Should I get my free oil change at the dealer?

[FitmentIndustries]

Some of the dumbest things I've been offered with my oil change from shops: Engine flush, A radiator drain and fill, ~$1,000 for spark plugs to be replaced - what's next are they going to offer me an extended warranty?

What makes it worse, it was from a top-rated shop, there's an old saying "If it ain't broken, don't fix it" - only you know more about the car than anyone - trust yourself.

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[robvas]

My biggest gripe about the oil change places is they make such a mess under the car and don't clean it up. Get oil everywhere.

 

[T Fades]

May be the best option: Do you have a friend or family member close by that will let you work on your car at their house? Then YOU do the work and KNOW it was done right.

If you can't work on the car yourself, it really depends on the dealer or other shop you have in your area. I would research the shops in your area to find the best reviewed one, then go there.

Some places have decent dealers, and some have terrible dealers.

 

[DMS]

The dealer I purchased my last 2 Fords from has a good service shop. I use them for all of my service needs and haven't had any issues so far. There is another Ford Dealership significantly closer to me and I decided to try their service department for a couple of "simple" items: an oil change and a Ford covered software update. They failed on both. Left me sitting in the waiting room on the oil change for a long time because they didn't recognize that they had finished the job, said they would "comp" the cost for my trouble, and then a couple of months later tried to bill my rewards points. On the software update, they messed around for a couple of hours and then told me they "couldn't connect" for the update. My purchasing dealership got it done when I ended up taking it there. I'll continue to take the longer ride and go to the dealer, where I bought the vehicles, from now on even though they are further away. If your dealer is good, stick with them.

 

[Cobra Jet]

As stated above by some others, the “free” may be the oil change, but it comes with many annoyances as the Tech will come back with a laundry list of items the car needs:

Windshield wipers
Tires
Brakes
Coolant flush
Cabin filter
Engine Air filter
Trans flush (If auto)
Fuel injector cleaning
A/C overhaul
Spark plugs
New ignition coils
Alignment

That’s just the short list… LMAO! And no matter how many items you say “NO” to, they’ll keep being persistent with the necessity that they NEED to do it and the car NEEDS that service list…

If you can do the oil change yourself, you know:
- It’s being done right
- it’s being done with quality oil/oil filter
- The car won’t be damaged by someone careless
- Oil isn’t being spilled all over the top of the engine, OR when oil is drained it’s not drained into belly pan so the car just leaves infinity oil spots everywhere it goes
- The exact cost of the parts/fluids with no surprises
- Oil won’t be over filled or under filled
- Oil filter won’t be loose
- Oil drain plug won’t be loose
- Hood will be CLOSED and not half assed latched
- The engine, front chassis, steering rack, and underside of the car won’t be drenched in oil from some foolish tech who doesn’t care about YOUR vehicle
- you won’t be stuck at the dealership for 3 hours for an OIL CHANGE that should take 30-45mins tops…

 

[Guarded 5oh]

My 17 GT is lowered a lot. By a lot meaning I can’t fit a jack under on level ground. I use 2x4s staggered then up on ramps and do it in my driveway. Order my oil and filter online and get it done.

 

[T Fades]

As stated above by some others, the “free” may be the oil change, but it comes with many annoyances as the Tech will come back with a laundry list of items the car needs:

Windshield wipers
Tires
Brakes
Coolant flush
Cabin filter
Engine Air filter
Trans flush (If auto)
Fuel injector cleaning
A/C overhaul
Spark plugs
New ignition coils
Alignment

That’s just the short list… LMAO! And no matter how many items you say “NO” to, they’ll keep being persistent with the necessity that they NEED to do it and the car NEEDS that service list…

If you can do the oil change yourself, you know:
- It’s being done right
- it’s being done with quality oil/oil filter
- The car won’t be damaged by someone careless
- Oil isn’t being spilled all over the top of the engine, OR when oil is drained it’s not drained into belly pan so the car just leaves infinity oil spots everywhere it goes
- The exact cost of the parts/fluids with no surprises
- Oil won’t be over filled or under filled
- Oil filter won’t be loose
- Oil drain plug won’t be loose
- Hood will be CLOSED and not half assed latched
- The engine, front chassis, steering rack, and underside of the car won’t be drenched in oil from some foolish tech who doesn’t care about YOUR vehicle
- you won’t be stuck at the dealership for 3 hours for an OIL CHANGE that should take 30-45mins tops…

Also, the cheap labored oil guy will most likely let the oil drain onto the wire harness that sits right below the drain plug.

The oil tech will also most likely just re-use the drain plug and won't replace o-rings.

There is also a good chance they will grind gears if a 6 spd

 

[David Schmidt]

I heard too many stories of only getting 8 quarts on a change. I got one of those reusable drain plugs and some ramps and just do it myself.

 

[Garfy]

I saw in the news recently, don't remember where but Valvoline F up someone's engine too. I'll probably stick with Firestone or Goodyear. Firestone by me the manager and one of the techs seemed familiar with Fords. He was warning me about the Ecoboom engine when I was talking about trading in my Camaro because they couldn't find a coolant leak anywhere doing the pressure test. I only thought about Ecoboom because I could get a brand new one but he said they've had a lot of issues with that engine. After the warranty chuck it!

I've never cared for turbo or S/C engines as boosted engines take a lot of stress. I prefer NA engines as they're easier to care for and seem to last longer. I tend to keep my cars until they die or so old I decide to sell them (like my '83 Isuzu PUP I had which I sold after 36 years and 120K on it). But it seems these days you can't get away without one especially on the smaller engines.

 

[Millarduck]

I saw in the news recently, don't remember where but Valvoline F up someone's engine too. I'll probably stick with Firestone or Goodyear. Firestone by me the manager and one of the techs seemed familiar with Fords. He was warning me about the Ecoboom engine when I was talking about trading in my Camaro because they couldn't find a coolant leak anywhere doing the pressure test. I only thought about Ecoboom because I could get a brand new one but he said they've had a lot of issues with that engine. After the warranty chuck it!

Take 5 is the one place to avoid, they've had a lot of bad press. They drained a transmission by mistake. https://autos.yahoo.com/safety-and-recalls/articles/popular-oil-change-chain-accused-144500156.html

 

[FLMustangMan]

Take 5 is the one place to avoid, they've had a lot of bad press. They drained a transmission by mistake. https://autos.yahoo.com/safety-and-recalls/articles/popular-oil-change-chain-accused-144500156.html

The one near me I never see any cars in there lol. What about Vavoline lol? My cousin works for them, from home. If you have a complaint, she's the one who deals with it when you call in.

Firestone wants $182, Goodyear $140. I can deal with $140. Walmart would be around $90 then, but rolling the dice although I never had an issue with them unlike the dealers some bad issues.

The Kia dealer free oil change, they can't say much because they put new wipers, brake pads, fluids in. Shows on the carfax lol.

 

[FLMustangMan]

Decided to use my free oil change. Went smooth, everything was good so they didn't try any pushy sales tactics. If I didn't have my free oil change it would have been $300 because it's a dealer and they used Mobile 1.

 

[robvas]

Decided to use my free oil change. Went smooth, everything was good so they didn't try any pushy sales tactics. If I didn't have my free oil change it would have been $300 because it's a dealer and they used Mobile 1.

Insane for $60 in oil and a $10 filter

$230 in markup, labor, and overhead!

 

[Skye]

Not everyone can change their own oil. That's cool. While it is a somewhat routine task, I wouldn't use price as the only factor when searching on where to go. I consider cost, after I've identified a pool of businesses that have good to great reps, with an emphasis on local businesses.

Firestone wants $182, Goodyear $140. I can deal with $140. Walmart would be around $90

Tons of cars in FL. From now until the next oil change, I'd check out any of the local shops, run by enthusiasts.

If I didn't have my free oil change it would have been $300 because it's a dealer and they used Mobile 1.

Ouch.

I assume they charged as much because of the Mobil 1. And wonder what the price would have been with the dealer stock Motorcraft Full Synthetic.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/what’s-your-ford-dealership-charging-for-an-oil-change.201134/

 

[FLMustangMan]

Not everyone can change their own oil. That's cool. While it is a somewhat routine task, I wouldn't use price as the only factor when searching on where to go. I consider cost, after I've identified a pool of businesses that have good to great reps, with an emphasis on local businesses.



Tons of cars in FL. From now until the next oil change, I'd check out any of the local shops, run by enthusiasts.



Ouch.

I assume they charged as much because of the Mobil 1. And wonder what the price would have been with the dealer stock Motorcraft Full Synthetic.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/what’s-your-ford-dealership-charging-for-an-oil-change.201134/

Most with Mustang GTs I've seen over the years on the forums use Mobile 1. It was a large Kia dealer but they sell a ton of used Mustangs and Corvettes. Like they got the used Mustang market cornered basically and they charge extra add ons on the sale. That dealer is always super busy too. Kia has a crap load of problems with their engines. Packed, looked like lots of younger customers, and single moms. Probably all they can afford and can get away with add ons. Again just from what I've seen everytime I've been there and they're busy.

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