Dealership Oil Change

Hey guys, I want to take my 2020 4Runner TRD Off Road to the dealer for an oil change but I'm worried they might not do everything they're supposed to. I have a regular front skid plate (non TRD) which is covering access to the oil filter. Do you think I should just use the dealer and hope they do everything underneath the front skid plate? I don't have the space or tools to do the oil change myself.

Does anyone else use the dealer for an oil change and does the dealer usually remove the front skid plate?

 

Not sure why you wouldn't have the space do it where ever you park.

You do need to remove the skid to get access.

 

Hopefully the dealer knows they don't have to remove the skid plate.

 

Why do you say..."...they don't have to remove the skid plate"...when the first person to reply to your question clearly stated that they do indeed need to remove the skid plate to change the oil???

That being asked, you and everyone that doesn't know needs to realize that oil changes at the dealer and almost anywhere are done by the least experienced people they have working there, they aren't watched very closely either...unless they have just started working there, I personally wouldn't let them change my oil, I would only trust a garage that I know personally does good work to change my oil.

Now that being said I have always changed my oil on every vehicle I have ever owned, that's the only way I can feel certain it was done to my expectations, and I don't have to worry about it leaking oil, stripped drain plug, old filter not changed, inferior oil and or filter was used!

 

Sorry brain fart haven't had my 4R for a while.

But I'm pretty sure you need to remove your skid for access.

 

I don't think you had a brain fart, it seems you did say the skid plate needs to be removed, the OP even quoted you and that's even what your quoted post says.

When you posted about the brain fart, I had to reread what he quoted to make sure of what you posted.

 

Long story short, remove the front skid plate (filter access) and the smaller engine oil drain plug access plate from the rear skid plate. My dealership stripped my skid bolts and forgot? To reinstall drain plug access plate.

 

That's terrible. I've been taking advantage of the free oil changes (up to 30k) while our 21 and 22 are covered. But, after that - not sure about the dealership(s). Might continue with them but, might not. FWIW, I check under the vehicle before I leave the dealership driveway to make sure everything is buttoned-up and not leaking.

So, here's some assumptions then a question on this subject:
Assumptions -
(i) 4Runners have been made for decades.
(ii) Most Gen5 4R's have some kind of skid plate, whether it's the TRD Pro or the standard metal ones.
(iii) I think we can safely assume that Toyota dealerships see dozens of 4R's every month and routinely do oil changes on those.

Question -
What is the real-world likelihood of encountering a totally inept service tech who doesn't care about quality and strips bolts and/or maybe doesn't replace the filter panel like what happened to Slopemaster above. Granted Slopemaster got supremely messed-over. But, given the massive universe of Gen5 4R's and the number of oil changes that happen every day in dealerships to those trucks, can we not assume that the vast majority of us won't have something happen to us like what happened to Slopemaster?

 

Real world? Very likely.

oil change techs are not mechanics.

All probably use an impact for every bolt. All most likely dont hand thread the bolt before using the impact.

its all about speed for oil changes

 

Exactly^

It’s a human factors issue. When I returned to the dealership to get the drain plug access panel, it was apparent that the “oil change techs” were under pressure to perform their tasks as quickly as possible.

Imho, the root cause is the company culture. Just a few years ago this particular dealership changed ownership and we’ve seen a decline.

 

I have a 2021 that just had it's second free 10,000 mile oil change at my local Toyota dealership. I have read some of the horror stories over the past 15 months thinking how is this possible that Toyota dealerships can F'up a simple oil change on a vehicle they are familiar with and work on every day. So I have crossed my fingers and hoped to have a problem free oil change.

Walking around the parking lots to eat up time while waiting I saw my 4R in the parking lot and thought cool - it's done! Walking by I noticed there was a technician underneath it. I was wondering why is a technician underneath the vehicle in a parking lot on a 90F day. I asked him why he was underneath the vehicle in the parking lot and he said the tech forgot to put the skid plate back on. Trivial story, but how do they F'up a simple oil change?

 

I’ve read about dealers stripping skid plate bolts and worry about that!

 

Hopefully everything was done correctly!

 

If you want to take it to the dealership for an oil change, I would recommend removing the front oem skid (and the access plate on the rear section) prior to taking it in. That leaves only the drain plug as a possible foul-up possibility. Then you can replace these items with no concern as to whether the 'tech' will screw (pun intended) up the reinstallation by cross threading the bolts.

 

We have a good mechanic (he pretty much re-built a '69 FJ40 for me). I trust him. We have the oil changed when we return each year from the SW (I change the air filters myself.)- I'll have him do the lubes next time, if not before our fall trip)

 

That was my last free trip! I will be going to my regular mechanic from now on!

 

Devils advocate. Disclaimer - I dont use dealership service, free or not.

Most peoples bad experiences are exacerbated on forums just like this. Do average soccer moms come onto boards like this and rave about their positive experiences? No. We only see the shit left over by retards under our vehicles at dealerships and reported right here. If there was a way to search "excellent dealer service" vs "Shit dealer experience" I am guessing it would be 100:1 with shit in the lead.

Take everything with a grain of salt. NEVER take your vehicle to the dealer for service first thing in the morning. Techs have hangovers or light up a bowl (Vaping now) like anyone else and make mistakes. NEVER blindly listen to the service rep when he/she tells you X, Y, Z. Confirm for yourself before you leave. ALWAYS check fluid levels yourself before you leave. ALWAYS check for fluids on the ground under your vehicle before you leave.

 

The 4Runner is most definitely a soccer mom car.

 

You must be mistaking 4Runners for Honda Pilot or Toyota Sienna's.
4Runners are tight for space inside. Same with Lexus GX460/470.

 

The moms where I live seem to think otherwise.

 

I did my first oil change myself at 5k because Toyota won't do it at 5k (only every 10) and I wanted to install the camry metal oil filter housing and the fumoto quick valve and I had just installed my RCI skid plate. When it came time for my free dealership change at 10k, I let my service manager know what changes I made and that no impacts were required as my skid plate had the access hatch for the filter and the quick drain valve and if the lube tech had any concerns or questions to come find me. After the oil change was done the service manager let me know that the lube tech commented that it was the smoothest oil change he's ever done on a 4 runner. Yes there are bad dealers out there, and the best way to find out which are good or bad is to join a local 4 runner group and see what peoples experience is in your area. I found one that had positive reviews here in the Seattle area and my experience was quite positive

 

Your average soccer mom does not change their oil or go under their car after taking it to the dealer.

So they will never know. I bet half as missing some bolts.

The only person bitching and moaning is the next lube tech.

And telling the average soccer mom to check fluids before leaving? Not happening.

 

I think I have posted few times dealerships mess up with my skid plates to not changing oil. I'm at a state I will do my own oil changes and keep the oil purchase bills as proof of service?


I just got the stuff needed, and others stuff I already have. When I need to buy the oil I will just go to parts store and buy my choice of oil (mobile1 0W-20)









Links for the stuff I just got -

https://amzn.to/3AXJucx
https://amzn.to/3RH0NV1
https://amzn.to/3R6UUAf
https://amzn.to/3R5fJwd
https://amzn.to/3Q4MtnK

 

Whats the gloves for?

Also would of suggested this tool.

$11 Moker Aluminum 64mm 14 Flute Oil Filter Wrench for Toyota Corolla/Prius, Fits 1.8L Engines

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097Y5NT6...3&sr=1-2-a094db1c-5033-42c6-82a2-587d01f975e8

It has the notches to grab on to the cover. Sometimes the tools without don't work so great.

 

I'm going with option 2 on this one.

 

Do not take your truck to the dealer, find a reputable mechanic that will respect your investment and business.

 

Get you a fumoto valve and you won’t need a drain pan drain it directly into an old oil jug and get a cheap pan for anything that’ll drip from the filter.


Motivx sells a whole kit for the filter which includes the filter drain fitting the wrench and a funnel that screws directly onto the oil fill stem

https://www.motivxtools.com/product...x2341-drain-tool-bundle/?variant=895099699225

 

As @glwood54 mentioned, you might want to remove the skid before going to the dealership to avoid stripped bolts.

The moms where you live have great taste in vehicles! Although, the 4Runner actually kinda sucks as a soccer mom vehicle. Obviously, they have great taste and make bad decisions. I should move to your area to meet women!

 

Are you thick? Its advice for ANYONE who utilizes a dealer, a lube n tune, a grease monkey, their neighbors kid... whenever anyone has someone else do their work. Its simply advise from a guy who has been driving for more than 35 years.

 

Are you thick? Chances are that most who use someone else to change oil does NOT know how to do anything you listed. Hence the reason they take it to someone.

My wife would never be able to do anything mentioned. I've even showed her and its like a deer in the headlights.