Mike Murrell

I know I could just call them and ask, but one never knows about the wisdom at dealerships.

Does anyone here know if Toyota 5W/30 motor oil is synthetic or dino ?

Thanks for your time.

toy283

If it's synthetic, it has to say so.

rwmorrisonjr

I eliminate the question (and cost) by bringing my own Mobil-1 in for the oil changes.

Pawk

And you just hope and pray they actually put it in your vehicle???

rwmorrisonjr

Been dealing with the same service writer at Burt Toyota for about four years now, he's never done me wrong. I also ask for the empty bottles back so I know its in the truck, not on a tech's workbench.

kford

Toyota recommends Valvoline 5w-30. Or at least thats what my Certified Dealership says and uses. And I do like Valvoline, but IMO, as long as you change it frequently enough, oil is oil.

ALBPM

Mine uses Valvoline 5W-30

Mike Murrell

Let me ask you something.

How do you know the oil actually went into your vehicle? You think that because they handed you empty bottles, the oil went in your vehicle?

No dealership of any kind is going to allow "customer-provided" parts. It doesn't happen. Some Indy garages will do it, but most won't. In Indy shops, the parts mark-up pays for the tech time.

Toyota Corporate would could screaming down all over your dealership if they knew "customer-provided" parts were being used. This isn't just a Toyota policy - its industry wide.

I hate to tell you this, but that Mobil went into someone elses vehicle and that someone is an employee of that dealership.

Your vehicle has whatever they put in it and it ain't Mobil-1.

rwmorrisonjr

Considering that it was my service writer who suggested it, I don't think that I'll have a problem. I can see not allowing mechanical parts in, but oil is a different story. Also, Burt Toyota has a great reputation for customer service, and I don't think that they're going to risk that over six quarts of oil.

Brendan

dealer motor oil what's that cost, like $10 a litre?

DarylD

Ya , we use customer provided oil all the time , and it definatly gets into their vehicles. Standard issue is valvoline 5w30. We also carrier a Toyota brand 5w30.

mikedog

Mike Murrell is absolutely correct! Just because they're handing you the empty oil bottles back doesn't mean they actually put the oil in. I believe the only thing dealers are good for is warranty work and that's even questionable considering the 3.0 V6 headgasket fiasco.

It's kind of interesting though. Most people who have dealerships and quicklube places do their oil changes and maintenance are generally the ones trading their trucks in and buying a new one every couple of years.

The ones who do their own oil changes/maintenance seem to be the ones with the older trucks at 200K, 300K or even 400K that seem to keep running forever.

kford

97 4runner 260k miles. I have never changed my own oil. Just run it through the quick lube lane, 15 minutes, 25 bucks, 3,000 miles. There's really nothing to mess up in an oil change, so why not have somebody else do it in less than half the time and for about the same amount of money? Yes, these shops have to pay labor, but they buy oil in mass amounts and obviously get it cheaper. Just like the debate between building a PC vs. buying a PC. Okay, maybe not like that at all. i dont know. All I know is my truck runs well and regular service definitely has kept it in top shape.

Brendan

quick lube places are one step up from working at mcdix. you would be very surprised with the horror stories that these places can produce.

tenfourtyeight

Enlighten me, please.

kford

Sure, same with dealerships and any place where service is required. There are plenty of horror stories from people doing self-maintenance that shouldn't have. But at least I have running proof.

Brendan

ok, ok, you're right. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...threadid=26388 but at least at a dealership i would expect them to correct their screw up. a quick lube place would just tell you to get lost. As for the horror stories, i've heard of quite a few people that leave without a drop of oil in their engine and then they seize up two blocks down the road. Stuff like this is why i am a do it yourselfer to the best of my ability. If I do take it in, I get referalls from friends and family as to where I go.

kford

IMO, the pros and cons of oil change "jiffy lube" places:

Pros:
quick
convenient
fairly knowledgable **(I know they aren't geniuses but they do change a LOT of oil)
cheap

Cons:
Cannot specialize in 1 car like we do in our own
may/may not take liability for poor labor
usually only 1 brand of oil offered
can get expensive b/c a lot of times they include tire pressure check, air filter check, fluids check, and winshield fluid topoff in the price, even if no adjustments are made. (that TICKS ME OFF!! MY AIR FILTER ISN'T EVEN PAPER! MY TIRES ARE FINE! I DON'T WANT YOU TOUCHING ANYTHING BUT MY DIPSTICK, OIL CAP, AND OIL PLUG!!!


just my .02

mikedog

kford,

Come back to us when your truck has close to 500K like mine and then report back to us.

Takes me 5-minutes, 12-bucks including filter at 2500/3 months whatever comes first. The feeling I accomplished something? PRICELESS!

EDGE

Don't most Toy dealer now have quick lube shops, you can watch them as they work on your car