When you change the oil yourself, does this void the warranty because they way Toyota passes the service intervals off (in the booklet) and what the dealer tries to sell, it sounds like the service intervals must be done entirely and also at a Toyota dealer? What's the deal with this?

If I can change my own oil without a warranty being voided I'm all for it. (Depending on what my dealer wants to charge.)

 

Nope. You're fine. Just keep the receipts.

 

Thank you sir. What about the other "items" on the service list? Did you just go to the dealer to have them do it?

 

I called my Toyota dealership where I purchased my TCH. They told me the oil change would be $32.00 out the door. I asked if that was the price for synthetic and the service manager told me there was no need to use synthetic in the car if you change your oil every 5k. He said it was just a waste of money.

 

Oil? I have to change the oil?

My first two 5k mile services are free (a really great ploy by the dealer to keep me coming back.) The service is something like 80 bucks, but includes all the stuff the manual says to do at 5k, and they'll rotate my tires (oh, joy.)

The synthetic/conventional oil debate will run on longer than civiliziation itself. I have chosen to use synthetic for these two reasons: 1. It can't hurt. 2. It's been free. Once I start paying, I may reconsider, but given the unusual ICE cycling of hybrids, may very well stay with synthetic.

 

I got SIX free synthetic oil changes from my dealer. If you ever have a problem with your dealer's service, try asking the customer service department for free oil changes as a goodwill gesture.