Dealership oil changes
12-24-2011, 11:03 AM
#31
Yeah but we also have proof that if there was a problem and it was caused by bad oil or the oil not being change, etc., then guess what, we don't pay for nothing because we have a record and so does the dealership that they changed the oil.
Now, once my warranty is up, i'll change my own oil but I have a long time before that.
Now, once my warranty is up, i'll change my own oil but I have a long time before that.
If they screw up at the dealership (not changing the filter or putting in cheap oil) you would probably not have engine problems until well past your when warranty expires.
If you trust and can afford the dealership doing it to begin with stay with them. If you don't and can't why let them do it to begin with.
I tend to like small independent oil change places where I watch them get the filter (if I don't take it in) and watch them get the quart containers on MC oil off the shelf and open them.
12-24-2011, 12:00 PM
#32
Truckin'Boatin'Bikin' Nut
Here's my story,
I had my first oil change on my 08 in the winter months, only because it was about 10 degrees outside, otherwise it is done myself.
I trusted then being they have been in business for about 60 years.
With the "Ford owner advantage" coupon it only cost me $30, not too bad considering the cost of 7qts. Ford Syn Blend and a "Ford" filter.
By the time the second 5K hit, it was springtime, time for me to change it and check their work. I was not happy from what I found and had to do.
In order to get the filter off I had to use my claw style filter wrench with and adapter for a 1/2 breaker bar just to remove it, which is not fun considering the 5.4 has little room to work in the filter area.
You can see in the pic on what I found, certainly NOT a Motorcraft filter, it was a Valvolene brand that was physically over 1.5 inches shorter than the OEM, (less filtration). Needless to say I was very POed. I went back for an explanation and they said it was policy unless I "asked" for a Motorcraft, because they cost more. So I guess $40 dollars does not cover the cost for the correct filter in their eyes.
I then asked what type of oil did they put in, Valvolene straight 30 wt? (sarcastic). Of course he said the Motorcraft syn blend.
I pointed to their Ford Serviced sign and stated it said FORD not Valvolene. If I wanted a cheap oil change, I would of gone to Valvolene quickie change.
Bottom line here is, when you do get it changed, make sure you ask on what type of filter and oil.
I also confronted my sales guy (which I used to like) and he gave me the same BS.
MY 2010 did not come from them, they lost a customer, and I make sure I pass along my story to all thinking of buying from them. Honesty is high on my list, and they lacked it.
I had my first oil change on my 08 in the winter months, only because it was about 10 degrees outside, otherwise it is done myself.
I trusted then being they have been in business for about 60 years.
With the "Ford owner advantage" coupon it only cost me $30, not too bad considering the cost of 7qts. Ford Syn Blend and a "Ford" filter.
By the time the second 5K hit, it was springtime, time for me to change it and check their work. I was not happy from what I found and had to do.
In order to get the filter off I had to use my claw style filter wrench with and adapter for a 1/2 breaker bar just to remove it, which is not fun considering the 5.4 has little room to work in the filter area.
You can see in the pic on what I found, certainly NOT a Motorcraft filter, it was a Valvolene brand that was physically over 1.5 inches shorter than the OEM, (less filtration). Needless to say I was very POed. I went back for an explanation and they said it was policy unless I "asked" for a Motorcraft, because they cost more. So I guess $40 dollars does not cover the cost for the correct filter in their eyes.
I then asked what type of oil did they put in, Valvolene straight 30 wt? (sarcastic). Of course he said the Motorcraft syn blend.
I pointed to their Ford Serviced sign and stated it said FORD not Valvolene. If I wanted a cheap oil change, I would of gone to Valvolene quickie change.
Bottom line here is, when you do get it changed, make sure you ask on what type of filter and oil.
I also confronted my sales guy (which I used to like) and he gave me the same BS.
MY 2010 did not come from them, they lost a customer, and I make sure I pass along my story to all thinking of buying from them. Honesty is high on my list, and they lacked it.
12-24-2011, 01:10 PM
#33
Yeah but we also have proof that if there was a problem and it was caused by bad oil or the oil not being change, etc., then guess what, we don't pay for nothing because we have a record and so does the dealership that they changed the oil.
Now, once my warranty is up, i'll change my own oil but I have a long time before that.
Now, once my warranty is up, i'll change my own oil but I have a long time before that.
At the dealer, a min wage kid usually does the oil changes. And there will be three hoses hanging down over the bay for dino / blend / synth oil. What do you think the chances are that kid grabs the correct hose? He'd have to read the job order, and then actually grab the blend or synth hose, instead of the one he usually uses. I think the chances of that happening consistently are rather slim.
How much does that kid care about your truck, knowing that a mistake on his part can't even really be discovered. And if it ever was discovered, it was an honest mistake, right?
Last edited by flixden; 12-24-2011 at 01:23 PM.
12-24-2011, 01:11 PM
#34
If they screw up at the dealership (not changing the filter or putting in cheap oil) you would probably not have engine problems until well past your when warranty expires.
If you trust and can afford the dealership doing it to begin with stay with them. If you don't and can't why let them do it to begin with.
I tend to like small independent oil change places where I watch them get the filter (if I don't take it in) and watch them get the quart containers on MC oil off the shelf and open them.
If you trust and can afford the dealership doing it to begin with stay with them. If you don't and can't why let them do it to begin with.
I tend to like small independent oil change places where I watch them get the filter (if I don't take it in) and watch them get the quart containers on MC oil off the shelf and open them.
12-24-2011, 01:14 PM
#35
Here's my story,
I had my first oil change on my 08 in the winter months, only because it was about 10 degrees outside, otherwise it is done myself.
I trusted then being they have been in business for about 60 years.
With the "Ford owner advantage" coupon it only cost me $30, not too bad considering the cost of 7qts. Ford Syn Blend and a "Ford" filter.
By the time the second 5K hit, it was springtime, time for me to change it and check their work. I was not happy from what I found and had to do.
In order to get the filter off I had to use my claw style filter wrench with and adapter for a 1/2 breaker bar just to remove it, which is not fun considering the 5.4 has little room to work in the filter area.
You can see in the pic on what I found, certainly NOT a Motorcraft filter, it was a Valvolene brand that was physically over 1.5 inches shorter than the OEM, (less filtration). Needless to say I was very POed. I went back for an explanation and they said it was policy unless I "asked" for a Motorcraft, because they cost more. So I guess $40 dollars does not cover the cost for the correct filter in their eyes.
I then asked what type of oil did they put in, Valvolene straight 30 wt? (sarcastic). Of course he said the Motorcraft syn blend.
I pointed to their Ford Serviced sign and stated it said FORD not Valvolene. If I wanted a cheap oil change, I would of gone to Valvolene quickie change.
Bottom line here is, when you do get it changed, make sure you ask on what type of filter and oil.
I also confronted my sales guy (which I used to like) and he gave me the same BS.
MY 2010 did not come from them, they lost a customer, and I make sure I pass along my story to all thinking of buying from them. Honesty is high on my list, and they lacked it.
I had my first oil change on my 08 in the winter months, only because it was about 10 degrees outside, otherwise it is done myself.
I trusted then being they have been in business for about 60 years.
With the "Ford owner advantage" coupon it only cost me $30, not too bad considering the cost of 7qts. Ford Syn Blend and a "Ford" filter.
By the time the second 5K hit, it was springtime, time for me to change it and check their work. I was not happy from what I found and had to do.
In order to get the filter off I had to use my claw style filter wrench with and adapter for a 1/2 breaker bar just to remove it, which is not fun considering the 5.4 has little room to work in the filter area.
You can see in the pic on what I found, certainly NOT a Motorcraft filter, it was a Valvolene brand that was physically over 1.5 inches shorter than the OEM, (less filtration). Needless to say I was very POed. I went back for an explanation and they said it was policy unless I "asked" for a Motorcraft, because they cost more. So I guess $40 dollars does not cover the cost for the correct filter in their eyes.
I then asked what type of oil did they put in, Valvolene straight 30 wt? (sarcastic). Of course he said the Motorcraft syn blend.
I pointed to their Ford Serviced sign and stated it said FORD not Valvolene. If I wanted a cheap oil change, I would of gone to Valvolene quickie change.
Bottom line here is, when you do get it changed, make sure you ask on what type of filter and oil.
I also confronted my sales guy (which I used to like) and he gave me the same BS.
MY 2010 did not come from them, they lost a customer, and I make sure I pass along my story to all thinking of buying from them. Honesty is high on my list, and they lacked it.
There is absolutely no risk for the dealer to put in dino instead of synth to save money. And even if it's not on purpose, the chances of the min wage kid doing the change messing up are VERY high IMO.
No dealer oil changes here.
One story from me: Wife drives a 2003 Passat turbo. In 2004, VW came out with a letter to all owners stating that only certain types of 5W40 fully synthetic oils can be used in that engine to avoid killing the engine due to sludge. They extended the engine warranty for sludge to 10 years if the right oil was used. Sometime in 2006 or 2007 I called a VW dealer to schedule an oil change. I asked what oil they use on the 1.8T engine. He said some Quaker State blend. Unbelievable. I have no reason to believe Ford dealers are any different or better.
Last edited by flixden; 12-24-2011 at 01:22 PM.
12-24-2011, 04:13 PM
#36
Senior Member
Many years ago I worked at a garage after school for an owner who was well known and liked by everyone around town, but he knew exactly how to pinch a penny in half. I personally saw him use bottom grade 30W oil in cars and charge for 10W40. Never saw him leave the old filter on so I guess I can give him that for what it's worth.
On a different note: One winter the cars started pouring in for antifreeze checks. We had one tiny $0.89 tester that was kept in a special place. This lady comes in driving a road boat and asks to have her antifreeze checked. I'm busy so the owner says he'll take care of it. A few minutes later another car comes in for the same thing but now the little $0.89 tester is no longer in it's special place. I asked him where it was and he said "we don't have one." I told him we had one less than an hour ago because I saw him take it from its special place. He said, "Not anymore we don't."
Turns out he let the bulb slip from his fingers and dropped it right through the filler neck. I asked him what he did about it and he said he put the cap back on, closed the hood and gave her a thumbs up. True story. I have no idea where the car was headed or what happened later but I didn't trust him too much after that.
The safest route to take is to believe only what you can see. If you can't see it for yourself there will always be room for doubt.
On a different note: One winter the cars started pouring in for antifreeze checks. We had one tiny $0.89 tester that was kept in a special place. This lady comes in driving a road boat and asks to have her antifreeze checked. I'm busy so the owner says he'll take care of it. A few minutes later another car comes in for the same thing but now the little $0.89 tester is no longer in it's special place. I asked him where it was and he said "we don't have one." I told him we had one less than an hour ago because I saw him take it from its special place. He said, "Not anymore we don't."
Turns out he let the bulb slip from his fingers and dropped it right through the filler neck. I asked him what he did about it and he said he put the cap back on, closed the hood and gave her a thumbs up. True story. I have no idea where the car was headed or what happened later but I didn't trust him too much after that.
The safest route to take is to believe only what you can see. If you can't see it for yourself there will always be room for doubt.
12-24-2011, 04:19 PM
#37
i have a 2010 lariat.... it has 30,000 miles the dealership has changed my oil everytime and rotated tires...... i have not had any problems with them at all..... i will continue to have them change my oil.... i change it every 5-6000 miles and rotate everytime that its changed..... it is worth it to me to have them do it. its documented that they did it... so thats the way it will be period for me ENUF SAID
12-24-2011, 04:20 PM
#38
I need to see it to believe it.
Especially if the vehicle requires something better than Dino oil. The problem is that any ill effects of wrong oil / filter, etc will likely not show up until after the warranty expires, so the argument that a dealer oil change protects you there is moot.
12-24-2011, 07:22 PM
#40
Senior Member
In a way we're kinda in a catch 22: if you change your own oil and there's a problem, there's probably going to be some sort of a battle.
OK, so the dealer changes your oil and it's all on record but some how, some way, there's a problem ( filter leaking or over tightened, drain plug leaking or stripped out, wrong oil, wrong weight, over/under filled or any combination of these), now youre at the dealer because there's a problem and they fight you like a wildcat.
They will do everything to make it owner neglect (you should check your oil every fill up, you should've seen the leaking oil on the driveway or, you must be abusing your car etc.
Trust me, seen it before. And on this very thread there are posts stating that the tech forgot to reset the iolm. How professional is that?
And here's what scares me about dealer service on the EB engines: the filter screws onto an aluminum oil cooler and the seal on the filter mates up to a rolled lip on that cooler. Over tighten the filter and you could flatten that rolled lip. Not good. That, plus it is very hard for the tech to access the filter and we have a recipe for disaster. I have skin in the game, he doesn't . I could go on and on but I think you guys know what I'm getting at: if there's problems, I'm on the loosing end of the stick no matter what, but at least if I do the job I know it was done with the oil of my choice, the correct filter and it all got done by someone who really cares.
OK, so the dealer changes your oil and it's all on record but some how, some way, there's a problem ( filter leaking or over tightened, drain plug leaking or stripped out, wrong oil, wrong weight, over/under filled or any combination of these), now youre at the dealer because there's a problem and they fight you like a wildcat.
They will do everything to make it owner neglect (you should check your oil every fill up, you should've seen the leaking oil on the driveway or, you must be abusing your car etc.
Trust me, seen it before. And on this very thread there are posts stating that the tech forgot to reset the iolm. How professional is that?
And here's what scares me about dealer service on the EB engines: the filter screws onto an aluminum oil cooler and the seal on the filter mates up to a rolled lip on that cooler. Over tighten the filter and you could flatten that rolled lip. Not good. That, plus it is very hard for the tech to access the filter and we have a recipe for disaster. I have skin in the game, he doesn't . I could go on and on but I think you guys know what I'm getting at: if there's problems, I'm on the loosing end of the stick no matter what, but at least if I do the job I know it was done with the oil of my choice, the correct filter and it all got done by someone who really cares.