Scheduled service at Toyota or not?

[Grey Nomad Member Find all posts View Profile Close Grey Nomad]

Hi all

Hey Matt, I don't even want to think about that :?
Re my previous post and rear diff capacity. Today I received a call from the service manager and he states that the Prado rear diff takes 2.4 to 2.5 litres of oil during a change. When I pointed out that both the owner's handbook and the Toyota CD manual indicated 3.05 litres, he said that is what they would take when empty, such as new or rebuilt.

Now, my question is can anybody tell me how much oil it actually took them to do an oil change?

Cheers - John

[MattWhite Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MattWhite]

Glad someone replied, was starting to think everyone was too disgusted to reply.
I just want to clarify something before I lose all respect and friendship on PP. I don't condone charging for parts or labour not fitted. I don't consider changing the reservoir fluid a brake fluid flush nor is changing the coolant in the overflow bottle a coolant flush. If someone suplied some specific oil for their vehicle I would endeavour to use it. I was more just pointing out that honestly, gear oils supplied in a little container is so time consuming. I'm not saying it is right, more just curious why you'd supply oil, especially gear oil. It's your right by all meens, just giving a different view, thats all.

Matt

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

I knew what you meant, Matt. Your comments were valid.

[IRON-PAWW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close IRON-PAWW]

DISGUSTING!! How can you live with yourself!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: just messing......

I'm sure you're right Matt. Workshops are generally set up with large capacity drums fitted with pumps that the mech's use to quickly pump out the oil required. To remove a pump, clean it, and stick it in another drum is time consuming and messy to boot. It'd certainly be extra stuffing around for them. However, the customer is paying for the service, and reputable mechanics I'm sure would use supplied oil if you asked. At the end of the day, I suppose you go with a mechanic you trust.

In such a fast paced world, where only the tick box items are covered. I guess I'm not fully surprised at Nomad's story. The car went in, the boxes were ticked and it was called done. In and out quick as they can. I think it's just a symptom of large high volume workshops. I certainly give my Prado a quick check before I drive off. Gets you some looks but it beats getting home and discovering a problem.

[clifton Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close clifton]

Hi Matt,
I fully agree with you regarding a business not using off the shelf retail containers of gear oil Vs pneumatic bulk lub oil pumps with totalisers you can do it in a fraction of the time with good accuracy.
Time is money for all businesses.

[Grey Nomad Member Find all posts View Profile Close Grey Nomad]

Hi all

I received my refund cheque from XX Toyota today. It is good to see that something has come good out of a disappointing scenario. BTW, the reason I supplied the diff and gearbox oils was that I wanted to KNOW what is in there. I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to my vehicle which is more than just a buggy to get me to work and back. It tows my home for months at a time.

Cheers - John

PS I am still waiting for a PP to advise me of the amount of oil required to do a rear diff oil change and not just quote the 3.05 litres that the books state.

[Bob P Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bob P]

I bought new locally and the experience was very nice, the first service was done very well, the 10K service was became hard work getting the "service" department to a) return any calls, b) answer any emails or c)indeed fill me with any confidence and now I'm approaching the 20K service.
All the big name local service outlets have been very informative and prompt in responding and then the local Toyota "service"department eventually responded with a price approaching twice that of the competition.........
Much as I would love to see a Toyota stamp in the service book I'm struggling to find reasons why I should...............

[chimma Member Find all posts View Profile Close chimma]

my recent experience, names omitted. Metro Melbourne

ATT: Service Manager,
Cust # XXXX
Doc # XXXXXXXXXXX

I am emailing to express my concerns about the 160,000k service preformed on my 2006 GXL Petrol 6sp Manual Prado on Mon 23rd Dec.

I am aware and accept the 160,000k is a major service for the Prado with a high price tag to go along with it, and on the 23rd I arrived just before 9am to drop the car off (I was late as I had agreed to drop it off at 8am).

XXXX was the service adviser, who outlined some of the details of the service, $1400 cost, restating it was a major service, and he also suggested an injector clean, of which I agreed to. He also asked if it was possible to hold the Prado overnight - unfortunately with no reason why (I had assumed it was due to being a very busy time, me being a bit late and being a major service that maybe more time was required – and yes I should have asked why!) Having to pickup up a guest from the airport at midnight, this was not possible. After my own research, I suspect that the reason to hold the vehicle overnight was to perform a "cold start" for the “valve clearances” check? Either way the overnight requirement should have been discussed with me at the time of booking the Prado in for the service, as I would have agreed to this.

Around 4.30pm I was called, told the Prado was ready and if I could “make it by or before 5pm”. I met with XXXX just around 5pm, he offered me a seat and nothing was mentioned whilst I sat with and watched him staple several papers together for 3-5mins. When he was ready and spoke to me, it was about the brake / wheel test results, tyre condition, oils changed and the total which came to $1510. I asked if the mechanics had mentioned anything to be “concerned about” or “notice anything”, no was the response with a shake of the head…. Not that I was expecting anything in particular, although a vehicle with 169,000k which has never had a problem since purchased from new, there is the thought of some wear and tear occurring with the possible “you may need to consider X at the next service or “be wary of…” and what of the oil stains on the underbody of the engine I had noticed? mmm anyway, payment made and with the level of trust I place in your service dept, I walked out without checking over the vehicle, hopped in and drove off.

On arriving home, I ran my eyes over the Prado, knowing that some items needed replacing;
• wiper blades (all) - especially the rear as the rubber blade had ripped,
• aircon filter - which was missing and this occurred from my last visit to your service dept - which I choose not to mention then as I was not charged for a new filter, your service dept just never put back the old one back in!,
• rubber bumper/stopper on the inside top of the back /rear door - it has worn so much from closing that it is broken through – very, VERY obvious,
• lubrication of the door hinges, rear door hinges, no lube,
• the appearance of the same oil stains on the underbody of the engine.

After paying $1,500.00 for a major service, one would have thought that these basic items would have been picked up visually and be replaced and / or a report for the oil appearance noticed during the so called inspection. But no, to my surprise and disappointment sadly, they were exactly in the same state from when I dropped the vehicle off in the morning.

Now I am no mechanic, but think the Prado would have been hoisted for the oil change and brake check; thus it was impossible to not notice the oil stains on the underside of the engine.

So then, why is there no report or mention of the appearance of oil on the underside of the engine?

Which now leads me to question if the Prado really was inspected during the service?

What non-obvious items too me were then supposedly “checked” or “inspected” as part of the 160,000k service requirement which were not?

So did I just pay for an extremely expensive oils change? It appears so.

The following day I went to Bursons Auto Parts and purchased new Bosch windscreen wipers (thanks to PradoPoint!)

I have never questioned my loyalty to the brand after becoming a proud Prado owner in 2006 with a vehicle that has been trouble free. Sites like PradoPoint and LCOOL reinforce the choice I made in purchasing the quality and reliability of the Land Cruiser range and the commitment of the owners to the Toyota brand.

Reluctantly, for the first time I have to question trust.

I trust Toyota and your service dept only to carry out the servicing of my Prado in order to assist me to maintain my vehicle in top running order to provide me years of continued driving pleasure.

Unfortunately from this experience, I question your service dept’s commitment to your customers and their vehicles.

I look forward to your reply in addressing my concerns,
A very disappointed Toyota customer

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

my recent experience, names omitted. Metro Melbourne

We heard you the first time