Oil Change SCAMS

[Old Ironmaker]

It is not a secret he doesn't want to argue with people. John has as much knowledge as Bernie and both of them have responded to P.M.s on my questions for years. There wealth of knowledge is amazing.

 

 

Art

I know that he is good, that's why I ask him to share his knowledge. No need to argue Art, I call it passionate discussion.

[aplumma]

I know that he is good, that's why I ask him to share his knowledge. No need to argue Art, I call it passionate discussion.

Not arguing just answering your question.

 

Art

[dintymoore]

In and around Peterborough there are lots of good shops, with honest mechanics and service managers. I worked in the trade for 10 years, and continue to deal with many of the shops in the region as a part of my employment.

 

As others have said, your best bet for savings and peace of mind, is to do it yourself. Buy a floor jack, learn your safe lift points underneath your vehicle, apply parking break / block your wheels, and crawl under there.

 

As far as this "void your warranty" nonsense goes, it's a very common misconception. The Stealerships, as I like to call them, lead you to believe this, and want you coming back for the life of the vehicle so that they can continue to ream you. So long as any licensed technician or licensed oil change specialist performs the service, you will not void any warranty.

 

I do everything I can on my car because I hate anyone else touching it. I've seen some serious butchery and manglers in my time working in shops. Breaking bolts, neglecting to put in bolts, hiding damage, super glues, epoxies, JB weld, it is all very common. Bolts rust, plastic gets brittle and breaks.

[dave524]

I went to Beverly Tire here in town for an oil change and drive clean to get my tags renewed back in May, it was 48 bucks including tax out the door, some of your prices are sky high.

 

May 12, 2017 IDP PURCHASE -
-BEVERLY TIRE & -$48.53
Edited August 6, 2017 by dave524

[Old Ironmaker]

Not arguing just answering your question.

 

Art

Man, I'm not arguing with you, I'm talking about others arguing on any thread.

[Old Ironmaker]

I went to Beverly Tire here in town for an oil change and drive clean to get my tags renewed back in May, it was 48 bucks including tax out the door, some of your prices are sky high.

 

May 12, 2017 IDP PURCHASE -

-BEVERLY TIRE & -$48.53

The synthetic oil is the cost of a regular oil change, but it lasts 13,000 KMS. Your 5K oil filter is good for double that I'm told.

Edited August 6, 2017 by Old Ironmaker

[dave524]

The synthetic oil is the cost of a regular oil change, but it lasts 13,000 KMS. Your 5K oil filter is good for double that I'm told.

 

13,000 KMS is 2 years worth of driving for me, 2006 Jeep Liberty with 76,000 on the odometer, I just do a spring and fall oil change , never close to 5K before it is changed.

[John Bacon]

In and around Peterborough there are lots of good shops, with honest mechanics and service managers. I worked in the trade for 10 years, and continue to deal with many of the shops in the region as a part of my employment.

 

As others have said, your best bet for savings and peace of mind, is to do it yourself. Buy a floor jack, learn your safe lift points underneath your vehicle, apply parking break / block your wheels, and crawl under there.

 

As far as this "void your warranty" nonsense goes, it's a very common misconception. The Stealerships, as I like to call them, lead you to believe this, and want you coming back for the life of the vehicle so that they can continue to ream you. So long as any licensed technician or licensed oil change specialist performs the service, you will not void any warranty.

 

I do everything I can on my car because I hate anyone else touching it. I've seen some serious butchery and manglers in my time working in shops. Breaking bolts, neglecting to put in bolts, hiding damage, super glues, epoxies, JB weld, it is all very common. Bolts rust, plastic gets brittle and breaks.

 

But if most people did the oil change themselves, then it wouldn't be done by a licensed technician or oil change specialist.

[pics]

I should add that I do my own because back when you actually had lube points on the front end, some of the shops would miss that part of it.. I found out the hard way.. Plus it gives me a chance to have a look under the vehicle.. I wouldn't have spotted the transmission leak in my wife's car before the warranty ran out. Took us a year and a half to get it properly fixed but only after we went to a different dealership where it was diagnosed right away.. I sometimes wonder why certain dealers hate doing warranty work.?? . We will be talking to GM Canada about our experience on this since they like to track the good and bad dealerships.. We usually get a call after each appointment encouraging us to give them top ratings,not this time.. They have also lost any future sales from us..

Edited August 6, 2017 by pics

[John]

It is not a secret he doesn't want to argue with people. John has as much knowledge as Bernie and both of them have responded to P.M.s on my questions for years. There wealth of knowledge is amazing.

 

 

Art

Well thanks Art but Bernie has perhaps 10 times the knowledge and experience that I do. I am just a little troubled when mis-information and innuendo is thrown around here just to stimulate so called passionate discussion. If we look at the threads that get locked there is one thing in common, "passionate discussion" by the same members. Is life really that boring? I stand by what I said and if anyone has a legitimate question about servicing your vehicle I would be happy to answer it by PM.

[Garnet]

So you found a bad dealer then you found a good dealer ?

 

Nows the time to start the negotiations that's worth 3 free oil changes on top of the free ones you get.

[pics]

So you found a bad dealer then you found a good dealer ?

 

Nows the time to start the negotiations that's worth 3 free oil changes on top of the free ones you get.

lol.. We switched to a small town dealer from a big city one.. I think the small ones have a lot to lose if their reputation is damaged.. The big dealer changed the water pump after we complained about the transmission leak. They also told us that the oil dripping underneath was due to a sloppy oil change which isn't true because I did it myself and I'm very picky about spilling oil.. And most techs should be able to tell the difference between oil and transmission fluid.....

[Garnet]

Nothing better than being dealt the cards to negotiate.

[Big Cliff]

Nothing better than being dealt the cards to negotiate.

Nothing worse than a (lousy/dishonest/incompetent) dealership!

[Mister G]

 

But if most people did the oil change themselves, then it wouldn't be done by a licensed technician or oil change specialist.

No such thing as a oil change specialist and most licensed auto mechanics don't do oil changes. They have some high school kid doing it for them at minimum wages and you might be his first customer ever....think about that for a while.

 

I have NEVER had anyone do a oil change on any of my vehicle, all done by me and I was NEVER was refused warranty work by any manufacture.

 

Anyone who believes you have to take it back to the dealer for routine maintenance should also look at the bridge I have for sale.

[dintymoore]

No such thing as a oil change specialist and most licensed auto mechanics don't do oil changes.

Mr. Lube. , Pen10, Oil changers, Jiffy Lube are all examples of oil change specialists. These places also claim to not void warranties by following guidelines such as recommending Dexos for GM applications. And it depends on the shop. Many shops will have all of their techs, licensed or not perform oil changes / tire swap and or rotations the first part of their mornings, usually from open until 10-10:30, especially during busy seasons.

Edited August 7, 2017 by dintymoore

[porkpie]

I do my own oil changes, but the shop I go to if you get an oil change it will be done by a licensed mechanic with many years experience.

[Old Ironmaker]

13,000 KMS is 2 years worth of driving for me, 2006 Jeep Liberty with 76,000 on the odometer, I just do a spring and fall oil change , never close to 5K before it is changed.

My wife puts on 26,000 KMS a year commuting to work. Plus what she drives on days off. Want to sell your Jeep? But I hear you, Dad bought a new Camry and drove it for almost 2 years before they took away his license. We took it back to the dealer and it had 6,000 K's on it. We almost got what he paid for it actually. Impressed by Toyota.

[Old Ironmaker]

Well thanks Art but Bernie has perhaps 10 times the knowledge and experience that I do. I am just a little troubled when mis-information and innuendo is thrown around here just to stimulate so called passionate discussion. If we look at the threads that get locked there is one thing in common, "passionate discussion" by the same members. Is life really that boring? I stand by what I said and if anyone has a legitimate question about servicing your vehicle I would be happy to answer it by PM.

No life isn't boring at all slick.

[Old Ironmaker]

No such thing as a oil change specialist and most licensed auto mechanics don't do oil changes. They have some high school kid doing it for them at minimum wages and you might be his first customer ever....think about that for a while.

 

I have NEVER had anyone do a oil change on any of my vehicle, all done by me and I was NEVER was refused warranty work by any manufacture.

 

Anyone who believes you have to take it back to the dealer for routine maintenance should also look at the bridge I have for sale.

I too got sucked into the GM dealership service when I bought my first ever new vehicle. It didn't last long. A nice place to wait an hour and a half for an oil change. Free WIFI and soy cappuccino Americano latte aqua chiutto. 5 service persons and 5 big screen TV's showing where in the que you are. I went in there when I saw some rust after 2 months. The autobody manager begrudgingly got on the ground to look under the truck. He was dressed like he owned the place, dress shoes and slacks and all. What a joke. I hope my comment doesn't contain any innuendo or misinformation.

[ketchenany]

OI, They tried to put it in your innuendo?

[Big Cliff]

My wife puts on 26,000 KMS a year commuting to work. Plus what she drives on days off. Want to sell your Jeep? But I hear you, Dad bought a new Camry and drove it for almost 2 years before they took away his license. We took it back to the dealer and it had 6,000 K's on it. We almost got what he paid for it actually. Impressed by Toyota.

Toyota in this town anyway is awesome! Took my wife's Matrix in for an oil change (free one), had the snow tires in the back as I was going to change them over later that day. Got the car back and the snow tires were installed, I thought oh crap there is $25.00 bucks I didn't want to spend. Got up to the cash, no charge sir, it was due for a tire rotation so we just rotated the summer tires for the winter ones.

 

Got a low tire pressure warning, we were right near the Toyota dealership so so I pulled in. They found a nail in the side wall, replaced the tire NO CHARGE! Don't worry about it sir we just put it through under warranty as a defective tire, have a nice trip!

[Mister G]

Toyota in this town anyway is awesome! Took my wife's Matrix in for an oil change (free one), had the snow tires in the back as I was going to change them over later that day. Got the car back and the snow tires were installed, I thought oh crap there is $25.00 bucks I didn't want to spend. Got up to the cash, no charge sir, it was due for a tire rotation so we just rotated the summer tires for the winter ones.

 

Got a low tire pressure warning, we were right near the Toyota dealership so so I pulled in. They found a nail in the side wall, replaced the tire NO CHARGE! Don't worry about it sir we just put it through under warranty as a defective tire, have a nice trip!

YEP, gotta agree........

 

I noticed that the coolant reservoir was low on my 10+ year old truck so I took a ride to the Toyota dealer and went to buy a gallon (special stuff). The parts guy said $39.99 plus tax......I said I only need a little, do you have a quart........he said, just drive it in the service bay and they will top you off for FREE......

 

You can't beat that with a Ugly Stick ! ! !

[DanD]

I got into the automotive trade in 1976, wrote my license in 1980 and started my own shop in 1983. I have customers that have been with me for 30 plus years; some are three generations of families. My senor employee has worked with me since 1987 and the junior guy stated with me in 2000; both started as my apprentices. We strive to know as many customers by their first name and treat their vehicles like they are our own.

We check the vehicle for the driver's complaint and do a general inspection. Quote out what the costs will be and then talk to the customer.

Set priorities as to what can wait and what should be done right away; we don't do the snatch and grab for the gravy jobs.

OK that's all the horn blowing I'll do; but if i had to screw people to make my living; I wouldn't be in this trade; I'd be a bank executive or someone like that. LOL

All I know is there are hundreds, no thousands of honest shops out there; it's up to you to find them. Ask friends, neighbors, co-workers who they deal with. A lot of small shops like myself cannot afford a big advertising budget and word of mouth is our media; it can build your business or kill it; so you respect your clients and what they think of you.

Yes I'm proud of my shop and its reputation; trying my best not to hurt either of them, is the key to loyal customers.

 

OK Off soap box now.

 

OH YEAH

To all the DIY people, power too you; but an oil change is more then pulling a drain plug and spinning a new filter on.

Checking basic safety related items need to be checked; things that laying on your back, wheels not suspended you cannot check.

You saved 30 bucks but you missed that tie rod that put your wife and kids into the ditch.

 

Sorry for this as well; I don't think I'll reply to any rebuttals to this post; I have to many memories of mechanical failures, that could have been easily avoided; that killed people.

 

Dan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AKRISONER]

I got into the automotive trade in 1976, wrote my license in 1980 and started my own shop in 1983. I have customers that have been with me for 30 plus years; some are three generations of families. My senor employee has worked with me since 1987 and the junior guy stated with me in 2000; both started as my apprentices. We strive to know as many customers by their first name and treat their vehicles like they are our own.

We check the vehicle for the driver's complaint and do a general inspection. Quote out what the costs will be and then talk to the customer.

Set priorities as to what can wait and what should be done right away; we don't do the snatch and grab for the gravy jobs.

OK that's all the horn blowing I'll do; but if i had to screw people to make my living; I wouldn't be in this trade; I'd be a bank executive or someone like that. LOL

All I know is there are hundreds, no thousands of honest shops out there; it's up to you to find them. Ask friends, neighbors, co-workers who they deal with. A lot of small shops like myself cannot afford a big advertising budget and word of mouth is our media; it can build your business or kill it; so you respect your clients and what they think of you.

Yes I'm proud of my shop and its reputation; trying my best not to hurt either of them, is the key to loyal customers.

 

OK Off soap box now.

 

OH YEAH

To all the DIY people, power too you; but an oil change is more then pulling a drain plug and spinning a new filter on.

Checking basic safety related items need to be checked; things that laying on your back, wheels not suspended you cannot check.

You saved 30 bucks but you missed that tie rod that put your wife and kids into the ditch.

 

Sorry for this as well; I don't think I'll reply to any rebuttals to this post; I have to many memories of mechanical failures, that could have been easily avoided; that killed people.

 

Dan.

 

 

Its a shame your shop is all the way in London Dan...if you were within an hour of the GTA id be taking my vehicles to you.