Friday, Aug 01, 2008 at 20:44
Don,
Sorry mate, that dog wont hunt. The price I was quoted was for a 75,000km LOG BOOK service.
And I quote from my Toyota Warantee & Service book:
* Replace engine oil
* inspect the following - air filter.
THAT IS IT! Nothing more. Do you think Toyota mechanics are going to do more than have too? No, because time is money! If Bloggs spends 2 hours doing this service instead of the 30mins allowed, do you reckon he'll have a job next week? Nup.
When I service my own car, I
check more than I have too - it's been ingrained in me after 18.5 years as an Aircraft Technician to "spot the obvious".
My comments aren't spwaned from heresay mate, why? Read on:
My wife's Prado had its 35,000km service stamped for by a major dealer. When I checked, the oil was still black and the air filter cover (ibcluding the release clips) were still coated in an undisturbed layer of dust. When questioned, my "service was promptly carried out with no questions asked - and a new oil filter included for nix.
Secondly, my Prado went in for it's major 80,000Km ($700 worth) and when I checked post service I found; engine oil not changed (black), oil filter not changed, fuel filter not replaced and brake fluid all over the underside front end of the car. Again, when questioned, the rest of service was carried out and I received a free loan car for the day!
As for service bullitens and recalls, either Toyota send me a letter iinforming me, or I ask the mech's what other work needs to be done. They are obliged to carry this work out whether your car is booked in for a service or not.
No doubt there a good and bad mechanics working at dealers, but if I served up the same crap to my customers as i have outlined above - I wouldn't have job!
Each to his own.
Matt
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