Is oil change part of 5k "free" service?

Oil/filter is not part of 5K.

 

The 'free' service includes only two oil changes, and three other visits for tire rotation. When I asked, visits could not be taken out of sequence, but I was allowed to take the oil changes early by foregoing the prior tire-only visits. So, because I generally get the first couple new car oil changes early, I had two oil changes, plus one separate tire rotation, then was going to my preferred independent shop for oil changes at my own expense before 25k miles. The other two tire-only visits were flushed away.

 

Smart move to change out first oil/filter early. I still do both every 5,000 miles...but that's another discussion/arguement.

 

They just do a tire rotation at 5,000. At 10,000 they do oil and filter change plus tire rotation.

 

There are various solutions/solvents made for "flushing", though used more for high mileage and neglected.

 

i had them do my first free oil change at 5,000, then the second at 15,000. it makes no never mind to them, you get two free, and that's it.

 

It seems that Toyota is trying to get a handle on oil gelling issues with their engines. At the two "free" oil changes, Toyota uses synthetic oil to stop this from happening.
It is better to pay for oil changes than ANY engine work. This builds rapport with the customers that the dealership service department is not going to rip them for money. And if you start with synthetic oil you are more likely to get this oil again.
Our family has had seven Toyota products in the past ten years. We have used Mobil 1 at the dealer with zero problems in any of these vehicles.
My advise is to use synthetic oil for long term durability and less maintenance cost (no out of warranty repairs).

 

I had quite a discussion with my service adviser.......TWO of them in fact.......trying to get them to understand that the first 2 oil changes were complimentary and it really makes NO difference what mileage I decide to "cash in my coupons", as it were.

I did my first at 5K and am approaching the second one at 15K. I did not do a visit in between. I strongly suspect this will confuse the crap out of them.

 

The cost for an oil change varies quite a bit. My dealer will perform an oil and filter change for $19.95 and the oil is synthetic. They also do a safety check and rotate the tires while changing the oil!!! I'm sure they do it to get the customer to come back for service. It works for me, what they charge is less then I can change the oil for and they really provide excellent service. Additionally, I really like my C2. Life is good.

 

Good deal. I would take that for as long as I could get it.

 

At 5000 miles I paid for the oil and filter change. Then let Toyota Care pay since then.

Not going to debate the value of doing it or NOT doing it. I've never owned a new car where I waited as long as 10,000 miles for the first oil change, and I just couldn't do it with The Prius.

 

A few people have reported success arguing for it at their dealer. Been doing 10k OCI since 2003 when Honda recommended it on a Civic. The 5k mile dealer visit wasn't a total waste for me, I had them turn off the reverse beep. 2 years later, I'm still pissed the service advisor said he can't turn off the reverse beep. Then while I'm gathering the strength to argue, he says he can do one beep. Jerk.

 

i got the 'we can't do it at 5,000' too. told him thanks, i'll go to another dealer. got the 'wait, let me talk to my service adviser'. then came back with the 'okay, we can do it'. not too happy about it though. must be like working at the dmv, a lot of grumpy people.

 

is that a bad thing?