First Oil Change

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FloridaWen @ Sep 29 2007, 01:46 PM) [snapback]519124[/snapback]</div>

As the service manager, shouldn't you have fired the goof-ball instead of watching him make all those mistakes?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(thehabs @ Oct 3 2007, 09:32 PM) [snapback]520941[/snapback]</div>

The place was owned by a rich, stingy, old man who smiled at everyone and stabbed them in the back as they passed by. HE (or his Daughter) were the ONLY ones that could hire or fire employees. A day never went by that he didn't give me some sort of "grief" or yell at me......... I needed the money, ate "crap" at the junk job..... the last thing I could ever do in that "Hell-hole" was to even recommend that a "lax" worker be "given a talkin' to" never the less get that person "fired" on my own !! Things we do for money, huh ??
:blink:

 

Okay, I'll bite.

What's the issue with the oil reservoir? I'm lost.
1) Why the debate on 3.5 vs 3.9?
2) What is the result of filling it beyond the fill line and has anyone actually experienced it?
3) How often does the oil/filter need to be be changed if the motor's only running 60% (or whatever) of the time?

Also, if you drain it, change out the filter and put synthetic in, is it necessary to change so often? ESPECIALLY if the motor's not running constantly?

I'm getting ready to take delivery on the 15th and reading this forum's making me less confident in the manufacturer, the product and the hype.

Oh, and one more question from a skeptic: Has anyone gone BACK from a hybrid to ICE due to dissatisfaction? How about after 4 years?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FloridaWen @ Oct 3 2007, 08:44 PM) [snapback]520953[/snapback]</div>

Yeah - I guess that's why they call them "jobs". If they were fun, it wouldn't be work. Can you imagine getting to get up and go play all day instead of working?!?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(skguh @ Oct 4 2007, 02:46 PM) [snapback]521297[/snapback]</div>

The debate is that 3.9 qts slightly overfills past the full line on the dipstick where 3.5 gets it just right. Although the slight overfill isn't very harmful it will shorten the life of some of your emission components as some of that oil gets blown out the exhaust and over time gums up things like the O2 sensor. Some also say it will lower your FE slightly. I actually only use 3 qts when I change because it takes it up to exactly half way between the min and full line on the dipstick.
The scheduled maintenance requirements specify oil change intervals of 5000 miles. The engine still probably runs more than 60 % of the time, and is always turning regardless when over 41 MPH. I use synthetic and I agree that with synthetic you can get away with a longer change interval, especially when combined with a quality filter, but while I am in the warranty period I will stick to Toy's required maintenance schedule just to be safe in case any problems develop. The only way I am going back to a conventional vehicle will be if my needs change. I can tell you right now though I would seriously consider a hybrid Tacoma extended cab especially if I could get 40 MPG + out of it and if it were competitively priced.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(morpheusx @ Oct 4 2007, 10:40 PM) [snapback]521550[/snapback]</div>

Good plan--and thanks for the viewpoint. I'm excited about taking delivery and am in this primarily for the cash-at-the-pump-factor right now. My son is in an automotive mechanical engineering program--figure this is at least a PORTION of the future and I probably need to embrace it at some point.
Thanks again.
S