You better find a new dealer. That service writer is a total moron. Of course synthetic and conventional oil are compatable. Hasn't he ever heard of a synthetic blend? 5/30 will be fine, you may see a VERY slight decrease in economy. I use 5/20 Motorcraft semi-synthetic and a fram filter. I get all the crap at Walmart for about 14 bucks and have my buddy at Meineke change it for me for a roast beef sandwich. I never even went back to the dealer for my "free" oil changes. It would cost me more in gas and time than it does just to have a friend do it and atleast I can watch him do it and I know it is done right.

 

After talking to the idiot service manager I decided to go to Walmart and have them put in the 0w-20 since they have it in stock. When the Walmart guy took his handheld order writer over and scanned the car he returned and said that they couldn't change the oil. When I asked him why se said that it was a 2008 and wasn't in their computer. He said that they didn't know the torque specs for the drain plug and the lug nuts. Duh????

I ended up buying the oil there and taking it to a local independent garage who did it for $15.

 

ya I used 5w-20 when i reached my 1st 1000 miles. I just changed the oil but not the filter. my sisters bf use to work 4 toyota and he said that most dealerships would charge or void any warrany or oil exchange if they find out that u already changed the oil on your own. so that way they think that i havent done anything to it yet. and i'm 2 lazy check what kind of oil filter they use and buy one.

remeber it depends on where u live as well the colder the temp. the little thickr u want the oil to be and the hotter the less thick u want it to be.

 

don't go back to that dealer, they talking out of their A$$. read the oil bottle, it should say that the synthetic is fully compatible with conventional oil. no need to flush the engine.

also, a zero weight syn oil should provide better cold engine protection.....not to mention syn oil provideing better overall engine protection and reduces sludge buildup in the engine. syn oil does more than just provide better mpg.

 

smart techs......if you are not sure, leave it alone.

years ago I took my VW New Beetle to Pep boys, and they over torqued the drain plug.....stripped it and denied it. A day later, my car was out of oil. After days of arguing with them, they kept denying responsibly. I ended up replacing the all aluminum oil pan ,out of pocket. never again have I set foot back into Pep Boys.

 

Anybody have the torque spec for our '08 xB drain plug?

 

I went to my dealer, I specifically told my rep to have the mech use 5w-20, so he did. They use Havoline and I have the option of using 0w-20 Eneos full synthetic Japanese oil.

Sick azz dealer that I have. I also just canceled my extended warranty and my prepaid maintenance, I got like $3000 back.

 

I just had my oil changed to Mobile One by the dealer on Monday -- 1073 miles. According to my service sheet, they put in 5W-30 - my cost was $24 (I said NO to tire rotation!) Over the weekend I'd picked up a case of 5W-20 Mobil One from Pep Boys, and so I'd debated using a free change Vs doing it myself -- went with the dealer since I appeared to save a few dollars. I'm not sure exactly when I'll get the next change, but it will be almost certainly further out than 5K -- much further out.

 

My father in law works for pep boys, believe it or not most of the mechanics are better certified then a dearlership. His pep boys has better mechs then dealerships because dealerships pay thier mechs poorly.

 

Interesting! I will mention that whoever moved/serviced my xB stomped all over the painted sill area with VERY dirty shoes. Result being serious dirt plus scratches in the paint. I definitely can't recommend any form of Toyota dealer service from my brief experience. (You can believe I had a few words with the service sheduler after I got home and evaluated the mess. Never exprienced that before !)

 

If you want it done right, you've got to do it yourself... sorry to hear about your bad experience Trevor.

My personal feeling is that nobody takes as much care, or does as good a job, as the owner. I'll bet that Toyota technician (and any other brand for that matter) takes far better care of his own cars, than he does of the customers, even though he would be just as ____ed off if it happened to him. Whatever happened to The Golden Rule?

 

I basically read the riot act to the service scheduler when I called virtually immediately after I got home (I rewashed and cleaned the sill before declaring war) -- I was seriously upset ! I tried to keep control of my word choice, but lost it several times. My Mitsubishi Eclipse has never been exposed to dealer negligence like that - - this is a first!

 

I'm at work now, but I can check when I get home. I could swear that it's 28 or 30 foot pounds.

 

Thanks, I had the first 2 comp oil changes done at the dealership but I would like to make sure that when I take the Toyota filter, Mobil 1 5w20 synth oil, and new drain plug washer to my local shop that I can also let them know what to torque the drain plug to. Not leaving anything to chance.

BTW my local Scion dealership charges $179 for the 15k service (I'm not letting them touch my xB again for anything other than warranty work), but I was wondering what other prices people have seen for the 15k service at a dealership.

 

I had a terrible experience with my 5k. First, they tried to charge me, i had to remind them it was free.

Second - they "washed and waxed" my BSP. Ahem, they "swirled around the caked on salt" and left my beautiful new paint scratched all to hell.

I almost fainted when I saw what they had done. I am insane about how carefully I wash and wax my car to prevent my BSP from having the typical swirls and these retards destroyed my perfect paint.

I would love to just change the oil myself, but don't you have to have it done by a "professional" in order for the warranty to hold?

 

Turns out the "free" service includes tire rotation, and I made a point of saying "NO" to that. Two reasons, no point at 1090 miles, plus NO WAY do I want them fooling with my aftermarket alloys! Even so, they managed to give my driver's side sill area hell -- I would never have IMAGINED the "technician" could have been so worthless (I referred to him/her as an f'ing monkey over the phone -- spelled out of course -- but please believe me, I REALLY was trying HARD to control myself!)

 

My dealer wanted around $300 for the 15k service...

 

WTF do you service at 15k other than the oil, air filter & maybe rotate tires? Dealerships FTL....

 

Just did my first change on the xB today!

Was really easy to do as expected. Was filled with 4.3 quarts of M1 0W-20.

 

At 15K, they wanted to inspect a gazillion things... no way I'm spending $300 for the service.

Instead of giving the dealer $300, I did it myself and spent $23 on M1, $4.50 for the filter, and $165 for the rear sway back! Total = $193 for my 15k service!