Originally Posted By: Sink
I would like to have it serviced at the dealer. The main reason for this is that it looks great to have consistent service records and I know that they are stored in the computers as well. Also, laziness.
This was my rationale for taking the car to the dealer to have it serviced. It's really no more expensive to have it serviced at the dealer--I'm always getting $19.99 coupons in the mail for LOF, and the Motorcraft Synthetic Blend and MC filter cost almost that much at Walmart, more than that at my local Schucks.
The first time I took it to the dealer, there was a slight leak from the oil filter, which was spun on but not tightened. The second time, it was under-filled by a quart. That was enough for me.
When I went to change it, the breaking torque on the drain plug was about 3 times the torque spec. on my aluminum oil pan.
I'm sure the dealer has many very qualified mechanics, but I'm not sure they have those guys doing the $20.00 LOF... I'll stick with doing it myself, keeping my receipts and calling it good. I also update everything online, and I can print that out for someone if I sell the car. If I were looking for a used car and someone had been updating the records and had receipts, that would be good enough for me.
The other issue is time. I'm lazy, too--but it's just so much quicker for me to do it myself rather than going into the dealer. Then again, changing the oil on a 3.0 Duratec is a 3 minute process, and I don't even have to put my car on ramps. On my Eurovan, I felt differently... I'm not sure if that's a consideration with your car or not?