Dealer Loyalty or Super Quick Lube?

I go to whichever dealer is running the best service special. Last time I paid $40 for oil/filter service (including synthetic oil premium). I can't imagine the chain quick lube places would be much cheaper.

And I wouldn't let any dealer or quick lube place wash my car.

 

I change the oil myself

 

I've been taking it to the dealer, because I got some coupons for free oil changes (10k and 20k) and tire rotations at 5k intervals.

When it comes time for the 30k service, I will go to my highly dependable, independant repair place for all regular service.

 

The only time I use the dealer for my oil change is when I have those free Oil Lube coupons from them, given as gifts from certain dealer events. I'm down to my last one.

Other than that, you should never have to pay more than $20 for an oil change, even for synthetic oil. There are auto shops always giving deals, all dying for your business. You just gotta do your homework, search Yelp a bit, and be on the lookout for coupons in your mail or newspaper.

 

+1. Always the right oil, always the correct amount, always the right Toyota filter. No cross threading the drain plug. But if I did not do it, my local Toyota dealer would be the pick.

 

I see you're also in the bay area. Where did you get your oil & filter changed (with 0W-20 synthetic) for $20? Sounds too good to be true to me, especially in the bay area.

 

You can't even find good quality oil for our cars for 20$. If this person is getting an oil change at that price they are not getting the correct oil!!!!!!

 

I've had mine for a little over a week, but when I hit 10k (probably 5k to make it worthwhile) I'll go back to the dealer for it. I've got the 2 year free maintenance as part of my package.

 

I use Pensoil 0-20 and it is 9.50 per ltr. and Toyota filter. Do it myself once per year for $40. H

 

Dealer. It helps to have a good relationship with them should you run into an issue later on with a grey area.

 

I can't wait to prove you naysayers wrong! Hehehe.

Firestone Sunnyvale - Had a deal for $19.95 regular oil change. Unfortunately, it expired Oct 4. Firestone Tire & Service Centers - Sunnyvale, CA

Savings Auto Care. Under $20. Always. $15 with coupons/deals. http://www.yelp.com/biz/savings-auto-care-moutain-view

Allied Auto Works - Free Oil change for first time customers (I used this one already and I'm never going back [cause its very expensive otherwise, LOL). They even gave me synthetic! http://www.alliedautoworks.com/grant_road_location.shtml Coupon is on the website.

Speedy Oil Change - $15 off their regular $40. That's a $25 oil change, not bad... Speedee Oil Change & Tune-Up - Sunnyvale, CA

Penzzoil Speed Oil Change - current special $25 Pennzoil Speed Oil Change Center - Sunnyvale, CA


These are just a few I know/found. FYI I live in the South Bay. $20-30 oil changes are nothing unusual for our cars. These aren't BMW $200 oil changes.

BTW, Dealer loyalty means nothing in today's market. Oil is the same everywhere.

 

Comments in red below.

Other than the free oil change you got from Allied, none of the other appear to be for synthetic.

So--other than that one-time event, where have you had an oil/filter service, with synthetic oil, done for $20?

Giving us a list, with links that don't seem to verify the low price is for synthetic oil (just the opposite, in fact), isn't very convincing, since you know what happens--you get to the place, remind them you need synthetic oil, and they go right to the up-charge (99% of oil service special ads I've seen say synthetic oil excluded).

FYI--the 2010 Prius takes 4.5 quarts, and the synthetic oil is about $15 ($3/qt) more expensive than conventional oil. Some places try to charge a $25 - $40 upcharge.

 

Disagree.
I have a nice relationship with the local Toyota shop, they know me by first name and are willing to let me watch and ask dumb questions while they do the oil change. Not only do I get to make sure everything is done to my liking, but I also get to learn a little bit more about the Prius.
It's a great two-way (key word) relationship and worth a few extra bucks.

 

LOL, ok tough guys. A nice Thank You would suffice.

Go ahead and keep spending big bucks for your oil changes then. Yeah the ZVW30 requires synthetic. My only point was, you gotta look for the deals.

You can have a "nice" relationship with other auto shops too, who said it had to be the dealer.

 

Well...that's not exactly what you said.

This is what you said, which you haven't been able to substantiate:

Still waiting for an answer:

 

I work for a multi line dealership and can say first hand this is usually true

 

It has nothing to do with dealer loyalty, it has everything to do with the abysmal record of the quicky places. They aren't much (if any) cheaper than some dealers. I agree it is important to look for bargains, but I prefer to deal with the same place and if it is close, I will go with the dealer, who will help me prove that I did maintain the car properly if it gets broke!

 

I generally buy my own oil & filter(s), then take them down to a local quick lube place. Generally I do this because a lot of places overfill it and many times don't have the type of oil I want. I pre-measure out 4.5 quarts Mobil 1 0W-20 and use a Toyota filter.

They charge me about $25 for the disposal & labor.

 

When I was buying my Prius (March 2010) Toyota had a promo giving away 2 year free maintenance. Of course I change oil at the dealer: clean, bright and spacious waiting rooms, decent Keurig coffee, fast Wi-Fi, snacks. And you can get out and gawk at all these new Priuses, different colors than yours and think -- *what if....* Why not? Seriously -- I had Camrys for the last 20 years and always tried to change oil at a dealer: the same price (with coupon) as at a generic place, but comfort and treatment are way so much better. Life is short, guys -- live it with comfort.