I have mine changed every 5k
Q: When to complain to dealer
- Thread starter LBridges
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
I complained when my garage floor had oil right after an oil change at the Toyota dealer. I brought it back and they cleaned the skid plate up since they were sloppy. Then as a goodwill gesture they washed my car which ripped off the bug deflector on one side. I didn't notice until I drove home and it was flapping. I complained again. The bug deflector isn't sold anymore. They offered to take money off a future service. I would save more time just changing the oil myself since the dealer is 20 min away and you have to wait or drop off.
Slow Paddler
SILVER Star
Had the same experience with my 4Runner on my first visit to the service department. I brought it to the service manager's attention the next time I was in, and he said they usually don't need to be checked until 10k. So, why at my 10k service did I find this when I got home? He had no answer other than they'd check it in the future. The dead June Bug that was on top fell off before I took the photo.
If you want a good relationship with your service advisor, give them a call and explain your concerns. If nothing else, they will know you are paying attention and it helps keep everyone accountable.
I've had similar issues almost every time:
cabin filter checked (door was locked)
cabin filter needs replacement (i had just replaced DIY)
tire pressure psi check = 36 (i keep at 42)
oily skid plates
missing skid bolts
"road test" = a lap around the service building
My advisor knows my expectations and I'll be checking the details. He gets the better techs on my services and looks out for me. I've been going to the same guy for almost 10 years.
I've had similar issues almost every time:
cabin filter checked (door was locked)
cabin filter needs replacement (i had just replaced DIY)
tire pressure psi check = 36 (i keep at 42)
oily skid plates
missing skid bolts
"road test" = a lap around the service building
My advisor knows my expectations and I'll be checking the details. He gets the better techs on my services and looks out for me. I've been going to the same guy for almost 10 years.
That's fine, but it is not a service included in the free 5K service which is what the OP is referring to.
Yes, it is cheaper and faster to do it yourself. What an atrocity my 200k+ oil filter housing, drain plug, and skid bolts/ skid area was after all those dealer oil changes. Other bonus, very practical in Covid times.
I hate to break it to you, but this is absolutely the impression they want to give you. You are a $ bill to this person, and the 'better techs' are the techs who haven't screwed up for you yet. Very informative for me to spend a day at an Acura dealer in their waiting room which unbeknownst to them was within earshot of their break area due to some construction. I know, broad brush and all, but the comments to be heard seemed pretty typical of what I would expect services team members talk about when they are 'alone'.
Meh
sorry, just seems a lot to do about nothing. What is talking to the service advisor going to do, bubkis? he will apologize and promise to be more careful next time.
I have seen things checked on paperwork I know wasnt and things suggesting replacement that don't need it. I take it with a grain of salt. I understand Dealers don't make a lot of money on new cars, they make the money on service. Some push stuff more than others and sometimes its the individual rather than the business.
Best to go over paperwork while you are there and ask questions
I change my oil once a year no matter the mileage. Synthetic lasts upto 15K miles and don't do more than 10K miles a year. When I take my tires to be rotated, I ask the tech what does he torque them to and watch him do it
I mean no smack against the person who started the thread, questions are good. Feedback to talk to the service advisor IMOP is just making an issue where there isnt one and will only aggravate him while nothing really comes of it
Just my opinion
sorry, just seems a lot to do about nothing. What is talking to the service advisor going to do, bubkis? he will apologize and promise to be more careful next time.
I have seen things checked on paperwork I know wasnt and things suggesting replacement that don't need it. I take it with a grain of salt. I understand Dealers don't make a lot of money on new cars, they make the money on service. Some push stuff more than others and sometimes its the individual rather than the business.
Best to go over paperwork while you are there and ask questions
I change my oil once a year no matter the mileage. Synthetic lasts upto 15K miles and don't do more than 10K miles a year. When I take my tires to be rotated, I ask the tech what does he torque them to and watch him do it
I mean no smack against the person who started the thread, questions are good. Feedback to talk to the service advisor IMOP is just making an issue where there isnt one and will only aggravate him while nothing really comes of it
Just my opinion
Before I bought my LX I had a Sienna. The local Toyota dealer, like most was sketchy. I brought the Sienna in for a recall on the sliding doors. It involved a bunch of rewiring and they door the dash apart, two days of work. When I got it back the the entertainment system was not working. The service manager tried explain that it was just a coincidence that they tore apart my dash for 2 days and when they put it back together it stopped working. After two weeks of going back and forth I finally got them to put a rebuilt unit in.
The local Lexus dealership, though much, much smaller than I expected is pretty good. I had some warranty work and they were pretty honest and they throw loaners at you. One of my coworkers has a 4Runner and he only takes it to the Lexus dealer now. (Toyota dealer told them they didn't know how to work on KDSS) They give him a loaner and he is happy.
I would suggest bringing your Land Cruiser to a Lexus dealer. At the very least you will get a loaner car.
The local Lexus dealership, though much, much smaller than I expected is pretty good. I had some warranty work and they were pretty honest and they throw loaners at you. One of my coworkers has a 4Runner and he only takes it to the Lexus dealer now. (Toyota dealer told them they didn't know how to work on KDSS) They give him a loaner and he is happy.
I would suggest bringing your Land Cruiser to a Lexus dealer. At the very least you will get a loaner car.
- Thread starter
- #29
Bringing an old and somewhat trivial thread back to life.... Skip to the bottom sentence if you don't want to read about me whining.
So I took in the LC today for the 1 yr service.
Reviewing the 6th month service they torqued the lug nuts to 110 Ft Lbs. Today they wrote down they did them to 80 Ft Lbs.
Once home I checked and retightened. Out of the 20 lug nuts 17 were at or near 80 Ft Lbs, and 3 were north of 150 Ft Lbs. I had to use an impact gun to get the lugs loose - I doubt I could have gotten them off doing a roadside spare tire swap.
So much for dealer service. I can and will do my own maintenance from here.
Anybody have advice on how to document owner self-service such that it could satisfy the requirements for warranty repairs? Do I need to keep receipts for oil filters, etc?
So I took in the LC today for the 1 yr service.
Reviewing the 6th month service they torqued the lug nuts to 110 Ft Lbs. Today they wrote down they did them to 80 Ft Lbs.
Once home I checked and retightened. Out of the 20 lug nuts 17 were at or near 80 Ft Lbs, and 3 were north of 150 Ft Lbs. I had to use an impact gun to get the lugs loose - I doubt I could have gotten them off doing a roadside spare tire swap.
So much for dealer service. I can and will do my own maintenance from here.
Anybody have advice on how to document owner self-service such that it could satisfy the requirements for warranty repairs? Do I need to keep receipts for oil filters, etc?
Last edited:
I called every Lexus dealership in Houston, TX. They don't do service work on Toyotas.
I lock mine as well
I called every Lexus dealership in Houston, TX. They don't do service work on Toyotas.
look up Duggy’s Garage.
Any recommendations for south texas mcallen area?
That sucks. I guess it's up to each dealer on what they chose to work on. Seems odd though.I called every Lexus dealership in Houston, TX. They don't do service work on Toyotas.
Auto Warranties and Auto Service Contracts
Explains auto warranties and auto service contracts and their differences. Also describes extended warranty scams and your rights.
" No. An independent mechanic, a retail chain shop, or even you yourself can do routine maintenance and repairs on your vehicle. In fact, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which is enforced by the FTC, makes it illegal for manufacturers or dealers to claim that your warranty is void or to deny coverage under your warranty simply because someone other than the dealer did the work. The manufacturer or dealer can, however, require consumers to use select repair facilities if the repair services are provided to consumers free of charge under the warranty. "
" Keep all service records and receipts, regardless of who performs the service. This includes oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, new brake pads, and inspections. Create a file to keep track of repairs; it will come in handy if you have to use your warranty. If you ever have a warranty claim and it appears that you did not maintain your vehicle, your claim could be denied. "
guerasfj60
SILVER Star
Check out Toyota Owners on Toyota.com
I don't trust Toyota techs with general maintenance. On every new Toyota I have owned, after the ToyotaCare oil changes, the filter is overtorqued, as in the oil fill bolt. I have wheel lugs overtorqued, and even stripped. I swear they use an impact wrench to put the lugs back on. It is the nature of the beast with a dealer. I now skip the ToyotaCare services.
Sure, most dealerships have a tech or two that is very good, and a lot of other people that they don't pay a lot to make a bigger profit, especially the oil change folks. I only use the dealer for recalls and maybe ECU/electronic specific issues. And even then I've had issues. The dealer that I've come to find has the worst Toyota service center in my area, scratched the s*** of my shifter, dash and steering wheel when replacing the Takata airbag. It isn't their car, so they don't care.
The key is to find a good independent mechanic you can trust and/or do work yourself. My dealer oil change specials are sold in a package of 3 or more, and the cost per oil change is more or less what it costs me to do it myself. I still would never let the dealer do it. I wish I could trust a dealer to do it right, as I don't love changing oil, but I'd rather have it done right. And with the Bjowett filter adapter, a Fumoto drain valve and hose, and the BudBuilt skid, oil changes are very easy.
In my brand new Tacoma back in 1999, a dealer overtorqued the oil filter (used a wrench instead of doing it by hand), and oil sprayed everywhere in the engine bay. They took care of it, and cleaned my engine like new. They have me 6 free oil changes to make up for it. I threw them away and never went back.
Sure, most dealerships have a tech or two that is very good, and a lot of other people that they don't pay a lot to make a bigger profit, especially the oil change folks. I only use the dealer for recalls and maybe ECU/electronic specific issues. And even then I've had issues. The dealer that I've come to find has the worst Toyota service center in my area, scratched the s*** of my shifter, dash and steering wheel when replacing the Takata airbag. It isn't their car, so they don't care.
The key is to find a good independent mechanic you can trust and/or do work yourself. My dealer oil change specials are sold in a package of 3 or more, and the cost per oil change is more or less what it costs me to do it myself. I still would never let the dealer do it. I wish I could trust a dealer to do it right, as I don't love changing oil, but I'd rather have it done right. And with the Bjowett filter adapter, a Fumoto drain valve and hose, and the BudBuilt skid, oil changes are very easy.
In my brand new Tacoma back in 1999, a dealer overtorqued the oil filter (used a wrench instead of doing it by hand), and oil sprayed everywhere in the engine bay. They took care of it, and cleaned my engine like new. They have me 6 free oil changes to make up for it. I threw them away and never went back.
afgman786
SILVER Star
You can document your work into Toyota Owners website. If you don't have an account easy to make one and add your 200 by the vin. It'll show all the work the dealership has documented so far and you can add records as well.
Keep in mind that the info you input in for yourself does not transfer to other owners, so print it all and give it to the new owner when you sell.
