Dealership changes motor oil. Not what i went for but turned out very well.

wemay

wemay

Site Donor 2023
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This is the second time this has happened to me. The first time was with a KIA.

VW has two prompts on the information screen. One is the oil change, the other is for inspection. Today I went in for inspection. When I get my invoice, it reads "oil change, tire balance plus rotation and inspection (dirty cabin air filter). " $89 for oil change with free tire balancing plus rotation and $20 for cabin air filter.

I pointed this out to the Service Advisor. Not in a defensive way, but as a simple error. Let me tell you...these guys were so apologetic it took me aback. The visit ended up being NO COST ( and they offered me a free oil change next time. The attitude and professionalism was so good that I turned down the free change because their owning up and apology was enough. I will have no problem spending my money there (hence below).

On a side not, when I purchase my oil change supplies at the dealer (6qts of VW508.00, oil filter and oil pan plug, it comes out to $65.

If I do it there, they siphon topside and balance/rotate your tires for $89. I might just switch the Passat to dealer service only. 🤔
 
The local indy will change the oil and rotate the tires for $20. I just get Mobil 1 during the rebate so my 7.5 quarts of oil is a tad under $20 and the filter is around $7 so about $37 for an oil change and tire rotation and they even top up the windshield washer fluid and that takes up to 1.5 gallons. I think some people say they have some that will do that for $10. The local indy used to be $10 but that was years ago.
 
Wolf359 said:
The local indy will change the oil and rotate the tires for $20. I just get Mobil 1 during the rebate so my 7.5 quarts of oil is a tad under $20 and the filter is around $7 so about $37 for an oil change and tire rotation and they even top up the windshield washer fluid and that takes up to 1.5 gallons. I think some people say they have some that will do that for $10. The local indy used to be $10 but that was years ago.
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I took my mom's Grand Marquis to an independent a couple months ago for an oil change. I provided the oil/filter and he charged $15. Not something I do every time I need an oil change but it sure beats the heck out of laying on the frozen ground removing the oil plug/filter then standing in 20* temps with 20 MPH winds while filling up the crankcase. I used to change my own oil regardless of weather conditions but with chronic back pain it isn't wise when the ground is cold/wet. In 45 years worth of car ownership I doubt I've paid someone to do an oil change more than 1/2 dozen times. Now during the winter when it starts getting close to time for an OC I'll do it on a warmer day even if it means doing it a couple hundred miles early or late. The main reason I had mom's done by the independent was because it was already there having the fuel pump replaced. I'd already bought the fuel pump and he only charged her $60. to install it. Others had quoted anywhere from $150-250 just for installing the fuel pump. This was the first time I'd used this mechanic. He came highly recommended and doing work for 1/4-1/2 the cost of others I'll probably be using him more when it's something I don't feel like doing myself. He quoted me $100. to do the timing belt on my '97 Escort someone else quoted $200. It's not really a hard job but is time consuming and staying bent under the hood is rough on my back so I'm pretty sure he's going to get the job.
 
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FordMan59 said:
I took my mom's Grand Marquis to an independent a couple months ago for an oil change. I provided the oil/filter and he charged $15. Not something I do every time I need an oil change but it sure beats the heck out of laying on the frozen ground removing the oil plug/filter then standing in 20* temps with 20 MPH winds while filling up the crankcase. I used to change my own oil regardless of weather conditions but with chronic back pain it isn't wise when the ground is cold/wet. In 45 years worth of car ownership I doubt I've paid someone to do an oil change more than 1/2 dozen times. Now during the winter when it starts getting close to time for an OC I'll do it on a warmer day even if it means doing it a couple hundred miles early or late. The main reason I had mom's done by the independent was because it was already there having the fuel pump replaced. I'd already bought the fuel pump and he only charged her $60. to install it. Others had quoted anywhere from $150-250 just for installing the fuel pump. This was the first time I'd used this mechanic. He came highly recommended and doing work for 1/4-1/2 the cost of others I'll probably be using him more when it's something I don't feel like doing myself. He quoted me $100. to do the timing belt on my '97 Escort someone else quoted $200. It's not really a hard job but is time consuming and staying bent under the hood is rough on my back so I'm pretty sure he's going to get the job.
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Sounds like you got a good one. I have an indy that will do the rotors and pads for $50. I could do them myself and I used to, but for $50, I'm happy to let him do it and all I have to do is stand around and watch. He does a nicer job than I do anyway, I didn't always use to lube everything up that well and didn't get rid of the rust on the hub.
 
Since I bought 8QT Mityvac extractor while back I started to do oil changes myself at about 120°F oil temp.
I stick the plastic tube into dipstick hole and push it all the way down till it stops.
Pump the Mityvac about 12-15 times and move on to replace the oil filter.

By the time I am done with cleaning the oil filter housing, replacing and oiling O-ring and inserting new filter cartridge into housing and screwing it back on, the oil extraction is done (6QT out exactly what I put in during last oil change 6 months ago).

I also got this handy funnel with quarter turn 4-tab style attachment just like oil cap to pour fresh oil in.
funnel.jpg


No more spills and hassle trying to hold funnel with one hand and with the other hand holding 5QT jug.

The entire oil change takes around 15 min. Very efficient, no mess and very clean job.
I switch the Mityvac from extraction to evacuate, pump the handle about 10 times and within 5 min. all the oil gets emptied into 2.5 Gallon metal container. I take it to local landfill and pour it into steel tank with used motor oil and I am done till the next oil change in 6 months. The cost of oil change (oil & filter) is under $28.
 
I would of been furious I’m the type where I want to know exactly what is going to be done I would of demanded the oil back. If they are like the dealership I worked at it’s just bulk oil instead of factory oil like most people think it is so I don’t want that in my engine.
 
FordMan59 said:
I took my mom's Grand Marquis to an independent a couple months ago for an oil change. I provided the oil/filter and he charged $15. Not something I do every time I need an oil change but it sure beats the heck out of laying on the frozen ground removing the oil plug/filter then standing in 20* temps with 20 MPH winds while filling up the crankcase. I used to change my own oil regardless of weather conditions but with chronic back pain it isn't wise when the ground is cold/wet. In 45 years worth of car ownership I doubt I've paid someone to do an oil change more than 1/2 dozen times. Now during the winter when it starts getting close to time for an OC I'll do it on a warmer day even if it means doing it a couple hundred miles early or late. The main reason I had mom's done by the independent was because it was already there having the fuel pump replaced. I'd already bought the fuel pump and he only charged her $60. to install it. Others had quoted anywhere from $150-250 just for installing the fuel pump. This was the first time I'd used this mechanic. He came highly recommended and doing work for 1/4-1/2 the cost of others I'll probably be using him more when it's something I don't feel like doing myself. He quoted me $100. to do the timing belt on my '97 Escort someone else quoted $200. It's not really a hard job but is time consuming and staying bent under the hood is rough on my back so I'm pretty sure he's going to get the job.
Click to expand...
Where this honest and fair mechanic. I might have to drop the tank on my Crown Vic. Dreading that job might farm it out.
 
Quattro Pete said:
The OLM was saying it needed an inspection. An inspection does not include an oil change.
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Learn to read.

VW has two prompts on the information screen. One is the oil change, the other is for inspection.
Click to expand...

Tech probably checked the messages and saw oil change and inspection, and performed both. Probably thinking he'd get yelled at if he only did the inspection.
 
Fattylocks said:
Where this honest and fair mechanic. I might have to drop the tank on my Crown Vic. Dreading that job might farm it out.
Click to expand...
Lewisburg, KY. You don't have to drop the tank on the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis. It's not as easy as on some cars where the fuel pump is accessible from under the seat but mounts on the front side of the tank up next to rear end and is something you can do yourself If you have ramps you can drive up on or if you want to put it on jack stands. I used to have an '88 Escort. The tank had to be dropped on it to change the fuel pump. I guess it didn't do too bad in 518K miles I think I replaced the fuel pump two times.
 
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