Local dealer charge for an oil change?

My free oil changes ran out since I pointed out that my vehicle needs 5000 mile changes due to the fact that I tow a utility trailer and actually go off-road. So, less than two years after purchase, I am paying out of pocket for oil changes.

No big deal, or so I thought. Local Ford dealer did oil changes using Motorcraft synthetic blend oil, tire rotation, topped off all fluids, and vacuumed out the vehicle for $60.

Toyota dealer did an oil change using synthetic blend oil, tire rotation, checked but did not top off wiper fluid, did not vacuum out vehicle, screwed up seat settings, and charged me $106.

Really? WTF? I figured I would have the dealer do all oil changes while it was still under warranty just in case something went wrong and I could point to the service history.

Not sure I am going to have them ever touch the vehicle again and will just go to the Ford dealer in the future.

What does your dealer charge for oil changes? I used to do all my own, but due to lack of a garage, not about to try and change the oil in over a foot of snow.

 

Sounds like a service writers decision Not Toyotas.

 

So what does your dealer charge?

 

Haven't been in for the first service, yet. That said, mine is covered under a maintenance contract for the first 75K or 5 years.

 

We get ours for $90 after the 'free' service period runs out, that's in Wisconsin. BTW- In your post you mentioned 'synthetic BLEND' oil being used at the Ford dealership, Toyota uses FULL synthetic, but still does not explain the poor service on topping off fluids. Did you check to see if they greased the driveline? If not consider going to Ford, obviously they want to "wham, bam, thankyou man" on the services. They maybe overloaded on work load, help them lighten the load.

 

50 bucks and i ask them to grease the u joints every time

 

Newer Four Runners use full synthetic as stated... 100.00 isn't overly crazy for a dealership everybody knows their higher than most.

 

It all basically comes down to how you value your time. My time is worth the extra money for me not going to buy fluids, grease etc, getting my tools out jacking up the truck, removing my skid plates, inspecting everything yada yada yada. Yeah you’re getting a “better” price at Ford but Ford mechanics work on fords 98% of the time. Toyota mechanics work on Toyota’s 98% of the time. I’d point out what they missed and let them make it right.

 

Mine charges $96 for oil change tire rotation. They also never filled up my windshield fluid which bothered me and they overfilled the tires to 41 psi why??

 

You can save some change by providing TOYOTA dealer Mobil 0w20 from Walmart jugs or 6 pack Qs from Sam's or Costco. My dealer wants $35 with provided oil. They have run it through the cars wash and lube my zerks on request

 

Can't answer you why but I'm done doing oil changes myself I use a garage now. Personally I don't sweat having to keep my windshield fluid filled but whatever to each his own. I used to bring my own oil to the Honda dealership but I (think) they stopped allowing that but I'm not totally positive about that.

 

ontario here - dealer wants $105+13%tax, so I got the oil at costco, almost 2 gal for 29$, and I do it myself; the oil filters are 7$ at the dealer and 1$ for the extra gaskets.
read too many stories here about issues, ruined bolts, etc
remember, it's always the latest rookie that does the oil changes, not a senior tech

 

Yeah I wouldn't want to change it outside in a foot of snow either. If you have a buddy with a garage, maybe buy him a 6 pack to let you change it there?

6.6 quarts of 0W-20 and oem oil filter should run you around $30 or less if you shop around and look for oil rebates. I've had too many bad experiences with dealer service (oil changes, tires, etc) to ever go back. Most places can't even do simple things without routinely screwing them up, always charge an arm and a leg, and make you wait 2 hours.

 

Wait until they eventually strip out your skid plate bolts.


I prefer to change it myself

 

My dealer allows you to bring your own oil and filter and only charges $17.00 to change it with your own parts.

 

I do my oil change and tire rotation in my driveway. Costs 40 dollars and takes 30-45 minutes. This will be the cheapest and the safest means to change your oil.

if you keep record of your own oil changes you’ll have no warranty issues.

 

Does your driveway look like this?

 

I dunno about you but I can buy fluids, jack up the truck, remove skids & inspect quicker than the time it would take me to drop it off and wait. Or even go back and pick it up.

 

Yup looks like mine, I could get hypothermia

 

Shoveled the powder this weekend, changed the oil and played a pickup game with the boys.



(This was a joke btw. It’s been like 70 degrees for the past week where I live lol)

 

$100 sounds like the going rate for a full syn change these days. 4Runner probably requires a fair bit of oil, too. For most people, changing their oil would take all afternoon. $60 isn't bad for that labor.. to each his own though as different people have different amounts of cash laying around.

It's funny though. I remember my first nice car, a MY 2000 BMW 323Ci, back in 2003. I took the car to a local trusted mechanic for an oil change.. $100 later I decided I'll change my own oil from there on out. But now that they're "free" yes I take to the dealer (begrudgingly). I'm in an apartment and I'm over being under my vehicle in the parking lot at this age.

 

I'm still in the "free" service period with my truck, but I'd asked my dealer about their prices and they said an oil change was around $70. That seems fair for full synthetic, OEM filter and their labor etc. Sure, you can do it yourself for less, but not by a lot. Especially if you buy the Toyota branded oil that the dealer is supposed to be using. Go ahead and buy Walmart oil -- I'm sure it's great stuff. But don't then complain that the dealer charges you more when they use a more expensive oil.

In my experience BMW charged as much as $145 for a routine oil change and inspection service. Which is bogus luxury car price inflation. Basically they can get away with it.

OP noted his $106 cost also included a tire rotation. About 70 for the oil change + 30 for the rotation + tax or wtvr = seems reasonable to me.

 

With my FJ, took it to the dealer for its free first 2 oil changes, where they went and stripped the bolts on the skid plate. After that I did every oil change on the FJ myself. With my new 4R, even though it came with a couple of free oil changes, I prefer to do it myself and get it done right. I will typically do three oil changes on my three vehicles in a morning and I do them twice a year (spring and fall), complete with tire rotations.

 

I just had mine changed at the Toyota dealership for $64. I know everyone doesn't have the luxury of doing so, but I just worked in the lobby until they were done and it seemed pretty quick. That was without an appointment as well.

 

had the same thing happen to mine
Find small local mechanic shop that the owner operates it you will have a better chance of being happy.

 

That's the oil-change road I chose.