Expensive Dealer Oil Change

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: Whimsey
My wife purchased her 2017 Explorer 2.3 Ecoboost from this dealer because they were the most honest and gave the best price and treated her, as women, the best of any of them she went to. I stayed out of the purchase process, my wife is REALLY independent! The dealer is in a higher end "neighborhood", we don't live there needless to say. Got a flyer about service "specials". Their 5,000 mile oil change service is "only" starting at $89.95, using conventional oil, and is basically the same as Ford's $39.99 oil service however the Ford service uses Motorcraft oil, wow go figure! They do claim they do some useless "inspections", your drive belts, air cleaner and "emission control systems". Not sure they even offer the Ford service $39.99 multi point service. Oh well there are other dealers around if they don't offer the

Whimsey



Wait, FORD is using conventional oil in 2.3 Ecoboost engine?

 

[Danh]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: Whimsey
My wife purchased her 2017 Explorer 2.3 Ecoboost from this dealer because they were the most honest and gave the best price and treated her, as women, the best of any of them she went to. I stayed out of the purchase process, my wife is REALLY independent! The dealer is in a higher end "neighborhood", we don't live there needless to say. Got a flyer about service "specials". Their 5,000 mile oil change service is "only" starting at $89.95, using conventional oil, and is basically the same as Ford's $39.99 oil service however the Ford service uses Motorcraft oil, wow go figure! They do claim they do some useless "inspections", your drive belts, air cleaner and "emission control systems". Not sure they even offer the Ford service $39.99 multi point service. Oh well there are other dealers around if they don't offer the

Whimsey



Wait, FORD is using conventional oil in 2.3 Ecoboost engine?

Yup, Ford's factory spec (WSS 946...) is met by pretty much any 5w30 on the market whether conventional, blend or full synthetic. Same with Ford's 5w-20 spec. Given How deeply Ford has jumped into the TGDI pool it does seem odd. Or maybe even conventional oils are really good these days.

 

[Whimsey]

Don't worry, I would never pay that for an oil change with a few "inspections" included. I'm sure they don't even do them on new vehicle, waste of time. Surprisingly it looks real easy to change the oil on this engine. The oil filter is right out in the open and it doesn't look like there is a pan covering the bottom of the engine. I would have to drive it up on ramps as it's low to the ground, as I have to do with the 2005 Explorer. And in the "rotten" weather I'll bring it to my mechanic, he's good and fair. But I'll see if the dealer we got the 2005 Explorer offers the $39.99 "Works" oil change or are they all going to $89.99 oil changes.

Whimsey

 

[JustinH]

I thought Ford's standard oil was the Motorcraft Semi-Synthetic, it has always been a robust oil.

Ford still offers coupons for the works for $39.99. I would get this service on my Marquis when it was a little cheaper.

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: Danh
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: Whimsey
My wife purchased her 2017 Explorer 2.3 Ecoboost from this dealer because they were the most honest and gave the best price and treated her, as women, the best of any of them she went to. I stayed out of the purchase process, my wife is REALLY independent! The dealer is in a higher end "neighborhood", we don't live there needless to say. Got a flyer about service "specials". Their 5,000 mile oil change service is "only" starting at $89.95, using conventional oil, and is basically the same as Ford's $39.99 oil service however the Ford service uses Motorcraft oil, wow go figure! They do claim they do some useless "inspections", your drive belts, air cleaner and "emission control systems". Not sure they even offer the Ford service $39.99 multi point service. Oh well there are other dealers around if they don't offer the

Whimsey



Wait, FORD is using conventional oil in 2.3 Ecoboost engine?

Yup, Ford's factory spec (WSS 946...) is met by pretty much any 5w30 on the market whether conventional, blend or full synthetic. Same with Ford's 5w-20 spec. Given How deeply Ford has jumped into the TGDI pool it does seem odd. Or maybe even conventional oils are really good these days.


If you change oil every 5,000 miles or six months I'm sure conventional oil meeting their spec's is OK. But I'd be leery of using conventional oil and following the OLM if it takes you out much further. Then using a synthetic oil would be more "comforting". I'll have to get some used oil analysis to see what's the best OCI's are to ensure the Explorer lasts a long time. I'm now driving her 2005 Explorer with almost 194,000 miles, runs like new and it's been paid off for 7 years

.

Whimsey

 

[CharlieBauer]

Dealers include inspections with cheap oil change / rotation packages for the purpose of finding additional work.

You'll invariably be told you need new brakes or filters. Anything obviously wrong will also be picked up. But you're unlikely to be given good advice on maintenance that will save you down the line.

Around me, Euro dealers and independents do oil changes for about $100, and the Euro dealers do free inspections, again, looking for additional work. I'm sure the independents would also take a quick look for additional work. And of course, they all offer scheduled "service" as well for hundreds more.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

Originally Posted By: Alex_V
You can change the oil with the best full synthetic oil and filter, with no sale or rebate on either component, for half that. And even if you don't do your own work on the car it will be cheaper to own and stay in better shape until the day you sell it if you learn how to "inspect" anything that needs inspected on the car, yourself.
A big 10/4 on that Alex.

 

[TiredTrucker]

I have never had a dealer do an oil change on any vehicle I have owned in over 4 decades. I realize more fully that not doing so is a good thing after all.

 

[blupupher]

And people wonder why they call them "Steaerships".

I had my Scion's first 5 changes done at the local Toyota dealer since it was included.

If I could not change it myself, I would bring my oil and filter to a mechanic friend and would have it done there for ~$10.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: THafeez
I once brought my own oil and filter to my mechanic and he changed it for 10 bucks, plus a free inspection on major components.Total cost out the door for me was about 25. Conventional oil and cheap filter. Point is, check out your local trusted indy and have them change it for you rather than bringing it to the stealership.


I used to do that with another mechanics, they just charged $10 to change the oil and filter if you bring your own. Last time I brought the Mercedes to them, they just wanted $20 to do it. I was fine with it as it's a bit more complex now, has a shield on the bottom you have to take off first and I guess it takes a few extra seconds to pour in 8.5 quarts instead of the normal 5. Otherwise I just change it myself.

 

[4wd]

The last place I spotted that price used Mobil 1 oil and Mobil 1 filter - filled the washer tank and vacuumed the car.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: Whimsey
My wife purchased her 2017 Explorer 2.3 Ecoboost from this dealer because they were the most honest and gave the best price and treated her, as women, the best of any of them she went to. I stayed out of the purchase process, my wife is REALLY independent! The dealer is in a higher end "neighborhood", we don't live there needless to say. Got a flyer about service "specials". Their 5,000 mile oil change service is "only" starting at $89.95, using conventional oil, and is basically the same as Ford's $39.99 oil service however the Ford service uses Motorcraft oil, wow go figure! They do claim they do some useless "inspections", your drive belts, air cleaner and "emission control systems". Not sure they even offer the Ford service $39.99 multi point service. Oh well there are other dealers around if they don't offer the

Whimsey


My regular Buick dealership offers a synthetic oil and filter change plus tire rotation and inspection (during which they've never tried to upsell me on anything) for 49.99. This is a Ford dealership, not a Mercedes or BMW?