Oil Change Only at Dealership?

You pull out the dipstick afterwards and you noticed the same dirty oil in it.

 

Ah! Well, yes, so obvious now! (I do all my own, so never thought about it )

Thanks

 

It doesn't have to be a hybrid for a dealer (or any mechanic) to make mistakes. I've found oil that was barely up to the "add" mark after an oil change ('97 Mustang and '03 Cavalier), loose nuts on a timing belt cover after a belt/water pump change ('88 Escort), a marker light that was dangling by its harness under the car after the front end had been removed ('96 Taurus), and a nice pair of pliers left on top of the engine after some major fuel injection work ('97 Chevy pickup).

Mechanics are paid by the job, not by the hour and work on a dizzying variety of cars each day. Jobs like oil changes, tire rotations, brakes, etc., are great candidates for DIY because they will be done many times during the car's life. It may take a few special tools and some research, but that's only for the first time the job is done. On subsequent services it should be routine.

For repairs that will probably only be done once and are rather involved, mechanics may be a better option but visually check their work before you pay the bill if you can. Really, it can be as simple as opening the hood and looking for tools lying around or hoses/wires that weren't reconnected. And definitely check the oil level if it was changed.

 

The oil had the same odor and color as the old oil.
The drain plug was not disturbed and road grime was visible around it.
If the plug was removed I would have seen evidence of it.

 

Just to curl your hair more, I reported back in October (when doing my first DIY oil change) discovering that there was no filter element in the canister.
There's not much you can do to absolutely avoid this other than do it yourself or insist on being provided the used filter element as proof of proper service.

 

Sooner or later everyone makes mistakes. When you DIY you'll know who to blame.

One careless action or inaction didn't start with hybrid technology. Forgetting to remove something is a common source of damage and injury.

 

The world?

 

The last time I did an oil change on ours I JUST about forgot to put in the new filter: had the housing in my hand, had just slipped the new O-ring on, was thinking my-work-is-done...

The basic problem is it's very possible to do; nothing physically alerts you, stands in your way.

 

Well.....you are suppose to notice the filter somewhere around you if you didn't install it... That's pretty physical! Unless you don't clean up after yourself.

 

This is why I place the new filter on top of the radiator such that I cannot close the hood without noticing it.

 

I didn't even let the dealer do the free oil changes. Only thing I let them do is the software update. If you hire the cheapest labor available what quality of laborer do you expect?

The closest Toyota dealership to me is 30 minutes away which means an hour of driving and would probably eat lunch out. It is cheaper and quicker for me to do it myself. I can control the quality of the materials and labor.

 

We are talking oil changes right? Drain, change filter, refill. My 7 year old can do it

 

My 7 year old can't remember to flush the toilet half the time, lol.

 

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Exactly, always check your fluids and tire pressures before starting the car at any dealer.

If the dealer blows your engine they have to replace it. I will never change my own oil on a car under warranty or go to Wal-Mart.

Someone mentioned the problem with cars starting during an oil change. This is a real problem as the criminal they just let out of jail and got a job may think the car is off when it stops running. You need a lift for this car to do it right.

Laying in a ditch on your back is not for me. Maybe if I was 22.

 

I have had great service at my Toyota Dealer and at my Lexus Dealer, so it is not fair to lump all dealers as being crooked or doing poor work.

 

My point exactly. It is not the difficulty of getting under there, which I have no problem with. Because of a hearing loss I have acquired Ménière's disease which produces very profound vertigo symptoms. I will gladly pay the dealer (or independent when I find another good one) rates to avoid that mess.

 

Nonsense

I'm lucky to have a concrete slab at my current home, but a big piece of cardboard works great in keeping rocks from jabbing. I am 56 years old and I think a DIY oil change is trivial. I'll probably think different when I am 86.

 

x2...I'm 55....finally reached the speed limit.

 

No disease that I know of, but the vertigo symptoms are the same and not worth the savings. I can't do much plumbing work either.

 

If the vertigo is due to inner ear dysfunction, there are exercises that will extinguish the symptoms with practice.