I recently paid $70 for an oil change and rotation of tires on my '07. It was my first oil change, and I insisted the tech use Mobil I 5W-30. It seemed a bit high for me, but that was my first syntheic oil change, as my previous car was an old 90's clunker. I am due to have my oil changed again next week as I am about to hit 10,000 miles. I trust that mechanic I normally use but don't want to get ripped off, nor do I want to go to the dealership as I feel they are even worse crooks. I guess I don't need the tires rotated again until I hit 15,000 miles, which would reduce the bill closer to $50. Any advice?? Brad Tampa Bay
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brad34695 @ Aug 23 2007, 09:38 PM) [snapback]501312[/snapback]</div> My dealer gave me coupon book so the first several oil changes are free. I did have the tires rotated at 5000 mi. It cost $22.00
I bring my own oil and only get charged labor. I only bring three and specify not to add any of their own, I'll top it off at home. That way I can be sure I won't be overfilled.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brad34695 @ Aug 23 2007, 05:38 PM) [snapback]501312[/snapback]</div> No, you did not get ripped off since you asked for Mobil 1 Synthetic. Of course there are ways to cut you costs such as going to a place that gives you free tire rotations. BTW If you want to use synthetic, don't use Mobil 1, just do a search online for the base stock they use. They use a base that really isn't synthetic.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moolman @ Aug 23 2007, 09:57 PM) [snapback]501329[/snapback]</div> WOW! Thanks. I have heard read so many posts saying that Mobil I was the best to use. I want to use the best oil for MPG and general care of the ICE. Which oil do you recommend?? Brad
Anything with the right API rating will be fine, if you change it on schedule. I use Mobil 1 but it's overkill.
You were RIGHT to request Mobil 1. I use Amsoil which is expensive too. Pure synthetics are superior in lube qualities as well as life. I run the Amsoil with Amsoil filters for up to 36000 miles or 12 months. My Insight has 156000 miles and still does not use any oil between changes.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moolman @ Aug 23 2007, 09:57 PM) [snapback]501329[/snapback]</div> Check with your local Goodyear dealer to see if they offer this. I was told recently by a Goodyear dealer that all Goodyear dealers are supposed to offer free rotation on Goodyear tires.
To buy Mobil1 here in the supermarket costs $50 for 5 litres. The dealership probably charges that for 3.5 litres of Mobil1.
I buy Mobile1 at my local auto parts store (Kragen's) for under $6 a quart. Tire rotation is free @ my goodyear tire dealers. You should NEVER have to pay $70 for the service you have described. OEM Toyota oil filters are less than $5 at the dealerships around here, or Fram filters are $3-4 @ auto parts stores. Were you ripped off? Yes, IMHO
Amsoil is the best. Especially the 2000 brand all synthetic. I go 35,000 between oil changes. 17,500 between filter changes, i know odd huh? and am on my third oil change. one Amsoil oil change will run you about $65 for the oil and filter buy then you are done for a year!
The reason to rotate tires is to even out the wear ... so the whole set last longer. If you pay $30 to rotate them on every oil change (5k miles), for the life of the set (50k miles), it will cost you $300. With at set of OEM tires $295 shipped from tire rack, it does not make sense to rotate every 5k miles. Tire rotation may not cost $30. To me, I wouldn't pay $75 (1/4 the cost of the new set) on the rotation for the life of the tires. From that I can say $15 per rotation every 10k miles is reasonable.
On tire rotation, you should be able to do that yourself in about an hour. Plus, almost every tire place now has lifetime rotation if you buy tires from them. At least that's the deal I got at Tire America.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Aug 24 2007, 07:31 AM) [snapback]501475[/snapback]</div> Would you trust a goodyear dealer to change your oil? I haven't reached my first oil change, and I'm almost scared to go anywhere but the dealer, in case they don't know how to work on the Prius. If advised to do so, I'd LOVE to go to the goodyear down the road from me and enjoy the free rotations along with the less expensive oil changes!
Apart from the electric side of the prius which requires no maintainance there is nothing especially different about a Prius. An oil change is so simple no one could get it wrong. Screw out drain plug remove old filter screw on new filter replace plug add 3 litres of oil Start engine Check oil level and top up to full mark. change window sticker Tyre rotation Lift car on hoist Remove all wheels Move front wheels to rear Move rear wheels to front, swap sides Bolt on wheels Lower car to the ground Check wheel nuts with a torque wrench. Always get a fixed price before work starts on your car.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Aug 24 2007, 09:05 PM) [snapback]501832[/snapback]</div> Have a question on the tire rotation.... Bought Goodyear TT's (great tires!) and its about that time for a tire rotation... Called the tire dealer and asked them if these particular tires would get back to front rotation or cross-over as you mentioned above. He said that they are "directional tires" and only get a back to front rotation. He said that usually 4x4 trucks, pick-up trucks have the cross-over rotation done. Any comment on that?
Typically the tires don't cross over during rotation; it's a simple front/back switch on each side. Those of us in the US add three quarts of oil, not litres, however the difference is only five percent (about 1.6 ounces).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ehash @ Aug 24 2007, 08:40 PM) [snapback]501829[/snapback]</div> It depends on the dealer and their track record. If they've proven reliable in the past, I might consider it. Even then I would still caution them about overfilling, and maybe, as others here suggest, bring my own 3 quarts of (synthetic) oil. But it's a moot point for me. I do my own oil changes.
