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I figured that it would be a time saver to do it while I was there on the weekend rather than screw around with this during the week at my local mechanic and have to drive her car to work and drop it off, pick it up afterward, etc. So, I said OK, change the transmission fluid and flush the engine coolant.
I should have known something was going to happen when the guy installing my oil filter had to be shown that you have to apply oil to the filter gasket.
The transmission fluid replacement went OK. To change the transmission fluid, they have a cool machine that has a visible movable piston in a vertical cylinder. The piston is initially at the bottom of the cylinder with new fluid above it filling the cylinder. There are two lines connected to either ends of the cylinder. The bottom line is connected to the transmission line that feeds the transmission cooler. The line connected to the upper end of the cylinder is connected to the return connection on the transmission. The engine is run and the transmission pumps the old fluid into the cylinder and the piston is displaced upward and pushes the new fluid into the transmission through the return line. After about 15 min, the fluid comes out of the transmission clean and red and it's done. (The wonders of modern technology).
While this was going on, the guy in the next bay needed his car pushed out of the bay backwards for a reason I didn't determine. The Jiffy Lube guy at the steering wheel held the car door open and was looking backward while the car was pushed through the narrow opening in the rear of the bay. (Do you see where this is going?). The owner of the car was in the parking lot behind the car and started yelling "WATCH THE DOOR, WATCH THE DOOR" to no avail. CRUNCH and the car door was history. He started yelling that he was going on vacation the next day and I guess that got sorted out between him and the manager. I gave him my name and phone number as a witness and lost interest in that source of amusement.
Meanwhile, the Lexus in the next bay was getting it's tires rotated with a neat lift that raises the entire car far enough off the ground that the tires can be removed and replaced and the guy in the pit can still work on the oil change. There are four large rubber blocks placed between the lift and the car at the four corners of the lift. After the car was finished, one of the guys drove the car off the lift without remembering to remove the large rubber blocks. The car bounced high enough to bottom out the suspension hard (twice, he kept going after the first one). That was kind of exciting.
Then, the went about flushing my cooling system. For this, they have another machine that provides a reservoir of fresh coolant and a couple of hoses to connect to the radiator return hose (top) and the upper radiator hose connection. The car is again idled and the old coolant is pumped out of the engine and into a tank and new coolant is sucked out of the machine and into the radiator. (This had promise). The guy who connected it to my car was mumbling something about hating this old machine and only liked the new (broken) machine.
I decided at this point that it would be prudent to monitor the temperature gauge in the car while this process proceeded. Sure enough, bubbles started rising into the new coolant reservoir and the enging started overheating. I shut if off and took stock of the situation. Sure enough, he had connected the output hose of the machine to the output connection of the engine and viceversa. Once I showed his the error of his ways, he reversed the connections and it actually went well after that.
After the process was completed and the coolant lines were disconnected from my car, he was ready to start working on another car when I asked him if it would be advisable to start the car and check the coolant level in the radiator. He thought it over and another guy talked him into it before he had time to think about it too much. When the engine started, they put another quart or two of coolant into the radiator and finally got the coolant to where I felt comfortable driving away.
After I left, I felt I would have been pressing my luck to return to there and get the sticker with my next oil change mileage that they forgot.
I think I was lucky to have escaped with my life.
It amazes me that people are willing to trust their $30,000 truck to a 19 yr old that may/may not know how to unscrew a drain bolt.
Oil changes are easy but it's either done right OR wrong-there's no inbetween. If it's done right, you will not notice. If it's done wrong, you will be replacing an engine.
Besides, you pay top dollar for inferior grade oil and useless filter.
Given the chance, I watch like a hawk anyone who works on one of my cars. Even so, I didn't imagine they could be that bad. ARGH
Those quickie lube places charge more than a good mechanic would plus a good mechanic will use good parts and oil.
As far as balancing goes, maybe someone could shed a lot more light one this, but I understand some Toyota service departments are equipped some super-modern (and expensive) balancing machines. It's just a matter of if they have made the upgrade or not. I wouldn't take it anywhere else for balancing.
Anyway here is an experience of mine from the local Toyota dealer. I always laugh when someone says something like "at least I'm going to the dealer where they have all the factory certifications."
The local Toyota dealer got a <half hour oil change service, in order to compete with the Jiffy Lubes and Grease Monkeys. So I figured great, I'll go there and at least get the factory filter and won't have to do it myself and still not spend more time/money than the other places. So I took it in for the brand-new car's 1st oil change.
After they got done, I went to get into the car and noticed grease on the driver's seat and the plastic along the bottom of the door jam. I had the guy clean it up. Then I thought if they did that, I had better check the oil.
IT WAS BELOW THE LOW LINE!
Assuming about a quart between the full and the low line, that means it had more than a quart less that it should have had.
So I went back in and asked about it and he said "Toyota specs it at 5 1/2 quarts so that's what I put in."
I looked at their setup and realized that he had simply set his computerized automatic oil thing at 5.5 quarts, without ever checking afterwards.
He topped it off.
Then I asked what kind of oil they used. He said 10W30. I said that it was supposed to take 5W30. He said that "for around here they use 10W30." I remembered seeing in the manual all over the place that 5W30 is all you use, independent of the season.
He said that they'll use something other than 10W30 if the customer requests it.
My conlusion is that because they had the auto filler thing with 10W30, it was more work for them to use anything but 10W30 so they just use that on everything.
He went on to say that 10W30 makes more sense in the winter anyway (BS because if 10W30 ever made sense it would be in the summer, not the winter and this was the winter).
I've been back three times for some unrelated issues and 2 of the 3 times they got grease on the door jam and the seat again.
They did take care of me on an issue with scratched rear glass (replaced it) to their credit.
I've been doing my own oil changes since then though.
Overall though, what a joke!
And clearly this is not an isolated case.
-Eric
I'm just wondering if the $2000 rebate will apply to a SR5 without the cladding.
One more thing...since the $2000 rebate doesn't apply to any models with the Apperance Package, would it just be better to wait for a 2004? Or will the dealer go below invoice on a 2003 in October?
1. incorrect grade of motor oil.
2. incorrect oil filter.
3. incorrect fill oil qty. (hopefully they do not start the car without oil)
4. under torque/over torque oil drain plug.
5. oil drain plug gasket not installed.
6. failed to remove old oil filter gasket.
(put the new oil filter on top of old oil filter gasket, sometimes the old filter gasket does not come off with the old oil filter)
Also, remember what grade of oil you want, and always specify it. I have noticed an amazing amount of variability between dealerships on this issue. Some use one grade for all their vehicles. Some use one grade for all the "new vehicles" and another for "older vehicles". And none of the grades are the same dealership to dealership.
I now use 10-40 in my old 4Runner (originally specified for 10-30, but using the slightly heavier oil keeps consumption to one quart per 3000 miles), and most of the dealerships I end up at for oil changes, including my regular dealer, do not even stock it! I just save time and trouble and get 5 quarts ahead of time and leave it on the passenger seat. Plus, they hate it, because the 30-minute crew cannot do the oil change, since they only use the big machine with the bulk oil. I don't mind waiting longer for the oil change, given the extra reassurance that (hopefully!) it is actually being done right.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Any idea?
I check the fluid levels for oil, transmission, brake, power steering, washer, and cooling sys.
Tire pressure check also.
There's a checklist linked in this post that could be easily adapted to a 4Runner:
Steve, Host
TIA
<<Great idea, but shouldn't you do it before you take possession?>>
TIA
I've been planning on buying a '04' 4Runner within the next couple of months.
However I have noticed the lack of head and leg room in the new model. I'm 6'1" tall and approx. 200lbs. I think I'm about average height for this area (maybe a little on the tall/big side) but shouldn't the redesigned 4Runner have more headroom & legroom?
In order for me to get comfortable I have to lower the seat all the way to the bottom and move the seat all the way back to it's farthest postion. This leaves me about 2 1/2" headroom and no adjustment room for my legs (but the seat is in the spot I current want).
While this does make it easier to remember the settings if they get changed I don't think I want a new vehicle that has no room for adjustments.
What happens during the winter when I have a large, heavy coat on? What about when I wear boots?
All of this has got me thinking about another choice for the replacement of my 1996 Blazer. I want to stay with Toyota for their quality and reliabilty. The only other choice (within my price range) is the Sequoia.
The problem I have is that I already decided against a Chevy Tahoe because it is too big and I want something that is fairly "nibble" in the handling and parking department (I back into parking spots 99% of the time).
I drove a Sequoia today for the first time and it drives alot better that a Tahoe but it isn't small by any means.
The Lexus GX470 has the added headroom I need but it is BUTT ugly and overpriced IMHO.
Can anyone here give me any info on how the Sequoia compares to the 4Runner for everyday driving, handling, and parking?
This would be my everyday vehicle BTW.
If you think the Sequoia might be too big, it probably will be. Maybe ask on the sequoia section of Town Hall for their opinions.
If you're not off-roading, the Highlander might have more headroom.
In my blazer the seats are much higher off the deck and I can adjust them to their upper limit and still have plenty of headroom.
On the 4Runner I have to do the opposite and position the seat close to if not on the floor in order to get a similar amount of headroom.
In the Blazer I have the seat about 3/4 of the way towards the rear. I still have about 3 inches of rearward travel left in it (I checked just now).
In the 4Runner I have to have the seat ALL the way back in order to position the seat where I want it.
These limits are with the Limited w/Sunroof. I know this is the model with the LEAST available headroom but it is unfortunetly the one I'm most interested in.
I might be willing to settle for one without a sunroof but darn it... that was one feature I've never had and I want it in my next upper scale vehicle!
As I said, there IS enough room for me in the 4Runner; it just that there isn't any real additional "wiggle" room for future adjustments.
Not that I plan or growing or anything....
BTW, I'm single so I really don't need all the passenger room of the Sequoia. And the 4Runner is EXACTLY what I've been looking for in overall size, price, and performance.
I suggested simply going to an auto upolstery shop and have them slice the seat bottom cushion a couple inches or replace with a firmer, thinner cushion. An easy job that won't affect the look of the seat at all.
Without the sunroof you are looking at an additional few inches of headroom. The sunroof steals alot of space.
If the seat is the only thing holding you back, and is "perfect" with no wiggle room. Consider the slight after-sale alteration. Or ask the dealer if they will do it- dealers have relationships with shops to install leather, etc.
Is it a true shuddering felt in the truck and steering or is it only in the pedal?
I've got a sunroof on my 03 V8 LTD, but only because that was all that was on the lot and I was too impatient to order one. I'd rather not have the sunroof. It adds cost and complexity. They can leak, or stop working, or rattle. YMMV.
If the '96 Blazer doesn't have a sunroof, how can you compare them for headroom?
At least yours doesn't smell like a chicken farm.
I doubt it is ABS unless it is a very fast vibration. You can tell the difference if the pulsing matches the wheel rotational speed or if it is too fast to count pulses. Too fast and it might be the ABS. Pulsing at wheel rotation speed may be a rotor problem.
I've been waiting for the 04 to show up but now we know about the new changes, I think I'll get an 03. As far as I know 04 SE seats won't be dark charcoal, back camera will be available with NAV only and 3rd row seats won't be available on SE either.
According to the experts here, the 04 must be at the dealerships in 3-4 weeks.
My question is that based on experiences from previous years, could we expect for sure factory incentives or dealer rebates on 03s when 04s show up?
Does anyone recall what happened to 02s prices when 03s showed up a year ago?
Should I buy today or should I wait one more month? I'm not good at playing the waiting game (especially with such a nice car) but for an eventual $1000-1500 rebate I could make a 30-day sacrifice.
The 4Runner has HAC. Go up a steep road (like a steep neighborhood road or some steep dirt road, whatever has no traffic). Stop on the hill and go from your brake to gas pedal. When you do that, the HAC quickly actuates the brake so the truck doesn't roll backwards.
Now, does the vibration you feel match this pulsation? If so, it would just be a matter of electronics diagnostics.
That's the only other thing I can think of. In any case, I would take it to the dealer.
It is likely that the rebates will go a little higher, but will your specific 03 be around? I pulled the trigger Friday. While I was there, 1hr, they sold 3 4runners. There are certainly a lot of cars left, so depending on how picky you are about color and options you may have a good chance.
I didn't see as much sense risking all that for 300-500$, as my needs were very particular, as well as I wanted something sooner rather than later.
There is a price increase for 04 as you well know. So factor in all those issues, the smart buyer is going to run out and grab the remaining 03 pretty quickly, since the 04 are so much more expensive, relatively.
so it looks like my second trip to the dealer-first was a TSB on the squeaky accessory belt.
Now, if you ask my wife, who is smaller and shorter, she would choose the 4-Runner because it is more nimble and a little easier to handle in town and in close places. If we had only one vehicle to share, I think we both would compromise and choose the Sequoia. Just my two cents worth. Hope it helps.
As for being worth it, that depends on the buyer. Is extra speed and power (if I remember correctly, about 100 extra HP and 110 extra lb-ft of torque) worth $4K plus worse fuel economy and more wear on the engine?
You might try searching this discussion, I believe there were some posts further back on this.
tia,
metmdx
Try browsing in the Toyota 4Runner: Prices Paid & Buying Experience discussion too.
Steve, Host
click on fleet/internet buys