Free dealer oil changes

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: 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.


Same here, hardly worth it to me. The less the dealer touches my vehicle the better.

 

[Spector]

Also looking at new cars with free maint deals. first, oil changes only at the scheduled maint which is around 7500-10,000 miles depending and some have a limited number of free visits. nothing seems to be in writing, is an oil change and rotation one visit or two? the vehicle inspections are not state sticker inspections but vehicle inspections, why bother, you get that every time you go through service.

Estimated worth, 2 years about 200 at most, probably less. Probably does not normally cover the engine air and cabin filters either. Change the oil yourself at half intervals and go to dealer for the scheduled one is an option.

they really are giving you very very little on these free maint deals

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: Indydriver
I am about to buy a new car. One of my finalist dealers is offering free oil changes for as long as I own the car. Would you accept these oil changes and give up DIY or ignore them and still do your own?


Back in '87, I bought a brand new '88 Cougar right off the showroom floor. Included in the deal was free oil changes for life. (Yea, I know nothing is free, but it was mentioned after the fact, not in the negotiations) At the time I was living in an apartment in the big city, so the rules were no working on cars in the parking lot. The VERY FIRST TIME I brought my car in for an oil change, I got it back with a stripped oil drain plug and it was leaving a big puddle in the apartment parking lot. I took it back to the dealer and watched them drop the oil into a dirty catch pan, install a new drain plug and they then poured the used oil back in the car. I drove the car back home and changed the oil at 2:00 AM in the parking lot (so I wouldn't get caught) to get that oil out of there.
I never took them up on their offers again. Every single oil change performed on the car after that was done by me. I kept getting fliers in the mail saying that I should bring it in for service and even got discount coupons, but my car never set foot in that dealer again. I had a catalytic converter recall and it was fixed at another dealer. I used whatever oil was on sale and I remember Western Auto always had the Motorcraft or Fram filters on sale for $2 (with the cut out coupon) from the Sunday paper. The car made it to over 300K miles without ever having the oil pan or valve covers off. Everything else was failing but the engine.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Kruse
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
I am about to buy a new car. One of my finalist dealers is offering free oil changes for as long as I own the car. Would you accept these oil changes and give up DIY or ignore them and still do your own?


Back in '87, I bought a brand new '88 Cougar right off the showroom floor. Included in the deal was free oil changes for life. (Yea, I know nothing is free, but it was mentioned after the fact, not in the negotiations) At the time I was living in an apartment in the big city, so the rules were no working on cars in the parking lot. The VERY FIRST TIME I brought my car in for an oil change, I got it back with a stripped oil drain plug and it was leaving a big puddle in the apartment parking lot. I took it back to the dealer and watched them drop the oil into a dirty catch pan, install a new drain plug and they then poured the used oil back in the car. I drove the car back home and changed the oil at 2:00 AM in the parking lot (so I wouldn't get caught) to get that oil out of there.
I never took them up on their offers again. Every single oil change performed on the car after that was done by me. I kept getting fliers in the mail saying that I should bring it in for service and even got discount coupons, but my car never set foot in that dealer again. I had a catalytic converter recall and it was fixed at another dealer. I used whatever oil was on sale and I remember Western Auto always had the Motorcraft or Fram filters on sale for $2 (with the cut out coupon) from the Sunday paper. The car made it to over 300K miles without ever having the oil pan or valve covers off. Everything else was failing but the engine.



Even back then it would have been worth it to call Ford Customer Service and let them know about your poor experience, the thing is quietly dissatisfied customers never get things to change at places like this, you need to make at least some noise to corporate, if enough customers complain trust me corporate WILL do something!

 

[cptbarkey]

absolute [censored]. this past week my 2011 sienna just hit 10k and got it changed at the dealer with 0w20 synthetic. toss them to the dogs.

 

[Pajero]

When I purchased my monty from the stealer, I was given free oil changes every 7500 miles. However, I had to pay for the oil filter.

What a scam! Read the find print......

 

[InvalidUserID]

Free is free. I'd go in and take advantage of them and simply smile and politely decline any additional work they want, unless it's covered under warranty and/or free.

 

[demarpaint]

The less the dealer touches my vehicle the better. I go for the best price when I buy a vehicle. They can keep the free oil changes, and free NYS inspections they offer. Anything offered for free by a dealer in this neck of the woods is just a chance at them trying to sell some expensive product or service, and many times it isn't even needed. No thanks!

I don't have the time or desire to babysit the vehicle or decline the up sell.

 

[WMSmotorhead]

A family member got a new Lincoln... Oil changes are covered durring the 3 year warranty period. That's not a horrible deal... I'm sure they built it into the price.

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
The less the dealer touches my vehicle the better. I go for the best price when I buy a vehicle. They can keep the free oil changes, and free NYS inspections they offer. Anything offered for free by a dealer in this neck of the woods is just a chance at them trying to sell some expensive product or service, and many times it isn't even needed. No thanks!

I don't have the time or desire to babysit the vehicle or decline the up sell.


Amen!
Nothing in this life is free.
There is no free lunch and there are no free oil changes.
You'll pay for them either in paying for extra work or in the time you'll lose when they make you wait for your vehicle after you decline the extra work.

 

[Indydriver]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
The less the dealer touches my vehicle the better. I go for the best price when I buy a vehicle. They can keep the free oil changes, and free NYS inspections they offer. Anything offered for free by a dealer in this neck of the woods is just a chance at them trying to sell some expensive product or service, and many times it isn't even needed. No thanks!

I don't have the time or desire to babysit the vehicle or decline the up sell.


Amen!
Nothing in this life is free.
There is no free lunch and there are no free oil changes.
You'll pay for them either in paying for extra work or in the time you'll lose when they make you wait for your vehicle after you decline the extra work.

I believe the Toyota plan is legit. Since they are paying the dealer, there is no incentive for the dealer to cut corners. There are some (not all) reputable dealers here in the Midwest. The service calls for tire rotations every 5000 and oil changes every 10000. I am confident that my dealer will do both of these activities to spec. My problem with it is I don't really want to go 10000 on the FF. I had shoulder surgery three weeks ago and probably won't be able to DIY.