Why I change my own oil...

[John_K]

New Sonata came with 4 free oil change coupons from the dealer. Said I was a "priority customer" so I wouldn't have to make an appointment to use them.

Used first one this week. Get there, sorry, have to come back with an appointment. "Changed their policy".

As I'm leaving they flag me down, say someone cancelled, they can take me. Takes an hour.

50 miles later, decide to check oil. Over a quart low. Barely registers on dipstick. I could have changed it myself with less time and hassle.

John

 

[4esorselrahc]

Bummer man! I am constantly reminded why I choose to do my own OCs by hearing of experiences like yours. I just don't trust those types to do it "right".

 

[sw99]

Yea, thats a joke... I'l stick with my $5 oil and filter changes

 

[Merkava_4]

You probably would've been happier had the dealer given you the oil and filter to do the change yourself.

 

[javacontour]

Maybe you can just trade the coupons in for the oil filters and call it a day.

 

[mrsilv04]

Before I started changing my own oil, I would check the oil level on the dipstick before leaving, check that the oil cap was on (yes, I once had this problem), and check that the oil filter was not leaking. I would also check to see if the grease zerks had any fresh grease on them at all.

You can imagine the dirty looks. Hey, it was my car, not theirs.

Finally, the manager decided that it was best to simply let me 'supervise' the work from a spot inside the shop. I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

 

[simple_gifts]

Same here, I was told show up when service was open for my free oil change; I showed up and no free oil change, even tho service was open for another hour; too close to closing.

Never went back to that dealer, not for the 30K, 60K, 90K, 120K tuneup either.

 

[mazduh30]

I figure, do it yourself, it is done and there will be nobody to blame (except yourself).

 

[cmhj]

When I bought my new 06.5 Optima, which was last summer a free first service was included.

After about 2K miles I figured what the heck & scheduled the service and clarified that 5W-20 be used, which is what Kia specifies. The service manager said all we use 10W30 in our quick lubes. I said 5W-20 needs to be used or I'd either do it myself or take it somewhere else.

After 2 e-mail exchanges they said 5W-20 would be no problem. After the service was done they tried to charge me for the oil as in their words, this is an oil we don't stock but no mention of this expense was made prior.

I got up all in a huff and said, "Fine I'll pay it but you've lost all my future business". As I was pulling my credit card out of my wallet the service manager then decided to give it to me for free as originally agreed.

I then wrote a letter to the owner "Kia of Landale, Pa" and explained what had happened.

The bottom line was, "from my point of view". Regardless of what a dealer stocks, Kia specifies 5W-20 in the owners manual, the service manual and on the oil cap. If a company is going to offer free services they should then include those costs "per the book" and make such adjustments before the service is scheduled.

Needless to say I never heard back from the owner, which is of no surprise to me.

Since I've always done most of my own maintenance for over 40 years, this experience will keep me doing such until my creaky old bones can't down on the floor. FWIW I had a knee replacement 9 weeks ago. 2 weeks ago I changed the oil in my Optima and will continue to do such for the next XX years.

 

[2Fast4U]

The first new vehicles I ever purchased was a 99 Z28 once I graduated from college. I had always changed my own oil on other cars but at 3000 miles I thought I would get the first few oil changes done at someplace in case there were any problems so the dealer wouldn't try to blame me.

Took it to a normal shop that used bulk oil, guy turns the dial to 5 qts sticks it in the valve cover and walks away. In 5 seconds oil gun fell out and shot oil all over the engine compartment and windshield. After he cleans is for 10 minutes he finishes the oil change and decides to start the car (it's on a drive on lift). He starts it, lets the clutch out and my car chirps the tires and lurches forward hitting the stops at the end of the lift. He would have driven the car right of the lift if they weren't there. Needless to say that was my last oil change from someone other then myself. This was not an 'oil change' shop. This mechanic was probably 35-40 years old and it was a normal shop. Are people really this stupid?

 

[opus1]

Why I change my own oil:

1) Because of my thriftiness, I have a stash of oil and filters for my fleet that allows me to do oil changes for an average of $5 a pop. The State of Illinois has a hazmat station not to far from my house that's open every weekend and generally on my way when I'm running errands, so this allows me to drop my used oil off and not burn up extra gas to do so.

2) Had a Dodge Dealer leave my oil cap off, which I didn't think to check for since the guy was a "5-star" dealer. The cap was left on the fuse box under the hood and somehow, despite over 200 miles of driving on both interstate and bumpy roads, I didn't lose it.

3) Most recently had the Chevy dealer change the oil (due to the "lower intake manifold gasket problem") and their "tech" put the filter on so loosely that I was able to take it off by hand, in fact with only 2 fingers.

If I have the vehicle in for some other reason and a change is due, or in weather like we have today where it's below freezing, I may consider having them do the work, but I change my own whenever I can.

 

[John_K]

Quote: 2) Had a Dodge Dealer leave my oil cap off, which I didn't think to check for since the guy was a "5-star" dealer. The cap was left on the fuse box under the hood and somehow, despite over 200 miles of driving on both interstate and bumpy roads, I didn't lose it.

HA! I had that happen at a Dodge dealer many years ago...forgot until now!

And yes, with my stash I can change my oil usually for about six bucks, sometimes less. Not worth dinking with other people for such a simple, cheap thing.

John

 

[Max_Wander]

Quote:

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"5-star" dealer

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haha I swear that "5-star" rating, whatever it actually means, is dealer self-appointed. Maybe it's 5 stars out of 10?

 

[Lonnie]

These free oil changes or the express lube is to get you into the dealership. How do you expect them to invest in a mechanic to do the work and make any money. If it makes no difference to you, then go ahead, because it makes no difference to them. And don't expect a mechanic to do the work. A qualified person is just too expensive, besides it's only an oil change. If they use the correct oil, the correct filter, a new crush washer and do it without making a mess and don't get too much crud in your engine and don't spill the oil and get the correct level then you have won the lottery. Otherwise you are getting what you paid for, especially if it's free.

 

[jbas]

Two years ago, the oil filter MANUAL used by WalMart actually listed the wrong filter for the Kia Sedona 3.5L...which, of course, the service technicians (previously & properly known as "grease monkeys") followed. I replaced it and the oil myself. At least at our WalMart, you can watch the techies screw up through a glass window.

 

[RacerE7773]

I change my own for every reason mentioned. I know then I have a Purolator on and not a Fram and the correct brand and weight (Castrol 5w30).

 

[Benzadmiral]

I'm cheap, and I like things done right when I'm paying for 'em, and I hate hassling with people to get it done right.

That said, when I was on "Hurri-Vacation" from Katrina in College Station, TX, in Sept. and Oct. of 2005, oil change time came around on my car. My Topsider and other supplies were in NO. So I entertained myself by asking around until I found an independent shop which worked on MBs and VWs, and brought them the oil and filter. No problems.

It was worth it for the peace of mind, too. Especially since I didn't know if I'd be able to do it myself back in NO (would there be any places to buy oil, would they recycle the old stuff, etc.).