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Dealer oil change question...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by xliderider, Dec 5, 2013.

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  1. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Dropping our car off tomorrow for it's first oil change after the Toyota Care free maintenance has expired.

    I am providing them with an OEM filter, drain plug gasket, and oil. The oil is 0w- 20 synthetic, but it is in a 5 quart jug. Since the oil required with filter change is 4.25 quarts, how should I handle it? My fear is that the "technician" will dump the entire contents of the jug into the car and call it a day, which means it has been overfilled.

    Do I give them the whole jug and tell them I expect a quart back? Then top it off myself?

    Or should I open the jug and take out 0.75 quarts?

    What would you do?

    SCH-I535
     
    #1 xliderider, Dec 5, 2013
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Ok, I know what most of you will say. That you would change the oil yourself. ;)

    Let's just say that that option is off the table for the sake of this discussion. :)

    SCH-I535
     
    #2 xliderider, Dec 5, 2013
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I'd go with the first option, that they return the bottle with a quart in it still. But:

    This sounds like a near 100% hostile business relation. And that makes it almost impossible to do business.

    I think you need to deescalate with them. Let them supply the products, express your concerns up front, but then just see how it goes. You might be pleasantly surprised. If it goes badly, go to the service manager, let him know.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Dec 5, 2013
  4. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    I'd give them 4 quarts, tell them to only INSTALL ONLY 4 quarts, and top it off myself.

    The two times that I had the dealer change oil, they OVERFILLED it.
     
    #4 Mike500, Dec 5, 2013
  5. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    I would go with option #1 as well, but say it in a nice manner :)
     
    #5 NutzAboutBolts, Dec 5, 2013
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Thanks for the feedback. :)

    SCH-I535
     
    #6 xliderider, Dec 5, 2013
  7. Grren4ever

    Grren4ever Active Member

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    I have a buddy who works at Toyota as a tech. Bottom line is that they don't give jack *hit about your car from the stories he tells me. It's all time and money for them.

    i have one free oil change that i have to redeem at the 8000km interval. i'm having 2nd thought about bringing it in. I'd rather buy my own oil and do it myself...even if it is in my garage at a miserable -1 degrees !
     
    #7 Grren4ever, Dec 6, 2013
  8. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    If you spent all that time and money on oil and filter, ect; spend a little more for a filter wrench, and do it yourself.
    You will save money in the long run, and you know it was done right.
    I know you said it was off of the table :( ..... their are threads on changing the oil and filter, if that would help you.
     
    #8 engerysaver, Dec 6, 2013
  9. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    I don't think xliderider has the time, thats the issue maybe? :D
     
    #9 NutzAboutBolts, Dec 6, 2013
  10. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Nope, I have changed the oil on many cars in my lifetime. I have all the tools and ramps, etc. as well. ;)

    I'm not lazy either. :D

    My reason for letting the dealer do it will probably start a debate as well. :p

    We purchased the extended warranty, up to 7 yrs., so I will let the dealer do all maintenance on the car. That way there is documentation for all work done and should any warranty work be needed, there will be no question whether the vehicle was properly maintained. :cool:

    SCH-I535
     
    #10 xliderider, Dec 6, 2013
  11. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    My reason for purchasing the extended warranty is the fact that the Prius hybrid Synergy Drive System is a complex piece of engineering and electronics, so any major component failures are bound to make the warranty worth it as we intend to keep the car for a while.

    SCH-I535
     
    #11 xliderider, Dec 6, 2013
  12. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    that's a good reason :)
     
    #12 NutzAboutBolts, Dec 6, 2013
  13. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I would drop the car off at the dealer and pick it up with all the work done right, but I know my dealer.
     
    #13 JimboPalmer, Dec 6, 2013
  14. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    But do you know every single tech that works on the cars at your dealer?

    SCH-I535
     
    #14 xliderider, Dec 6, 2013
  15. -1-

    -1- Don

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    :confused:Common, unacceptable problem. I've had this issue with VW and Mercedes dealer service. ALWAYS check for the proper oil level after ANY oil change, BEFORE leaving the dealer. I always do a quick walk around to verify any damage when I drop it off and when picking up..
     
    #15 -1-, Dec 6, 2013
  16. Mr.Electric

    Mr.Electric Member

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    I don't think you have to worry about correct oil level since it is so easy to verify yourself. I would worry about competence of service on something more difficult like a head gasket or transmission rebuild. I see your point about documenting service. It is a difficult issue. A receipt from jiffy lube counts but they are far less trust worthy than the dealer.
     
    #16 Mr.Electric, Dec 6, 2013
  17. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    No, I know the only tech that works on hybrids at my dealer. And I know his days off.
     
    #17 JimboPalmer, Dec 6, 2013
  18. sprtent

    sprtent Member

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    I would put a polite note on the jug itself telling the tech to let you take .75 quarts home for your spouse's car, which in need of a top-off (y)
     
    #18 sprtent, Dec 6, 2013
  19. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Lol, I was actually going to put a note on the cover of the jug to leave 1 qt in the jug and leave for owner. However, I looked at the mileage on the car and this is only the 25k service, which doesn't include an oil change. :p

    SCH-I535
     
    #19 xliderider, Dec 6, 2013
  20. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    The engine evidently runs better at the "middle" mark on the dipstick, which is about four quarts.

    The "overfill" and the "underfill" marks are LIMITS. I check my oil often and keep it between the two marks.

    More is NOT better.


    I'd fill all the way to the top mark only of the engine is a leaker or a burner.
     
    #20 Mike500, Dec 6, 2013
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