Do you change your own oil or have Toyota service center do it?

[MIkeSD]

Do you guys change your own oil, or do you just take it to a Toyota service center?

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[127.0.0.1]

4runner is easy as pie to do myself,
(my tacoma is even easier it's filter is on top of engine)

I do my own except 10,000 and 20,000 which is free.

otherwise, change it myself and save the oil and filter receipts
in the glovebox for some type of record keeping.

bring the old used oil to the local car parts place and dump it in
their tank, also free.

 

[MikeD]

First change used free one at dealer at 4.5k miles (brought in for free 5K service but used 10K service)
Next at 9K next week and then at 13 & 16 will do myself. Then 20K free service, then all on me.
I've been convinced by other threads to go for the 3-5 K change interval.
Bought 6 filters on Amazon for $30 - amazingly inexpensive.
But the Toyota oil is not cheap - got 12 quarts for a bit over $10/quart. And that is only 2 changes worth.... but will stick with OEM oil unless I get convinced that another brand is just as good (I'm no expert).

 

[shine]

Same as localhost above. It's quicker for me to change my own oil than taking it to a dealer or a mechanic.

Picked up what I need before I hit 10,000 when I picked up the vehicle.

0W20 Motor Oil - Genuine Toyota Motor Oil - 6 Quart Case Part Number: 00279-0WQTE-6S	3	$104.55
Genuine Toyota Oil Filter - Canister Oil Filter Part Number: 90915-YZZN1	5	$21.40
Oil Drain Plug Gasket Part Number: 90430-12031	5	$6.55

 

[SouthCoast]

I did my first change. I'll also do all the following changes. I'm not concerned with them doing the 10/20k services, unless I specifically tell them NOT to change the oil. I don't trust the dealer, plus, I installed a fumoto drain valve. I know the mechs will find some way to screw that up.

Switched to Mobil 1 hybrid 0w20 for the change as well.

 

[dirtwheeler]

I did the first one myself to inspect the oil, then took advantage of the free oil changes at 5K and 10K miles. They took so long to do the oil change at the dealership last time that I'm now wondering if free is worth it! I'll do my own oil changes after they stop being free -- not sure when that is.

 

[The_Dark_Knight_Forever]

I'm seriously considering changing my own oil. I'm an average sized male. I have no lift kits installed so mine is at stock ground clearance.
Can anyone here tell me if it can be done properly without the need for jacking up the 4Runner or without using ramps if parked on level ground?

 

[SouthCoast]

I'm seriously considering changing my own oil. I'm an average sized male. Can anyone here tell me if it can be done properly without the need for jacking up the 4Runner or without using ramps if parked on level ground?

I did mine in the garage, with the rear wheels outside the garage and down the 1.5-2" elevation change from the garage to the driveway. No jacks were necessary. I'm 6'4 220 for reference...

 

[127.0.0.1]

fwiw no one needs any type of lift, ramp, or jack. just clothes you
don't mind getting grungy

set Park, set parking brake,
get on your back and slide under there
easy peasy.

 

[6thGen1419]

Do you guys change your own oil, or do you just take it to a Toyota service center?

I am going to change the oil myself (I've only done one change so far) and then have Toyota do the scheduled oil changes as part of Toyota Care.

 

[onlywayman]

Running boards and chin strap make it tight but doable on level ground to access skid and oil filter
I take off passenger side mud flap to access oil drain plug and turn wheel all the way to left no lifting vehicle.

 

[Captain_Hook]

I had a bad experience with my 89 Corolla after a shop changed the oil. They left the oil filler cap off and oil spilled everywhere in the engine bay. Since then, just been doing them all myself.

 

[dirtwheeler]

I had a bad experience with my 89 Corolla after a shop changed the oil. They left the oil filler cap off and oil spilled everywhere in the engine bay. Since then, just been doing them all myself.

I had a shop leave the cap off too - on an older Jeep. I've had a few other crazy things like that happen in shops - even shops I still like. I still have to weigh my time, space, tools, skills, and money - you're always rolling the dice on something. I used to think oil changes were one of those things worth paying someone else to do, but I'm on the fence with this one. If they can't remember to put the cap back on, it's likely other things are getting overlooked.

 

[The_Dark_Knight_Forever]

I had a shop leave the cap off too - on an older Jeep. I've had a few other crazy things like that happen in shops - even shops I still like. I still have to weigh my time, space, tools, skills, and money - you're always rolling the dice on something. I used to think oil changes were one of those things worth paying someone else to do, but I'm on the fence with this one. If they can't remember to put the cap back on, it's likely other things are getting overlooked.

 

[AdFour]

I had a shop leave the cap off too - on an older Jeep. I've had a few other crazy things like that happen in shops - even shops I still like. I still have to weigh my time, space, tools, skills, and money - you're always rolling the dice on something. I used to think oil changes were one of those things worth paying someone else to do, but I'm on the fence with this one. If they can't remember to put the cap back on, it's likely other things are getting overlooked.

Had a friend that lost an engine due to them forgetting to tighten the oil drain screw. By the time he found out it was too late. He managed to drive it there and after much haggling they told him to stop harassing them or they'll call the cops so he had to tow his car out of there.

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