Those $19.95 dealership oil changes....

Bought new '21 Tundra LTD from a local Hendrick dealership. I received two years of free oil changes, which equated to about 2, then took them up on two more oil change offers of $19.95.

But I think I'm done.

First, what should be a pleasant hour in the waiting room (I try to get one of the first appts) is now 2-3 hours, no joke -- last 2 visits. Second, there's the hard sell of fuel injection cleaning service, nitrogen fill, this and that.

So today decided to DIY (I had a previous Tundra I used to change all my own oil on). First, I could not believe how tight the 3 12mm skid plate screws were. I took all my strength with the ratchet to break them free. Second I think I'm missing one of the liner extension screws: should there be 2 or 3? It looks like there is a center one that's missing both the screw and the plastic piece.

And finally, it was ridiculously tough getting off the filter housing. So no more. It's slightly more expensive, the $19.95 change for full synth has to be a loss leader, but I feel better, and am able to look around and catch things.

Thx

 

On my 2015, the liner (bottom engine cover) extension has 3 screws with 3 plastic, square inserts the screws go into. The "oil change technicians" at my dealership habitually don't reinstall the screws. In fact, I've started removing them before taking my truck in for an oil change. I then reinstall them when I get home and check my oil level on the dip stick. Sad but true.

 

I started doing all of my cars / trucks awhile ago and haven’t missed a beat. Even bought the stickers to remind me lol!!!! I didn’t my wife’s 2023 rav4 hybrid last weekend and King Kong must have tightened the oil canister……it was crazy how tight it was . I am done with shops - will do them all myself

 

I do my own maintenance on our vehicles because my time is worth more. It's a 20 min drive to the dealer, takes them over an hour (even being first one there with appt), they over tighten or don't tighten things down.
It sucks, but the place that's supposed to have your vehicle's best interest doesn't care much in my experience....not all cases, but seemingly most.
I'd say start doing DIY. Full synthetic Mobil 1 is sold at Walmart for typically the best price. Order filters in 3 or so at a time to make it easier and have available. They're cheap

 

Yup.
When I first did mine, was missing one of the bolts for the skid plate and all three that attach to bumper shroud.
Over tight filter housing too.

Not much attention to detail.
At least I didn't get the upsell and the dealer does oil changes by appointment, but you still invest at least an hour.

 

I get the oem filters kits for peace of mind. I will usually order half a dozen when the sales come up. And I get my oil from Costco. They typically have an $8 rebate a few times a years on 4 five quart jugs that make it very reasonable…..

 

Well an oil filter costs 5 bucks. Probably costs 10 in labor to change the oil. That leaves me wondering where their getting the 8 quarts of oil from considering their paying 61 cents a quart......

 

Yeah, just about every oil filter I've changed that I didn't put on usually needed a wrench or screwdriver (in the most serious situations) to get it off. Doesn't need to be that tight. Same with oil drain plugs and lug nuts. Everything should be good and tight and snug. But 120 ft lbs. on a fastener or item that requires 50, well....

 

$16 off currently

 

Good for you man, I wouldn't let anyone change my oil if they paid me 19.95. I never used my free oil changes and there is a Toyota dealer literally 2.5 miles from me. Its impossible that they dont screw something up.

 

Nothing but bad luck with Toyota with oil changes. Especially if you have a vehicle with skid plates. My first 4Runner, they stripped out two of the bolts in the skid plate. I didn't find out till we moved away from that dealer, and when I contacted them. They were pretty much like, well, that's your problem now.

 

I put a Fumoto drain valve on mine. So much quicker and less messy. Have another tube for the plastic drain plug that plugs into the filter. This is by far the best deal I've found for oil. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-...il-0W-20-12-Quart/935258375?classType=REGULAR

 

this, this, and this.
i use the fumoto, use the drain on the oil filter housing, and use this oil. the only time i'll buy the 5qt jugs is when they have a sale where the unit price comes up the same. typically, i get the 15qt linked here, but occasionally i get the 15qt pack (3pack of 5qt jugs) because it's visually easier to glance over and see how much i have and it's slightly easier. i worked retail management for years, so looking at the unit price is where i go to see what the better deal is.

 

I recommend an aftermarket drain valve, too. I have this one on my tundra.

$50 ValvoMax Oil Drain Valve - Quick Twist Oil Drain Plug for DIY Oil Changes At Home in 10 Minutes - No Tools, No Mess, No Cleanup - M14-1.50 Thread Size - Made in USA

https://www.amazon.com/ValvoMax-Oil-Drain-Valve-M14-1-50/dp/B077Z9GQCB?th=1 I have the motivx kit for the filter.

 

True story...Requested first free oil change on my new Tundra at about 500mi. Bastards refused! I explained that they did my new 4Runner at 500 without issue. She looked it up and nope, no oil or filter was ordered during that service visit. WTF!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!! If I go back, it might put me in prison, so not gonna happen.

 

I have never (and will never) allow anyone to change oil/filter on any vehicle I've owned since 1961. I don't regret it one bit even though at my age (76) it is a bit difficult for me physically. I'm retired so I can take all day if I need (or want) to.

Dan

 

After having an appointment and still a 3 hour wait...never again.

 

Yep

 

I have whined before, but after they did a service and I had 3 lug nuts spin off during a long drive- I was done. Never going back.