Declining those free oil changes...

[Olas]

Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
Originally Posted By: Olas
Take their free oil and their free filter to save a few pennies but do the work yourself to save your vehicle.
If they kick up a fuss,spin them the 'I'm saving you time and keeping one of your lifts available' line.

Yeah, I don't think it works like that.


Really? Why? They make more profit that way..

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: TiredTrucker
This free oil change stuff is pure marketing to get the buyer in the door. It is similar to the "warranty forever" stuff that they use to sell vehicles. My last one had the warranty forever thing included. I told the dealer I would probably void it within 3000 miles. The terms of the warranty forever was that the dealer had to do everything, I wasn't allowed to do much more than change a windshield wiper blade. That was a rural farm pickup, and I was true to my word, I voided the warranty within 3000 miles. None of these gimmicks they dream up at the dealerships sway me one iota in my decision to buy or not.


Same here. My dealer offers free NYS inspections for life, and $8 oil changes. IIRC the inspections run $40 a year. I haven't been back for one, since 07 when I bought my Jeep from them. To wait hours, and then have them try and sell me work and services isn't worth the $40 a year I'd theoretically be saving.

 

[KenO]

Originally Posted By: TiredTrucker
This free oil change stuff is pure marketing to get the buyer in the door. It is similar to the "warranty forever" stuff that they use to sell vehicles. My last one had the warranty forever thing included. I told the dealer I would probably void it within 3000 miles. The terms of the warranty forever was that the dealer had to do everything, I wasn't allowed to do much more than change a windshield wiper blade. That was a rural farm pickup, and I was true to my word, I voided the warranty within 3000 miles. None of these gimmicks they dream up at the dealerships sway me one iota in my decision to buy or not.



Agreed. All the free oil changes have done is extended change intervals to (usually at least) beyond acceptable limits since the manufacturer is paying for them, which hurts the used market. All because of Consumer Reports. smh

 

[stchman]

My gal has a 2014 Malibu and gets free oil changes.

The Chevy dealer puts on the receipt that they use AC Delco 5W-20 synthetic blend oil and a GM filter.

The good thing is that IF a warranty issue with the engine ever came up, they can't say "you didn't change your oil properly" as they will have to look at themselves.

I check the oil level when she gets home to see if the oil is indeed new and at the proper mark.

 

[userfriendly]

For most people the cost of oil changes rolled into a 84 month 0% payment plan reduces the cost of ownership for the first few years.
On top of that, they get free coffee, wander around the showroom while brushing off the sales staff.
After a year or two, the sales staff pick up on the signs, and an oil change turns into a new ride home.
The sales department knows their trade is good to go with a detail, windshield wipers and paint touch up.
Show me a dealership that can survive on its new and used vehicle sales with acres of property tax and fixed costs and we will have another myth busted.

More likely the sales department is a lost leader for the service department and not the other way around.

 

[Virtuoso]

We used the 4 "free" oil changes given to us when we bought our Sonic. Just check that oil level.. the dealer over-filled ours. Thought the 1.4 held 5 quarts. It doesn't.

 

[userfriendly]

I think dealerships fill by auto-volume. Just look up the vehicle and set the meter. Full at cold will usually read 1/2 qt over when hot.
When I do my own, oil changes that is, I park facing up hill and let it drip for at least 30 minutes hot.
Try that next time with your Sonic and maybe 5 quarts will be short 1/2.

 

[dishdude]

A 1/2 quart over on a dealer maintained car might not be a bad thing...how often does the typical driver actually check their oil? At least it gives a little more of a cushion for someone running a long oci and never lifting the hood between changes.