Hey Everyone,
Not going to start a which oil thread, etc.
But lets say you're using oil which is priced a bit high. Dealer will only charge $10 to do the complete OC, etc - if I bring own filter and oil.
In order for them not to just take the oil I bring, and then use just some other oil - is requesting the empty oil containers back one way I'm guaranteed the oil was put in my vehicle?
Am I a bit paranoid thinking that whoever is changing it, might just bring his own vehicle around it, change it/have a laugh with the other techs and then give me the empties, lol.
Dealer Oil Change - Asking for Empties Back?
- Thread starter JeepGirlTX87
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Originally Posted By: JeepGirlTX87
Hey Everyone,
Not going to start a which oil thread, etc.
But lets say you're using oil which is priced a bit high. Dealer will only charge $10 to do the complete OC, etc - if I bring own filter and oil.
In order for them not to just take the oil I bring, and then use just some other oil - is requesting the empty oil containers back one way I'm guaranteed the oil was put in my vehicle?
Am I a bit paranoid thinking that whoever is changing it, might just bring his own vehicle around it, change it/have a laugh with the other techs and then give me the empties, lol.
Suppose it's one of these things where you can never be too sure. Some dealers would be happy to do so, others may not allow it, and then you may get the odd tech deciding to keep it for themselves. Short of doing it yourself, maybe get a local mechanic to change your oil for you instead?
I would do a UOA of the lube guy's own car a few days latter. Bet he has better oil in has car than you do in yours.
I have taken my own oil to dealers and quick lubes for years. I use Amsoil products for the most part. I have watched from afar, walked by it being done etc. I've NEVER had the impression he/them were going to not use my oil. On top of that I'm not a trusting guy about much of anything when it comes to people. You could always say you use the empties for such and such and how about putting them back in the box if it would make you feel better.
Welcome to BITOG! Best guarantee is to DIY? If that's not possible then just make sure you can see the actual oil change as its being done. Ask for the empties after its done not before. When I take my 5.1 qt jug for the OC they always leave the jug with just less than 1qt in my back seat floor since it doesn't take a full 5qt to fill. And again, welome!
JHZR2
Staff member
Its a valid point, but the best way to make this one a non-issue is to find a small independent that has an accessible bay, is known honest, and that you have validated as such.
Its easy to see if you got a new filter if you marked it or bring a different type each time.
You'll never know if the dealer is doing the job correctly and not taking your oil and using bulk oil. This is only one of the many reasons that I do my own work.
You don't want to insult those allowing you to bring in your own oil/filter and charging you little to do the labor. I don't know if there is a good answer for this except to find someone that you do trust. Maybe ask if you can watch?
That a tough one!
I had my last change done at PDQ Lube, a local quick change. I had a contractor working on remodeling my house, and my garage/driveway were inaccessible.
The tech at PDQ Lube was about to pour 10w40 in my car, despite my requesting 5w20, until I asked another tech if that was really 10w40 in the jug. They went and scrounged around in the back and found an unopened 5 quart jug of Motorcraft 5w20. I said OK to that. (they did use the OEM filter that I provided, but didn't give me a discount for it grrRR)
At a large dealership where not all the bays were viewable, I'm not sure I would trust them to use the oil I bought/brought.
Well even though her Mazda is a lease I am treating it to synthetic only except the last change. I didn't have the time so they used bulk Castrol 5w20 instead of the AFE 0w20 I've been using.
Well last winter it had AFE in the crankcase. How do I know? I super easy summer like starts at 15F-0F. This winter it does not because if is super slow & grumpy with the dino 5w20.
So if that can give you any solace that one dealer in PA actually uses the customers oil. I left them use an OEM filter because the price would be the same whether I bought it for them or not.
My wife likes to get in the car and go, 10-20 seconds max before in drive and putt putting down the street. She hits the highway in 2 miles of hilly terrain. So it gets up to temp pretty quick. Any thing to help lessen the startup wear is a good thing in my book.
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There is always a little bit of oil left in a bottle or jug after the technician dumps the container into the engine. If he's in a hurry, there will be more. I've been asking for my bottles back because I use the drippings in my lawn mower. I can use premium synthetic oil in my mower for "free" this way.
If you're going to ask for your bottles back, I would tell the service adviser before the work starts so he doesn't have to dig them out of the garbage afterwards.
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Nope,you`re not being paranoid whatsoever. I was the exact same way when I had the Nissan dealer change my manual tranny fluid (back in the days before I knew how to do it myself). Made me wonder because I brought in more fluid than my car required,and they said it took every bit of it to fill,and it was the super-expensive RP Max Gear. Of course now I do everything myself (and am going to buy a floor jack and jackstands soon so I can do anything that may require a lift). I simply do not trust anyone but me to work on my car.
Welcome to bitog. Its a pretty awesome place. As stated before watch like a hawk or diy is just do it myself personally. Dont want anyone touching my car except me and 3 other people. Both good friends and earn good mechanics. And they barely have to touch my car.
The last shop that I used had a waiting room, so you can’t see them doing the work. They also over filled my oil. It is very difficult finding someone capable of providing this simple service. I worked at a service station many years ago, and it amazes me that people can screw up an oil change.
You want to hear about dishonest...I was talking to an old co-worker the other day. He was telling me when he worked in a quick lube during high school. He would just keep the oil filter if they matched one of his trucks and let the old one on there haha. I couldn't even believe it.
Originally Posted By: JeepGirlTX87
Hey Everyone,
Not going to start a which oil thread, etc.
But lets say you're using oil which is priced a bit high. Dealer will only charge $10 to do the complete OC, etc - if I bring own filter and oil.
In order for them not to just take the oil I bring, and then use just some other oil - is requesting the empty oil containers back one way I'm guaranteed the oil was put in my vehicle?
Am I a bit paranoid thinking that whoever is changing it, might just bring his own vehicle around it, change it/have a laugh with the other techs and then give me the empties, lol.
Originally Posted By: JeepGirlTX87
Hey Everyone,
Not going to start a which oil thread, etc.
But lets say you're using oil which is priced a bit high. Dealer will only charge $10 to do the complete OC, etc - if I bring own filter and oil.
In order for them not to just take the oil I bring, and then use just some other oil - is requesting the empty oil containers back one way I'm guaranteed the oil was put in my vehicle?
Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: JeepGirlTX87
Hey Everyone,
Not going to start a which oil thread, etc.
But lets say you're using oil which is priced a bit high. Dealer will only charge $10 to do the complete OC, etc - if I bring own filter and oil.
In order for them not to just take the oil I bring, and then use just some other oil - is requesting the empty oil containers back one way I'm guaranteed the oil was put in my vehicle?
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