21 pro first service

Hey guys, so reading the boards here I've noticed that a lot of people suggest not to get your oil changed at the dealer or one of those quick oil change places, so I went ahead and made an appointment tomorrow at a smaller servicer that has good ratings nearby called Auto-Lab. My question is I live in Michigan and I drive a lot during the cold, what's the best oil and weight to ask for for this vehicle if you happen to know. Thank you.

 

Use the recommended oil 0-W20. It’s called out in the owners manual.

 

Take the skids off yourself first. Even at a small trusted shop it’s possible they will strip them out, put them in the wrong spots etc. if you have a set of ramps it’s a quick job to the the plates in and out. After everything is done, put it back on yourself. Torque to spec (22 ft-lbs if I remember correctly). And you are good to go.

You can do the oil change with just removing the front 2 bolts, but most shops take them out completely (allows them to add labor).

 

I would still like to Toyota Dealership even though they messed up my skids couple of times as it gives the maintenance record just in case I have to go for any warranty work. I just check if the skid is installed at the Toyota parking lot and make sure I have oil from the dip stick (I carry few shop towels to clean and check oil from dip stick). I just inform the service manager that I need oil change and I will pay out of pocket for that.

I know it is strange that Toyota Techs miss obvious things. At least this time (couple of weeks back) Stevenson Toyota here in CO forgot to tighten a nut on my Limited vs f'ed the skid plate bolts I had on my TRD ORP.

 

Seems like a lot of horror stories for just an oil change. Shocked Toyota hasn't heard these claims and made it more accessible. All they have to do is drop the plate and then reinstall at 22ft lbs on the bolts? I would think that's an easy request for an experienced shop, no? I could do it myself but I'm paying for convenience... Yanking that plate off beforehand in 30 degree weather is not convenient lol.

 

Skid plate R&R is the main problem you’re gonna have with dealership. I haven’t heard or experienced issues with the actual oil/filter change at the dealership.

We take our sequoia in for oil changes because it has such low ground clearance.

I started doing my T4R myself after the first two free changes.

 

The problem is they are in a hurry and put the bolts in wrong, don’t hand thread them first and wind up cross threading, impact wrenching them in and over tightening, etc. particularly on the trd plate, since it needs to be dropped to get the filter replaced.

 

I am about to go in for my first 10,000 oil change and it is absolutely mind boggling that a Toyota dealership service department could possibly F this up!

 

Yanking the plates is also half the labor involved.