Dealer put in wrong oil

[NoVaGT]

And let's not mislead members who believe all they need is oil receipts.

From the Ford Warranty declaration:
"... It is your responsibility to make sure that all of the scheduled maintenance is performed and that the materials used meet Ford engineering specifications. Failure to perform scheduled maintenance as specified in the Owner’s Manual will invalidate warranty coverage on parts affected by the lack of maintenance. Make sure that receipts for completed maintenance work are retained with the vehicle and confirmation of maintenance work is always entered in your Owner’s Manual."

Buying a few quarts of oil and a filter is not "completed maintenance work". Just 'cause you say the oil was changed doesn't explain the sludge dripping from the drain or the burnt oil smell.

All that is needed is receipts, if that. In fact I've never even kept my receipts for my oil & filters.

If there's sludge and burnt oil, then the oil wasn't changed, it will be obvious, and no warranty will cover the damage. As long as the oil in the engine is fine, then any engine failure will be covered under warranty. And oil can be tested, if need be.

FYI, it's illegal for any manufacturer to attempt to deny warranty coverage for doing maintenance yourself, or having a shop other than a dealer do the maintenance. Same goes with mods, as the same law(s) cover them. A manufacturer has to prove your mod caused the issue, before a warranty repair can be denied. The burden of proof is on the manufacturer, not the vehicle owner. These laws exist so that every vehicle owner is free to have their vehicle maintained in the way they want it to, and not be forced to have a dealership do it.

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[Norm Peterson]

And let's not mislead members who believe all they need is oil receipts.

From the Ford Warranty declaration:
"... It is your responsibility to make sure that all of the scheduled maintenance is performed and that the materials used meet Ford engineering specifications. Failure to perform scheduled maintenance as specified in the Owner’s Manual will invalidate warranty coverage on parts affected by the lack of maintenance. Make sure that receipts for completed maintenance work are retained with the vehicle and confirmation of maintenance work is always entered in your Owner’s Manual."

Buying a few quarts of oil and a filter is not "completed maintenance work". Just 'cause you say the oil was changed doesn't explain the sludge dripping from the drain or the burnt oil smell.

How would you document "completed maintenance work" done by an independent shop if not via receipts and possibly the shop's own bookkeeping?

But if you're that worried, perhaps you should take digital pictures of the process each time and make sure that the date and time stamps show.


Norm

 

[Sig556]

It all boils down to common sense. If your car is and was maintained it will show all by itself. Example. Vehicle condition and appearance, wheels, tires, brakes, belts, wipers, wear and tear on interior. If your engine or trans comes unglued and the rest of the car looks like it was beat, Rest assured Warranty will not be your best bet. Just Saying!

 

[EmCel]

I definitely don’t trust the dealership anymore. I was having issues with a grinding/knocking sound coming from the front so I took it to the Ford dealership here. Left the car there and they called me back saying who ever changed the oil in my car last time did not tighten the oil filter and that’s why it’s making the noise it’s making. So I’m like ok, went and picked up at the car. Driving home and it was still making that noise. So I take it to the dealership the next day and left the car there. They called me back saying there’s no noise. So I told them that I’m coming to the dealership and actually test drove the car with one of the mechanics there. Luckily I made him drive until that noise came. They checked it and found out that my left front wheel bearing was bad and needed replacement at 25k miles. So got it done and problem solved. Just because it’s the dealership doesn’t mean that they freaking know everything and change the oil the right way. It sucks because I don’t know shhh ... about cars that much as a woman and mechanics always try to BS me. But researching and reading about problems and causes online and on this site, I know what to look for and at least educate myself in that aspect a little. That’s why I’m here in the first place. I also had two alignments done to my car within 2 months. Changed the tires because they were so bad. I have no idea what’s going on with the car...
The dealership told me that if I dog on the car a lot, that’s why the wheel bearings go out.

 

[NoVaGT]

I definitely don’t trust the dealership anymore. I was having issues with a grinding/knocking sound coming from the front so I took it to the Ford dealership here. Left the car there and they called me back saying who ever changed the oil in my car last time did not tighten the oil filter and that’s why it’s making the noise it’s making. So I’m like ok, went and picked up at the car. Driving home and it was still making that noise. So I take it to the dealership the next day and left the car there. They called me back saying there’s no noise. So I told them that I’m coming to the dealership and actually test drove the car with one of the mechanics there. Luckily I made him drive until that noise came. They checked it and found out that my left front wheel bearing was bad and needed replacement at 25k miles. So got it done and problem solved. Just because it’s the dealership doesn’t mean that they freaking know everything and change the oil the right way. It sucks because I don’t know shhh ... about cars that much as a woman and mechanics always try to BS me. But researching and reading about problems and causes online and on this site, I know what to look for and at least educate myself in that aspect a little. That’s why I’m here in the first place. I also had two alignments done to my car within 2 months. Changed the tires because they were so bad. I have no idea what’s going on with the car...
The dealership told me that if I dog on the car a lot, that’s why the wheel bearings go out.

Wheel bearings do not go out because you "dog on the car a lot". I've had both my rear wheel bearings replaced, it's a known issue with S550s.

Changing tires at 25K is normal. I'm on my 3rd set at 30K miles, performance tires don't last long. There is nothing "going on with the car", it's all normal stuff.

 

[EmCel]

Wheel bearings do not go out because you "dog on the car a lot". I've had both my rear wheel bearings replaced, it's a known issue with S550s.

Changing tires at 25K is normal. I'm on my 3rd set at 30K miles, performance tires don't last long. There is nothing "going on with the car", it's all normal stuff.

When I say “there’s something wrong” I’m referring to right now. It just doesn’t feel right. I think there’s other issues but I just need to take it to a good shop to have it looked at. The alignment is off again. I just don’t know where to take it since it’s out of warranty and all.

 

[NoVaGT]

When I say “there’s something wrong” I’m referring to right now. It just doesn’t feel right. I think there’s other issues but I just need to take it to a good shop to have it looked at. The alignment is off again. I just don’t know where to take it since it’s out of warranty and all.

What makes you think the alignment is off?

 

[EmCel]

What makes you think the alignment is off?

Because the car pulls to the left a lot and the steering wheel is off a little, not centered. Since I had two alignments done already, I know what to look for. But then again, maybe I have other problems with the car that keeps causing the alignment to go bad. I don’t know.

 

[NoVaGT]

Because the car pulls to the left a lot and the steering wheel is off a little, not centered. Since I had two alignments done already, I know what to look for. But then again, maybe I have other problems with the car that keeps causing the alignment to go bad. I don’t know.

Alignments don't go bad of their own accord, it's almost always a hit to the suspension. Does the car simply change lanes to the left on a smooth, straight, level freeway if you take your hands off the wheel? I ask, because a lot of the time there's nothing actually wrong with the car or alignment, and it's road-crown that causes a vehicle to pull one way or another. And most drivers have a tendency to drive a bit on one side of the lane (and road crown) or the other, unconsciously. Plus, the road crown tends to keep you on one side of it or the other, so it may seem like it pulls only in one direction.

Anyways, if I may suggest, find a truly flat, level piece of freeway to check the alignment. One without road crown, maybe a brand-new stretch of highway. Then see if the car pulls one way or another.

 

[EmCel]

Alignments don't go bad of their own accord, it's almost always a hit to the suspension. Does the car simply change lanes to the left on a smooth, straight, level freeway if you take your hands off the wheel? I ask, because a lot of the time there's nothing actually wrong with the car or alignment, and it's road-crown that causes a vehicle to pull one way or another. And most drivers have a tendency to drive a bit on one side of the lane (and road crown) or the other, unconsciously. Plus, the road crown tends to keep you on one side of it or the other, so it may seem like it pulls only in one direction.

Anyways, if I may suggest, find a truly flat, level piece of freeway to check the alignment. One without road crown, maybe a brand-new stretch of highway. Then see if the car pulls one way or another.

When I’m on the highway and take my hands off the steering wheel, the car pulls to the left. Even on a smooth road. But anyway, thank you for the advice and I’ll try it out and get back to you.

 

[NoVaGT]

When I’m on the highway and take my hands off the steering wheel, the car pulls to the left. But anyway, thank you for the advice and I’ll try it out and get back to you.

Virginia roads are the most crowned POS roads I've ever seen in my life. Hopefully that's all it is with your car.

Also, your car has EPAS, which can correct for road crown a bit, but I think it sometimes over-reacts to it too.

ETA; Hold on.....I might have figured this out.

Have you replaced your front tires after the replacement wheel bearing?

 

[EmCel]

Virginia roads are the most crowned POS roads I've ever seen in my life. Hopefully that's all it is with your car.

Also, your car has EPAS, which can correct for road crown a bit, but I think it sometimes over-reacts to it too.

ETA; Hold on.....I might have figured this out.

Have you replaced your front tires after the replacement wheel bearing?

I replaced the tires way before the wheel bearing was replaced. So changed the tires, did an alignment with it. Then had another alignment done then wheel bearing replaced. All within 3 months. Before I changed the tires, that noise was there too but no one could figure it out.

 

[NoVaGT]

I replaced the tires way before the wheel bearing was replaced. So changed the tires, did an alignment with it. Then had another alignment done then wheel bearing replaced. All within 3 months. Before I changed the tires, that noise was there too but no one could figure it out.

The wheel & tire that had the wheel bearing replaced, might be wrecked on the inside edge of the tire, where it's not noticeable from the outside of the car.

Try turning the wheel (while parked) all the way so you can see the entire tread of the tire on the wheel where the bearing was replaced, and see if the inside edge is worn badly.

 

[EmCel]

The wheel & tire that had the wheel bearing replaced, might be wrecked on the inside edge of the tire, where it's not noticeable from the outside of the car.

Try turning the wheel (while parked) all the way so you can see the entire tread of the tire on the wheel where the bearing was replaced, and see if the inside edge is worn badly.

Ok I’ll do that and check it.
Thank you.

 

[Sig556]

I definitely don’t trust the dealership anymore. I was having issues with a grinding/knocking sound coming from the front so I took it to the Ford dealership here. Left the car there and they called me back saying who ever changed the oil in my car last time did not tighten the oil filter and that’s why it’s making the noise it’s making. So I’m like ok, went and picked up at the car. Driving home and it was still making that noise. So I take it to the dealership the next day and left the car there. They called me back saying there’s no noise. So I told them that I’m coming to the dealership and actually test drove the car with one of the mechanics there. Luckily I made him drive until that noise came. They checked it and found out that my left front wheel bearing was bad and needed replacement at 25k miles. So got it done and problem solved. Just because it’s the dealership doesn’t mean that they freaking know everything and change the oil the right way. It sucks because I don’t know shhh ... about cars that much as a woman and mechanics always try to BS me. But researching and reading about problems and causes online and on this site, I know what to look for and at least educate myself in that aspect a little. That’s why I’m here in the first place. I also had two alignments done to my car within 2 months. Changed the tires because they were so bad. I have no idea what’s going on with the car...
The dealership told me that if I dog on the car a lot, that’s why the wheel bearings go out.

Whoever heard an OIL FILTER being loose causes noises? And getting two wheel alignments without checking wheel bearing noise or runout by merely shaking the wheel assembly? This is one dealer that would never see me again.

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