Should I take the stealer's first free oil change?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I have an 01 Escape (first year) and we have really enjoyed it. About 82k on it now. No problems with the auto. I would take the free change. Just make sure they actually use Motorcraft 5W20.
 
laugh.gif
Pretty good..

A Toyota dealer doing courtesy stuff is nice, but I'm not getting that at a Hyundai dealer, nor is a Chevy or Ford guy for the most part. We all have our horror stories, and this last visit to the Stealer left me with a bruised rear bumper I didn't notice when I picked it up after dark. They didn't respond favorably when I called them the next morning. I didn't mention it when I picked it up, so my TS.

As they said in Animal House, I F'd up.

I trusted them.
mad.gif
 
If you decide to take it to your dealer...hang around and watch them. I have found 2 good GM dealer service departments that I will use but that's it. If they make any simple mistakes or grease up your steering wheel...run away and nevr come back....also...check the dipstick. I use the free oil change for a 1000 mile break-in engine flush.
smirk.gif
 
Quote:


What kind of oil do they offer in the free oil change?




I haven't checked, but I'm pretty sure they use MC oil and filters, which is what I'm using on the Escape, anyway.

But I've NEVER let anyone change my oil without me being there to watch...even when I wasn't a motor-oil-head. That would apply to the dealer. If they won't let me at least stand where I can see what's going on, then they will NOT get my business...period.

It's really a moot point in the long run, though, as I will be doing them myself anyway.
 
I got 2 oil changes when I bought my Mazda3 and Mazda6, the dealer here is not trustworthy, they caused $2300 damage to the 6 before the car had 400 miles on it and denied all responsibility - not only do I have to watch them do any work on the car, I need to ride with them when they go on test drives to replicate anything - hopefully that was the first and last time I need to have the car in the shop - it was only something as minor as a door seal that was rattling. I do all the oil changes on all 3 of our cars myself.
 
Quote:


Yes, but there seems to be a little controversy over the Mercon III vs. Mercon IV fluid. I guess Mercon IV is "the one", but others swear against it.

And a complete flush and fill and filter may be necessary, not just a change? Not sure yet...have some time.




There is no serviceable filter in the transmission. Mercon V will be fine.
 
Quote:


Quote:


Yes, but there seems to be a little controversy over the Mercon III vs. Mercon IV fluid. I guess Mercon IV is "the one", but others swear against it.

And a complete flush and fill and filter may be necessary, not just a change? Not sure yet...have some time.




There is no serviceable filter in the transmission. Mercon V will be fine.




Sorry...I said Mercon IV when it should've been V.

Anyway, there's no serviceable filter in the tranny? Is that a good thing or a bad thing, especially with a less than stellar performance record? I don't know that much about transmissions, so I'm a little nervous.
 
If you're worried about it add an external inline filter. Or change the fluid at every other oil change. Or both.

I have no idea what the construction of the internal, non-serviceable filter is, but if it's anything like that used in the Ford Escort's Mazda-designed automatic transmission, it is nothing more than a piece of metal screen which would likely only ever get clogged when the transmission suffers a major failure.

My brother has 40K on his 2005 V6 Escape and the only problem he's had so far has been that the steering wheel cruise control switch stopped working. He did get the transmission fluid changed at 30K (I believe it was a complete flush). I have no idea what Ford recommends, probably 60K or 100K which I believe to be way too long.

Interestingly his 2005 has a factory external transmission cooler, in addition to that in the radiator.
 
Quote:


I'm pretty sure they use MC oil and filters...


I personally wouldn't be comfortable assuming the use of MC oil. I'm sure MC motor oil is stocked with the parts counter, but what they use in the shop could be whatever they get the best bulk price on from a local oil distributor. I would be comfortable assuming that what gets metered into the engine from the nozzle on the end of a rubber hose wound on an overhead spool is a fully formulated conventional SM/GF-4, though - EM supplies their latest version of Drive Clean (not 5000) to quickie lube facilities and dealership service departments, though it's not distributed at retail in enduser quantities. (wouldn't surprise me one bit if that's also what the factory-fill is in a lot of domestically produced cars, either...)

I ignored my Hyundai dealership's offer of a complimentary oil and filter change. It simply wasn't worth the time and gas, though in retrospect I wish I'd thought of Bill's idea to request an oil filter or two (or three or four or ten...
wink.gif
). But, even so, my '03 Sonata V6 and I will probably both live just as long as we othewise would've, regardless. As several others have already pointed out, I know who drained the oil, replaced and torqued the oil drain plug and oil filter, what's gone into my car engine's sump, how much, and, most importantly, the name of the moron who did the work.
laugh.gif
 
Quote:


How long has that been?




2.5 years, and I don't see myself ever using them. There's no expiry date, so maybe somebody else will own this car one day, find them in with the owner's manual, and make use of them. Using really old coupons with no expiry date can be amusing!
 
Stealer is 25 miles away? Forget them. You'd be done already in less time than it took to get there.
But on the other hand, if you're looking for gory stories to tell the kids (and us), then absolutely seek them out. Do you have steady nerves and blind trust in strangers? I break into a cold sweat at the thought of some bludo touching and driving my 6 year old car.
 
I am very leery about having anyone other than me touch my cars. If I have to have exhaust system welding done, or tires mounted, I make sure that the vehicle in question is treated properly. Too many cars are damaged by being lifted using points not intended to bear vehicle weight. For example, a tire store once thought they were going to lift the rear of my old Vanagon by placing a floor jack under the engine case. In the case of the Aero, you see many that have been damaged by being lifted at the body flange where the rockers meet the floorpan sheet metal.
Anyway, driving 25 miles 2x (there and back) for a free oil change hardly seems worth the effort. Change it yourself, save time and fuel, and have the satisfaction of knowing you did it right using the right oil.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom