You make great points. With places where you hand something over and they handle it behind closed doors, trust is key. This whole story with the engine oil (this thread is not the only one, unfortunately; the issue has been well documented) is having a negative and probably lasting implications on the Toyota brand and our relationship with them.
I'm inclined to trust them to use it. Reasons are:
- The root cause for concern has been that they demonstrate ignorance and take things lightly, not that they are acting maliciously;
- The widespread nature of the failure across many different dealers and countries indicates a cultural issue, a failure across much of the Toyota network. I'm not aware of any signs that any specific mechanics said they would use one oil and used another. So, again, it's more of a training issue and deviating from the culture Toyota Japan are known for with reference to consistent quality and getting things right.
- I don't have much choice. The amount of time I spend researching & looking after this car is a lot more than I had ever wished for; so, I try not get even more involved with DIY, etc solutions .
The "obvious warranty" is a biggie. Other than that, the great reliability of Toyota means a lack of independent Toyota garages (the few I found, I didn't even want to go near. I remember one in my area stated on their website that if they suggest works relating to safety and you don't give them the go ahead, they won't give you back the keys "for your own good"). Therefore, if you want your car to be serviced in a garage where they have had a few like yours, are more likely to be equipped with the right resources, have access to many more (official ones), will perform minor corrective work if instructed internally by the manufacturer, etc, then the Toyota main network is still your best bet.
I echo your views. It should be a simple task, so it is very worrying. When I asked for other work that was still simple, yet off the beaten track, they couldn't do it and didn't feel bad about that either. No reassurance from my side that what I was asking could be done would prompt them try a bit harder, reach out to their network for advice, etc. Just no willingness to get involved and a response that it's not doable (when I know it is). So, I won't push them to do something they dont want to do. I'll go to them for basic works, for my convenience, but for more serious work, I'll have to travel hundreds of miles to get to someone who seems more interested and capable, like RRG Macc's
@Richard Mckay on
@Lauren 's recommendation.
