Do your own maintenance?

That's freakin crazy! Oh get lemme just forget the important things.

 

You may as well ask why people go to restaurants to order food they could make at home.

 

Doesn't DIY servicing invalidate your warranty in the US ?
It's difficult to prove that the vehicle has been serviced without a receipt from a garage or service centre.

 

That's a sticky question. I've heard mention of legislation (in the 'States) to ensure you DO have the right to DIY, as long as you keep receipts and half-decent records.

When I've gone in to Toyota parts department to pick up supplies for an oil change, I've been told something along the lines of "Doing your own oil change? Cool, just keep your receipts."

One thing I do, might help: I buy everything required for a single job, in one pop from the Dealership's parts department, close to the time I'm gonna do it. Then I note the km's and date on the bill when I do the job. I also keep an electronic record.

 

You keep good records. Those records would would suffice for DIY in the U.S. for warranty protection. Be a good idea to also enter your DIY work on the Toyota Owners website.

 

There's no such thing as "invalidating" or "voiding" a warranty, ask any lawyer. Toyota has to demonstrate that a repair was caused by the owner's action or inaction - to refuse to cover it. Even a personal log of DIY maintenance is adequate if supported by some receipts.

But all you're really talking about here is oil changes, what other maintenance is there? When's the last time anyone heard of a oil-related engine failure in a Prius that's still under warranty?

 

Unfortunately (or not), in Canada owners can't enter data.

 

There are other online sites besides Toyota.com like Carfax.com (may have to be a member there). But I bet there are other free ones. Worst case, you can log in an Excel spreadsheet.

 

You will never miss it.

 

I log maintenance in a .txt file. Old as dirt, lol.

 

There is no need to keep receipts. That is just wrong. For example, I buy my supplies in bulk - a case of 5.1 L (or quart, I forget) Mobil1, a six pack of filters, and I'm good for ages. Does anyone think having proof that at some point I spent a bunch of money on supplies, which by the way I use for two different vehicles, I just use different filters, shows anything? No it doesn't. As rdgrimes said, they would have to show that a problem was caused by something you did. About the only things you can actually do wrong are 1) too much oil, 2) forget to close the drain plug or tighten the filter, 3) grossly wrong oil, 4) never change the oil. Within reason we ALL change the oil much more than is needed and if you are using synthetic, which you should be, probably by a factor of 2x or more.

 

Nsfbr, I know what you're saying. Buy case lots of oil, maybe for multiple vehicles, get oil filters in bulk: it's no longer practical to maintain "per maintenance" receipts.

I make my purchases just enough, just in time, all on one bill, with dealership's letterhead, because it works for me. It might give me an edge in a warranty claim, and it costs me near nil to stage purchases that way.

I do oil changes on our son's Honda similarly, get just what I need, all on one bill, through a local Honda dealership.

But I agree, shouldn't be a necessity, just my obsession.

 

Toyota had an eruption of oil sludged engines several years ago and got quite ruthless about the proof of oil change thing.

This might vary by dealer (if you have one who'll go to bat for you) but it's good to be cautious.

 

Keeping the receipts only proves that you purchased oil and a filter. It does not prove that you changed the oil within the recommended time frame. I have a spreadsheet where I keep all of my mileage and maintenance info, including the mileage when I changed the oil. Again, after the warranty period expires this is a moot point.

 

I wouldn't say it's moot. As a potential buyer of a used car, I'd be encouraged by a significant cache of maintenance records.

 

I like the log for my knowledge as much as anything.

 

This was a long time ago. I had a 1998 Camry, when the sludge problems occurred in the engine. I was told at that time by a Toyota Rep that a DIY person would only need to keep a log concerning oil changes as proof of oil changes in the event of a problem. I told him I changed my oil every 3,000 miles. He told me I would not have a problem, that the problems were caused by people who don't change their oil. He gave me an example. A woman told the Rep she had not changed her oil in 14,000 miles. She just could not find the time to do it. I drove my Camry 135,000 miles. No engine problems.

 

I was only referring to Toyota's obligation.

 

Ah...gotcha.

 

The old saying "if you want it done right, do it yourself" holds true. I teach all my Grand kids how to change their oil and filter, how to change a tire, how to listen to their car and what different sounds tell them. One Grand daughter hit a curb and damaged the axle and engine cradle and was able to replace it all with some help and guidance and parts from Ebay. She was able to save the car from being totaled and is still driving it and gained lots of self confidence in the process. In my opinion the more you know about your car the better off you are. At least when you have to take it in to a shop you will know what is going on and not get ripped off. Just my 2 cents worth!