Dealers using junk oil??

[11/16Aurion 12Kluger]

After having enough of being treated by dealerships like an inconvenience and a few other reasons I recently had my 3rd service on my Kluger done by an independent mechanic.

Part of this service included the choice of oils, so I chose Penrite 5/30 as I felt whatever oil was used by the 2 previous dealerships was not the best. It was also recommended by the mechanic who was an ex Toyota employee BTW...

I also suspected something was up because before the first service the car was much more economical and performed better on the factory oil than it did after the first dealer service using their oil.

Turns out my suspicions were right... while the economy of the car was ok before it is now exceptional and also noticeably smoother and more powerful.

This leads me to wonder ... what cheap crap were the dealers putting in it?? 20/50 ??

Guess who services my car in future...?

Edited January 20, 2014 by KX-R & ACV40R

[Kenshin X]

most dealers use whatever oil they get a good deal with as they buy by the drum. unless for example ford who castrol sponsors. but even so they would only use a castrol magnetec range rather than the edge range. they would put whatever the grade the manual suggests. they wouldnt put a 20/50 grade oil unless the manual specifies to do so. i would next time mark the oil filter with a permanent marker and make sure they do actually change the damn thing. check the oil too.

[11/16Aurion 12Kluger]

Hi Kenshin,
I know for a fact that in my previous Toyota a dealer did use 20/50 oil and I only found that out by accident.
What they tell you or write in your log book and what actually happens are two different things.
I don't have to mark anything to see if they change it as where it will be done in future I will see it all happening.
A Toyota dealer will never see my current car again unless it needs warranty work.

The first service they put 60psi in all the tyre rather than the 40psi & scratched the rear bumper.
The second service at another dealer they tried to convince me that my wipers needed replacing and would only cost $57! When I explained the car had only done 10k (was 20k service) was only 1 year old and spent 99% of its time under cover the subject went no further.

Another benefit of not going to the Toyota dealer is that it now will be serviced by a mechanic and not an apprentice or labourer. I have nothing against apprentices but when you pay the labour rates for a mechanic you want a mechanic.

Edited January 20, 2014 by KX-R & ACV40R

[Hiro]

Hi Kenshin,

I know for a fact that in my previous Toyota a dealer did use 20/50 oil and I only found that out by accident.

What they tell you or write in your log book and what actually happens are two different things.

I don't have to mark anything to see if they change it as where it will be done in future I will see it all happening.

A Toyota dealer will never see my current car again unless it needs warranty work.

The first service they put 60psi in all the tyre rather than the 40psi & scratched the rear bumper.

The second service at another dealer they tried to convince me that my wipers needed replacing and would only cost $57! When I explained the car had only done 10k (was 20k service) was only 1 year old and spent 99% of its time under cover the subject went no further.

Another benefit of not going to the Toyota dealer is that it now will be serviced by a mechanic and not an apprentice or labourer. I have nothing against apprentices but when you pay the labour rates for a mechanic you want a mechanic.

What was this previous Toyota that they put 20W50 in? And how did you "accidentally" find out?

Wiper blades are supposed to be replaced every 6-12 months, even if they don't see much use, as the rubber will deteriorate and they will no longer be effective. This is the same for all cars, not just Toyota

And just because you're taking the car to a mechanic now, doesn't mean that an apprentice won't be working on it. Mechanics can have apprentices too, not just dealerships, and usually the most mundane work (oil changes, basic services etc) get farmed out to the apprentices wherever you go.

[11/16Aurion 12Kluger]

For one... they wrote it in the log book!!.. and I know that means nothing and it is not normally done. They wrote it on the screen sticker too. A personal friend confirmed me they had been using it as well. It is not uncommon practice to boost profits with any dealership of any make to take shortcuts.
Kenshin X (Management... see above) knows what goes on... :-)

New wiper blades every 6 months??? Pass on that one... lol.
If that is the case then...
a. why does the service schedule not list "replace" wiper blades at every 6 month service????????
b. why does my other acv40r wipers work perfectly after 7 years?????
c. why did the blades on my mcv20r wiper blades also perform perfectly after 10 years of driving?
d. cars (in nsw) are inspected every year (except under 5 years old) and they are tested then and you are refused renewal if they do not operate properly.

Quite often product manufacturers will recommend changing things far in excess of their optimum lifespan.
You can figure out why?????
The wipers on my car will be changed when I consider it necessary to do so.... not when some counter jumper at a dealership says so because they want to push sales. Also... when replacing Kluger wiper blades do not use el-cheapo no name ones as they are a special wiper apparently. (from a qualified Toyota mechanic)

The mechanic I use now does not have any apprentices. Why did you assume he did?
Now, you will say that all the mechanics that you know have apprentices,...... but that does not automatically mean that every motor mechanic workshop in Australia has apprentices... some are sole operators. I had no apprentices in my business (not a mechanic) which required a trade qualification.

I know basic tasks get farmed out to cheap labour, this has been happening since apprenticeships began, and not just in the automotive industry either.

Wait until the day comes and you buy a house that a team of unsupervised apprentices have been let loose on..... fun galore... The wrong part is that businesses still charge the customer the full rate for a qualified tradesman when they use cheap labour and that is wrong. Nothing against apprentices either before that card is drawn.... :-)

In addition... A close personal friend worked for a dealership (not Toyota) for over 30 years, he has since passed on. Another friend was the service manager for another dealership (not Toyota) for two years... they both tell the same story of funny / dodgy happenings on a regular basis.

One little tale.... >> My neighbour... purchased a new 4wd... over time he had 5 expensive services at the local (not Toyota) dealership. On a long trip to outback SA it began acting up so he dropped into the local workshop at the next country town. They put it up on the hoist and called him in to show him that every filter in the vehicle was the one fitted at the Asian factory... even the oil filter! It does happen...

I personally have been driving for nearly 50 years now so I am no teenager and I have had plenty of experiences with car dealerships in that time as well as the shafting that goes on with new car servicing.

I didn't get off the bus yesterday :-)

After all this.... back to the original topic... which was...
I recommend trying a quality oil in your reasonably new Kluger, say 5/30 or 5/40 at your next service and tell me if the difference is NOT very noticeable. Do not ask for this to be done anywhere unless you can see that you are getting what you paid for because as we know many businesses and people cannot be trusted.

Edited January 20, 2014 by KX-R & ACV40R

[jeffy]

wow dat reply ...

i change mine every 6 months too, with costco ones :P

I personally have been driving for nearly 50 years now so I am no teenager and I have had plenty of experiences with car dealerships in that time as well as the shafting that goes on with new car servicing.

I didn't get off the bus yesterday :-)

Guess who services my car in future...?

why not service it yourself ?

[Hiro]

For one... they wrote it in the log book!!.. and I know that means nothing and it is not normally done. They wrote it on the screen sticker too. A personal friend confirmed me they had been using it as well. It is not uncommon practice to boost profits with any dealership of any make to take shortcuts.

As I said before though, what car was it? You said yourself it was a "previous Toyota" which could mean anything - if my Corolla got serviced with 20W50 it would be fine as that is a normal oil for it, but the Soarer needs 10W30 or the like. Context means a lot.

New wiper blades every 6 months??? Pass on that one... lol.

If that is the case then...

a. why does the service schedule not list "replace" wiper blades at every 6 month service????????

I don't have the Kluger service schedule in front of me, but Toyota Australia's own website says their condition should be checked regularly and replaced as needed. I know both wipers on my Corolla need to be changed, and they're ~12-18 months old (and good quality Bosch Aerotwins too), but aren't bad enough to stop me from driving in all but a monsoon

From the Toyota website

Windscreen wipers are very important for safe driving, especially at night. They are designed to effectively remove moisture and dirt from the front and rear windscreen, providing a clear view for the driver.

However, the soft rubber inserts are vulnerable to wear and tear from the elements and can be literally worn out with use. Contaminants and adverse conditions on the road can accelerate rubber deterioration, often resulting in chattering and streaking across the windscreen. Lack of use, due to storage or driving in dry climates can leave the rubber on the windscreen wipers cracked and brittle. The same applies to headlamp wipers too, and all rubber inserts should be checked regularly and changed when necessary.

Signs you may need to replace your windscreen wipers:

Chattering or streaking across the windscreen

Cracks or brittleness on the wiper

Smearing on the windscreen after use

Toyota Genuine Windscreen Wipers

Toyota Genuine Wipers, like all Genuine parts, have been designed especially for your Toyota. When you get your car serviced by Toyota technicians, they will know to check the condition of the wiper blades and its rubber inserts.

To ensure maximum windscreen cleanliness, use the Toyota Genuine Windscreen Washer Additive. Giving the rubber blade a regular wipe with tissue will also help to clean off the build-up of grease and grime. This will help to maintain a clear view through the windscreen and keep your wipers working longer.

b. why does my other acv40r wipers work perfectly after 7 years?????

Define perfectly? Do you get 100% clearing every wipe, or do you get streaks/patchy spots that take a couple of wipes to clear? Do the wipers move silently across the screen or is there some rubbing/scraping noise? Do they operate exactly the same in all conditions (some used wipers may be ok in heavy rain when a lot of the water is simply running off, but are terrible in light sprinkle conditions)?

Wiper blades that you might find acceptable could be considered worn-out by someone else (including a dealership)

c. why did the blades on my mcv20r wiper blades also perform perfectly after 10 years of driving?

See above.

d. cars (in nsw) are inspected every year (except under 5 years old) and they are tested then and you are refused renewal if they do not operate properly.

I know how the pink-slip system works in NSW (I have only lived here all my life). Having streaky wiper blades will not cause you to fail a roadworthy.

Quite often product manufacturers will recommend changing things far in excess of their optimum lifespan.

You can figure out why?????

Is this your definition of "optimum lifespan" or the manufacturer? Yes companies will tend to specify a shorter working life than what the consumer may find as acceptable (especially when the consumer will try and stretch the life out for as long as possible to save every possible cent). Do you throw out your milk if it is a day out of date? Or do you wait until it starts to smell funny? Sometimes you can get a couple of extra days out of it, other times it may start to smell off before the date. Recommended working lives are recommended for a reason, it is up to the individual to make their own judgment as to whether to follow that recommendation or not

[Hiro]

The wipers on my car will be changed when I consider it necessary to do so.... not when some counter jumper at a dealership says so because they want to push sales. Also... when replacing Kluger wiper blades do not use el-cheapo no name ones as they are a special wiper apparently. (from a qualified Toyota mechanic)

Good for you. The fact that Toyota recommended that the wipers get changed, rather than go ahead and just do it and bill you later, is evidence enough that it is not an essential task, although according to their standards they felt that they were due for a change. Once again, personal opinion and experience will often differ to that of others. If it was a critical component that endangered the use of the vehicle they would either have insisted that the work be carried out or warn you that they could not be held responsible if you drove it anyway and it failed.

The mechanic I use now does not have any apprentices. Why did you assume he did?

Now, you will say that all the mechanics that you know have apprentices,...... but that does not automatically mean that every motor mechanic workshop in Australia has apprentices... some are sole operators.

.

Of course, but the great thing about exemptions is that they tend to prove the rule. Most trade-based operations, including owner-operators, will have apprentices. The fact that you have found one that does not is both a good and a bad thing. Good because you're probably going to get better quality work, bad because it means that things probably aren't going to get done in a hurry due to the lack of manpower (when your mechanic has to do everything from full rebuilds to pink slips to sweeping the floor, things tend to take a bit longer than a dealership with a full complement of apprentices

I had no apprentices in my business (not a mechanic) which required a trade qualification.

Once again, good for you. As I said, exceptions prove the rule. Also, since you said it's not a mechanic business, it is hardly relevant.

In addition... A close personal friend worked for a dealership (not Toyota) for over 30 years, he has since passed on. Another friend was the service manager for another dealership (not Toyota) for two years... they both tell the same story of funny / dodgy happenings on a regular basis.

Nice to know your experience of two non-Toyota dealerships has coloured your opinion of Toyota dealerships. I myself have had mixed results with my local dealers (some excellent, some bad), but I don't let the actions of a few denigrate the vast majority. I have also had dodgy private mechanics too (much worse than putting the wrong grade oil in), even ones that have supposedly had a good reputation, but once again that doesn't mean that they are all bad.

One little tale.... >> My neighbour... purchased a new 4wd... over time he had 5 expensive services at the local (not Toyota) dealership. On a long trip to outback SA it began acting up so he dropped into the local workshop at the next country town. They put it up on the hoist and called him in to show him that every filter in the vehicle was the one fitted at the Asian factory... even the oil filter! It does happen...

And the proof that they were factory fitted? I bet if you walked up to the service/parts counter and bought a replacement filter that there is a decent chance that it will come from the exact same factory as the filter that was OEM fitted, possibly even dated the same year (filters can have quite a long shelf-life, afterall).

You seem like an OK guy, but it sounds like you have a grudge against all dealerships because of the actions of a few. I guarantee you that everyone knows of a friend/family member who has had problems with a dealership, but that is inevitable with the number of cars on the road and the frequency of logbook servicing. How many friends/family members do you know who have never had a problem with their car being serviced? I know my parents have never had a problem with Newcastle Toyota for instance, and that is after having their Camry serviced there for almost 18 years and 250,000km. I personally use one particular mechanic in Newcastle that I've never had a problem with (apart from them saying that a particular exhaust modification couldn't be done, yet a dedicated specialist exhaust shop with excellent knowledge of the car did it with ease), but at the same time have had several problems with another local mechanic (in particular taking 2 days to change 3 diff seals and drain/re-fill the LSD oil, only to have them insufficiently tighten the hub nut causing the wheel bearing to begin to fail within a matter of days).

I've also had problems with the same Toyota dealership that my parents use with them being unable to correctly diagnose a front-end noise (and recommending two separate fixes, both of which did nothing), but at the same time they fixed my loose alternator in the carpark for free( top pivot bolt had worked its way out).

[2011kluger]

If using full synthetic oil which grade would you guys recommend if the manufacture recommends using 10/30 mineral.

[JohnM]

Hi,

I asked this question to Mobil technical service as I was towing a van. They suggested mobil 1 0w-40 was their best full synthetic oil for the kluger. I have used it for past 3 years. You can get it at a good price online from http://www.gllubricants.com/. You could probably use 5w-30 if not towing.

[JohnM]

sorry about the last post, You can get the oil from http://www.gllubricants.com/ If not towing you can probably use 5W-30

[2011kluger]

sorry about the last post, You can get the oil from http://www.gllubricants.com/ If not towing you can probably use 5W-30

The link does not work.

[JohnM]

http://www.gllubricants.com

Try again