Oil Changes

[SWC Expat]

Could anyone recommend a quality and inexpensive place to get my oil and filters changed? I have a Toyota Vigo and refuse to pay the 3800 baht dealer fee! Thanks

[hhfarang]

Sorry, no suggestions except next time buy a Honda. I have a CRV and it costs me less than half that to get my oil and filter changed at the Honda dealership.

[Babylon]

Have you tried Toyota in Cha Am?
I have a Vios and the regular service there is between 1000 - 2000 Tb, and must include the work you want doing. I have always had a better experience there than Hua Hin Toyota.

[STEVE G]

I've had my Vigo serviced every year at Toyota Cha Am and I've never paid that much. Six months ago I paid 2,100 bt.
However if you want to get a quote from someone else, I would try one of the bigger service centres on that stretch of Pethakasem near the Palace. There's a large one on the right that is well equiped, but I don't know if it's any cheaper.

[chelsea]

Could anyone recommend a quality and inexpensive place to get my oil and filters changed? I have a Toyota Vigo and refuse to pay the 3800 baht dealer fee! Thanks

SWC, 3800baht for oil and filter change on a vehicle of that size is about right.
From what I can make out, it is the same as the Hilux model in Australia and just to buy the oil & filters for those models will cost about $120.00 AUD.

Also if it is a late models (especially if it is diesel), make sure that you put the correct oil in the engine.
Any of the very late models could have a particulate filter fitted to the vehicle to comply with the Euro 4 emission regulations. If you have one of them, there is a special low ash diesel oil that you have to use. If you use normal oil it will damage the particulate filter and they will cost about $1-2,000 to replace.

Also if your vehicle is still within warranty, it is advisable to get the services done at the dealers as if your engine was to fail and you cannot prove it has been serviced and the correct oils and filter has been replaced at the correct intervals, they can void your manufacturers warranty.

If you think it is expensive, just ring the parts dept and price how much the oil and filter will cost you, take that amount from what they are going to charge you, and that will give you an idea on whether the labour charge is fair.
To do an oil and filter change will probably take between 30-60 mins, depending on how hard it is to get the filter off.

[VincentD]

It may also have to do with the quality of oil you're replacing it with.

I use fully synthethic oil (which is almost twice the price of standard motor oil) but it goes further between changes and is less likely to break down under high engine loads. As a result of this I change the oil filter less often so it sort of offsets the cost.

[STEVE G]

I can tell you what oil Toyota put in a diesel Vigo as they always give me the empty container at Cha Am and we keep them to use up in Issan.
It's API CF-4 SAE 10W-30 semi synthetic and their's is actually branded Toyota.

[Spitfire]

3800 baht is a bit steep, they're having a laugh! I have a Mitsubishi Triton and when it goes to Mitsubishi then, if there's nothing wrong with it, it's 1300-1400 baht for oil and filters etc service.

Where I am Mitsubishi use Castrol Magnatec Pickup oil, that's fine with me as I am familiar with this brand.

Admittedly, Hua Hin is going to be more expensive that Korat but that's still a lot IMO.

[PeteC]

If I remember my old Toyota Tiger 3.0 diesel maintenance book correctly, they didn't change the oil filter every 10,000K, but every other service period which would be 20,000K. If in turn you are using full synthetic oil, I believe you can go very safely with oil and filter only every 20,000 or time, whichever comes first. Pete

[barrys]

The Toyota dealer in Pranburi ispretty reasonable too

[Farang]

I've gotten good service and reasonable prices at Cockpit on Petskasem Road.
It's on the left going north, big yellow sign well visible.

I only use Mobil 1 or Shell Helix full synthetic oils.

[hhfarang]

I bought my CRV from Honda Pranburi and for the first three years got it serviced there, even after the one in Hua Hin opened I was afraid that, like everything else, their service would be higher here... turned out, I was wrong; I tried Honda Hua Hin and the oil change was the same cost, and the 60,000 kilometer service (that's a big one) was actually cheaper in Hua Hin than what Honda Pranburi had quoted me when I was in there at 50k.

I've also used and like Cockpit, although I've only used them for replacement, alignment, balancing and repair of tires. I feel they give good, fast, reasonably priced service.

[Nereus]

I can tell you what oil Toyota put in a diesel Vigo as they always give me the empty container at Cha Am and we keep them to use up in Issan.
It's API CF-4 SAE 10W-30 semi synthetic and their's is actually branded Toyota.

Strictly speaking, CF-4 oil classification is obsolete. It may just be that Toyota have not got around to changing the packaging. But have a look here. There are as many theories and opinions about oils, as there are cars on the road!

http://www.sinwal.com/data/LUBE%20REPOR ... solete.pdf

[Poe]

I always take my car to (forgot the name) next to the flyover near the Ko Takiap turn off. From Hua Hin, go underneath the flyover, make the u-turn and the place will be on your left.
Cost me about 1000 Baht with Pennzoil 10W-30.

[PeteC]

Everything and more you ever wanted to know about engine oil. Pete

http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html