Help me convince the girlfriend..

[dlundblad]

The dealer has the girlfriend convinced not to go over 3000 miles on an OCI. A few summers ago she claims she was too busy with work and let the oil change go a while. ALL of her driving is city driving so I'm guessing she got her mileage up to maybe 3500 at the most before the change. Anyways the mechanic took her back to the shop and showed her the dirty cartridge filter and said never go over like that with your oil. You could destroy your engine. Etc. You all know what its like.

I realize her city miles most likely have a say in how long she can stretch her OCI out, but with the given info can you guys make an informed decision on what it could possibly be? 3000 miles seems to run her from mid June to late September.. So give or take 3 months FYI.

She gets her oil changed at the dealer because she has a blue million $20 off service dept coupons which make it cost a grand total of $22 and some change for Maxlife blend and the filter.

 

[GutsyGecko]

If it truly is all city driving, I would stick with 3-4k OCI's with max life.

 

[JHZR2]

I'd pull a used oil analysis to verify. For $22, you really can't beat it, but the used oil analysis with tbn would give enough insight to be sure how much it could be stretched before it is bad news.

 

[chainblu]

I find it very hard to believe that even an 11 year Volvo could 'dirty' a cartridge in just 3500 miles. Especially one that's had it's oil changed every 3000 miles or so. I smell a scam here. It wouldn't surprise me if that 'mechanic' kept that same filter in a baggie in his tool box... waiting to used again and again..

Just my 2 cents..

 

[bigjl]

If the filter looked really dirty after only 3500miles then I would suspect it might not have been changed at the last OCI

Or perhaps the mechanic was showing her somebody else filter

Though perhaps changing over to full synthetic might be a better idea

Volvo in Europe don't have severe service OCI but they do advise using 0w30 instead of 5w30 going by what I read in my Volvo owners manual.

At the end of the day if your girlfriend is happy with 3k/3 month intervals I don't think she will want to change. And at $22 a pop is there any financial incentive to change?

 

[spackard]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I'd pull a used oil analysis to verify. For $22, you really can't beat it, but the used oil analysis with tbn would give enough insight to be sure how much it could be stretched before it is bad news.


+1. Independent 3rd party, and scientific.

I used to have a city cycle, and had the oil tested. Oil would last more than a year, but I couldn't bring myself to go longer than a year before changing it.

 

[dlundblad]

All very good thoughts. I smelled a scam too when she told me.. I just wasn't sure if I was being too untrusting. Thanks all for confirming my theory. Anyone ever get the impression the dealer tries to sell more [censored] if its just the woman? She told me that's all they'd do, but when I was there I didn't get to experience anything. I cant help but wonder if they would have done that had I been there at the time.

A used oil analysis is the best way to know, but she knows how crazy I have become due to this site. Next thing she knows I'm stealing oil out of her baby to send off for an analysis. What kind of message does that send to her parents?

 

[RF Overlord]

Next time, change it yourself and see if the filter is as bad as the one her "mechanic" showed her. Maybe her motor has a PCV system issue or it has a lot of blow-by. There's no way an engine in sound mechanical condition should get that bad in only 3,000 miles.

 

[dparm]

Show her the owner's manual. I bet it doesn't say 3,000 miles.

 

[toneydoc]

If the cost is 22 bucks for 4 months and the girl is happy with it, count your blessings. And if something DOES happen to go wrong, you do not get the blame for it. Sometimes you need to let it go.

 

[toneydoc]

And as long as she does not bite on the other sell points they may bring up to her, all is probably well and fine.

 

[Eddie]

For a turbo 2.4L volvo, I think she and her mechanic are doing just dandy without interference.

 

[raytseng]

I would say you either take ownership of the car's maintenance (and the repercussions if something goes wrong) or you step away from it.

I would suggest your course of action would be to
step1) find what you think is a more honest mechanic, even if prices are more expensive, with fewer service items, it will save money overall.

step2) convince her to go there instead of the other place.

But yea, $22 for an oil change, and if it's a dealer, car wash too? that's fine..

 

[crazyoildude]

maybe the person that changed the oil the last few times did not change the filter,,,, Very Very common!

 

[dlundblad]

$22.. You can't go wrong. And yes free wash and a quick vacuum if you want to call it that.. lol

I guess I should have gotten my thoughts in order at first. Please fellas don't think we are butting heads about the subject. This "issue" isn't keeping me awake at night. We last had this discussion back in March and it was left at that. The OCI is coming up so I thought Id bring it here for discussion since it was something I was curious about.

 

[The Critic]

I think Volvo calls for 7500 miles per the manual.

3k is not a bad idea on a turbo running conventional oil, but it's probably not a necessity.

 

[Dufus2]

The dealership just wants the car to come back in as a revenue stream. If its only $22 you can be assured there is some really cheap bulk oil that may not meet API requirements (article) and possibly skip the filter. Edmonds report that oil change discounts get you in the shop to up-sell other services with undue pressure to encourage people who don't know cars to authorize repairs, and this is an ongoing problem.

Just mention to your girl to get a second opinion if there is 'Other' work needed at the mechanic's recommendation. Remember, these guys work on commission and the service writer pressures the mechanic to make additional sales.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
I think Volvo calls for 7500 miles per the manual.

3k is not a bad idea on a turbo running conventional oil, but it's probably not a necessity.

This. 7500 might be similarly optimistic to the OCI recommended in my Audi 200 Turbo, considering conventional was the specification. But, with the blend being run in the Volvo, going over 3,000 miles should not be a big deal.

Mobil 1 guarantees 10,000 miles. Further, it's not the only A5/B5 oil on the market.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
For a turbo 2.4L volvo, I think she and her mechanic are doing just dandy without interference.



Agreed...the fact this car is getting regular oil changes for cheap is good enough for me...

 

[virginoil]

If she is sticking to the plan and the dealer is changing the oil an filter let it go. Your on a winner.

The females I know tend to skimp regular servicing of vehicles unless it is pushed.