I am glad I read the Service book first

[Hornet Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hornet]

My December 2007 D4D was due for a 36 months / 60 service this week.

So, naturally, I made a couple of calls to check current prices asking that I need a quote for the 60K service without going into too much of detail (as I was calling the dealerships only). Got my price I was happy with :x and made a booking.
However, before getting to the dealership this morning, I checked the service book to see what needs to be done at 60K / 36 month. All usual stuff but also, a fuel filter (on diesel models, dual fuel tank) had to be replaced.
The smiling young and pretty female assistant met me at the reception, and after usual hello/how have you been etc. proceeded to inform me with the scope of work for today's service. Listed everything but the said fuel filter replacement. I pointed out to her immediately that she omitted this very important item to which she replied that this fuel filter is not being replaced at 60K but at 80K service.
I politely pointed out that this item is in the Toyota service book. She asked me to show her that in the book to which I happily obliged. Without hesitation she said: " This is only for the cars fitted with dual tanks) as if she knew straight away which tank is fitted in my car . I said my car had a dual tank, to which the assistant replied: "whatever - this is going to be extra! I said to her no, this is not extra as I was given a price over the phone for the 60K service, not the itemised quote. So, from my point of view, everything in the service book is to be done for the price I was quoted by a dealership. She started again, it's extra, I should pay for the fuel filter replacement on top of the quoted price, etc. I firmly stated that the price given to me was a price for the scheduled service as per the book and I am not paying a cent more.
Anyhow, the girl said she had to take it with her service manager as the price I was given should not include a fuel filter replacement. Ten minutes later, now without a smile on her face, she said: "We'll do it for you", same price.
I was happy that this has been resolved as I felt that she did not have any grounds to skip on the fuel filter replacement charging me the same amount. This is the first time I have encountered such a hostile and unfriendly response from a service attendant especially knowing that I was right.
Lesson learned: always read the service book and make a copy of a tear-off slip before you entering a dealership for your car next service. I am glad that I did...

[VeeZeeSS Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VeeZeeSS]

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

Thanks Hornet,

Mine is booked in for the 60K on Friday... I will ensure they replace the filters

VZ

[Chriso57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chriso57]

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

Geez makes me feel so good knowing that I never have to deal with that sort of crap....

4 years of puss and pain, sweeping floors, mopping up spills and copping all the shit jobs as an apprentice mechanic really did pay off I suppose.

Never have to pay rediculous prices for sub standard quality work.

And NO, I dont do cash jobs anymore!

Chriso

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

Anyhow, the girl said she had to take it with her service manager as the price I was given should not include a fuel filter replacement. Ten minutes later, now without a smile on her face, she said: "We'll do it for you", same price.
..

...... So have you checked..... did they do it? :?:

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

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

What dealer?

[Hornet Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hornet]

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

..[/quote]

...... So have you checked..... did they do it? :?:[/quote]

The fuel filter is included in the invoice as well as the oil filter, oil, A/C filter, engine air filter etc.

[FC_Holden Member Find all posts View Profile Close FC_Holden]

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

..

...... So have you checked..... did they do it? :?:[/quote]

The fuel filter is included in the invoice as well as the oil filter, oil, A/C filter, engine air filter etc.[/quote]

Ah but did they do it just because you were charged for it does not mean they did it :roll:

[Hornet Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hornet]

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

[/quote]

Ah but did they do it just because you were charged for it does not mean they did it :roll:[/quote]

Following your logic, everyone should check if: oil, oil filter, aircon filter, engine air filter were changed, driveshafts re-greased...? How do you check if oil filter was changed, unless you mark it? Do you mark every bit in your car to see if it was replaced at some stage?
I assume the fuel filter was changed in my car as I was charged for the part and labour. Do you always check what was done on your car? If yes, good for you. If you don't, what's your point "Mr. sarcastic"? I just shared my personal experience with PP felow members warning everyone that it could happen.
There has to be some degree of trust in what the mechanics do at the service. Are you implying that I was (could have been) charged for the job they didn't do?

Some people are not as technically minded as you obviously are and cannot check everything by themselves. So are they all being ripped off by unscrupulous Toyota delership mechanics all over the country?
Man, I never thought that I may be ranting on the PP some day like that... :evil:

[Wil Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wil]

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

gen "Y"?

[whiteman Member Find all posts View Profile Close whiteman]

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

Hornet, thanks. My 60k is due in the next few months.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

Normally, I'd take the dealer's word that they completed the items listed on their invoice. But as you and the dealer did not start off the morning too well when you dropped off the car, I would doubt whether the dealer actually changed the filter.

In my last experience with the dealer (and it was the last), I complained of the car being intermittently hard to start. The prognosis was that the wrong spark plugs were installed when it was last changed. I had my doubts so I asked that they keep the old spark plugs as I'd like to see what they were. When I turned up to pick up the car, they had inadvertently emptied the bin. The following few days, the car became hard to start again. However, I have sinced worked out (through the advice of one PP member) that the problem was the key (possibly being low on battery). To cut the long story short, the hard to start issue was due to a particular key, not incorrect plugs as I can't believe incorrect plugs would still have everything running nice and normal. So I would never know if they changed the spark plugs or not.

So in the case of your fuel filter, you would never know that it was changed until you experience a problem relating to the fuel filter or until the next service requiring the replacement of the fuel filter where you can ask the mechanic to have a look at it and see if that filter has been in use for 60K or 120K.

[Hornet Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hornet]

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

Thanks Andrew, I see your point.
Unfortunately I cannot check my car now as my son went on a trip to NSW on the same day I had a car serviced. Once he is be back in 10 days I'll try to check the filter and see if it looks old or relatively new.
Does anyone know where I should look? Is it located underneath the car? Between tanks? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

[Hornet Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hornet]

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

What dealer?

PM sent

[FC_Holden Member Find all posts View Profile Close FC_Holden]

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

Thanks Andrew, I see your point.
Unfortunately I cannot check my car now as my son went on a trip to NSW on the same day I had a car serviced. Once he is be back in 10 days I'll try to check the filter and see if it looks old or relatively new.
Does anyone know where I should look? Is it located underneath the car? Between tanks? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Hornet
Sorry to upset ops: but I think Andrew may have put it more the right way as to what I was trying to get across, Anyhow below from search on forum and there are pictures further down the thread.
http://pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?...st=0&sk=t&sd=a

D4D Dual Tank Model Fuel Filters
by prado rob on Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:37 am

Hi Rusty, This has been a frustration with me for the past 12 months & believe the Toyota Service Depts. are ill informed. There are 2 in-line fuel filters; the most prominent is located in the engine bay, combination filter/water trap. The second (should this be the primary filter) is located above the rear drive shaft, between the 2 fuel tanks. This filter P/N 23300 30130 is the filter in my opinion that should be changed at 20K intervals for the reasons as follows: Item 3 in the Service Schedule calls for the replacement of the Fuel Filter (diesel models-dual fuel tank). Item 9 in the Schedule call to inspect the Water sediment accumulator (diesel models) which is the Filter/trap replaced in Item 3 & now new/clean! When questioned, the Service Depts. did not know a second filter was in the system & have never replaced it! Could not show me when this 2nd filter would be replaced in the Service Schedule! Believe this mystery filter cost approx. $80.00 & suspect difficult to replace due to its location. Is this the reason Mr. Toyota do not replace this filter? Will replace mine at the next service.Prado VX D4D Auto. Reworked to tackle the Aussie outback. Aussie springs & shocks, BFG's x 6, Polyair adjustable bags, dual batteries, snorkel, tow bar, drawer system, cargo barrier, removable false floor (when 2nd row of seats removed). fridge & slide, many 12V power outlets, UHF Radio with custom combination rear aerial mount & rear spot light. Owner of many 4WD's since 1984 & 4x4 club member

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Re: I am glad I read the Service book first

hornet wrote
Following your logic, everyone should check if: oil, oil filter, aircon filter, engine air filter were changed, driveshafts re-greased...? How do you check if oil filter was changed, unless you mark it? Do you mark every bit in your car to see if it was replaced at some stage?
I assume the fuel filter was changed in my car as I was charged for the part and labour. Do you always check what was done on your car? . I just shared my personal experience with PP felow members warning everyone that it could happen.
There has to be some degree of trust in what the mechanics do at the service. Are you implying that I was (could have been) charged for the job they didn't do?

There should be trust in your mechanic and i never check my regular mechanics work and have never had a single issue. However after paying for a service, that to this day no one can convince me that anything at all was done to my car (well known Toyota dealer in NT, FCholden is probably familiar with them). i now mark the filter, check for clean oil, and generally have a look to make sure if everything was done when getting a service away from home. Disappointing that i feel the need to, but better i check than get ripped off again.

Cheers Andrew