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We drive our trucks a lot, and we drive them hard. Off-roading, towing, hauling, stop-and-go commuter traffic, hauling stuff and more will all shorten the life of our truck’s oil and other parts that need maintenance. And, we know maintenance isn’t cheap. But one truck brand offers a complimentary maintenance plan that covers normal complimentary scheduled maintenance for up to two years or 25,000 miles. Every new Toyota, and that includes the Tacoma and Tundra trucks, comes with the service.

How much does it cost to maintain a truck?

A jiffy lube mechanic changes the oil on a car. But, some truck brands offer complimentary maintenance like this.
Florida, Miami, Jiffy Lube, quick oil change service, mechanics, vehicles, car,

Well, which truck do you own? A large, heavy-duty, truck like a Ram 3500 will cost more to maintain that a compact truck like the Ford Maverick. The diesel will require more oil for the big engine, DEF, and will likely be used for hauling and towing that necessitates more tire rotations and checks on things like differentials. While the small engine in the Maverick takes just a few quarts of oil. EVs have much lower maintenance costs.

We’re not talking about unscheduled repairs. Instead, we’re looking at the costs of oil changes, lube costs, inspections on brakes and tires, and tire rotations. And, of course, those costs go up as a truck ages.

How much does an oil change cost on a truck?

It depends. GMC Canyons, for example, use 5 quarts of 5w20 oil, that will cost between $20 and $30, and a filter that will run from $4 to $12.  But that cost can go up significantly if you order a truck with a big V8. For example, the 5-liter V8 you can order in the Ford F-150 needs 7.75 quarts of oil, which is $50 to $80, and a $10 to $15 filter. If you change your oil yourself, you can save the roughly $50 that a shop would charge you, on top of the materials, to do the job. These costs can add up quickly, especially if you drive a lot. Also, many new trucks have oil lights that turn on to warn you that you need an oil change. You may need to buy special electric tools in order to re-set the oil light on your dash.

What truck brands offer complimentary maintenance?

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma truck comes with complimentary maintenance.
2022 Toyota Tacoma | Toyota

Toyota offers complimentary maintenance for the first 25,000 miles or two years. Roadside assistance is included for two years, and for unlimited miles. In Toyota’s case, the service includes engine and oil filter change, tire rotations, and inspections, all done by Toyota-trained technicians at the dealer.

Ford has a different system than other brands. FordPass is a rewards or points-based system. If you buy or lease a Ford, you get points that can be used for maintenance visits, a discount on your next Ford, or other services like alignments or even merchandise.

Jeep offers the first three oil changes complimentary on its SUVs and the Jeep Gladiator truck within the first three years of ownership through Jeep Wave.

General Motors offers one free oil change, as well as a tire rotation and a vehicle inspection.

Dealers also offer maintenance plans. Many Ram dealers will offer access to the Ram Care program, but it’s not always complimentary. Ram Care for Ram 1500, 2500, and 2500 trucks will allow to four oil changes and tire rotations. Nissan dealers offer a similar service.

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.