Where do you service your 4Runner?

Toyota Dealerships don't charge too much. Is it worth not going to them?

 

The majority of maintenance on this truck can be done in your driveway if that is something you are interested in. At least you know the work is getting done properly....bolts not stripped/oil overfilled/prop shafts not greased/etc.

 

But I am a layman.

 

All my maintenance is done in my driveway. Unless it's warrantee work a dealer will never see my vehicle. They have a reputation for not doing repairs properly. Mostly regular maintenance like oil changes where they strip out skid plate bolts, over or under fill the engine with oil, overtighten oil pan bolts and oil filters, etc. It's a shame but there you are. Quickie lube places are just as bad. If you don't want to do the work yourself or can't for whatever reason try to find a reputable, local shop. Try asking neighbors or friends who they use.

 

In my driveway.

I have a set of substantial (12T?) jack stands and a creeper I use for under-car work.

With my last car I was concerned for having the dealer do everything while it was in-warranty and kept records like a damned bookkeeper, but it turned out none of that matters when the dealer does shittier work than you can do yourself.

So I do it myself and keep records.

Jason

 

I do it myself. I used to go to a local dealership, but as Jason mentioned they are a bunch of hacks looking to get your vehicle in and out as fast as possible with no consideration for how it's treated whatsoever. Then, they generally try to upsell you and tell you how much stuff your vehicle 'needs' done.

 

They are giving me free maintenance up to 25,000 miles, so I guess I will use that at least

 

Why did you pose the question if you already had your answer?

 

Once I run out of free service. I think I'm going to go ahead with everything that everybody said here, I will stay away from the dealership after 25k miles

 

I hope by then you don't have too many problems to fix that the dealer screwed up. Best of luck to ya.

 

Myself or Hagins in Martinez.

 

Free isn't necessarily better. I'd find a local trusted mechanic. At least they won't have trainees working on your vehicle.

 

Used the free service once and it was a horrible mistake with the 4runner. Didn’t put the gaskets on the oil filter housing. Over torqued everything. Didn’t put a crush ring on the drain plug. Etc.

I’d do it yourself and save a headache in the future.

 

Damn! I thought dealers follow what Toyota recommends!

 

Every time before going to the dealer for service, I will come here and ask for advice on what needs to be done on my 4Runner by the dealership. I will pay out of pocket for the stuff that is not covered in their free maintenance plan up to 25,000 miles

 

It’s about 200 dollars to get started with a jack, jack stands and necessary hand tools however everytime after it’ll be 20-30 dollars in oil to change your oil and it’s a 30-45 min job to change oil and rotate tires compared to the 4 hours you’ll be at the dealer waiting for your oil change. Just some food for thought.

 

Yeah, when I bought the Taco new, it took more time to drive to the dealer and back than it would to change the oil. Haven't had an oil change in the 4R yet, but I'm assuming it will take a little longer.

These trucks are super simple to work on, that's the main reason I bought a 4R when I decided to replace the Taco.

 

In the street in front of my house. I don't even have a driveway, haha. I've always wanted a home with a garage, but in today's market I have a better chance of ME living in the 4R than the 4R does of living in a garage, haha.

My local dealer actually has a pretty good reputation thought, and I had them service my AC last summer and do a drain and fill on the tranny. I changed the diff/t-case oil myself in the street, where I always do my oil changes. I actually enjoy changing oil, I literally cannot remember the last time I paid to have it done. Probably about 15 years ago when I had a beater that I couldn't be bothered with.

 

Local dealership for me. Too lazy. And I paid for a service contract. 'Cuz I'm too lazy.

 

I've been getting some services done by the dealer to get a baseline on what they charge. Oil changes aren't that bad. Out here in the sticks there really is no Jiffy Lube $15 oil change w/ filter. That and 0W20 Synthetic oil make a cheap oil change almost impossible.
Just had my brakes done - $700!!! Won't do that at the dealer again.

Next service due is the 50k mile transmission / 4wd service. I want the dealer to do that one as I have an extended warranty and might have a Needle Bearing going out.

 

I plan to do it all myself. Too many horror stories of people running out of oil or losing parts of their vehicle on the way home from the dealership. I won't let a trainee do my maintenance.

 

I amat the dealer for break in oil change. Dude knew what I was talking about. He said they get 4Runner and Tacoma owners for break in oil changes all the time.
So now I am peeking into what is happening to my boy.
Guys, it is a super clean place and they lifted my truck and they are working on it. Why do you guys doubt the Toyota dealerships? They said it will take two hours. They are still working on it. I think they will do a fine job. They are certified Toyota technicians. They do this everyday. I wouldn't be able to trust some shady mechanic touching my truck.




They are taking their time. No rush.

 

Why you don't trust the dealerships? The place looks super clean, they are putting time, they don't look in rush. I think I should be fine. No?
@Thatbassguy

 

No guys, no matter what you say, I am starting to like my dealer's service folks. Maybe all dealers are not bad. This dealerships sells a lot and I am sure they can't afford to lose customers. This is not what you call being in a hurry. They are taking their time. More than 30 minutes have passed since they lifted my truck in the air. They are still not done, they are working on it.

 

So they charged me out of pocket for break in service, $112. And they worked on my car for literally 2 hours, I swear. Tire rotation, oil change with filter change, brake inspection and fluid change. I think they did a fine job guys!