Dealership oil change

[KitaCam]

beadvised:

You don't mention how old you car is, or its condition....

Since Kitacamry has over 100k miles, I like taking it to a dealer once a year for its complimentary "inspection" and wheel alignment "check"...each other time I've had it done independently...

BTW, I bring in MY OWN OIL/FILTER and they change it for $20....so I get a synthetic OC for about $30.

 

[cheech279]

Whatever you're comfortable with. I'm age 62 and on one car I have to remove 23 screws and the splash shield to remove the filter. I do it because I like it and I know it gets done right.

 

[4wheeldog]

I had a dealer change my oil exactly once, 23 years ago. I bought a Honda that came with "Free lifetime oil changes!" Took it in for the first one, sat and waited for over an hour, then found the oil a quart overfilled when I got home. When I called, they told me they did that on purpose, "In case the car uses oil!" I drained the quart out myself, (Which negated any labor savings), and never, ever went back. But that is just me.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
Originally Posted By: artificialist
I agree with the OP that DIY conventional oil changes aren't worth the expense. That is a great reason to go to the dealer.

Synthetic oil changes often cost much more, and those may be worth DIYing. Walmart does them at a price that isn't too high, according to my dad.


This. The cars with big sumps can have change prices that are out of line too. My dealer has a waiting room with a big window so you can see the work being done. There was a time when I thought nothing of running the car up on some Rhino Ramps and yanking on the drain plug. I'm more paranoid now, and for me, an oil change is now a once a year proposition.

At all the places I worked, if you got a bulk tank oil change for a gasoline engine, they charged the same price, even in big sumps. I would often be doing a $25 oil change for a Cadillac Northstar that takes 7.5-8 quarts of oil. The only time they ever charged extra when stuff from bottles or 55 gallon drums was used. That was typically only for high mileage and full synthetic oil.

I never worked at Walmart, but given how dumb they are, they might not keep track of high mileage and synthetic oils.

 

[teddyboy]

Originally Posted By: yonyon
If you just don't have the taste for doing it yourself and the dealership will do it for a price you're happy with then go that route. That's what works for you. Remember to check the level when you get home.

I don't like like fish so I'm to go eat some chicken now.


Ditto that advice. When I got home with my wife's Camry, the oil as about 1/2 quart above the full line. I removed some using my Blackstone pump.

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
I agree with the OP that DIY conventional oil changes aren't worth the expense. That is a great reason to go to the dealer.

Synthetic oil changes often cost much more, and those may be worth DIYing. Walmart does them at a price that isn't too high, according to my dad.


Even with conventional oil, you'll save at least ten bucks doing it yourself, although the savings are much greater with syns.
You'll also know that the job was done right.
Nobody need pay regular retail for motor oil or filters.
Too many deals out there.

 

[TiredTrucker]

Well, my situation is maybe a little outside the ordinary, but by the time I run over to the next town that actually has a dealer, or run to a town 35 miles away that has one I trust, and one factors in the time to make the round trip, the fuel, etc, the DIY thing will always be a cost effective way to go. Besides, I would not be able to get it to one of those places during regular business hours and they are sure not going to give me a courtesy ride that costs them a 70 mile round trip.

Living rural changes the dynamics considerably. So, until the day comes I can no longer do my own lube services, they will be done by me at home. And since I get the all my oil for my personal vehicles in the same order as my commercial stuff, the cost is pretty darn good over retail and it all gets delivered to my house free of charge. No dealer is ever going to beat that deal for me. Even free oil changes, when you consider the distance and time involved do not beat what I am doing now. This is why any free oil changes mean nothing to me when vehicle shopping.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: beadvised
I can get a change at the dealership with Pennzoil Conventional and Mopar filter for the same price I pay at China Mart. Any suggestions?


Just remember that the oil you buy probably comes out of quart containers or a 5 quart container. The oil that comes from your dealer comes out of a bulk container, such as a 5 gallon container, a 55 gallon drum, or even a bulk tank that may hold 500+ gallons. Now getting your oil from a large bulk container may not necessarily be bad, but there is a chance that the additives may drop out of a large bulk container and sit on the bottom.
There is also a chance that your dealer could substitute a cheaper oil in place of the Pennzoil Conventional that is advertised. You may laugh about that, but I actually caught my local mom-and-pop store putting Quaker State bulk oil into a vehicle when the owner requested Pennzoil Conventional out of quart containers. (Nothing against Quaker State oil. It's a good oil, but the customer requested Pennzoil and he didn't get it)

 

[steveh]

If you don't mind getting the high pressure upsell. They only do it at that price to get you in the door.

 

[Durango]

Originally Posted By: beadvised
I'm tired of changing my own oil. I can get a change at the dealership with Pennzoil Conventional and Mopar filter for the same price I pay at China Mart. Any suggestions?


beadvised,

I take my two cars to the dealership for service every time. It's basically a one stop full service place!! That's how I figure it. If you don't like the Pennzoil Conventional ask if you can take them your own oil. Perhaps you can get a good synthetic on sale. When I had my Durango the Chrysler dealership allowed my own oil cuz it's wasn't under warranty anymore.

Durango

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: toneydoc
Nothing wrong with them doing it for you. Just take it back to the same dealer each time. They will do a good job most of the time. They also document it for you. And if they screw something up, they will have to fix it as they were the last folks to work on the vehicle. Most dealerships are not out to mess up a simple oil change. Just check behind them and you will be fine with their work. At least where I am the Jeep dealer seems to do just fine.

When I brought the Regal in to the dealer for the first of its CPO oil changes, I checked the level before I left, while it was sitting in the service lane. Nor do I care if anyone saw me. It'll help keep them honest. (I say "keep": They've always played right by me.)

Anyway, the level was fine, and the oil was a much lighter color than it was on the stick before the change. The filter is a cartridge model, and on top of the engine, but in a very hard spot to reach easily; so I couldn't check. I'll have to trust that they changed it too.