Is 'Toyota Care' for real?

[HYang]

Is 'Toyota Care' for real?
Will dealerships really provide free oil changes, chassis lubes, tire rotations for your Toyota if it was purchased new after October 2010?

Has anyone here had any first-hand experience with 'Toyota Care' for their Yaris?

'Toyota Care' is advertised on the US website as a 2-year maintenance service (oil changes, chassis lube, etc.) that comes complimentary (as in *free*) with every new car purchase since sometime in 2010.

I'm due for maintenance this summer and was wondering if my 2010 sedan, bought new two months ago (January 2011), would get free oil changes and tire rotations at the local dealership, courtesy of 'Toyota Care'.

If it sounds too good to be true...?


There is no mention of 'Toyota Care' anywhere in my warranty booklet or sales receipt.


Thanks y'all!
Hope you're enjoying your 35+mpg as much as I am!

[.Kevin.]

If you bought it new - and got the extended warranty they should toss it in.

I got extended warranty and in return was given a free tire rotation and four free oil changes.

[DebbyM46227]

It's not in the warranty booklet or sales receipt. You will get a separate coupon book in the mail with all the info. Yes, it's real. I just had my first oil change/tire rotation done, plus they add any fluids you need such as the wiper fluid, etc. Plus I got a coupon to send in for a $15 Valvoline rebate since that's the type of synthetic oil they put in for my oil change.

Yes, 2 years of Toyota Care is for real. It started much earlier than October 2010. I bought mine in June and got it free.

If you bought your car 2 months ago, you should have received it by now. I'd ask the dealer where it is.

[fnkngrv]

feel lucky that they have those incentives. When those of us bought the car when it first launched as the 07 they gave nothing, notta, zip, zilch. I got a 50 dollar gift card to Red Lobster, but that was from my dealer since I came out from Maine to get the car in Minnesota.

[wooverstone8]

Right after Toyota Care came out the sticker price on new Toyota's had gone up.

[rick996]

I got it with my 2010 but I've never used it. I rotate my tires twice a year when I go from summers to winters and back again. I don't use the free oil changes for two reasons. I use Amsoil. The other reason is that the one time I had a shop change my oil I had to drain out 1 quart of oil and the filter was screwed on so tight I had pierce it with a screwdriver to remove it. Of course that was one of those cheap lube places and I'm sure that a Toyota dealer would do it right.

My dealer threw in free batteries for life and that I will use.

[MUSKOKA800]

If the mechanics are standing around with nothing to do anyway what does a free oil change really cost the dealership?
And just imagine all the paying business it generates when the tech's start pointing out those other little things that also need some attention/adjustment/replacement.
I'm sure the point of the FREE service is to get you into the shop. Many don't maintain their own vehicle and are completely ignorant of it's needs. Those people are subject to the advise of the service advisor and surely receive services far before they're ever required. Example, my late mother paid some unbelievable sums to dealerships and independant shops for simple services to her super low mileage Civic. She trusted the professionals.

[DebbyM46227]

Originally Posted by MUSKOKA800

If the mechanics are standing around with nothing to do anyway what does a free oil change really cost the dealership?
And just imagine all the paying business it generates when the tech's start pointing out those other little things that also need some attention/adjustment/replacement.
I'm sure the point of the FREE service is to get you into the shop. Many don't maintain their own vehicle and are completely ignorant of it's needs. Those people are subject to the advise of the service advisor and surely receive services far before they're ever required. Example, my late mother paid some unbelievable sums to dealerships and independant shops for simple services to her super low mileage Civic. She trusted the professionals.

But the ToyotaCare is for the first 24 months and everything is covered under the 3 year/36K warranty during this time, so if they point out any problems, I don't see the big deal as I won't have to pay for it.

As far as those recommended services like 15K, 30K, 60K and so on, I never let the dealer talk me into those - some people are so naive they think their warranty isn't good unless they have those done.

[MUSKOKA800]

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

But the ToyotaCare is for the first 24 months and everything is covered under the 3 year/36K warranty during this time, so if they point out any problems, I don't see the big deal as I won't have to pay for it.

True, but don't forget wear items not covered: brakes, bulbs, wiper blades, etc.

[sqcomp]

My wife's Tacoma has Toyota Care the maintenance package...I don't. Like the other '07s, mine wasn't offered with that "feature".

[echaru]

I bought my Yaris in October 2010. I received 5 free oil changes in the span of 2 years with mileage limit of 25,000 miles. Also free road side assistance for 2 years. It's part of the package. I only change the oil once since I got the car, and it's free.

[cool_beans00]

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

It's not in the warranty booklet or sales receipt. You will get a separate coupon book in the mail with all the info. Yes, it's real. I just had my first oil change/tire rotation done, plus they add any fluids you need such as the wiper fluid, etc. Plus I got a coupon to send in for a $15 Valvoline rebate since that's the type of synthetic oil they put in for my oil change.

Yes, 2 years of Toyota Care is for real. It started much earlier than October 2010. I bought mine in June and got it free.

If you bought your car 2 months ago, you should have received it by now. I'd ask the dealer where it is.

how many miles did you have on your car for the first oil change? I'm going to come up to 1k soon and I want to get an oil change. I'm afraid they'll pt at the users manual and say come back at 7.5K

[DebbyM46227]

They will do it at 5000 mile intervals. I had around 4950 on it when I took it in and they didn't say anything about it being slightly under.

[HYang]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I called my Toyota dealer as soon as I'd read them, to demand that my Toyota Care coupon book be sent post-haste, only to be told, 'we don't do that anymore'.

Apparently, Toyota Care 'is now standard' and this means it's all computerized now; sans coupon book.

I'll be driving down there for my free oil change, tire-rotation, and fluids top-off in July.

So glad I didn't get a Fit.

[DebbyM46227]

Hyang, when your odometer reaches 4500 miles, your maintenance light will flash on/off for a few seconds when you start your car. Don't be alarmed by it - that's your reminder that your oil change will be due soon.

[fatlard]

Are the oil change required to be done at the dealor where you purchase the car. The reason why I ask is because I'm planning to buy a car at a dealer that over 50 miles away

[DebbyM46227]

Yes, if you want them free through ToyotaCare.

[cool_beans00]

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

Yes, if you want them free through ToyotaCare.

I've been told otherwise. I'm under impression you can get it done at any toyota dealership