1st synthetic oil change

[tojo70]

Well I finally got my M1 in the car. I wanted to see what everyone thought about what my mechanic did. Basically I got the oil at Costco (5w30), for $24.99 after $9 off coupon, (no sales tax in MT!) Got the Napa gold filter for $7.50.
Now, my mechanic charges $13 if you bring your own oil/filter. Since this was the first time for synthetic he said to do a Wynns oil treatment package. Basically a bottle of cleaner/conditioner in the old oil, run for 15 minutes, then drain and refill. And add the second bottle in the package which is the supreme plus oil treatment. I didn't really want to do it, but he sat me down, went through everything the Wynns stuff does. He goes through about 4 cases a week of the stuff, and puts it in his cars twice a year. So I went for it. That was 28.95.
So all told the cost was $74.44 and I'm planning on running it for 7500 doing an analysis and see if I can go another 2500 miles for an even 10K. That would be about a year based on our driving.

 

[lexus114]

i`m not sure i would have gone for that,although wynns does make good stuff.

 

[unixguru]

Sorry to disappoint, but you've just wasted perfectly good synthetic oil and $60.

It's one thing to add good major brand engine cleaner (Lique Moly, Amsoil) before the oil change, it's another thing to dump some wynn stuff in with synthetic oil. Your mechanic made it worse by adding a "conditioner"

I would stay away from that shop.

 

[Alex38]

Originally Posted By: unixguru
Sorry to disappoint, but you've just wasted perfectly good synthetic oil and $60.

It's one thing to add good major brand engine cleaner (Lique Moly, Amsoil) before the oil change, it's another thing to dump some wynn stuff in with synthetic oil. Your mechanic made it worse by adding a "conditioner"

I would stay away from that shop.


+1
That was pointless, and a waste of money.

 

[PhillyJoe]

He makes a little more than $13 by upselling the customer. While it can't hurt, your oil does the same job as the treatment.

"Wynn’s Oil System Cleaner & Conditioner
• When added to the oil before an oil change it will
remove the harmful deposits from the oil system
and promote a complete drain of the used oil. It
provides wear protection during the engine flush
process while reducing the contamination of the
new oil.
Wynn’s Supreme +Plus+ Oil Treatment
• (U.S. Patent No. 4,557,841) is formulated with
premium API SL / ILSAC GF-3 additive technology
in addition to:
• DETERGENTS / DISPERSANTS to maintain engine
cleanliness by preventing the accumulation of
harmful deposits.
• OXIDATION INHIBITORS to retard oil thickening
caused by high temperature operation and
extended service intervals.
• FRICTION MODIFIERS to reduce friction and
increase engine efficiency
• ANTI-WEAR ADDITIVES to prevent engine wear
associated with start-up and severe driving
conditions. It will also boost the anti-wear ability of
the engine oil, which will deplete with use.
• RUST AND CORROSION INHIBITORS to neutralize
acids formed by combustion by-products and
protect engine surfaces from rust resulting from
water in the oil due to condensation.
• Add new oil following each oil change or between
oil changes to revitalize the engine oil."

 

[crazyoildude]

why would anyone do that?
Change the oil with the quality oil and filter of your choice and be done with it.. the oil companies spend thousands on getting the formula as close to perfect as possible what makes anyone think they know better than the oil companies..
next time change your oil yourself or go someplace else that is not in the anake oil business...

 

[hounddog]

Wasted money as already posted.Guy changing your oil did a darn good up sell from a $13 buck really no money in it oil change.All you needed to do was change the oil.If you really wanted to do something to give a placebo affect and do a little good.You could have added some Marvel Mystery oil to your crankcase,drove car a couple days.Then just a oil and filter.But even that is not needed.Now about oil additives.Quality oils need NO additive.In fact it kinda screws with the Mobile formula.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: tojo70
I didn't really want to do it, but he sat me down, went through everything the Wynns stuff does.

Just learn from this experience and next time follow your instincts--you are the customer in this equation. If you do not want to do something, then a simple "Thanks, but no thanks" should suffice--else move on to another shop.

 

[tojo70]

Ok. Sounds like I got taken on the oil additive. My question is, is it going to hurt? M1's on sale through the end of the month - 6qt case for $24. Should I suck it up and DIY a drain and fill with fresh (non additive) M1?

 

[pbm]

I don't think it will hurt anything....I'd just leave it in until the next regular scheduled oil change. I agree that it isn't needed and that a quality oil and filter is sufficient.
What kind of vehicle?

 

[glum]

This is the kind of thing that gives mechanics and car shops in general a bad name.

 

[hounddog]

Dunno if a bad name or not.His shop and he made a up sale.I did it for 25 years.He did no harm and he sounds like he truly believed in the product.I hated handing oil changes for the most part.No money in them unless car is already in for something else. Years ago in a Nissan store I worked at we did $18.95 OLF.Made under $2.00 profit.That really was shot down if more then grunt labor did it.We did approximately 400 a month.Boss came out and said.Darn these interrupting OLF lets make them worth wild.We went to $28.00. Made about #10 bucks or so.Still did 400 a month.Some customers made comment but still did them.

 

[glum]

No harm? He sold a totally unnecessary product to an unwitting customer. To me, bilking people is "harm".

I also think your former boss had no idea what he was talking about. Customers are never an "interruption" to your business. Oil changes may not be big moneymakers in and of themselves, but they are an opportunity to (1) Find other things that actually are wrong (brakes, tires, etc.); and (2) A quick, easy way to build customer relationships and repeat business. Is it really that hard to see that a customer who finds a shop quick, professional, and reasonably priced for an OC may very well come back when they need something more expensive done? Or that they will tell others about their experience?

 

[CharBaby]

tojo70,

Being a new member here, you are still in learning mode.
These comments and recomendations from other members may sound a bit harsh but, TRUE!

Your mechanic may in fact really beleive in the products(Wynn's) that he sells and I don't think/beleive that it hurt anything but your wallet. These type of oil products are only needed in extreme neglected cercumstances, not for those of us that are diligent about maintenance.

We may have hurt your feeling/pride but now it's time to dust youself off and learn from experience. Instead of doing something first and telling others, ask first before doing.

Welcome to the board and live and learn as we all have so that in the future you can educate others.

 

[hounddog]

Well Glum I was just at a Chevy store this A.M. and overheard the same complaints about drive in alone oil changes interrupting daily work and no money in them.They were doing them for $14.95 and did have some upsales from them but said they interrupted the heck out of a busy day and were big money losers.The discussion I referred to was 20 years ago. Yea we looked cars over and did up sales but in general in a moderately busy shop a stand alone oil change for $18.95 or whatever low ball price is a pain in the butt.I had WEEKS years ago and some in the more recent that it was 3 days to get to the next dead car and deal with all the drive in work we could handle.I'm talking 35 techs.The STAND ALONE oil change was a royal pain. Then G.M.and others wanted a dedicated quick lube bay.That helped that issue but to make the 30 minute or less spiel they were DRIVE ON lifts that you couldn't pull wheels.Kinda hard to check brakes and not fully useful for much more then a oil change.My old boss and then myself have a combined 60 or so years running very profitable service depts with any where from 8 to 50 techs.This includes Datsun,Nissan,several G.M.makes,Isuzu,Ford,Mazda.The STAND ALONE drive in oil change is and always has been a pain and either not profitable or just a few cents to me made.I will also say that the REP for the Wynns products that the shop owner sold will and does have faith in his product.Hince my NO HARM DONE.Some folks out there I bet SWEAR on that oil treatment.Wynns been selling that stuff for decades.I and you wouldn't use and I hear what you said and mean.