Last Friday my wife took her 2015 RAV4 Limited AWD to a local dealer for a complimentary first oil change that she had made a prescheduled appt for.
The vehicle only has 2600 miles, but on new vehicles we normally have the oil changed early the first time just as a precaution.
After waiting 1.5 hours and having been promised the service would take no more than an hour, she asked the service desk how much longer it would take.
They were apologetic about the delay and after checking status told her the original tech had gone to lunch midway through the job and a new tech had just taken over and it was being washed and vacumed prior to delivery to her.
10 minutes later the tech came in and told her it was ready, she paid and went out to get her car.
The tech was out near her car and asked if it had always been a loud running car.
Not really understanding his question she commented no it was very quiet compared to her last car.
As soon as she started it up she heard it running loudly, she noted the temp gauge immediately shot above normal, and there was no oil pressure.
She shut it down just as fast and asked the tech if he'd checked the oil level before starting it.
After much shuffling and uh's, she finally informed the tech his supervisor was needed now.
The supervisor came out and with my wife they both checked the dipstick to find it dry.
At that time he told my wife running the engine without oil voided the warranty. She asked him how the oil issue applied when his techs drained the oil durring a servicing and never refilled it prior to returning her the vehicle. His classic response was"Mam you shouldve checked the fluids before starting the car". After she informed him his tech drove the vehicle from the service bay to where it was now parked and had asked her if it always ran loud he had no come back.
They went inside to have a discussion about what would need to happen, 10 minutes later another tech came in and said it was now full of oil and ready for her.
At this time she called me, mostly stunned they would actually tell her it was driveable after being run with no oil.
I made a call to a friend of mine thats well placed in the Local Toyota regional management, then proceeded to the dealership.
My friend beat me there, had the dealership put my wife in a loaner Avalon, and was instructing the GM about how to proceed with making things right.
So we assumed crises averted.
Saturday we were informed our engine rebuild would take a week.
At that time I told them dont lay a wrench on that car, for 1 ya'll screwed it up with a simple oil change, you dont get a second chance. And #2 that particular engine will not be rebuilt and placed back in the vehicle.
Another discussion with the GM that got no where, then my friend contacted me.
The dealer wanted to place a new engine in the car, I was agreeable provided every part that couldve possibly be affected was replaced.
It was finally decided to replace our car, untill the GM saw the invoice for our original purchase, he became upset because we were given such a good deal when we bought it that he would be losing money by replacing it in an even swap and paying any transfer and title fee's.
So here we are 4 days later with no final determination on what will happen, my friend is at the regional corporate offices attempting to come up with a solution.
Hopefully tomorrow brings us answers and an agreeable solution.
The vehicle only has 2600 miles, but on new vehicles we normally have the oil changed early the first time just as a precaution.
After waiting 1.5 hours and having been promised the service would take no more than an hour, she asked the service desk how much longer it would take.
They were apologetic about the delay and after checking status told her the original tech had gone to lunch midway through the job and a new tech had just taken over and it was being washed and vacumed prior to delivery to her.
10 minutes later the tech came in and told her it was ready, she paid and went out to get her car.
The tech was out near her car and asked if it had always been a loud running car.
Not really understanding his question she commented no it was very quiet compared to her last car.
As soon as she started it up she heard it running loudly, she noted the temp gauge immediately shot above normal, and there was no oil pressure.
She shut it down just as fast and asked the tech if he'd checked the oil level before starting it.
After much shuffling and uh's, she finally informed the tech his supervisor was needed now.
The supervisor came out and with my wife they both checked the dipstick to find it dry.
At that time he told my wife running the engine without oil voided the warranty. She asked him how the oil issue applied when his techs drained the oil durring a servicing and never refilled it prior to returning her the vehicle. His classic response was"Mam you shouldve checked the fluids before starting the car". After she informed him his tech drove the vehicle from the service bay to where it was now parked and had asked her if it always ran loud he had no come back.
They went inside to have a discussion about what would need to happen, 10 minutes later another tech came in and said it was now full of oil and ready for her.
At this time she called me, mostly stunned they would actually tell her it was driveable after being run with no oil.
I made a call to a friend of mine thats well placed in the Local Toyota regional management, then proceeded to the dealership.
My friend beat me there, had the dealership put my wife in a loaner Avalon, and was instructing the GM about how to proceed with making things right.
So we assumed crises averted.
Saturday we were informed our engine rebuild would take a week.
At that time I told them dont lay a wrench on that car, for 1 ya'll screwed it up with a simple oil change, you dont get a second chance. And #2 that particular engine will not be rebuilt and placed back in the vehicle.
Another discussion with the GM that got no where, then my friend contacted me.
The dealer wanted to place a new engine in the car, I was agreeable provided every part that couldve possibly be affected was replaced.
It was finally decided to replace our car, untill the GM saw the invoice for our original purchase, he became upset because we were given such a good deal when we bought it that he would be losing money by replacing it in an even swap and paying any transfer and title fee's.
So here we are 4 days later with no final determination on what will happen, my friend is at the regional corporate offices attempting to come up with a solution.
Hopefully tomorrow brings us answers and an agreeable solution.