Dealership screwup... again.

[tpattgeek]

This should be my last story about my dealer since this was my last free oil change. I always watch every step they make with my vehicle since I know they never listen to what you say or want.

When calling to make the appointment, I requested Toyota 0W-20 in my car. They said that was fine. I get there and reiterate I want Toyota 0W-20... no big deal, right? Well I watch the tech piddle around and take his time for my "express lube" and finally lowers the van back down. I see a box of M1 sitting on the table but couldn't make out the weight. I waited since I didn't know for sure if it was for me.

As soon as I saw him start to pour in the first qt. I went to my adviser and said "um.. the tech is putting M1... in my van..." He said "oh, he shouldn't be doing that.." I said "yea, I know he shouldn't... but he is..."

So he went to talk to him, came back in and said since I requested syn, they automatically put 5-30 since that's what the car "requires". I s**t you not, he said it required it. I said "actually, the van doesn't REQUIRE anything, it RECOMMENDS 5-30 since that engine was designed in the early 2000's and I have a document FROM TOYOTA that back spec's several models including mine to use 0W-20... and I went on for a minute while he had the deer in headlights look.

He said he was going to lift it back up, drain the 1qt. he already put in, and put Toyota 0W-20 in it. I knew it wasn't a HUGE deal to leave that 1 qt. in, but it was the fact that I've been back 4 times for free OC's and not once did it happen without incident. Luckily I'll be doing them myself from now on, but I guess my question really is...

I didn't see for SURE that he lifted it and drained the 1qt of Mobil 1 5w30. Is there any reason the M1 won't mix well with Toyota oil? I believe I read Toyota is made from Mobil, and I apologize if it's an ignorant question. I guess all I'm really wanting is assurance that 1 different qt. won't affect the quality of the Toyota oil. I know some will probably say they'd rather M1 anyway and ask why I didn't let them do it, and my answer is, I don't know. I just hear a lot of good things about Toyota oil and want the best. OK, fire away.

 

[i812]

If they did leave the 1quart in the pan, it will be okay. Just breathe!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: tpattgeek
I guess all I'm really wanting is assurance that 1 different qt. won't affect the quality of the Toyota oil.

Rest assured, your engine will be just fine.

 

[tpattgeek]

Originally Posted By: i812
If they did leave the 1quart in the pan, it will be okay. Just breathe!


LOL thanks.

 

[zyxelenator]

Man, most manufactures that have same models in Europe spec for much heavier oils. You know why? Because they don't have CAFE and don't give a fu%* about them and their 0,2% fuel savings. They care about engine longevity there, since people keep same cars for 2-30 years.
You car will be fine with even 10w-50 oil.

 

[kender]

I'd trade the vehicle in ASAP!!

 

[tpattgeek]

Originally Posted By: kender
I'd trade the vehicle in ASAP!!

Thought about it while I was there... I was liking the 51mpg on the Prius

 

[daves87rs]

And they were going to put free M1 in for your oil change?

I fail to see the problem here? The 5w30 would have been fine it the crankcase...for a FREE oil change (w/M1!)

I would not have complained, but that's just me.

Now if I would have paid it would have been a different story..

 

[JTK]

Even I had a voucher for a free oil change, I'd give it away. Oil changes are one thing I've always preferred to do myself.

You know exactly what products you're using.

I might be inclined to use it if the vehicle was in the shop for something else as well though!

Joel

 

[Artem]

I fail to see how you missed the part where the car was raised again and the 1qt drained...

If it was me that was getting screwed like that after requesting one thing and getting shoved something else, i would have asked for a manager and requested that i be present by the van to MAKE SURE he puts the right stuff in this time. Woulda raised all heck up in there.

 

[mpvue]

anal retentive AND cheap...

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: mpvue
anal retentive AND cheap...

with all due respect it's his money and maybe the man wanted to be listened since he already talked specifically with somebody at the dealer. even good reputation dealers make boo-boo's from time to time. the man had some type of bad experience with that dealer.
also maybe some people don't know the benefits of M1 or are not regular bitogers.

P.S.-off topic
anybody remember's the M2 story. that was a funny one.

 

[ahoier]

Aww what A waste of time

I was wanting something juicier....like a stripped back, oil leaking down the freeway...



Darn it.


Yea...I wouldn't fret with the 1 quart of Mobil 1.....honestly, the tech probably thought he was doing YOU a favor....by putting in the Mobil 1

I will say, I've made "friends" with some lube techs.....lol. 1 time, went in requested Mobil 5000......saw the newbie grab Mobil 1 5w30 off the shelf.....HAHA, [censored] you not, I did not say a thing

I knew where that oil was going......and we are friends for life haha.



After the service, I asked him if he knew what he just did....he seemed confused! Apparantly he thought the "Mobil 5000" was Mobil 1......like I said, he was a newbie

I just pull up now and request Thomas to do my oil changes now

31.88 for a full synthetic Oil change, not bad



Originally Posted By: JTK
Even I had a voucher for a free oil change, I'd give it away. Oil changes are one thing I've always preferred to do myself.
When I had my KIA Optima, they sent me a booklet with "coupons" for free oil change, rotations, etc....at x mileage(s).....but they were all stamped with my VIN

i.e.: non-transferrable

 

[odie]

His car , his call . We've had dealers put in 10w30 when 5w30 was stated for the '03 Matrix . Drove it for 3,000 miles or so and had it changed to 5w30 . One time a Chevy service center put 6 quarts of oil in the 2000 Prism ( Corolla ) . Had to turn the car around and have them drain / refill it to the 4 quarts . This is why I do O.C.s until the time comes I'm no longer capable of crawling under the vehicle ( in my 50s' ) .

 

[odie]

" I have a document FROM TOYOTA that back spec's several models including mine to use 0W-20... "

Could you post this document from Toyota . Ask this because many service centers are not aware of this . Thanks and hope you have better experiences in the future .

 

[91344George]

Originally Posted By: odie
His car , his call .



EXACTLY!

If the OP wouldn't have specifically spoken to the advisor first and the product was not agreed upon first it would be a different story.

Instructions are to be followed, just because the change was free doesn't mean the shop has the right to do whatever they want, ESPECIALLY since specifics were agreed upon first.


Personally as long as the product was within spec as allowed by Toyota I wouldn't have been annoyed. But on a different day maybe the tech would have used a product that didn't match Toyota specs.

WHY IS IT SO DARN HARD FOR PEOPLE TO FOLLOW SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS ?

 

[John_K]

Originally Posted By: 91344George
Originally Posted By: odie
His car , his call .



EXACTLY!

If the OP wouldn't have specifically spoken to the advisor first and the product was not agreed upon first it would be a different story.

Instructions are to be followed, just because the change was free doesn't mean the shop has the right to do whatever the want, ESPECIALLY since specifics were agreed upon first.

WHY IS IT SO DARN HARD FOR PEOPLE TO FOLLOW SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS ?

Because they don't listen. Really. People don't know how to listen anymore.

John

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: odie
His car , his call . We've had dealers put in 10w30 when 5w30 was stated for the '03 Matrix . Drove it for 3,000 miles or so and had it changed to 5w30 . One time a Chevy service center put 6 quarts of oil in the 2000 Prism ( Corolla ) . Had to turn the car around and have them drain / refill it to the 4 quarts . This is why I do O.C.s until the time comes I'm no longer capable of crawling under the vehicle ( in my 50s' ) .


I'm with you, and even then God willing I'll still to try and do certain tasks on my vehicles. My FIL was working on his own cars until he was well into his 70's. Had he not lost his eyesight he would have been doing it up until he died, which was well into his 80's.

 

[KrisZ]

The important thing is that you got the magic juice in, or did you...?
If your request to drain 1qt of M1 annoyed the tech, he might've pulled a little prank on you. Your car may be filled with bulk dino and the tech pocketed remaining M1 bottles.

Some battles are just not worth fighting, even if you're right.

 

[odie]

Seems like most techs think they have better knowledge of your vehicle and don't like to be told of your opinion / input . Like that of doctor being told of what you think your ill is and saying to you who has the degree here . Especially after getting info off the internet and being told you can't believe everything you read from it . Some others act like you're nothing but a nuisance ( a pain in the ( I ) ) and to just stay out of their way , because they're doing you the favor . If it wasn't for consumers , they wouldn't have a job . I was taught to be courteous and respectful to the customer no matter their mood . Those days are long gone .