No oil change with lifetime oil changes?

Sounds like you purchased a lifetime oil change package from the dealer, I am going to bet somewhere in that paperwork is says something about 20K miles per year giving you 2 oil changes a year per Toyotas oil change interval.

Just curios how much they charged you for that lifetime oil change package?

 

A few dealerships around me offer lifetime oil changes or lifetime powertrain warranty for no cost. With the stipulation that all factory recommended service is performed at the dealer for the life of the vehicle (or however long you want to keep receiving the added perks)

 

until you go to claim any warranty

 

Most say a maximum of 2 per year aligned with the service interval so you get 2 if you drive 20k miles but if you drive 30k in 1 year that 3rd is on you.

Some dealers offer it free with purchase.

 

Thanks everyone who responded. So, it was $699 for lifetime oil changes (the "lifetime" in which I owned the Taco, ending when I die or sell it). This was for two synthetic oil changes per year (one of several options they offered). I figured 2 per year, baby my Taco (since I drive only about 7K per year), keep it for 20 years, and come out way ahead, especially with the cost of oil changes now, and the cost of oil changes in 5 or 10 years. This was sold by Lithia, DMS (and in the F&I office when I got my Taco).

But, not reading the fine print and as some have guessed, this was "according to the manufacturer's recommended frequency of oil changes" or something like that, which is to say one per 10K. Now, for someone who doesn't drive much, this means about .7 oil changes per year rather than 2. This is why I didn't receive an oil change with my first Toyota Care service, just like everyone else.

It's possible that I could claim that I drive in strenuous conditions (or whatever it's called, towing, etc.) and ask/tell them that I need an oil change every 5K, but even that would only get me part way back (if they went along).

Good news is that I can cancel the contract, pay $50 cancellation fee along with I believe about 10% of the original fee (pro rated based on 6/60 months or something), and get back about $520 by my rough calculation.

I will do this because I was not thrilled with having to deal with the dealership all the time, and because I have a good relationship with the local Firestone folks. I would prefer to have them do the oil changes, tire rotations, etc., and I will buy the lifetime alignment from them the first time that is needed, and will surely get my tires from them when the time comes. For now, I'll keep using the included two years of Toyota Care but then that will be the end of my relationship with the dealership (although really, I might not wait that long).

Thanks again for those who responded.

p.s. it's funny actually, because 9 years ago when I bought my last vehicle it was also from a Lithia dealership, and I also bought the lifetime oil changes (I think it was $250 then), and also stopped going to them after the "mechanic" left the cap off (just sitting at the edge of the engine compartment when smoke started coming out 200 miles from home). Shame on me.

 

I had mine done at the 1 year mark with only 4K miles. Dealer did not care. They said I am not due based on mileage, I said I had it a year and they said no problem.

 

Hilarious!

 

Lol, you dont have to but I’ve been doing it every 10k since new in 2016 . I didn’t even change it after the first few thousand for “breaking in” Gasp!

Almost at 200k miles now, zero issues. The 2GR motor is over 20 years old and millions are still on the road that follow the Toyota engineers advice. If 10k intervals were significantly detrimental, Toyota has had plenty of time to amend their recommendations. But hey Im not paying for your truck and Im not knocking early changes, all I can do is attest that both my Tacomas followed factory intervals and suffered zero consequences. Rust on the other hand…

 

Lifetime?

I've got one more oil change with my ToyotaCare Service...at 20K miles...this December.

After that, my 25K (and final ToyotaCare Service) will need to be scheduled before May 14, 2023...my 2yr anniversary!

After that, I will be doing my own oil changes.

 

Remember when pricing out lifetime alignments, most people compare the cost of a full 4 wheel alignment to calculate any savings. Tacomas don’t get 4 wheel, only front end 2 wheel alignments. The shop usually leaves that part out, so people end up paying full price for only half the work .

 

But true.

 

This, oil is 10k or 1y. I had my first change at 1yr ~7k

 

Exactly....
No mechanic recommends 10k oils changes regardless what Toyota says. Their warranty is 60 months 60 k miles. So Toyota’s will last that time with 10k oil changes. But the 200k longevity Toyota’s are known for, are most often based upon at least 5k oil changes.

 

That will get you to 60 k miles which is all Toyota cares about.

 

Exactly ! No mechanic recommends it for any long life expectancy of 200-300 k miles. They’ll get you through the warranty for sure....but I’d never buy a used car/truck with 100k miles on 10k oil changes.

 

I thought the Toyota recommened service interval is 10k miles under normal driving conditions, or 5k if you tow frequently.

 

Yeah but you have to take into consideration how normal driving conditions are determined. Severe can be driving through the mountains, heavy stop and go traffic, towing anything, adding really any extra weight, driving on any road that’s not paved. Oversized tires add a lot of extra strain to the drivetrain and is considering severe duty. Basically if all you ever do is drive on flat pavement at a constant 65 mph hauling nothing but your ass then yeah 10k is acceptable.

 

Agreed. So, let's say someone tells their dealership they towed frequently during the last 4k+ miles, shouldn't Toyota pay for an oil change at the next 5k interval since that is Toyota's recommended service interval?

 

Having worked at a few car dealers and seen a few things I've always done my own maintenance ever since I bought the truck new with 2 miles on it. I never took advantage of the "free" Toyota care services. Yeah, good service departments and techs exist, but I'm not willing to take the chance.

 

Yeah I would think so.