Oil change

You are correct about the blend. I just talked to a local dealer today and that is what they stated to me.

 

Yup blend and Toyota recommend Syn 0-20 W, but when you get a "freebie" you get what you pay for, and getting Blend is generous.

Just don't get me wrong, not wanting to bang on dealers, they have their place in life, it is that the marketing of getting the complimentary service which is misguided in my opinion.

 

Just changed my oil today. I’ve been working from home for 6 years and have 3 vehicles - my truck gets about 5,000 miles a year so I just change mine based on calendar time - every 6 months. Oil still seems dirty though! I use Mobil 1, Toyota OEM filters. With the Fumoto valve and MotivX filter drain tools and the RCI skid plate it’s a snap. Probably 30 min start to finish.

 

If I have to do the dealer freebies to keep my warranty, I’ll do it. But I’m coming home and changing the oil again immediately.

I just don’t trust dealers. Especially when what they’re offering is “free”

 

Your warranty will never be in Jeopardy when you decline their Free service (magnuson moss warranty act), that is a fact.
But you are taken a chance, and that is fine, just double the effort?"But I’m coming home and changing the oil again immediately"

 

I have a company vehicle and only drive my Tundra on the weekends so change the oil once a year. I dont even think i put 3000 miles on it a year but like clean oil in my truck. Changed the spark plugs at 49k too.

 

Sometimes they don’t do the job properly, like using a blend to save money, not actually changing the oil and just telling you they did, or messing up the filter cartridge.

The last one above has actually happened to me with my 4Runner—the guy who messed up the filter put the large O-ring in the wrong place. He had it stretched it out so that it fit against the outer flange of the filter housing. Then, he torqued it down back into place, flattening the O-ring. Apparently, he thought the O-ring was supposed to be a seal between the filter and the engine block. A week later, after the first cold snap, I walked out to the driveway in the morning to see about a quart of oil on my driveway.

I had driven for a week with this improperly installed. I’ll never trust them again.

I consider changing it myself afterwards worthwhile insurance.

 

My good friend is parts manager at a dealer in New Hampshire and he said they buy bulk Toyota synthetic oil for there shop and also qts to sell at the parts counter I buy Toyota 0-20 for $5.12 per qt. Full synthetic. All made by Mobil.

 

My local Walmart sells the 5 qt jugs of Mobil 1 for $24.97 ($5/qt) and the 12 qt. Boxes for $49.97 ($4.16/qt). I go through 15 qts when I change the oil on the Tundra and Sienna so the boxes come in handy.

 

So with Mobile One 12.00 rebate , not bad deal at all.