer for regular service. I can do it in a quarter of the time and don’t have to worry about something getting messed up. Plus I find it fun and I take an oil sample to get tested.
     
  11. Mar 5, 2018 at 6:44 PM
    #11
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    Toyota likes to see documented maintenance at their own dealerships in case of issues. I would keep it there during the free period. Then find a good mechanic or DIY
     
    driverdog and darkknight2014 like this.
  12. Mar 5, 2018 at 6:45 PM
    #12
    KCTundra

    KCTundra -Caeleb

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    Keep in mind that our manufacturer counts on this as it calculates to more cars on the road. My uncle has a Civic with 686,000 on it and has had every service interval made on it. That's even on the same power plant as he had when he drove off the lot in 1990. I understand you may have it done elsewhere but make sure you're following the intervals.
     
    TheBeast likes this.
  13. Mar 5, 2018 at 6:52 PM
    #13
    acmesupply

    acmesupply New Member

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    Yes, I have a 22 year old and a 16 year old Tacoma, 5 year old Lexus Rx350, 3 year old Tundra. Log books I keep as I do all the work have a log entry for everything and get pretty thick over the years.
     
    bgdv1 likes this.
  14. Mar 5, 2018 at 7:00 PM
    #14
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    I have used it in the past and I have skipped it. I will say that when I used it I always left pissed off. The kids doing oil changes could care less about your vehicle. Pump them in, pump them out.
    I will be doing all of my own oil changes and for things I can’t handle I have a Toyota mechanic that I trust.
     
  15. Mar 5, 2018 at 7:06 PM
    #15
    Tundra4us

    Tundra4us New Member

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    Exactly! Messy, leaving oil spilt from filter/drian plug removal! Screw that. I bought the toyota filter kits and use Mobil 1 oil, just keep all receipts to show proper maintenance intervals.
     
    bgdv1 and BTBAKER[QUOTED] like this.
  16. Mar 5, 2018 at 7:08 PM
    #16
    Tacogrande

    Tacogrande New Member

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    I have a really good friend who owns a quick lube shop and i had him do my first change and i paid for it....because i did not want to go to the local dealer because 1 i had a bad experience with the salesman and 2 i have heard bad things about this dealer and 3 my wifes friend had some silver dimes and wheat pennies stolen out of her console when she took in her new corolla for an oil change. But i have been back for 4 or 5 oil changes since because i was lucky enough to meet a tech there and he lets me come back and hang out at his toolbox while he services my truck. I am very appreciative of that and i like to tip him some $. This cam leak has me paranoid now and i will be back for every service just to have toyota dealer ship service so they can see that they did all but one service in case my leak starts dripping. Hopefully they dont give me shit about the first oil change i have the reciept and it was at like 3000 miles.
     
  17. Mar 5, 2018 at 7:10 PM
    #17
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    You are on the same plan as me. I bought 6 OEM filters for 25 bucks off Amazon.
    They are HACKS and that is being kind. I will keep meticulous records/receipts.
     
  18. Mar 5, 2018 at 7:14 PM
    #18
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    Sad that people have to feel like they need to get shitty service in hopes of being taken of down the road. I get it and maybe it’s a realistic outcome but they can kiss my ass.
    I work hard to buy an expensive vehicle and to have somebody treat it like they don’t care just doesn’t sit well with me.
     
  19. Mar 5, 2018 at 7:25 PM
    #19
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I’d use them. Figured I was throwing money out the window otherwise.
     
    kgb4187 and BTBAKER like this.
  20. Mar 5, 2018 at 7:47 PM
    #20
    Yzed608

    Yzed608 New Member

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    Used 2 of my 5 so far. Actually used 2 different dealerships as when I scheduled my first I couldn't get a time that would work at the dealership I bought it from. 2nd service I had the RCI plate on and told them about it before hand (compared it to the Pro skid with the panel). They had no problem with that but put the panel on backwards after. I like the tire rotation too. Plan to use it all the way to 25,000 which will get me about 2 years with the going average, then plan to do it all myself.
     
  21. Mar 5, 2018 at 8:48 PM
    #21
    Beep88

    Beep88 New Member

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    The service dept where I bought my Toyota’s are really good but I live about 40-45 minutes away so I choose to do it myself. I buy all the filters from them because they sell them to me cheaper than I can get them off Amazon. I enjoy doing it and I do it when I want to do it! I have never used the Toyota care at all and don’t plan on it. The service manager told me just to log it in the maintenance manual and if there is a problem with warranty than I have the proof!
     
  22. Mar 5, 2018 at 8:53 PM
    #22
    NCinCO

    NCinCO Is it Friday yet?

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    I figured if I've already paid for it when I bought my truck then yes I'm going to use it. It keeps it no questions asked with the warranty if something messes up.
     
    kgb4187 likes this.
  23. Mar 6, 2018 at 3:05 AM
    #23
    jtav2002

    jtav2002 Retired Adult Film Sound Man

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    Same here. No issue with Performance. Have used Toyota care on a few vehicles. Service both my vehicle and wife’s there.
     
  24. Mar 6, 2018 at 3:12 AM
    #24
    Berettafan

    Berettafan New Member

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    DIY here.

    I too log my oil changes in a small book I keep in the truck. Bought the multi pack of factory filters, a package of washers and I’m good to go. Just buy m1 at Walmart when the time comes.
     
    2018TundraLimited and Watt maker like this.
  25. Mar 6, 2018 at 4:21 AM
    #25
    71_340

    71_340 The German

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    FLW, MO
    I am completely satisfied with the service I receive from my Toyota dealer, we used the same dealer from 1998 to 2002 when my wife owned a Rav4 and never had a problem.

    Service is free, includes a carwash and I get free coffee and donuts while I am waiting.....can't beat it.
     
  26. Mar 6, 2018 at 4:52 AM
    #26
    SleeperTRDPro

    SleeperTRDPro The small package good things come in

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    When i bought my tundra new I traded the oil changes in for a platinum grille & hood bulge with color matched surround and trd shift knob. I prefer to do all maintenance myself.
     
  27. Mar 6, 2018 at 5:05 AM
    #27
    Boerseun

    Boerseun MGM XP-Series

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    I have had most of my services done at the dealerships. We have had only Toyota and Honda vehicles for the last 20± years and I have never had an issue with the local Toyota or Honda dealers in Sarasota or Bradenton. All 4 of them do only what I ask them to do. Some might have a list of suggested other items, but are not pushy about it. On previous Chrysler there was an issue at the dealer every time I took it in. Ford and Chevy vehicles at work are also always a pain to take to the dealer. They always come back with a long list of other things that have to be done and almost force you to do it. Usually something dirty or missing afterwards also. So, it depends on the dealer, and in my case (might be just coincidence) the import places have been better than the domestics.
     
  28. Mar 6, 2018 at 5:20 AM
    #28
    rustynail11

    rustynail11 New Member

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    took mine to the dealer for the first scheduled service at 5K and had a good experience. Dealership is 10 minutes from the office and they have a courtesy van that will drop me at work. I inspected the truck after I picked it up and didn't find any issues. I will keep going back until Toyota Care runs out which at my current pace will late be 2018 early 2019, bought my Tundra in November and will hit 10K before the end of March.
     
  29. Mar 6, 2018 at 5:43 AM
    #29
    JeremyGSU

    JeremyGSU New Member

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    I have taken my truck every time. For the most part my local dealer does a pretty good job. I wasn't going to pass up free oil changes and I just am too lazy to change it myself anymore. Also, my dealer has free shuttle pick-up/delivery so I just drop it off and they take me to work and I pick it up later. No inconvenience on my end really.
     
  30. Mar 6, 2018 at 7:42 AM
    #30
    Dmas

    Dmas New Member

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    why waste free oil changes? I haven't done my first one yet but I'm planning on use every one of them, my truck came with Toyoguard Platinum so I have 4 years of free oil changes.
     

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