5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
My wife's '07 Camry will be due for an oil change next week. Because of where I live (no driveway, park in the side of the street, cars pass by real fast), I can't do the oil change myself (it bugs me that I am not able to do it myself...with my car as well) so I'll have to take it in to a shop. I am concerned that they won't use the recommended viscosity/grade per the owner's manual. How do these shops determine what to use? Do they just use the most common on all cars they service? Do they actually use proper oil for each vehicle? IIRC, the manual calls for 0W-20. Would they have this in stock? As an example...a while back I took my own car (a Nissan) to a shop and asked for 5W-30 (per owner's manual), they said they don't normally carry it. I ended up buying the oil/filter myself and went to another shop where they'd do the oil change w/ the supplies I provided. I'd take the Camry to that same shop but now they are charging me more for just doing the labor. Taking it to a shop where they supply the oil/filter would now be a better deal.
I am in the same situation as I too have been forced to take the cars into the shop for oil changes because on ware I live. I would say that you are on the right track to ask if they are going to use the correct oil and if they won't or they say they will but you suspect utherwise, go somepalce else. The dealership will certainly change your oil to spec but at a higher cost.
A good mechanic is like a good doctor, once you find one, keep em'.
Call a shop ahead of time and ask them if they carry 0W-20 or 5W-20 oil. If they ask why, tell them that is what is required for your 07 Camry. I really do mean stress the fact that it is required, not just recommended. Then if they say they do, make an appointment to bring your car in. When you get there ask to see the 0W-20 or 5W-20 oil. It really isn't that hard to find. Most auto parts store now carry it. I even picked some up at a local Menards. That's a home improvement store (like Home Depot) in my area.
Buy your own oil like I do, and take it there and tell them to use the oil you brought.
Also ask for the conteiners back or watch them do the oil change. That way you know they used the oil that you bought for them. Especially, if it is synthetic oil. You don't want the auto mechanic take it and toss it in his trunk of his car.
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2002 Toyota Camry LE
I got it used in May 07 at 32,000 miles
Currently has 65,000 miles.
Y not just bring it to a Toyota dealer? None around? Don't trust them? Charge to much?
From my own experience the Toyota dealer I bring my Camry in for service at is great. Takes them an hour (which is definately too long but oh well), they only charge $35 and they give it a full wash!
Y not just bring it to a Toyota dealer? None around? Don't trust them? Charge to much?
From my own experience the Toyota dealer I bring my Camry in for service at is great. Takes them an hour (which is definately too long but oh well), they only charge $35 and they give it a full wash!
If you can't afford the extra few dollars that it costs, sell your Camry and buy a Corolla so you can afford the maintenance.
That way you don't have to worry about the proper weight AND specification of the oil being used.
Your post makes no sense as far as oil changes go. What's the difference in price between a Corolla oil/filter change and a Camry oil/filter change - same year car. Not a whole lot.
You would have to worry about the proper weight of oil and amount with any car given the stupidity of the people who work in today's repair shops. It amazes me just how little, be they lube techs or real techs know about oil viscosity and it's application to particular makes/models.
The best you can hope for is:
- didn't overtighen oil pan drain plug so the next guy can get it out.
- same for the filter as previous comment
- used correct amount of oil. shops that use guns have a tendency to over-fill.
- semi-decent filter. if it's changed every 3K, this becomes less of an issue, contrary to what some believe.
- reinstall oil cap on valve cover
Irregardless of who does it, after you pull out of the shop, pull over ASAP, shut off motor, let it sit at least 5 mins. and check level of oil on dipstick. This is not a conclusive check, but gives you an idea if you're way over or way low.
Let me attempt to explain TRD. Frequently people buy a new car which is out of their comfortable price range. They spend their car budget on the monthly payment leaving little or nothing for maintenance. People cut corners. Maintenance suffers.
If someone is having trouble coming up with the bucks it takes to take the car to the dealer or >reputable< service center, they might consider getting a car which is less taxing on their monthly budget so that they can better afford the required maintenance.
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2007 V6 Camry LE, Built TMMK 27 September 06
"People who think they know it all are particularly irritating to those of us who do."
Dont listen to TRD, he is almost always negative and according to him, never wrong. No offense TRD, I could be wrong, dont know you personally.
What's negative exactly? Where have I said that I'm never wrong? I'm not offended. You're obviously a complete idiot. I could be wrong, I don't know you personally. I make that assumption based on your posts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Murrell
Your post makes no sense as far as oil changes go. What's the difference in price between a Corolla oil/filter change and a Camry oil/filter change - same year car. Not a whole lot.
There isn't a difference in price. Apparently you can see the forest through the trees.
I never said anything about the price of Camry and Corolla oil changes being different.
It makes sense to bring the car to the dealer for several reasons. They do know the proper oil that goes in the car. If there is a problem, they represent the factory so you don't have to worry about warranty issues if the maintenance is done there.
The author of this thread states he cannot perform the service himself at this time. It's logical if you can't complete the service yourself to bring it to the dealer. They are barely more expensive and you don't have to worry.
I wasn't being negative, just logical. If you have a Camry and can't afford to maintain it, the car is too expensive for that person. Thus, buying a Corolla which is less expensive may be a better financial choice. It's pretty damn simple huh?
Stupid people think that if someone voices their opinion and it doesn't agree with them, that it's negative. Cry me a river.
It says on the oil filler cap what type of oil to use, whenever I brought my old Camry to a quick lube place they looked at it and used the correct oil.
But on my new car, I spend the extra $5-$10 and have it done at the dealer, just in case anything happens I can prove that it was done at a Toyota dealer, so it would be covered with no questions asked.
Y not just bring it to a Toyota dealer? None around? Don't trust them? Charge to much?
From my own experience the Toyota dealer I bring my Camry in for service at is great. Takes them an hour (which is definately too long but oh well), they only charge $35 and they give it a full wash!
1 Hour 2 long? It takes the any Toyota dealer here in South Florida at least 5 Hours or more to change the oil and on top of that they don't wash the car either and on top of that you MUST check the oil before leaving the dealer as we have had them not even change the oil upon return and on top of that your are treated like a second class citizen and on top of that service advisors office looks like a third world country where you have to stand as there are no chairs for the customers to sit.
Mind you I am talking about the Fort Lauderdale area in South Florida.
Everytime my sister takes her 07 Camry in for a oil change she gets a panic attack due to all this. She plans on trading it in real soon due to the super unprofessional service. Of coarse all Toyotas are off the table. She has had a few issues with it [sensors] which to this date they haven't been resolved.
Then they only oil they use here is 5w30 dino. They refuse to put in what the car calls for even though 5w20 in clearly written in the oil cap nice and big.
What makes this so bad is before this she had a Crown Vic and was treated like a queen for a day when she went in for service and she actually looked forward going there and she was always out with 45 min and the car was washed and vacumed.
1 Hour 2 long? It takes the any Toyota dealer here in South Florida at least 5 Hours or more to change the oil and on top of that they don't wash the car either and on top of that you MUST check the oil before leaving the dealer as we have had them not even change the oil upon return and on top of that your are treated like a second class citizen and on top of that service advisors office looks like a third world country where you have to stand as there are no chairs for the customers to sit.
Mind you I am talking about the Fort Lauderdale area in South Florida.
Everytime my sister takes her 07 Camry in for a oil change she gets a panic attack due to all this. She plans on trading it in real soon due to the super unprofessional service. Of coarse all Toyotas are off the table. She has had a few issues with it [sensors] which to this date they haven't been resolved.
Then they only oil they use here is 5w30 dino. They refuse to put in what the car calls for even though 5w20 in clearly written in the oil cap nice and big.
What makes this so bad is before this she had a Crown Vic and was treated like a queen for a day when she went in for service and she actually looked forward going there and she was always out with 45 min and the car was washed and vacumed.
Wow, things sure are not the same in our own country.
Here in San Diego, after a few minutes greeting with the service advisor I headed straight to the "customer lounge" for big screen TV with new sofa and free coffee. I also have my choice of going to the quiet room with cubicle with laptop plug-in so I can do my work if I wanted to. All this nice and comfort AC tall ceiling room but I am usually in-n-out less than an hour. There are also free shuttle available to take you anywhere within the 60 miles radius. I have built the relationship with the Service Advisor Manager so I always get a free rental (another Camry) if they know it's gonna take more than an hour to do any service.
I guess I appreciate things more now that I know not all Toyota dearlerships are the same.
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Back on stock height and love it!
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Cry me a river.
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