Dealer Oil Change

[AC1DD]

Originally Posted by berniedd
I'm not allowed to enter the work area and see the oil and filter changed in my new Toyota and Honda. From now on, at my next new car purchase I'm going to pay an indie shop or the gas station to do the work while I'm watching. So I'll know it was done right.



Have you asked these dealerships WHY you can't peek in the shop and see the work being done?

More often than not they don't want you to see because they are taking your money and not doing ANY work at all, unless it is something that results in the car not functioning or critical like brakes, which they WILL usually do right.

 

[Hermann]

Pretty much since I purchased my Truck the dealer has sent out quarterly Oil and Filter special coupon for $19.99 if you dont want extra services. Right now they will come and get it and bring it back for free due to KOVID. Big money loser if they can 't sell additional services.

 

[CKN]

Originally Posted by berniedd
I'm not allowed to enter the work area and see the oil and filter changed in my new Toyota and Honda. From now on, at my next new car purchase I'm going to pay an indie shop or the gas station to do the work while I'm watching. So I'll know it was done right.



Have you asked these dealerships WHY you can't peek in the shop and see the work being done?

More often than not they don't want you to see because they are taking your money and not doing ANY work at all, unless it is something that results in the car not functioning or critical like brakes, which they WILL usually do right.

This is a false statement...unbelievable that someone actually made it.

 

[doublebase]

This is a false statement...unbelievable that someone actually made it.

I agree. First of all most facilities don’t really have access to windows in the waiting room looking out into the shop. Some might, most don’t. And if they do? You can’t necessarily see your car.

The thing is you aren’t allowed out there in that shop. Insurance and safety don’t allow it. Occasionally you might be taken out there to physically see something, but you’re escorted and asked to wear safety glasses. Customers aren’t just allowed to walk out onto a repair facility floor.

 

[PimTac]

This is a false statement...unbelievable that someone actually made it.

That is why he is no longer here.

 

[justalubetech]

I agree. First of all most facilities don’t really have access to windows in the waiting room looking out into the shop. Some might, most don’t. And if they do? You can’t necessarily see your car.

The thing is you aren’t allowed out there in that shop. Insurance and safety don’t allow it. Occasionally you might be taken out there to physically see something, but you’re escorted and asked to wear safety glasses. Customers aren’t just allowed to walk out onto a repair facility floor.

This, i've brought customers in real quick to show them something, but insurance is pretty clear that you can't have bystanders in the work area, even our OSHA booklet touches on that.

Plus nothing would ever get done if the techs had to answer 50 questions with someone on every car..

 

[doublebase]

This, i've brought customers in real quick to show them something, but insurance is pretty clear that you can't have bystanders in the work area, even our OSHA booklet touches on that.

Plus nothing would ever get done if the techs had to answer 50 questions with someone on every car..

And this isn’t anything new either - although things have gotten “tougher” with safety glasses and other things that 30 years ago we didn’t encounter as much - but even 30 years ago customers weren’t allowed on or out on the service area floor.

When I was a kid we screwed up a customer’s drain plug on a new car he had just bought from us, he was a “special” customer. A special customer in the sense that he always bought all of his family’s cars there, so we accommodated him with free oil changes on that vehicle for the rest of his ownership...and he was allowed to watch us change the oil. Being only 18 at the time, I was the lucky guy that had to do his free oil changes. The whole time he questioned and nit picked everything I did. It drove me crazy. One day I had to do tie rods and brakes on his car...and they let him in again. The job took me half the day with him looking over my shoulder...you sure you’re doing that right? Why are you doing THAT? What does this thing do? Making noises and gasping after every time I had to remove something or turn a bolt.

Having said that, I’d never get an oil change at a dealer. I’d never want to pay extra for the cheap bulk oil they use. And I’d never trust them to put their “better” oil in it for extra, because there is a chance you won’t be getting it. Not saying all dealers, but I just wouldn’t pay extra and chance it. If you can do it yourself, do it yourself.

 

[PimTac]

The last time I was at the dealer they live streamed the inspection of the chassis underneath and the engine bay. They sent a notification to my iPhone and I watched the tech point everything out. This seems like the way to go.

 

[Ihatetochangeoil]

And this isn’t anything new either - although things have gotten “tougher” with safety glasses and other things that 30 years ago we didn’t encounter as much - but even 30 years ago customers weren’t allowed on or out on the service area floor.

When I was a kid we screwed up a customer’s drain plug on a new car he had just bought from us, he was a “special” customer. A special customer in the sense that he always bought all of his family’s cars there, so we accommodated him with free oil changes on that vehicle for the rest of his ownership...and he was allowed to watch us change the oil. Being only 18 at the time, I was the lucky guy that had to do his free oil changes. The whole time he questioned and nit picked everything I did. It drove me crazy. One day I had to do tie rods and brakes on his car...and they let him in again. The job took me half the day with him looking over my shoulder...you sure you’re doing that right? Why are you doing THAT? What does this thing do? Making noises and gasping after every time I had to remove something or turn a bolt.

Having said that, I’d never get an oil change at a dealer. I’d never want to pay extra for the cheap bulk oil they use. And I’d never trust them to put their “better” oil in it for extra, because there is a chance you won’t be getting it. Not saying all dealers, but I just wouldn’t pay extra and chance it. If you can do it yourself, do it yourself.

So, someone is going to do something to MY car and I'm "not allowed" to see what they're doing? Excellent reason not to go there! Oh, that's right, I don't! I'm special enough to do it myself and the only "18 year old" who has been anywhere near my car is my son! You are absolutely correct though, if the guy is paying someone to do the work, it's one thing to watch; it's another thing entirely to keep questioning. If you're questioning, perhaps you just need to do it yourself?

 

[doublebase]

So, someone is going to do something to MY car and I'm "not allowed" to see what they're doing? Excellent reason not to go there! Oh, that's right, I don't! I'm special enough to do it myself and the only "18 year old" who has been anywhere near my car is my son! You are absolutely correct though, if the guy is paying someone to do the work, it's one thing to watch; it's another thing entirely to keep questioning. If you're questioning, perhaps you just need to do it yourself?

Exactly. And that’s why you shouldn’t go there. Well, then again you’re not allowed to watch when your “so and so” gets a tooth pulled or appendix removed, but I get what you’re saying.

But no, I’d never get my oil changed at a dealer, or anywhere else for that matter. And by the way, I’m glad you’re special.

 

[nomas]

My Nissan dealer has this huge glass wall that looks into the service area . There are stools to sit at and watch the work taking place . As long as my truck is under warranty I'll continue to let them do the maintenance . Their prices are fair and the invoice specifies Nissan branded oil and filters . At this point I have no reason to suspect otherwise .

 

[Snowflake White]

Always a plus when you can actually view what the techs are doing. It helps keep them honest, because at least a few customers are probably informed enough to catch nonsense going on through the windows.

 

[CKN]

My Nissan dealer has this huge glass wall that looks into the service area . There are stools to sit at and watch the work taking place . As long as my truck is under warranty I'll continue to let them do the maintenance . Their prices are fair and the invoice specifies Nissan branded oil and filters . At this point I have no reason to suspect otherwise .

According to BITOG the dealer has to be doing something "wrong or illicit" because that's what THEY ALL DO!

 

[Nick1994]

One think most people don't think of, a lot of dealers will work on other brands.

I used to take my mom's Ford Focus when I was a teenager to the Chevy dealer for oil changes. They had a coupon for $8.88 and they were happy to do it for some reason. They didn't even try to upswell hardly at all.

Its been 9 years or so and I just checked their website, they still do it but for $14.88

Sands Chevy Service Coupons and Specials For %CITY% & %DEALER_GEO_ONE%

For oil change coupons, brake pad coupons, and other service specials, choose %DEALER_NAME%! We're here to save you money on your next service appointment at our Chevy service center in %CITY%.

www.sandsglendale.com

 

[Car guy]

We have a large local chain of dealerships that offer oil change and filter for all makes and models. They charge $15 for regular oil and $25 for full synthetic
I know one of the oil change techs and he says they get tons of service work so it’s well worth it. I’ve been taking our 2012 Fiat 500 there since new and I change it every 8K miles and the car runs like new. I’m approaching 200,000 miles. I can’t even buy the oil and filter for what they charge.