First Service

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

Hi All,
I would like some opinions regarding the first service for a V6. We could possibly be signing up for a Prado this week depending on a few small items but I have a question regarding the first service (1500km). Would one consider it acceptable to complete approx 800-1000km of city driving then drive from Sydney to Surfers Paradise and either
A) have it serviced on the Gold Coast by Toyota (if we can get it in) or
B) drive it home and have it serviced by the selling Toyota dealer.

I suppose it would have approx 1600-2200km by the time it gets to Qld and add another approx 1000km by the time it gets home. Also is the first service complimentry, it's only a check over anyway isn't it.

I tried several searches as I thought I remembered reading something regarding this in the last 12 months but to no avail.

All replies appreciated.

[metro09 Member Find all posts View Profile Close metro09]

Re: First Service

I had my 1st service just before putting 2,500kms on via a round trip from Brisbane to Longreach.

From what I saw, the first 'service' was merely a lookover, maybe tighten up a thing or two and tighten up the handbrake (my request) but they didn't do anything else like fluids, oils etc etc etc.

Mine is a D4D but I doubt it would be any different on a v6

Oh - and from what I read, this service is due anywhere between 1,500 and 5,000 kms.

[two+four Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close two+four]

Re: First Service

We picked up our V6 just over a month ago.

The dealer told us the (free) first service can be done anytime up to 5000Km, but closer to 1000 is preferred. So you should be fine, they do recommend changing the oil and filter but it is not essential. If you get them to do this they will charge you for the filter and oil but the labour is free. That was how it worked with us anyway.

Enjoy

[whiteman Member Find all posts View Profile Close whiteman]

Re: First Service

I didn't even bother taking mine in (D4D). It is due for its 1st service at 10k real soon. This is my 4th Prado and the other 3 (petrol) were waste of trips leaving it with the dealer for the day to do probably nothing.

[tileys Member Find all posts View Profile Close tileys]

Re: First Service

I think it's wise to take it for the first service otherwise you'll have a gap in your service record and potential buyers secondhand will look at that negatively and think something like - "If they couldn't even be bothered to take it for a minor service then how well has the car been looked after"...I know I did when I was looking secondhand. You don't have much to form an opinion on as to exactly how a car's been looked after apart from that service record unless you're a pretty savvy mechanic yourself. (or you take one along... ) There are so many cars to pick from on the used market that given the choice of two otherwise identical vehicles the one with all the stamps in the book at a good dealership is likely to more saleable.

I talked to a few dealers who said that even for free first services they were often skipped with the perception being that it was a 'have the wheels fallen off' service. I imagine though that it gives the dealers a good chance to spot anything nasty early on before it gets too expensive to fix up.

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

Re: First Service

If you want to get the service done at the Gold coast , Grand Motors have 2 service centres, one at Southport and the other at Harbourtown (northern end).

I have never had any trouble booking in for a service with one or two days notice.

Their telephone number 07 5583 6888

[Black Prado Chick Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Black Prado Chick]

Re: First Service

I just booked in my 10,000km service for the 20th of december....
They said it is going to take an hour and a half so I figure they wont be doing too much to it, just changing oil ect....