5k Maintenance

Virginia Beach Reds · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 07:03 AM

I just dropped my Seq off for its first service yesterday. It was supposed to be an oil/filter change, brake inspection and tire change. Well, I confirmed with the man behind the counter that they would rotate the tires. He shook his head in an affirmative manner. Well, when all said and done, I noticed the spare tire still has the 'new tire fringe' on it, suggesting that the either did not rotate the tires or the spare tire was not implemented into the mix. I believe I remember the manual saying that the spare be implemented. Can anyone confirm this? Also, the entire process only took about 20 minutes....

KLS · #2 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 11:58 AM

You don't need the brakes inspected at 5000. I'm not at all sure I'd have the tires rotated then, either. I keep a close eye on the condition of the tread, and I want to run the tires long enough in the same position to spot an unusual tire wear pattern. I'll get the problem fixed and not be in the situation of complaining about short tire life with no idea why. Why not find a good local independent repair shop that will do what you ask at a fair price. The dealerships usually do oil changes as loss-leaders to get folks into the habit of taking their repairs there, and folks feel the prices are fair. Then, the dealership packs unneeded work into the regular maintenance routines at a huge price.

The only time you ever need to return to a dealership is to have warranty repairs done at no cost to you.

Yes, five tire rotation if they all have the same wheels. When you buy new tires, put the tire in the best condition on the spare, valve stem down, and just check that air periodically.

Ken

Virginia Beach Reds · #3 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLS

You don't need the brakes inspected at 5000. I'm not at all sure I'd have the tires rotated then, either. I keep a close eye on the condition of the tread, and I want to run the tires long enough in the same position to spot an unusual tire wear pattern. I'll get the problem fixed and not be in the situation of complaining about short tire life with no idea why. Why not find a good local independent repair shop that will do what you ask at a fair price. The dealerships usually do oil changes as loss-leaders to get folks into the habit of taking their repairs there, and folks feel the prices are fair. Then, the dealership packs unneeded work into the regular maintenance routines at a huge price.

The only time you ever need to return to a dealership is to have warranty repairs done at no cost to you.

Yes, five tire rotation if they all have the same wheels. When you buy new tires, put the tire in the best condition on the spare, valve stem down, and just check that air periodically.

Ken

Thanks for the reply Ken....that makes sense.

The dealer in the Virginia Beach area from which I purchased the truck, provided free routine maintenance through 24k miles as an incentive to purchase. So, it didn't cost me anything. For an oil change, they charge 58.95 plus tax after 24k!!!

Johnnny Rock · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-2005, 02:13 AM

I know it says in the manual to put the spare tire into your rotation but I don't believe in that. I rotate the tires every oil change only because the oil is changed every 5 thousand miles now and if there is any excessive wear due to an alignment issue you will be able to tell after each oil change. I do bring my Sequoia to the dealer for ALL its work for a few reasons. One reason is if you bring your Toyota to any other place for an oil change they DO NOT change the washer around the drain plug at every oil change like they should, as a matter affect they never change it at all. (leads to those couple of drops of oil on the driveway where ever you leave your truck) Another reason is the oil changes at the dealer are cheep enough for me. And at the dealer they don't have to go digging threw my truck for the lug nut key, at the dealer they have a set of all of them. And the most important reason of all, my best friend is a service writer at the dealer I have my service done at. OK, with this said I have a little inside information for you. A 5000 mile service is nothing but an over priced oil change. There is nothing you could possibly do to brakes with only 5000 miles on them. All you should have to do to your truck is oil changes and maybe an air filter or two until you have enough miles for your first brake job. I do suggest you continue going to the dealer for oil changes and even your tire rotations for a few reasons. One reason is Toyotas work best with Toyota parts and any other shop won't spend the extra money for Toyota parts. The most important reason is just to have a relationship with your dealer and your service writer because unlike other dealers Toyota dealers service prices are NOT written in stone. Don't be afraid to ask for a better price on any service work you are having done because the writer CAN give it to you. And if you have a friendly relationship with your service writer you will be very surprised at what he or she can do for you. My friend that is a writer at my local Toyota dealership treats people exactly like the customer treats him. If he has someone come in and has a problem with their car or truck and he does not know him or her the first thing he does is looks in his computer and if the person is not in the computer they get slammed with high prices but if he or she is in the computer even just for oil changes he treats that person much better. The service writer has the power to find a way to cover just about ANYTHING under warranty so trust me you want to have a friendly relationship with him or her.

Duncanracing · #5 (**permalink**) 05-12-2005, 08:09 AM

I'm a little confused. I just purchased my Sequoia last week so please bear with me. I have always changed my own oil on every car I have owned and have never heard of replacing washers around the drain plug. Is this unique to Sequoias or newer Toyotas (I've never noticed it on previous Toyotas I've owned)? What is happening to this washer that would necessitate its replacement?

czechm8 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-12-2005, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncanracing

I'm a little confused. I just purchased my Sequoia last week so please bear with me. I have always changed my own oil on every car I have owned and have never heard of replacing washers around the drain plug. Is this unique to Sequoias or newer Toyotas (I've never noticed it on previous Toyotas I've owned)? What is happening to this washer that would necessitate its replacement?

That washer is sometimes referred to as a crush gasket. They are usually made of very soft aluminum and are designed to compress when the drain bolt is tightened to create a leak-proof seal between the oil pan and the drain bolt. They can sometimes be re-used, but since they are very inexpensive it is a good idea to stock up on them and replace it every time you change the oil. I have re-used them before and simply put a bead of RTV gasket sealer on them to ensure a tight seal.
I have since installed Fumoto drain valves in my vehicles to ease the process and never have to remove the drain plug again for an oil change.

Duncanracing · #7 (**permalink**) 05-12-2005, 10:41 AM

Thanks for the quick response. The crush gasket makes sense. Is this something only toyota dealers sell or can I buy it at AutoZone?

czechm8 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-12-2005, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncanracing

Thanks for the quick response. The crush gasket makes sense. Is this something only toyota dealers sell or can I buy it at AutoZone?

You should be able to get them at an Auto parts store. I have bought the assortment packs there before. Just make sure you take one with you to get the correct size. The last thing you want after you've drained all your oil is to find out you have the wrong size.
They really aren't that expensive. I used to just get the ones for my old Acura from the dealer at about $.50 each. Buy a half dozen at a time and string them on an old wire or twist tie and throw them in your toolbox so you dont' lose them. If you're heading the auto parts store, it never hurts to have a tube of high temp RTV at all times either.

KLS · #9 (**permalink**) 05-12-2005, 01:18 PM

There is always a gasket between the head of the drain plug and the surface of the oil pan. In many cases it either sticks to the plug or sticks to the pan. As said, often it is not changed. These gaskets can be aluminum, nylon, fiber, copper (not on aluminum pans), or neoprene inserted in a steel ring. They are not "crush" anything...they are gaskets even if they are metal.

It is easy, cheap, and smart to install a new gasket each time. Auto parts stores have gaskets available, you just need to know the size in advance.

Ken

wolfie410 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 05:44 PM

Can anyone identify this washer? I found it in the pan the I drain the oil into and thought it might be the drain plug washer, but it doesn't look like the correct size. Also, I checked and it appears that I am not missing the washer. It's possible that this could have been from a previous vehicle.

Attachment 31477

HOGWILD · #11 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Virginia Beach Reds

I just dropped my Seq off for its first service yesterday. It was supposed to be an oil/filter change, brake inspection and tire change. Well, I confirmed with the man behind the counter that they would rotate the tires. He shook his head in an affirmative manner. Well, when all said and done, I noticed the spare tire still has the 'new tire fringe' on it, suggesting that the either did not rotate the tires or the spare tire was not implemented into the mix. I believe I remember the manual saying that the spare be implemented. Can anyone confirm this? Also, the entire process only took about 20 minutes....

Ya suppose to keep same type wheel on each axle, in other words if you have all steel wheels you can do this, if you have 4 alloy and the spare is a steel wheel Toyota specifically states not to mix wheels on truck. It is in yellow warning box in owners manual! If you have all steel wheels the 5 tire rotation can be done. Myself i would be more concerned they over torqued them! Last 2 rotations i got from dealership were torqued above 150 Ft Lb when manual says 83 is correct torque!
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