How do I know what oil the dealer puts in my car?

[j_mac]

I just bought a new Hyundai. Gonna have the dealer do the oil changes I guess (for the first time in my life) to avoid warranty issues.
How do I know what they're putting in there? Hyundai recommends "Quaker State," an oil brand I've never used and my Dad always told me was the ONLY brand he would NEVER use due to some BAAAAAAAAD experiences in the 60's.
My dealer is a shady bunch. I'm sure they have the capability to buy the cheapest oil known to man and use it in everything. You know, bulk generic oil from Marathon oil in 10w-30 or whatever.
So I'm in a catch 22. I'd like to do the oil changes myself and use a known "good" oil.
But can I do this and NOT cause any warranty issues?
Another issue is Hyundai's guaranteed trade-in program. I asked the salesman and he said if I didn't have the oil changed at the dealer it would void the Hyundai Guaranteed Trade-In.

But who's to say They will put in Quaker State and the latest API spec at that?

Give me you thoughts guys. Gonna need an oil change soon the way I'm driving this new car.

 

[eljefino]

You won't have warranty issues. Go to walmart's TLE or jiffy lube and make sure you get the right grade. Or save your receipts for your own oil and filters. Buy them in non-bulk to be convincing eg 4 quarts and a filter the day before you do the change.

The dealer will probably stink. But you shouldn't pay them a tribute 4x a year with an overpriced, under spec oil change.

The true answer is to send off a sample for analysis, they can get the grade pretty easily and we can guess the brand.

 

[synthetic_crazy]

I would bring my own oil and filter and watch them from a distance while they changed my oil to ensure they used the oil I brought. I would do some research on the Magnuson-Moss Act as it relates to the issues encountered in warranty battles. If the dealer gives you a hard time, then pull out the information on the Magnuson-Moss Act ... see what they have to say then.

Since Hyundais come from the factory with QS, I would buy either some Quaker State Ultimate Durability or Pennzoil Platinum; both are great oils! By the way, what model Hyundai do you have?

 

[dishdude]

I wouldn't go back to a "shady" dealer for service. Do it yourself and keep all the receipts.

 

[Astro14]

They can't deny the warranty if you did your own oil changes. You will need proof that they were done at the specified time, however and good documentation is a must. Use the oil you like, as long as it meets specs and you can prove that all required maintenance was done, your warranty will remain intact.

http://law.jrank.org/pages/8384/Magnuson-Moss-Warranty-Act.html

And by the way, there is nothing wrong with QS...

 

[Indydriver]

You're a free agent now. Do whatever you want and keep documentation. They cant void your warranty whether you DIY or go to a non-dealer shop. The only way to know for sure is to do it yourself.

 

[cmf]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
They can't deny the warranty if you did your own oil changes. You will need proof that they were done at the specified time, however and good documentation is a must. Use the oil you like, as long as it meets specs and you can prove that all required maintenance was done, your warranty will remain intact.

http://law.jrank.org/pages/8384/Magnuson-Moss-Warranty-Act.html

And by the way, there is nothing wrong with QS...



Good information, there really should be a sticky with information about the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act because the general public does not seem to understand that the dealer does not have to do all the work to keep their warranty.

You can also change the oil & filter on the 2011 (and 2006-2010) Sonata's without jacking them up. I do it that way personally and have no issues.

 

[2oldtommy]

Quaker State is now a brand of Shell Oil US, (SOPUS) and is highly regarded on this forum. Use it with confidence. FWIW-Oldtommy

 

[SrDriver]

Originally Posted By: j_mac
I just bought a new Hyundai. Gonna have the dealer do the oil changes I guess (for the first time in my life) to avoid warranty issues.
How do I know what they're putting in there? Hyundai recommends "Quaker State," an oil brand I've never used and my Dad always told me was the ONLY brand he would NEVER use due to some BAAAAAAAAD experiences in the 60's.
My dealer is a shady bunch. I'm sure they have the capability to buy the cheapest oil known to man and use it in everything. You know, bulk generic oil from Marathon oil in 10w-30 or whatever.
So I'm in a catch 22. I'd like to do the oil changes myself and use a known "good" oil.
But can I do this and NOT cause any warranty issues?
Another issue is Hyundai's guaranteed trade-in program. I asked the salesman and he said if I didn't have the oil changed at the dealer it would void the Hyundai Guaranteed Trade-In.

But who's to say They will put in Quaker State and the latest API spec at that?

Give me you thoughts guys. Gonna need an oil change soon the way I'm driving this new car.


Hyundai oil filters are among the best. Dealer here uses Mobil 5W20 oil.

You can bring your own and have them use it.

 

[river_rat]

What's wrong with QS? The '60s are over. Anyway, I used it in the '70s all the time with no problems. I usually traded the car at or about 100,000 miles.

 

[Samilcar]

Originally Posted By: j_mac
My dealer is a shady bunch.


That should really tell you all you need to know. Why let a dealer touch your vehicle if you already know they'll try to pull a fast one or do shoddy work?

 

[Samilcar]

Originally Posted By: j_mac
I asked the salesman and he said if I didn't have the oil changed at the dealer it would void the Hyundai Guaranteed Trade-In.

I'm surprised that he didn't also tell you that you'd be at increased risk of venereal disease if you used the mechanic of your choice (Not to mention premature balding!). Do yourself a favor, DO NOT let that dealership touch your car.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: j_mac
Gonna have the dealer do the oil changes I guess (for the first time in my life) to avoid warranty issues.
Not necessary. DIY or take it wherever you're comfortable and keep documentation that the warranty-required interval was followed and that the oil and filter used meet Hyundai specs. They cannot deny warranty coverage just because you didn't have them do the work.

Quote:
and my Dad always told me was the ONLY brand (Quaker State) he would NEVER use due to some BAAAAAAAAD experiences in the 60's.
THAT old rumour again...wasn't true then and most certainly isn't true today. Same rumour circulated about Pennzoil...that one wasn't (and isn't) true, either.

Quote:
I'd like to do the oil changes myself and use a known "good" oil.But can I do this and NOT cause any warranty issues?
See my answer above ^.

Quote:
I asked the salesman and he said if I didn't have the oil changed at the dealer it would void the Hyundai Guaranteed Trade-In.
Car salesmen are not known for being scrupulously honest, or, for that matter, even knowledgeable about their own products. I can tell you stories...but anyway you might want to contact Hyundai directly and confirm that.

Quote:
But who's to say They will put in Quaker State and the latest API spec at that?
It really doesn't matter as THEY will be responsible for any warranty issues since you had THEM do the work. Having said that, if you intend to keep the car much beyond the warranty period, you may be more comfortable knowing for sure that good oil and filters were used...so either watch them like a hawk or DIY.

 

[river_rat]

Originally Posted By: Samilcar
Originally Posted By: j_mac
I asked the salesman and he said if I didn't have the oil changed at the dealer it would void the Hyundai Guaranteed Trade-In.

I'm surprised that he didn't also tell you that you'd be at increased risk of venereal disease if you used the mechanic of your choice (Not to mention premature balding!). Do yourself a favor, DO NOT let that dealership touch your car.

+1

The bunch at the local Toyota dealer once told me I should use the OEM filters because they had a valve in them the helped keep oil from draining back out of the filter when the engine was shut off.
I said "Really, why don't all filters use those?"

 

[Torrid]

QSUD is the way to go and the price is right. I'm a recent convert from M1 due to lots of info here and others with experience with my motor.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Samilcar
Originally Posted By: j_mac
My dealer is a shady bunch.


That should really tell you all you need to know. Why let a dealer touch your vehicle if you already know they'll try to pull a fast one or do shoddy work?



The answer to the OP's question is easy: you don't know, so find another dealer.

 

[Hermann]

Why did you buy a car from "A Shady Bunch"

 

[Bill in Utah]

I'd use QS green bottle (either in the 5w-30 or 5w-20 if your manual states you can) and change it every 4k or 4000 miles and you'll be fine with the warranty no matter how you drive.

*IF* you fall into the normal category (few do) then I'd bump it up with the SAME oil to 6 months or 6000 miles (whichever comes up first).

Nice vehicle!

I'm REALLY impressed with KIA and Hyundai.

Bill

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Samilcar
Originally Posted By: j_mac
I asked the salesman and he said if I didn't have the oil changed at the dealer it would void the Hyundai Guaranteed Trade-In.

I'm surprised that he didn't also tell you that you'd be at increased risk of venereal disease if you used the mechanic of your choice (Not to mention premature balding!). Do yourself a favor, DO NOT let that dealership touch your car.


I'd love to see all the small print on that guaranteed trade in value deal. I agree, Do yourself a favor, DO NOT let that dealership touch your car. Keep good records you'll be fine.

 

[j_mac]

Thanks for all the helpful advice guys.
I'm gonna do my own oil changes. I agree with the concensus that QS is a good oil today. I like the SOPUS brand. They put the good detergents in their gasoline, so why wouldn't they put good components in their oil.
The only thing I'm worried about is the nonsense about the Hyundai Guaranteed Trade-In maybe being void. Anyone know how and who to contact at Hyundai about that?