Did they change my oil?
 

I just got back from a local Nissan dealer for an oil change. And for good measure, I always check the dip stick to make sure they put enough. But the first thing I noticed was how DARK the oil WAS. It looked just like it did before the oil change. So my question is, is Nissan Ester oil suppose to be dark?

I just realized I posted this in the wrong section...please feel free to move.

I don't think it's suppose to look black at all. That's interesting ...Either they drove your car after the oil change or they didn't change the oil at all! Speaking from my experience with my local Nissan dealer with my previous Zs, I wouldn't be surprised if one of the above is true.

Keep us posted. Did your remember your mileage prior to dropping the car off?

The oil will darken up with a few hundred miles of driving, but just after the oil change it should still be nice and amber. Either they didn't drain it all or they didn't change it. Just another reason to avoid having those idiots touch your car.

Did they change the oil filter? This may cause some of the colouration you experienced.

Tip - mark the filter with a sharpe before you take it in.

If they don't change the filter, more than likely they didn't drain the oil.

I'm always weary of everyone. If I can't watch them work through the window or something, I don't leave my car there.

Isn't a pain in the ass just to get to it? if that's the case you might as well change it yourself...

excellent advice

go back and complain to the manager and have them change it again and if they dont call Nissan Corp and complain. I dont think they changed it and you paid $100 right.

Nissan ester is gold similar to every other oil (except Arco graphite, which I haven't seen for years). Should stay that way for at least 500-750 miles. Doesn't sound as if they really changed it.

Yep. I would go back and politely tell the service manager that you believe the oil wasn't changed. State your reasoning and politely ask that they change the oil under your supervision, or refund you for the "service." If they don't comply with your demands, take it up with Nissan corporate OR the local media. :)

In augusta ga there is a tv channel that loves to do stories like this on tv and make the bad guys look reallllllly bad. DO IT DO IT.

OP Also the guy thats changing your oil is some young kid off the street thats not getting paid worth a **** and doesnt care about the quality of his work and prolly doesnt care if he gets fired or not. You dont get the older more professional guy for oil changes. I went to a local shop that I trust with the products and watched him change the oil. I used Mobil 1 syn and he charged $20 bucks for labor.

My experienced mechanic charges me only $15 when I bring my own oil and filter. Dealership can be avoided for simple things like oil changes.

It's so easy to DIY I wonder why so many people don't.

Some are just Lazy!!!

FYI - I have only 200 miles on mine and the oil is a very light amber, I just checked it earlier today. A fresh oil change should not be dark. The only possibility is if they changed it cold and did not get but 2/3 of it out before quitting & installing the new. The old oil would make the new darker. Only a possibility.

This exact thing happened to my parents. I guess the oil changing place took so long and my parents keep complaining and next thing you know when you take the car home, the oil is dark as hell. Lesson learned here is dont be cheap and go to the lower oil changing place because it might look a little shady like this place. And the last advice is never complain or try to rush them because they can do things you dont want them to do.

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll try to answer everyones questions.

Why I don't just do it myself?
Well, I don't have a garage like I used to, and I don't have the time to do it. I'm trying to make it out to the Fontana event at Cal Speedway on Tue.

Age of the mechanic(s)?
I'm not sure because I only talked to the service rep. I hear what you're saying, but I'm not the type to discriminate.

Anyway, I'm going to call the Dealer tomorrow and tell them what I've noticed. I'm going to insist that I come over and they inspect it themselves and tell me if the oil should be that dark.

Please keep us posted.

That would be ideal, but some people won't if they can get it done for free from the dealer.

You can at least get to the filter without jacking/lifting the car, just pop a couple clips, slide your arm in there and mark it with a sharpe.

Actually, I've seen oil stay nice and amber for a thousand miles.

Low-dollar, low-value tasks are reserved for the low-dollar employees. Junior techs are going to get the oil change jobs if they are available. A kid changed my oil when I went in for my free service. He couldn't have been older than 18, but I could watch through the window and he did a good job.

I know I will let the dealer do ALL my oil changes, but that is because my dealer gives FREE lifetime oil changes with the car... I would be stupid not to let them...

If they are trustworthy, then it's cool. :)

A good rule of thumb is NEVER go to a dealer for anything "but warranty work" and ALWAYS document your oil & filter change with a RECEIPT!They will get in your pocket one way or the other!Don't be foolish!
As for the dealers that say they will give you "free oil changes for the life of your car"...DAH!...BEWARE of these con artists?Anyone who believes they are honestly getting oil changes all the time need to check into a rehab as soon as possible!

I think you need to sit back and take a breath and read over your last post?
Honestly dude if you believe you are getting honest lifetime oil changes from this dealer then you must be the guy that has been spotting Elvis lately in
Tennessee!
What was he wearing when you last seen him?

Quick trick to catch 'em off guard: Next time, get under your car and scrape a small part of the oil filter with a file. I caught a Mazda dealer trying to fool me into paying for a scheduled oil change they didn't do! I spoke to the shop mgr, he apologized and deducted $19.00 from the "maintenance" charge. Needless to say, I never went back there, and started doing my own oil changes.

That just defeats the purpose of taking it in then. By the time you remove the undertray you might as well change the oil yourself!

Correct!

I think it's been mentioned before but you only have to remove four screws from the undertray to change the oil and filter.

Yep, with the cheapest oil and filter they can get their hands on.

You don't have to remove the undertray, just pop a couple screws on the passenger side, slide your arm in there, and mark the filter. You don't have to lift the car or put it on a set of ramps.

Ask to see the old filter when they're done as proof they changed it. No mark, no change.

1. where can i buy this ester(spelling) oil?
2. is the oil filter easy for the hand to reach in and unscrew if the car doesnt need to be jacked up?

You don't need ester oil. :rolleyes:

Unless you plan on draining your oil on the ground with nothing to catch it, you'll need to lift the car some. You can however, get your arm under there with a big fat marker or a file and mark the filter in some way.

My comment was for marking the filter to ensure that it was changed.

Sorry! But you are Wrong!

Telling people that "You don't need ester oil" when that's what's in the car from the start. is going off base, you could of mentioned that you can use other similar oils like xyz. I have used ester oil and continue to use like many in here! :tup:

elmz, I changed my oil yesterday. Then, I put on about 80 miles yesterday after the change. Today, I woke up early in the morning and put 200+200 = 400 miles on the Z (back and forth with a 20 minute rest). So, basically after 480 miles, this is how my oil looks. It's still fresh gold color. Hope this helps.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/DSC02942.jpg

//offtopic// Do I have the cleanest engine on the forum or what? :tup:

Looks Good! Ak

Change yer own oil. Don't be a Ferrari guy. LOL... Just kidding. But seriously... change your own oil. You know the old saying "If you want something done right..."

Hey Killer, Wanna change my oil? :bowrofl: