HA, you like that huh? It is true though. I had a guy come in with a 2005 Tacoma with a 6" suspension lift complaining of a leak. I knew right away it was more than likely a power steering leak. When you lift the vehicle it throws of the steering rack tie rod angles and puts excessive stress on the side seals of the steering rack. He was under warranty but had a horrible attitude. After talking to my service manager and calling Joe Lacefield, our region service rep, we decided it would NOT be warrantied. So he payed 1100 for a new rack, 460 for labor and 95 for an alignment. The alignment was already off because of the lift and the tires were wearing due to too much negatice camber (tires tilted inward). So, being he had aftermarket super swamper mud tires, he spent another 9xx some dollars for tires, mount and balance. I also sold four camber adjustment cam bolts for 3x some dollars each. We are not theives, I simply live by the "if it ain't mine, I want NOTHING BUT THE BEST". This covers me, as we call it CYA (cover your ass) from any further problems down the road. Even then I let him know I would recommend removing the lift kit. Don't get me wrong now I love aftermarket. I have a 408ci LS1 stroker motor in my 01 WS6 as well as a 612hp turbocharged mitsu eclipse. Now this is not to say that Toyota is bad with warranty. I have done a motor job on a 92 camry v6 with 153k miles on it. Way out of warranty. Came in for shutting down on the interstate. Pulled the valve covers and diagnosed it as the ever-so-popular gelling sludge motor. Called Joe (our field service rep) and he OK'd a good will warranty. Bottom line: a nice old lady got a 6.8k dollar long block installed and only had to pay 500 dollars of the labor, Toyota picked up the rest. However, some smart punk 25 or so year old guy came in thinking he was warrantied and spent over two grand. I have nothing against younger people as I am only 21, but that is my take on being nice to who you bring your car to. And as long as we are on this tangent (HA!) we are not magicians and we do not have crystal balls. We go through a never ending cycle of factory training. When you complain about a 120 dollar diagnostic fee you don't realize this. We get paid flat rate. Sometimes we diagnose and find a problem in 10 minutes and still get paid our one hour. On the other hand, sometimes I get an airbag open squib circuit voltage too low electrical nightmare, spend three hours, and still only get paid an hour. We are just a bunch of good fellas (MOST of us) who love what we do. Passion is what drives this industry. But yes, there are people who will try to rob you, and we as a whole community despise them like we do who when someone puts a tang in a 24" tank. Ha.
-Ray