Low mileage with Toyota Care

I know this issue has been addressed in a few other threads, but none seemed to get my attention definitive answer. So, I’m 18 months into my ownership of my 2024 OR. I have only 8,300 miles on it. I have the lifetime oil changes (2 per year) through the dealership. The dealership seemed hesitant to follow through on the Toyota Care maintenance due to the low mileage. For example, my first visit, 6 months in, I scheduled for a tire rotation and oil change. When I got there, they said that 2,500 miles was too low for the oil change and tire rotation under Toyota Care. I then said “I have the 2 per year lifetime oil change with the dealership” and they said “oh, you want to use that?”—as if the answer would possibly be no. I accepted that tire rotation at 2,500 miles would not be covered. In any case, if I had not pressed, they would have done nothing (and I noticed that in the service records at toyota.com, they indicated that they also did the tire rotation…).
At 5,500 miles and one year, they again did the oil change (logged as Toyota Care, not my lifetime program), and did a rotation (they actually did it this time).
Now, I’m about to go back for the 18 month service at 8,500 miles. I expect they will agree to use my lifetime oil change program for the oil change, but likely not want to do the tire rotation (and might log that they did, I suspect). But, I want the rotation to actually be done. Can I tell them that I am driving a lot off road, or towing, or something like that to make them agree to do the tire rotation?
Or, shall I just not worry about it until 2 years and 11,000ish miles…Maybe extra tire rotations (more frequently than 5,000 miles) aren’t really helpful. (but I do want very frequent oil changes!).
Thanks!

 

You don't need to justify what you want at all. Just ask them to rotate and be done. And mark the tires yourself with a little something so you know they get rotated. You are the customer!

 

I have similar coverage. Regardless of mile driven.
They would change the oil and rotate tires every 6mths for next 7years.

 

Tire rotations might be a bit pointless to do too early, but if you paid for two per year, and are close enough to 5000 miles in between, I’d push for rotations. Same with oil.

Make sure to check the car over after each service! I just heard a story about an oil change at a Honda dealer. An OEM canister filter had a defect and split at a seam and the car puked out most of its oil before leaving the lot! Stuff happens, it’s best to catch it before it happens by popping the hood and looking around, then starting it and look for oil leaks before leaving.

Also, I hope my response is so helpful that you’ll consider me first if you ever decide to sell it. You’re putting on just the right amount of mileage to keep it healthy, but not so much that it will be high mileage in 10 years time, when people will be clamoring for cars from the “good old days”.

 

I had about 3/4 filter oil leaks - Toyota dealerships - Mainly because Tech tries to work faster by not dropping the Skid Plates.

 

My wheels are labelled inside 1-4 to track rotations

 

Rotsting tires is peasant work that's probably why dealerships dont do it

 

Many Toyota dealerships and owners have a hard time understanding the maintenance schedule provided for the 5th gen 4runner.

Since my 4runners never meet milage requirements I always go by time.

I have the owners manual and maintenance schedule on my phone when needed. Always happy to share for dealerships and owners who lack knowledge on this.

 

Toyotacare sucks. No other way to put it.

 

Yes, I will do this. And for the oil change, I kind of want to mark something for that…what’s the easiest way to do that? (I think there aren’t oil *filters* per se these days, just filter packs inside permanent enclosures, so….).

 

OK, maybe I just need to insist.

 

Good ideas, thanks.
Yeah, with these low miles, I think in a few years it will be quite highly sought after (as if it isn’t already!). When I play around on autotrader or elsewhere, I can’t believe how many miles people put on their vehicles! (especially here in Montana where you drive a hundred miles between you and the town over).

 

Yeah, the lifetime oil changes was a pot-sweetener, and since a synthetic oil change costs $60 or so these days, I thought I would jump on it, but…it would be nice to be able to pick my spot instead.

 

Yep, I’ll do this, thanks.

 

;-)

 

Thanks. I think you're right…since it is 6 months *OR* 5,000 miles…that definitely implies that if EITHER of these conditions is met, the criterion has been satisfied (just like 3 years or 30,000 mile warranty…if EITHER of those criteria passes, the condition has been met. Thanks.

 

Yeah, I suppose so.

 

But also they’re going to do the minimum amount they can get away with. We should all know about dealerships.

 

Yep, until the moment the warranty expires, when suddenly there will be thousands of dollars of recommended repairs and maintenance...

 

Been there. Sounds familiar with Spouse Highlander.
They get paid less for Warranty work

 

If this was read wouldn't have any questions.

https://www.toyota.com/content/dam/toyota/brochures/pdf/tcom/toyotacare.pdf