ArcticGabe

Yes, I have never had anyone ever question my maintenance record. Quality workmanship and true love of the vehicle do speak for themselves. I change my own oil because it takes less time than going to the dealer, and I have the satisfaction knowing that it is done right. Even if I lost a few buck on the resale because someone insisted on seeing dealer receipts, who cares (right, who's ever really had that happen?). At least I know that as long as I owned the vehicle, it was taken care of to MY standards. That's all that matters to me.

sticker500

iTrader: (1)

In my younger years 15-25, I worked in the restaurant industry and after that worked for a company that specialized in restaurant technology. You wouldn't want to eat in some of the places once you saw the kitchen. Now I work in technology and spend alot of time auto dealerships. I prefer to change my own oil because typically the folks changing the oil are not the skilled, trained technicians that dealership employs. There are some really talented technicians that love what they do at these places. I got news for the Lexus owners with the high price oil change....your factory service is done by the same person changing the Toyota Yaris....LOL

I change my own oil not because I don't have trust but rather because I enjoy it, and am meticulous. I don't have to wait at the dealer and can put in what I want. Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-30 with a Motorcraft FL500-S.

Mizzou.Mike

iTrader: (1)

When I change my own I use Royal Purple full synthetic. With this new truck I get 6 free oil changes with the works package.

In the past most dealerships hire untrained people to do oil changes. (at least in all of them that I have worked at)

BUILTTOLAST

I have always been kinda in the middle of the road with this kinda thing.What I mean is,I don't believe in the old school mindset of 3k miles oil changes with conventional or 5k miles with synthetic but also don't believe in the 10k mile oil changes that Ford recommends.
I myself like to have a sweet spot between the 2.My 5.0 V8 gets its oil changes with Motorcraft 5w-20 full synthetic every 6.5k miles or 10k KMs,whitch ends up showing 30% oil life on the OLMS when changed at those intervals.

latech_pilot

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Gene Hunt

I've been driving, buying, trading and selling vehicles since 1975. I've never had to show anyone a box of oil change receipts. I keep my own records and documentation for myself but the condition of the vehicle speaks volumes as to the maintenance that it has had done. I look at my oil changes as spending some quality time with my car or truck.

latech_pilot

Maybe but I have the 2.7L EB and I don't have time to sit for 2+ hours at Houston area Ford dealers that charge $40-$50 for the oil change either. I've seen the guys that change the oil in my truck, they aren't super special trained mechanics, but not all bad either. However, I've had my fair share of screw-ups from having dealership oil changes.

This is the first truck I've ever changed the oil on myself and Ford can't tell me they'll void my warranty if I change the oil myself. You can tell a neglected truck from one that is maintained. I've never had anyone ask me for proof of my dealer done maintenance. Like I said, a buyer can tell a well maintained truck from one that is not.

gopherman

It can happen...I had a dealership try to void my ESP powertrain warranty because they said I hadn't been maintaining my vehicle (an old Ford Taurus). I called them on it and all was good...but I wouldn't be so sure that they would never do it. Technically...it's written into their warranty (the legally binding document) that they can void your warranty in situations where the vehicle's defect is due to neglect. I don't remember exactly how it's written, but it's in the brochure that comes with every new vehicle that describes warranty coverage and limitations. Either way...just be able to prove you did your oil changes and it's not a big deal.

latech_pilot

Yeah, I get that. But if I change my oil (which I do), Ford won't/can't void my warranty. They may try but good luck with that.

BUILTTOLAST

As long as you have all your oil/filter receipts/ logged intervals I'd say your safe.
There's people that say despite the fact that you have the oil/filter receipts/ logged interval,the dealer could still say "There's still no proof that it was physically done" whitch is hog wash.