I am about to bring my 4runner in for its first 5K servicing. I have
decided to use a close by, well regarded and large mechanic shop for
the oil change, even though I could do it myself, so as to reduce any
concern about warranty problems. It is clear that that is how I will
do the oil change.
The head of the mechanic shop said that it was not really necessary to
take the tires off and check the brakes, as they should be fine, with
no other indications of concern.

Two of the tires have already been rotated to change to a new tire to
replace a bulge in one tire.

The question is - would not rotating the tires and not doing a brake
inspection make a problem with the warranty, since the owners book
references inspecting the brakes at 5K ?

"Barry" <S3434P@remove the remove yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:5cp1r2d923ejrghrj6fm01e1och7u53rof@4ax.com...
>I am about to bring my 4runner in for its first 5K servicing. I have
> decided to use a close by, well regarded and large mechanic shop for
> the oil change, even though I could do it myself, so as to reduce any
> concern about warranty problems. It is clear that that is how I will
> do the oil change.
> The head of the mechanic shop said that it was not really necessary to
> take the tires off and check the brakes, as they should be fine, with
> no other indications of concern.
>
> Two of the tires have already been rotated to change to a new tire to
> replace a bulge in one tire.
>
> The question is - would not rotating the tires and not doing a brake
> inspection make a problem with the warranty, since the owners book
> references inspecting the brakes at 5K ?

No, there is no warranty concern. These items are warranted against defects,
not against normal wear and tear. Most of the inspect stuff is to avoid
manufacturer liability or to drum up business for the dealer.

Even if you did not perform required maintenance (checking is not
maintenance) on one item, it has no affect on the warranty of other items in
your car.

You can safely change the oil yourself and maintain warranty requirements if
you keep adequate receipts and documentation. I would strongly recommend
synthetic oil, or at the very least a synthetic blend.

On Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:42:10 +0000, Barry wrote:

> I am about to bring my 4runner in for its first 5K servicing. I have
> decided to use a close by, well regarded and large mechanic shop for the
> oil change, even though I could do it myself, so as to reduce any concern
> about warranty problems. It is clear that that is how I will do the oil
> change.
> The head of the mechanic shop said that it was not really necessary to
> take the tires off and check the brakes, as they should be fine, with no
> other indications of concern.
>
> Two of the tires have already been rotated to change to a new tire to
> replace a bulge in one tire.
>
> The question is - would not rotating the tires and not doing a brake
> inspection make a problem with the warranty, since the owners book
> references inspecting the brakes at 5K ?


I NEVER do tire rotations, and usually get 65-100K out of a set of tires!
The best I ever did was 120,000 on a set of Bridgestones.

Not rotating the tires will not void the warranty, since the tires aren't
covered anyway! (They are covered by the tire MFG, but not by Toyota)

On Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:52:00 GMT, Hachiroku ???? <Trueno@AE86.gts>
wrote:

>On Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:42:10 +0000, Barry wrote:
>
>> I am about to bring my 4runner in for its first 5K servicing. I have
>> decided to use a close by, well regarded and large mechanic shop for the
>> oil change, even though I could do it myself, so as to reduce any concern
>> about warranty problems. It is clear that that is how I will do the oil
>> change.
>> The head of the mechanic shop said that it was not really necessary to
>> take the tires off and check the brakes, as they should be fine, with no
>> other indications of concern.
>>
>> Two of the tires have already been rotated to change to a new tire to
>> replace a bulge in one tire.
>>
>> The question is - would not rotating the tires and not doing a brake
>> inspection make a problem with the warranty, since the owners book
>> references inspecting the brakes at 5K ?
>
>
>I NEVER do tire rotations, and usually get 65-100K out of a set of tires!
>The best I ever did was 120,000 on a set of Bridgestones.
>
>Not rotating the tires will not void the warranty, since the tires aren't
>covered anyway! (They are covered by the tire MFG, but not by Toyota)

Mark and Hachiroku, thanks this does make it simpler. I will be using
Mobil 1 and a Mobil 1 extended filter, but changing every 5K, anyway.
I have already purchased the 100K warranty, and do not want to mess
that up with not doing the changes at 5K, which, again, I will.

My previous car has steel wheels and, obviously, one could not look
"through" the mag wheel and see anything. I take it that one still
cannot see the actual portions of the brakes that are relevant nad
necessary, but I expect to do the full checkup deal, as per the book,
at 15K and perhaps they can be eyeballed then.
>

"Barry" <S3434P@remove the remove yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:q5f2r2tk9dsnmbeiof3o9mg6m99he5h1cv@4ax.com...
> Mark and Hachiroku, thanks this does make it simpler. I will be using
> Mobil 1 and a Mobil 1 extended filter, but changing every 5K, anyway.
> I have already purchased the 100K warranty, and do not want to mess
> that up with not doing the changes at 5K, which, again, I will.
>
> My previous car has steel wheels and, obviously, one could not look
> "through" the mag wheel and see anything. I take it that one still
> cannot see the actual portions of the brakes that are relevant nad
> necessary, but I expect to do the full checkup deal, as per the book,
> at 15K and perhaps they can be eyeballed then.

If you have disk brakes (I assume that you do), then they are designed to
make a squealing noise when the pads need to be replaced. Obviously, if you
encounter any unusual problems with the brakes or pedal feel, then have it
checked at that point. Usually only the front pads ever need to replaced (on
most front wheel drive cars) unless you have driven over 100K miles.

Certainly, checking the brakes every 5000 miles is overkill, and not
checking them will have no affect the warranty on the brakes or any other
part of the car.

Barry wrote:

> The question is - would not rotating the tires and not doing a brake
> inspection make a problem with the warranty, since the owners book
> references inspecting the brakes at 5K ?

Depends on the warranty on the tires, which is usually provided by the
tire manufacturer, not by the vehicle manufacturer. For new tires from a
tire retailer, they won't honor the mileage warranty without proof of
tire rotation. A lot of people just forget about the rotations, and give
up the mileage warranty. Except for Costco, getting a tire retailer to
actually honor the mileage warranty, even with tire rotations, is just
about hopeless.

The brake inspection is easy if you rotate the tires, so just do both.
It should only be about $10 to rotate the tires.