Complaint Review: Keith PiersonToyota

Owners of Toyota automobiles should ignore everything in the owners manual because if the maintenance cycles are incorrect, then changing a fuse according to the manual may disable the vehicle. If the oil should be changed every 3000 miles, then it should be stated in the manual.
A vehicle driven new off the lot returns 7500 miles later for an oil change, then comes back again in 7500 miles, that means the next oil change would come at about 22,500 miles. I know this math is difficult for some to understand.

The problem with Toyota's sludge repair promise is it matters to them where you got your oil changed. I have several invoices for oil changes and because one of them was at a Jiffy Lube, the dealerships say that anyone could have gotten a receipt from them. That means if the dealership isn't ripping you off with $60 oil changes, they will not honor the promise.

Reading your situation I feel I'm abliged to offer my comments on the matter. Working in the field of automechanics and especially engine cooling and lubrication, essentially oils, I would like to let you know what my professional experience is.

First, if you read the owners manual for extended drain intervals is for "Normal" Driving conditions. Now flip to the part telling you what a "Normal" driving condition is. Living in Florida, you not a Normal driving condition. Actually, living on the planet Earth qualifies you and every other auto owner to follow the Severe driving conditions. Please quote that last sentance as it is exactly as stated by Shell/Pennzoil/Quaker State Oil and every oil company. The oil companies say to follow the Severe service schedule no matter where you live, unless you live in a laboratory.

Now about that letter from Toyota stating they will repair sludge damage. That's false, they won't repair the engine, they just remove the sludge by performing a simple non-kerosene based engine flush, as stated in the letter. It's so easy you can do it yourself. The Pennzoil Oil System Cleaner can be found at most quicklubes or an authorized Pennzoil dealer and retails for less than $20.00. Simply put the additive in the HOT OLD engine oil, run for 10-15 minutes, drain, rinse with a quart or 2 then change the oil filter and refill.

Toyota oil sludge is 100% preventable. The funny thing is, in Japan, they don't have the engine sludge problem. Actually, niether do I. Being a Toyota fan for just that reason: They never fail unless very, very poorly maintained. Oil changes every 3 months or 3000 miles (5000kms) will prevent any engine sludge. The owners manual actually recommends an engine flush and fuel system purge every year, which I recommend probably about every 2-3 years depending on how many highway miles you get. If you want to keep the problem away for ever and have mechanics saying "Wow" when they peek inside, then follow my simple rules for getting your Toyota over the 1 million mark without any engine or transmission work.
1) Premium fuel (91 octane or higher), it burns slightly cleaner and doesn't leave as much residue on the cylinder walls to sludge up the oil faster.
2) Synthetic oils: Synthetics are far, far superior to convential oils. I could go on forever about the benifits of synthetic over conventional but just trust me, it rules.
3) DO NOT extend drain intervals! Start to sweat if you dip over 3000, you should. Conventional oils offer NO detergent protection against carbon build up and sludge after just 3000 miles. That's why they say 3000 miles. Also the shear point or film retention drops from 40psi to less than 4psi! (Synthetics are above 6000psi, like I said; far, far superior). The flash point drops from 430F (212C) to 175F (85C). And it's black, not to mention that isn't exactly 5w30 or 10w30 anymore. It's more like crude oil.
4) Every 70,000 miles, do a fluid overhual. Flush the transmission, power steering, coolant and purge the fuel system.
5) Wash your car often. Once every 14 days at least. Keeping a clean car keeps the salt off in winter, dust off in summer and prevents corrosion, rust and peeling paint jobs. Don't forget to wax, it makes it look nice and protects from sunlight and water.
Simply follow these rules and any vehicle will last over 1 million miles. New oil keeps the gaskets and seals soft so they don't dry out and leak and new coolant keeps heat damage, the most common cause of failure, to a minimum. Sure with synthetic and premium it costs more to maintain, but think how much you'll save without ever paying a repair bill, ever.

PS: Heavy Duty diesel's should still be changed as regular as a car. Most new model rigs demand the use of synthetic because of higher amounts of cantiminants in diesel combustion. mileage can be exceeded because of the distances but not the running time (hours). The average heavy duty tractor trailer synthetic diesel oil change is usually around $500-$600.

Toyota owner's manuals say to change the oil every 7500 miles. The engines have a reputation of sludging up and failing. Toyota refuses to replace them under the warranty. This is all commonly reported here and elsewhere.

You do need to change the oil more often. Also it is necessary to CHECK the oil and possibly add more every 1000 miles or so. Driving 7500 miles, or even 3000 miles, without checking the oil can lead to running out of oil and of course severe damage. It sounds like the original poster can avoid further trouble by going to a 3000 mile schedule. The original mechanic was trying to rip her off saying the engine was bad when it wasn't.

YOU are responsible for any damage to your engine. You have had a whole TWO oil changes in 22,500 miles. Oy Vay! Ever heard of every 3 months or 3000 miles? As for the "mechanic" who claims to be able to rebuild a Toyota engine for $2500, HAHAHAHAHA! That's a good one. He'd be lucky to buy a used one with less than 100K miles and install it for that. You'd be looking at about $1100 just in labor to SWAP engines. The last one my shop did was nearly $3000. Engines do NOT get sludged up if the oil is changed regularly and ON SCHEDULE. Changing it every 11K miles is not ON SCHEDULE unless you are driving a "big truck" with a BIG diesel in it. Keep in mind Pierson has to abide by the policies set forth by Toyota Corporate. Good luck with your car ownership. I'm glad I don't work on it. My customers are a much brighter group.

YOU are responsible for any damage to your engine. You have had a whole TWO oil changes in 22,500 miles. Oy Vay! Ever heard of every 3 months or 3000 miles? As for the "mechanic" who claims to be able to rebuild a Toyota engine for $2500, HAHAHAHAHA! That's a good one. He'd be lucky to buy a used one with less than 100K miles and install it for that. You'd be looking at about $1100 just in labor to SWAP engines. The last one my shop did was nearly $3000. Engines do NOT get sludged up if the oil is changed regularly and ON SCHEDULE. Changing it every 11K miles is not ON SCHEDULE unless you are driving a "big truck" with a BIG diesel in it. Keep in mind Pierson has to abide by the policies set forth by Toyota Corporate. Good luck with your car ownership. I'm glad I don't work on it. My customers are a much brighter group.

Safia, you should not have to pay anything for the SLUDGE repair. Have you received the letter that Toyota promised to send out in 2002? The letter that states that the company will pay for the sludge repairs? The letter that says all this sludge is caused by owner neglect? Yes, Toyota has publicly promised to FIX the problem as long as you can show reasonable oil changes. Apparently you can, so you are covered!

Send Toyota a CERTIFIED LETTER with return response requested. Ask for full coverage of the sludge problem repair. Ask for that "Customer Support Program for Engine Oil Gelation" letter if you never got it.......you see, Toyota decided to just stop sending out the letters after sending only some a few months apart. Toyota doesn't want the vehicle owners to know about this if they don't already! Some owners say that Toyota has not revealed anything to them.......that they have had to find out on the internet.

Luckily for you, you came to the internet to vent. If you do a search for "Toyota sludge," you might be amazed at what you find.

File your report with government and consumer agencies online. Do it now before you have true engine failure. Don't let Toyota minimize this issue, and do your own research to learn more.

Good luck! A little sludge now means you may be destined for the failure that so many Toyota owners are experiencing in low mileage Toyotas.