oil change at dealership
- Thread starter starrynight
- Start date
Beyond the free oil changes you got at that dealer, shop around at other places as well. Some dealers offer cheap prepaid maintenance plans that might not be offered at the place you got your car from.
Oh I agree. But what is "unneeded"
Is offering a air filter change at 15K unneeded? No....or at best maybe
Brake fluid service at 50K unneeded? No, and would be a great idea.
Of course some offer truly unneeded service, which is ridiculous........like 100 bucks for nitrogen tires fill, or windshield wipers every oil change....
First and foremost, @starrynight: WELCOME TO BITOG!
Kindly ensure your seatbelt is securely fastened, your center console cover is closed, and your cellphone is not within reach.
Because when you ask that type of question on BITOG, you WILL get a myriad of answers! That doesn’t mean they are all correct.
Part of your responsibility as a member of BITOG is being able to separate the wheat from the chaff. Most times it’s easy but sometimes it can be like herding kittens.
The “search” function is your best friend on BITOG. Read that a second time, then kindly use it lest you incur the wrath of more than one member when you ask a “thick oil versus thin oil” type of question or ask a question that has been answered 6,312 times in the past month or year.
Newbie indoctrination aside, I will vote for @PontiacHO’s post at #15.
You need to get to know your car, particularly what the owner’s manual says about maintenance.
That “complimentary” oil change is to get you into the service bay so they can hopefully sell you on other services.
Once you understand the maintenance requirements of your ride at each “mile marker,” you’ll be in a better position to judge for yourself if you really need that “wallet flush.”
Once again, Welcome! And happy motoring.
Kindly ensure your seatbelt is securely fastened, your center console cover is closed, and your cellphone is not within reach.
Because when you ask that type of question on BITOG, you WILL get a myriad of answers! That doesn’t mean they are all correct.
Part of your responsibility as a member of BITOG is being able to separate the wheat from the chaff. Most times it’s easy but sometimes it can be like herding kittens.
The “search” function is your best friend on BITOG. Read that a second time, then kindly use it lest you incur the wrath of more than one member when you ask a “thick oil versus thin oil” type of question or ask a question that has been answered 6,312 times in the past month or year.
Newbie indoctrination aside, I will vote for @PontiacHO’s post at #15.
You need to get to know your car, particularly what the owner’s manual says about maintenance.
That “complimentary” oil change is to get you into the service bay so they can hopefully sell you on other services.
Once you understand the maintenance requirements of your ride at each “mile marker,” you’ll be in a better position to judge for yourself if you really need that “wallet flush.”
Once again, Welcome! And happy motoring.
- Joined
- May 16, 2022
- Messages
- 828
I suggest check your dealers website for service coupons! My local dealer offers coupons and a oil change discount after 3pm.
Be careful as I once simply said I need a oil change when I was informed I should have requested the oil change multi point with required coupon as I would have received tire rotation at the same price had I requested such... Kinda stupid and was a few years ago but check your book for required service and look for discounts.
Someone mentioned the dealer my offer to sell wiper blades. I make sure I now do get new blades installed at each oil change as over 30 years I found myself changing the blades myself standing in the rain. Changing blades each oil change I now can always see!
I have also found specific with a Honda only the Honda brand of blade would not hit the A-pillar on my 09 Honda so I find OEM blades be it Honda on Honda , Ford on Ford can actually be less expensive ( with coupon ) than the auto parts store blades and may offer less noise better performance, my experience anyway but changing at every oil change is the best thing I have done in my 45 years of owning a car!
Be careful as I once simply said I need a oil change when I was informed I should have requested the oil change multi point with required coupon as I would have received tire rotation at the same price had I requested such... Kinda stupid and was a few years ago but check your book for required service and look for discounts.
Someone mentioned the dealer my offer to sell wiper blades. I make sure I now do get new blades installed at each oil change as over 30 years I found myself changing the blades myself standing in the rain. Changing blades each oil change I now can always see!
I have also found specific with a Honda only the Honda brand of blade would not hit the A-pillar on my 09 Honda so I find OEM blades be it Honda on Honda , Ford on Ford can actually be less expensive ( with coupon ) than the auto parts store blades and may offer less noise better performance, my experience anyway but changing at every oil change is the best thing I have done in my 45 years of owning a car!
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If it’s a CPO Honda, and you’ve only driven 6,000 miles since you’ve bought it, just get the oil change.
If they say it needs something else, like an engine air filter, cabin air filter, etc., tell them to replace it for free, because it should have been done during their “CPO Inspection.” That’s why you paid for a CPO Honda.
People go to the dealership thinking they're getting the best possible service they can get for an oil change. In reality they give it to the lowest paid least experienced tech.
Patman
Staff member
Are you really wearing out wiper blades that quickly? I usually get two years out of a set of good wiper blades. Even bad ones will still last me a year.
My boss was, let's just say, rich. She took her drop dead gorgeous Mercedes to the dealership for tires. I asked hey why and she told me, "Because they're Mercedes Michelin tires...."
The Mercedes Dealer had the rear tires for my wife’s SL600 (285/35R18 Michelin Pilots) for a lower price than Discount Tire.
Dealer doesn’t always mean “bad”. Some products and services are cheaper there than elsewhere.
Good points. What is necessary may be perceived differently among people. There is a hope that a mechanic or service advisor will explain their suggestions. There is also a problem where people will not accept that work is necessary. It’s a conundrum.
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Thats the beauty of it, I replace my blades BEFORE it needs it and BEFORE I notice less than new performance. Most of my cars sit outside in the Hot Carolina Sun and thats hard on blades. IF I push it I could get a year out of a set but I find always having a "NEW" set of blades on the car is worth the price of admission. I suggest IF you have ever said when the rain starts, Man I need new blades, and IF you have ever found yourself standing outside the AutoZone in the rain changing old blades may I suggest Try it my way as especially with my now older eyes, I like always having new blades and not having to think about it anymore...
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
A good dealer will point out additional things that you should do. There shouldn't be any at your low mileage.
The dealership also offers additional goods or services. You can pick and choose. I only buy parts and take recalls in at the dealer and they still always offer alignment, wiper blades, cabin filters. We may think they're overpriced, but It's not a swindle.
The dealership also offers additional goods or services. You can pick and choose. I only buy parts and take recalls in at the dealer and they still always offer alignment, wiper blades, cabin filters. We may think they're overpriced, but It's not a swindle.
They have little stars of approval on them. More better ya know.
Yeah and plus they were Mercedes Michelins! Score!
Trust me, you did not want to argue with my boss. "Yes mam" was my universal answer.
I think this is why the OP started the thread. I have had plenty of attempts to sell me un- needed services.
What is actually needed is typically listed in the service schedule yet many dealers continue to add extra. Better to be informed before you go.
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- May 16, 2022
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- 828
My local ford dealer parts department allowed me to add my AV business just as if I owned a local garage! I get a % off the already low pricing and truly helps on things like a new Motorcraft batteries and wiper blades.
That same dealer started his mobil "come to me service" The first year he offered a 50% off vs his in shop price! Its like 3 years now and if I ask he will still offer me the 50% off. Its a no brainer as I can get 5 quarts of Motorcraft oil and filter, a multi point inspection, 4 tire rotation, AND NEW FORD Premium windshield wiper blades installed in my driveway with me sitting on my porch watching the techs every move and I can remind him, hey buddy don't overfill that oil!
I find I make a friend, leave him a good tip and I'm out much less than IF I had driven to AutoZone or NAPA and spent the afternoon doing it all myself!
I would rather sit on my front porch rocking chair, sipping my Sweet Tea and have enough money left over to buy lunch!
I shop dealer parts FIRST now, Auto part stores are becoming like a 7-11, you gotta pay for that EZ run in and run out privilege!
Meeting the specs is often a very low bar. In many cases, price point isn't an indicator of quality of oil, either.
If you don't plan on keeping your car long-term, then use whatever. If you want to give it the best chance to live as long as possible, then pony up for an oil using higher quality base stocks and additives, but do your homework and know what you're getting. The results aren't going to show themselves immediately. Personally, I consider it an investment worth my time and money.
That is mostly true. The Ford dealer down the road pays their lube techs $13 an hour. Do you think they really care? Doubtful, but our dealer pays $21 starting. They want them to care, stay, and move up to be more.
Our dealer offers free rotates, and flat repairs for the life of the tire when you buy from us, and will price match anyone including Walmart.
Patman
Staff member
My Honda dealer charges less for a CVT fluid change than Mr Lube does, and the Honda dealer uses the correct fluid as well (Mr Lube sometimes uses the Honda fluid but if they run out they substitute for something else)
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