Oil changes are one of the simplest and easiest parts of maintaining your vehicle, especially when you bring your Toyota to a trusted service center in the Burleson, Alvarado, and Cleburne area. That said, some people like tinkering and working on their own vehicles when possible, as it can save money. DIY oil changes are one of the top services people like to perform at home, so it raises the question: Should I do my own oil change? While we can’t answer that question for you, since you’d have to decide the value of doing your own car maintenance, we can go over what to expect when performing a DIY oil change or choosing the dealership oil change route. Read on to learn the ins and outs of a DIY oil change and decide if it’s better to tackle it on your own or to bring your vehicle to your local Toyota service center. more DIY Oil Change In order to perform a DIY oil change, you’re going to need to get some specific tools and get familiar with your vehicle. The tools you’ll likely need include: Replacement Oil (check your manual to see which oil you should use) A lift or a jack (it cannot be a car jack, otherwise known as a scissor jack) An oil drip pan An oil filter A plastic clip remover A flashlight or a source of light Adjustable wrenches and sockets Gloves Brake cleaner A creeper (a flatbed rolling trolley to lie on to get under the car) Once all of this is squared away, make sure you have a flat area to work, raise your vehicle, and you can start on your DIY oil change. Once the vehicle is raised, have all of your tools within reach. You’ll first remove any trays under the vehicle and check for leaks. Unplug the drain for the oil to release, but make sure you have your drip pan underneath before you do so. If any leaks are found during this process, stop immediately and bring your vehicle to a service center. Once the oil stops draining, take out the oil filter and allow that to drain. Put the new oil filter in and seal it with the required gasket (assuming it’s in good condition). After that, replace the drain plug and fill up your vehicle with the new (recommended) oil and let the car run for 10 minutes so it can settle and spread throughout the system. Once all that’s done, clean up and you’re good to go! Dealership Oil Change If all of that sounds like a lot of time and money spent on new tools and toys, a dealership oil change is as easy as scheduling service, bringing your vehicle in, and waiting for the job to be done by the technician. If you have ToyotaCare on your newer vehicle, oil changes are covered under the maintenance plan. If you don’t have ToyotaCare, don’t worry. We have plenty of service specials, including oil changes, to help you keep more money in your wallet while maintaining your Toyota. Schedule Toyota Maintenance in Burleson Today Have you ignored your Toyota’s oil change for a bit too long? Want to make sure that your vehicle keeps running for years? Bring your vehicle to Family Toyota of Burleson, and we’ll make sure your Toyota runs smoothly for many more trips. Contact us today to schedule service or to have your Toyota inspected.
Exploring the Toyota Truck Lineup
Many shoppers think of Toyota primarily as a maker of dependable, efficient, and city-friendly vehicles, but there’s another side to the famed automaker that gets talked about a little less often. They also have an impressive fleet of body-on-frame pickups and SUVs, all of which are perfect for towing, hauling, off-roading, and overlanding adventures. If you’re in the market for a rugged vehicle to handle all of your truckiest tasks, here’s a rundown of everything our Toyota dealership near Cleburne, TX has to offer. more Mid-Size Pickup Truck: Toyota Tacoma Starting price: $31,590 Max horsepower: 326 hp Max torque: 465 lb.-ft. Max towing capacity: 6,500 lbs. The Tacoma is an icon in the off-roading world thanks to its impressive engine options and its enormous selection of available features. It’s also popular because its compact and maneuverable body allows it to get places that larger vehicles can’t, making it an extremely versatile trail rescue vehicle. It has the most available trims of any truck on this list, a choice between automatic and manual transmission, two bed lengths, and two drivetrain options, so it’s safe to say it’s quite easy to customize for whatever job you need it for—and that’s before you even factor in the thousands of available aftermarket parts and accessories available for the Tacoma. Thanks to its recent update for the 2024 model year, it’s also impressively tech-forward, with an available 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system and portable JBL speaker mounted in the passenger dash. Full-Size Pickup Truck: Toyota Tundra Starting price: $41,260 Max horsepower: 437 hp Max torque: 583 lb.-ft. Max towing capacity: 12,000 lbs. As the brand’s dedicated full-size pickup, the Tundra has the distinction of having the highest towing capacity of the entire Toyota lineup, and by quite a wide margin at that, which opens up the door for all kinds of fun pulling travel trailers, boats, and more. Other features like the available e-locking rear differential and load-leveling rear air suspension push performance even further. The Tundra also has the most available configurations, with two cabs and three bed lengths to choose from, including the ultra-spacious CrewMax cab and the massive 8.1-foot bed, giving you up to five unique body styles to choose from, depending on your needs. Of course, it’s not all just about capability. The interior is well-provisioned across all trim levels, with available features like the 14-inch center touch screen, panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats, and premium upholstery. Off-Road SUV: Toyota 4Runner Starting price: $41,270 Max horsepower: 326 hp Max torque: 465 lb.-ft. Max towing capacity: 6,000 lbs. After over a decade, the 4Runner got massive overhaul for its newest generation, complete with two shiny new powertrain options (which it shares with the Tacoma) along with a ton of other updated features, which means the best off-road SUV just got even better. Shoppers can choose between two-wheel drive with automatic limited-slip differential, part-time four-wheel drive with two-speed transfer case, or full-time four-wheel drive with a locking limited-slip diff, but that’s just the beginning. Other available features include a stabilizer disconnect system, Multi-Terrain Select, and multiple drive modes to adjust dynamics on the fly. Like the previous generation, the 4Runner is available in either a five-seater or seven-seater interior layout, but the new gen brings heaps of newly available tech, including an updated infotainment system, Multi-Terrain Monitor, and even an onboard air compressor. Mid-Size SUV: Toyota Land Cruiser Starting price: $57,200 Max horsepower: 326 hp Max torque: 465 lb.-ft. Max towing capacity: 6,000 lbs. In many ways, the Land Cruiser is similar to the 4Runner: It has the same max power stats and towing capacity, as well as similar capability features in general. However, there’s plenty that sets this high-class off-roader apart, too. The Land Cruiser comes standard with the full-time 4WD system with Torsen limited-slip differential as its only drivetrain option, making it a strong contender right out of the gate. It also has a relatively simplified selection of trims, with only two to choose from, which means picking the right model for your needs can be far easier. Make no mistake though: both grades offer an impressive list of standard amenities. Perhaps the biggest difference is that the Land Cruiser has a more upscale interior feel, with distinctive styling and high-grade materials that call to mind a borderline luxury SUV. Full-Size SUV: Toyota Sequoia Starting price: $64,025 Max horsepower: 437 hp Max torque: 583 lb.-ft. Max towing capacity: 9,500 lbs. Much like the sturdy, legendary trees it’s named for, the Sequoia is large and in charge, with a seating capacity that allows up to eight people to sit comfortably and ample legroom in all three rows. It also has nearly 90 cubic feet of max cargo volume when the rear seats are folded, making it the perfect truck-style SUV for big family road trips. Because it shares a powertrain with the almighty Tundra, it also has plenty of power to back it up, with the second highest towing capacity in the Toyota lineup and available part-time 4WD. Additional available features include upgraded suspension, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and underbody protection for when things get extra hairy. Unsurprisingly, it also comes well-equipped on the inside, with a standard Smart Key System, power moonroof, three-zone climate control, and heated seats, as well as available features like the 14-inch center infotainment screen. Shop Toyota Trucks for Sale near Alvarado, TX At Family Toyota of Burleson, we have one of the best selections of new Toyota vehicles in the greater Fort Worth area, and when you shop our new car specials, you can save money on your next truck with low APR financing and Toyota lease deals aplenty. Ready to schedule a test drive? Visit out Toyota dealership at 801 S. Burleson Boulevard in Burleson, TX. You can also contact us online or call us at 817-405-3122 to set an appointment.