Free dealer oil changes

[Norm Olt]

Purchased "Lube for Life" on the SVX in 1992: $19.99 paid for oil & Subaru filter changes every 3K and for a long time they were using 50/50 synthetic and dino 10W-30.

At about 120K I stopped going in as I felt I had certainly gotten my 20 buck$ worth.

Now that I think about it it was just about the time I started reading this Board on a regular basis...

I wonder if there is a connection?

Cheers!

p.s. No reason to not use the "free" service if it is actually free: nothing wrong with the dealership people taking a look underneath the car every once and a while, either. Good way to find out about any potential problems, i.e. leaking CV joint boots, shocks, etc.

Especially worthy while still under warranty. Let them find it and fix it?

One can only be up$old if one allows it, eh?

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: BillyTheKid
Originally Posted By: demarpaint

In the case of a lease car that I'd be returning in say 3 years I'd let them service it for free too. I'd turn down every up sell they have, and honestly wouldn't care what oil or filter they use. OTOH if I was buying the car the only time they'd see me is if it required warranty work. Free isn't for me in that case.


That is exactly what I am going to do. Same thinking here. However, even if I did buy it, I may use and abuse the free unlimited changes by them the first year, and the free inspections. If they claimed I needed something, I would turn it down.


Not a bad way to think.

My problem is having worked for dealerships has given me little to no respect for them and even less trust. But that's JMO. I have no problems shooting down the up sell in fact I find it fun. I'd rather not waste the time, gas, or effort, especially knowing that they're using bulk oil in my vehicle, probably tightening the filter down with brute force, and anyone's best guess as to what grade the oil actually is. YMMV

In a busy shop the real seasoned techs aren't doing free oil changes. Those are the guys I want working on my vehicles.

 

[exranger06]

I should add that when my girlfriend got her free oil change, the invoice said they checked the tire pressure. Later that same night, the TPMS light on the dash turns on. I check the tire pressure, and one of them has less than 20 psi. I couldn't see any nails or other problems with the tire. We fill the tire up the next day and the light turned off immediately. The tire hasn't lost any air since then. I'm a little suspicious the dealer wanted to try and make some money off a "free" oil change.

 

[Norm Olt]

I seriously doubt that it requires a "seasoned tech" to do an oil change...

Stealership personnel certainly vary almost as much as the individual Dealerships can: the vast majority of my 30+ oil changes were done at the much closer "sister" Acura dealership vs. the Subaru one which actually in another state!

I knew the Service Mgr. from a previous Acura purchase (original 1986 Legend) and he kept a Subaru filter in stock for me. Had a tech that had moved from Vancouver to PDX and who had worked at the Subaru Dealership, he always wanted to do the service for me.

Cheers!

p.s. Like I've opined previously, one can usually have a good relationship & Dealership experience if you want to spend the time & effort to develop one.

Or, be just another "victim"...

The SVX was the last vehicle we have purchased new or which was "under warranty" with the sole exception of the Valkyrie, which had a 10 year Honda Factory Extended Warranty.

Never was used, BTW.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Norm Olt
I seriously doubt that it requires a "seasoned tech" to do an oil change...

Stealership personnel certainly vary almost as much as the individual Dealerships can: the vast majority of my 30+ oil changes were done at the much closer "sister" Acura dealership vs. the Subaru one which actually in another state!

I knew the Service Mgr. from a previous Acura purchase (original 1986 Legend) and he kept a Subaru filter in stock for me. Had a tech that had moved from Vancouver to PDX and who had worked at the Subaru Dealership, he always wanted to do the service for me.

Cheers!

p.s. Like I've opined previously, one can usually have a good relationship & Dealership experience if you want to spend the time & effort to develop one.

Or, be just another "victim"...

The SVX was the last vehicle we have purchased new or which was "under warranty" with the sole exception of the Valkyrie, which had a 10 year Honda Factory Extended Warranty.

Never was used, BTW.


I live in NY and have a son in the Pacific Northwest, Whidbey Island to be exact. I can tell you from first hand experience the difference between dealerships and repair centers are night and day compared to where I live in NY. They are more honest and easier to deal with in WA. I've been there enough to know. In fact I have a good relationship with a tire and repair center there. I bought 6 tires for my son from this shop since he moved out that way. No problems at all, try that with Mavis tire in NY. LOL

No it doesn't take a "seasoned tech" to change the oil, and there lies the problem. Most of the entry level guys, are usually the guys doing the "free" oil changes, at least where I worked. They had issues with changing oil or putting air in a tire for that matter. I'd rather they stay clear of my vehicles. As far as becoming a victim, that will only happen to a person who allows it. Maybe if I lived in the Pacific Northwest I'd see things differently.

 

[mongo161]

Sounds great as long as they are honest and upfront with you on the oil that they are using.

I would hate to think that they would list a full synthetic oil change on the receipt and put in Dino instead.

Then you run the vehicle for 10K and find out that it was not what they told you they put in the sump. Get everything in writing to make sure......10K on Dino may not be a good idea. Although, some people have run conventional, with okay results, for that OCI.

 

[BillyTheKid]

Like I said, it is a lease which will go back at the end, so it is on them if they run garbage in it. I am just going to run to whatever they recommend which I think is the meter and/or 6 months and make them change it each time.

Knowing me though, I will have them do it once or twice and I will get antsy and want to do it myself. Time will tell how I end up handling it, but like the free thought.

 

[antiqueshell]

It always amuses me that some people who "lease" a car act as if they have actually "purchased" the car.

If I did lease a car, which I will NEVER, EVER do, since you basically end up with nothing to show for your money, I wouldn't care how it is treated by the service center, as it is their issue after I give the car back. Also any errors by the dealer during the lease, it is ON THEM.

Unless you are going to actually buy out the lease at the end of the term the car is NOT yours, you are just "renting" it for a number of years. LOL

 

[Indydriver]

I'm going to buy this vehicle. It's a new 2012 that uses conventional 5W-20. It's a crossover "SUV" with a 3.7L V6 that will be my wife's DD, so driven literally by a grandma. She is extremely easy on her vehicles. So, as long as the dealer's bulk oil is a name brand, I have no problem letting them do it for free. My primary concerns at this point are: getting a first OC "early" and the fact that this dealership is not exactly conveniently located.

 

[Zeus103363]

Late last year, I bought my wife a year end close out camry se (not the new body style, but a left over 2011 model). When trying to make a deal on the selling price, the dealership offered free oil changes for the life of the vehicle. Said they use bulk gtx oil. I told him the only way to make that deal is with my brand of oil, and I got it in writting on the service contract. Well, couple of weeks ago she hit a deer and her car went to the repair shop. After they finished up repairs, they took it by the toyota place for a post repair inspection, and it was close on the miles so they changed oil. When I walked up, the service tec was dumping gtx in the sump. I showed him my service aggrement to use only pennzoil platinum, he laughed, opened up the next quart of gtx and dumped it in. I was mad to say the least. I found the salesman and went round and round with him and finally got my pp in the sump. I bet everytime the car goes in for service this is exactly what is going to happen. Never take thoes kinda deals. Its all bull!

 

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: BillyTheKid
Like I said, it is a lease which will go back at the end, so it is on them if they run garbage in it. I am just going to run to whatever they recommend which I think is the meter and/or 6 months and make them change it each time.

Knowing me though, I will have them do it once or twice and I will get antsy and want to do it myself. Time will tell how I end up handling it, but like the free thought.


If it were me and I am anal about my Oil changes, you could do your own in between the free dealer changes. talk about a spotless engine!

 

[The Critic]

Any well-run operation is going to be using this opportunity to upsell work. Even if the work is not necessary. If they are not doing this, then it is not a well-run dealership because they are not concerned about profitability.

Unless it states otherwise, there is no obligation for you to purchase the items they upsell.

Originally Posted By: tommygunn
I would do it during the warranty period, but they do it so that you will have a relationship with their service dept and they want to inspect or replace everything before it breaks!


Dealers that are profitable are not on the lookout for potential warranty repairs. I have been told this now by several dealers.

 

[Vstrom]

Our new Toyota FJ Cruiser came with the 2 free oil changes and service.
Went in at 10k for the first free oil change and tire rotation.
So we get the vehicle back and they had scratched the inside of the nut wells on the aluminum wheels...I would not have done that myself, I'm more careful. Unfortunately I didn't spot the scratches until back home.
Plus they only rotated 4 tires when the owner's manual specifically calls for a 5 tire rotation.
I got what I paid for it...nothing. I could have rotated my own tires properly in less time than it took to drive across town for their free tire rotation and oil change.
If they are trying to form a relationship with me as a future customer they failed. I will not be going back ever I hope.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Vstrom
Our new Toyota FJ Cruiser came with the 2 free oil changes and service.
Went in at 10k for the first free oil change and tire rotation.
So we get the vehicle back and they had scratched the inside of the nut wells on the aluminum wheels...I would not have done that myself, I'm more careful. Unfortunately I didn't spot the scratches until back home.
Plus they only rotated 4 tires when the owner's manual specifically calls for a 5 tire rotation.
I got what I paid for it...nothing. I could have rotated my own tires properly in less time than it took to drive across town for their free tire rotation and oil change.
If they are trying to form a relationship with me as a future customer they failed. I will not be going back ever I hope.


This is what ALWAYS blows my mind. That the dealerships offer service (free or not) and botch it. Although there will be a number of completely clueless idiots that won't notice this sloppy service, more than you think WILL notice, and they will tell their friends, and as a result the store loses a lot of business in the long term.

NOTICE TO DEALER OWNERS!!!!! DO THE JOB RIGHT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD,,,,,, IF THE SERVICE PERSONNEL YOU HAVE CAN'T GET IT RIGHT KEEP LOOKING FOR NEW EMPLOYEES WHO WILL. REWARD THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO SHOW A DEDICATION EXCELLENCE AND DOING RIGHT BY THE CUSTOMERS.

 

[ledslinger]

I got several free oil changes when I bought my 2003 Silverado. I took it in for one mainly so they would check the other lube points on the 4WD system. After I got it back I didn't know if they check all fluids so I did it myself. While checking I noticed the oil pan drain plug leaking. It was one turn out. They removed one bolt and didn't tighten it.

BITOGers would probably rather have the factory oil in quarts and filters instead, if you could talk them into it.

 

[Ursatdx]

2011 Tundra 5.7L.
2 years free maintenance. Service Mgr E-mails me a reminder
to bring my truck in for its 1st Free oil change.
The owners manual specifies 0w20 as the oil of preference. 5w20 may be used but the next change must be 0w20.
I ask the service Mgr if he will use the specified 0w20 OEM
Toyota oil.
He says no, they will use an "SG" rated 5w30.
I dont think I could find an SG rated 5w30 if I tried.
I always get what I pay for. I'll do it myself.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Ursatdx
2011 Tundra 5.7L.
2 years free maintenance. Service Mgr E-mails me a reminder
to bring my truck in for its 1st Free oil change.
The owners manual specifies 0w20 as the oil of preference. 5w20 may be used but the next change must be 0w20.
I ask the service Mgr if he will use the specified 0w20 OEM
Toyota oil.
He says no, they will use an "SG" rated 5w30.
I dont think I could find an SG rated 5w30 if I tried.
I always get what I pay for. I'll do it myself.


Smart decision, BUT honestly why not call TMUSA and tell them about your experience, the only way these incompetent or shady places will be put in the place is if enough people complain to the manufacturer that can pull their franchises.

 

[HTSS_TR]

^ I agree. The program 2 years free maintenance is paid for by Toyota of America, not the dealer. They should have 0W20, Toyota brand or any other brand, for engines that need it.

 

[SteveSRT8]

I worked at dealerships in the 80's moonlighting to pay for children. The oil change tech was always the lowest guy on the totem pole.

And stealerships always use the cheapest bulk oil they can get along with the cheapest filters.

 

[Indydriver]

I brought up the "free" oil changes to the sales manager of a sister dealership (they are owned by the same company) who does not offer the same. His response was simply, "There is no such thing as free."