Why I Ceased Having My Engine Oil Changed by the Dealer
 

Why I ceased having my engine oil changed by the dealer:

1. Typically, the low man on the totem pole gets oil changing duty. "Hey, you, yeah you, when you're done jockeying that customer's car around the back lot get over here as I have some oil changes that need to be done!"
   
   
2. No cost deduction for bringing my own oil versus what their Service Department may or may not have to offer. We wouldn't want the customer to be happy, especially since we can't gouge them for our crappy oil, but we surely can for labor costs.
   
   
3. Learning the hard way that you need to ask for all your used oil containers back; also, numbering each container so that you can verify that they actually used your oil. (And still this is no guarantee that Joe Six Pack* didn't simply store your high-end oil in another container and pump their low-end oil into your engine. There's a happy lot jockey somewhere in the world tonight that he's now running synthetic oil.)
   
   
4. My personal favorite: Far too many stripped oil drain plugs from idiots who cannot discern foot pounds from "that feels about right," let alone use an actual torque wrench. You know you've been had when you look underneath your oil pan and see a shiny new oil drain plug (most likely oversized because the lot jockey used an air ratchet to speed-up your oil change in between his having to drive customers cars around. Whoops!).
   
   
5. When I change my oil, I know it's done correctly. (And I actually change my oil filter...not write-down that I did on a customer's invoice.)**

*Mind you, if Joe Six Pack drinks dark beer, then he's cool; if he drinks piss-water light beer, then he's not.

**For those of you who actually work at a Service Department and take pride in your work—this is not regarding you, and I commend you, but your type is few and far between.

:iagree: That's the way I feel also!

True. I'm always so nervous when I take my car to the dealership service. I'm always thinking someone is not paying attention and making a mistake on my car. I took my car for first oil change to the dealer because it was free of charge . I don't think I'm taking it in anymore. I will do my own.

Planning on doing my first oil change myself this weekend. Either one of you guys use royal purple??

I agree. But anytime i have anything done to my car, i ALWAYS WATCH THEM. Stand there, right next to my car, while they work on it, i dont care what there doing. If they tell you you cant be there, just ask them if there paying for your car, im sure they will shut up.

I believe that MiniCobra1 is using Royal Purple. You might want to contact him about his thoughts on it.

LOL!!!! I would love to see that. I can't imagine how much that would piss them off. If I had the guts, I would do that too :rofl2:

yea, just wait till they pull your car in, and just watch them work on it. Ask them questions too, it's there job.

that's why only my personal friends who work at dealerships(one Honda, one Toyota) touch my car..........even if I have to drive farther, or wait longer........

Youre allowed to be in the work area? Any dealer around me will not allow you into the maitenice bay unless they escort you to your car to show you a "problem".

During my first oil change at 1000 miles, I was talking to the mechanic and standing under the car the entire time. Apparently my Nissan dealer doesn't care a bit.

Most shop in NJ won't allow customer in the work area due to "Insurance reason". Their (dealers/shops) insurance only covers their employees in case of an accident (i.e. lift failure/accident etc). My previous Nissan dealer had a glass window that I can see. This new one, got solid wall :rolleyes:. I can't even see anything :(

I would hate to buy a car from a dealer and fear taking it in for service. It's nice to have a little faith that the dealer's service department will take care of you when you bring your car in for work.

I don't worry about oil changes because a) an untrained monkey can change oil and a filter, b) my dealer confirmed that they use Nissan's recommended ester oil on these cars, and c) I get free service for a year.

After that I will consider doing the work on my own simply because I enjoy it... but I never fear that they are going to treat my car like crap while they throw their poo at each other.

Personally I just enjoy working on my car. So I will do most of the work to it, unless I do not have the tech know-how.

Same here. I don't care whether they mind me breathing down their neck. It's that important. :icon17: