Oil change questions

OP, I think you are overthinking this.

It's not a hard job. The skid is stupid light and hangs on two hooks in the front during reassembly.

The cartridge filter is more economical, environmentally friendly, and allows you to visually inspect the filter media easily.

On these trucks, it's not substantially harder than with a spin on cartridge. Can be done easy in 20 minutes, no jack, with clean up.

 

Napa seems to be following the McDonald’s “sorry our ice cream machine is broken” business model. They told me the same thing.

Luckily I live close to FCP Euro. They give me FULL credit on my used oil. I simply buy 6 qts of 0w-20 synthetic from them, and return the used 6 qts for a full credit used for the next 6 qts. Its an amazing program.

For those who arent close, the only thing you would be out is the freight to send it back. So that eats into savings a bit , but for me it definitely solves the problem of finding a place to take the old oil. And not paying for new oil is an insane bonus.

Their no BS oil exchange program explained. https://help.fcpeuro.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020952252-How-do-I-return-oil-

 

Yes, I agree, I'm suspicious especially after finding my Toy has a skid plate and a cartridge filter. I should probably start dating the spin-on filters in my wife's car just to confirm they've actually changed it. I never considered doubting they actually changed her filters until I started considering that they might not for this Tacoma.

And yes, even using pneumatic tools, it takes time to drop the skid plate, drain the cartridge first, then remove it, swap out both O-rings and reinstall. For sure, they're not torqueing it but then neither do I. I'm still troubled by not knowing for certain what they're pumping into the engine from their feed hoses.

A decade of motocross has left me with a less than an optimum spine and the older I get, the more it makes me suffer so I have to consider my options.

 

I know for my nissan company car the dealership was always cheaper by far than a speedy oil change place. They want you to come back and get more service done with them or even talk you into a new car. I'd rather use the dealer personally I just dont like how long they take usually. I swear even if you have an appointment they take longer on purpose to make you shop around.

 

I did motocross back in the day for a few years turning to racing hare scrambles, and many gncc races in the east till 1992. I'm also no longer in the best physical health now in my late 60's due to numerous broken bones, and surgeries, plus suffering a stroke 9 years ago. I still was able to change the oil in my tundra, and have planned to in my tacoma now that toyota care is up. I can't see it taking any longer than an hour for me. Its really simple. Might want to get one of those creeper mats you can slide along with as you lay on it.

 

I'm not over-thinking it, I'm not talking about me doing the job, I'm wondering is if the oil change places take short cuts considering the skid pan and no spin-on filter.

 

The 2GR has used a cartridge filter since it was introduced in 2004.

 

i would be more concerned what oil the put in. i would go into one and ask your question and my question.
the car is over a pit they, zip the 4 bolts out of the skid plate and have the filter out in less that 2 minutes.
it takes me 2 minutes just to get down and under the truck then i realized i have the wrong size socket and have to crawl back out and so on.

 

I guess its possible for these quick change oil shops to skip pulling the engine skid plate to remove the filter on some trucks, while just draining, and refilling the oil. I wouldn't even put it past some dealers that did the same. Just do it yourself then you know its done right, and you'll feel better. Plus save some beer money to.

 

What is it with these napa shops...the one i took our prius to is now gone. They shut their doors. I ended up going to the toyota dealer here for the oil change. Over $100 for an oil change...i gotta find another shop or get myself to do it.

 

Don’t forget to ROTATE your tires…

 

I suspect the front drive shaft ball joints seldom get greased.

 

I think as a general rule those quick change places should be avoided like the plague. It takes a special kind of person to strip out a drain plug with a 1/2 inch impact wrench.... the bad kind of special.

 

for this 76 year old that is a real pain in the ass. those wheels are heavy for this old fart and then raising the tire slightly to get the lug nut in is a bitch.
i sit on the floor and raise the wheel using my legs as a lever but then get a cramp in my legs, getting old sucks.

 

Also you can buy a skid plate with a hole in it for the filter to come out. The Toyota tdr skid plate, and if the thats to expensive there is a cheaper knock off on Amazon.

 

the real take away is, that if you want to make sure its done right, you should do it yourself.

 

I agree. Best I have come up with in all these years is Drivers side tilt w/ floor jack… swap front/back.
Passenger side tilt… swap front/back. I always have a jack stand or two as a backup against failure. If you raise just off the ground, it’s easier to just line up the top lug and just push in place. The first lug will center the rim.

 

I'd have to agree. When i was 20 years younger i didn't mind it. Now at nearly 70 with excessive steel screwed in my arms, and legs rotating tires is a pita. I've bought my tires from a goodyear shop here where they offer free tire rotation if bought from them.

 

no advance auto parts, oreilly's or autozone nearby ?.
i got a big container good for a couple oil changes and i keep 2 empty jugs ( in case i forget to drain the container) and when the container is full ill put it in the bed of my S10 (beater truck) and take it to oreillys that is around the corner. drain it and then clean it. ready for at least 6 months

 

Ok I stand corrected. I just called the local O’Reilly’s and they also accept used oil. Thx