Owner Oil Changes

[J0E]

Fork in thread. Last summer it was hot and my ding bat neighbor said, I think my new car is leaking oil. "That's just condensation from your AC Judy." She insisted I inspect the fluid. It was fresh oil so I had her call the dealer who had just changed her oil. She told me the dealer rep said "Bring it straight here and leave it over the weekend. BTW, you'll have to uber home".

I followed her to the dealer and the clown at the counter was yapping about the latest movie. After one minute waiting I said, "Listen, you guys screwed up Judy's oil change and need to fix it now." The clown said, what do you want me to do, I can only schedule it for Monday. I'm sure the clown had never changed oil in his life. I started dropping F bombs and he said he'd see what he could do but clearly thought I was a lunatic. In the mean time I went to the garage and told a mechanic. The mechanic said he'd take care of it ASAP and her car would be ready in 30 minutes.

I went home but she reported they tighten the oil change bolt , topped it off, and gave her cat liter for her garage. At least my aggressiveness got her car fixed in 35 minutes.

I thought that was a one in a million incident, but I learned another neighbor had the exact same thing happen. Both had gone to Subaru dealers, but two different dealers.

40 years ago the parts and scheduling guys had basic mechanical skills. The guys changing oil then had talent and a desire to move up to more complicated work.

Now the guys who schedule are clowns and so are apparently the oil changers. Dealerships can't compete for talent with video games.

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[Trojan_Actual]

All these posts are amazing. Thank you for the info and the humor ??

 

[DanW]

I video the oil change with two witnesses. I then store the image in the cloud with a digital hash to prove the recording hasn't been tampered with. I then get the two witnesses to sign a statement I have notarized. I keep all the empty oil cans, oil filters, etc in a climate controlled safe.

JK, my 2021 JLR is 9 months old, has 2,700 miles on it, and has had one of four free dealer oil change. Half the milage is in low range wheelin.

Lol, notarized? That's rock solid, but wow!

 

[swampflyer]

Fork in thread. Last summer it was hot and my ding bat neighbor said, I think my new car is leaking oil. "That's just condensation from your AC Judy." She insisted I inspect the fluid. It was fresh oil so I had her call the dealer who had just changed her oil. She told me the dealer rep said "Bring it straight here and leave it over the weekend. BTW, you'll have to uber home".

I followed her to the dealer and the clown at the counter was yapping about the latest movie. After one minute waiting I said, "Listen, you guys screwed up Judy's oil change and need to fix it now." The clown said, what do you want me to do, I can only schedule it for Monday. I'm sure the clown had never changed oil in his life. I started dropping F bombs and he said he'd see what he could do but clearly thought I was a lunatic. In the mean time I went to the garage and told a mechanic. The mechanic said he'd take care of it ASAP and her car would be ready in 30 minutes.

I went home but she reported they tighten the oil change bolt , topped it off, and gave her cat liter for her garage. At least my aggressiveness got her car fixed in 35 minutes.

I thought that was a one in a million incident, but I learned another neighbor had the exact same thing happen. Both had gone to Subaru dealers, but two different dealers.

40 years ago the parts and scheduling guys had basic mechanical skills. The guys changing oil then had talent and a desire to move up to more complicated work.

Now the guys who schedule are clowns and so are apparently the oil changers. Dealerships can't compete for talent with video games.

squeaky wheel gets the most grease.

 

[DanW]

squeaky wheel gets the most grease.

Not sure if squeaking F-bombs gets as much, or not, though. Even if the guy at the counter was begging for it.

 

[dsgrey]

10 years ago I had a GMC Terrain (Chevy Equinox) throwing a code commonly known as a clogged oil port. The engine used skinless oil filters but consumers were discovering a specific port would clog and I believe it was a similar design issue a Chrysler V6 had around 20+ years ago - exhaust manifold too close to the backside of the engine and basically cooking a port.

Anyway, off to the dealer with the common code. They asked about oil records and I did my own. I keep a spreadsheet and the receipts for any filter/oil purchase and I keep part of the filter box with the part number and UPC code. The only issue I had was the dealer stating I was using Wix filters. I gladly stated they could demand I use only OEM (conflict of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) in writing which they wouldn't. Also, I would gladly pay for the $5k repair if they could prove anything clogging the port was material from the Wix filter versus the OEM GM filter from the original and 2nd oil change.

A few days later I received the repaired vehicle without any further questions. YMMV depending on dealer and/or vehicle. I did recently see an article in Warranty Week where a guy in Canada bought a used 2yo Infiniti from a dealer, the engine needed replacing less than 12 months after purchasing and the dealer wouldn't pay the cost under warranty. He didn't have the service records from the previous owner (2 years worth). Even the Canadian agency that helps owners dispute warranty issues states it's up to the owner to provide maintenance.

 

[Jim1964]

You may be right, but here it is off their website.
https://www.dancummins.com/lifetime-powertrain-protection/

Here is a quote from the brochure linked In the page above.

“ Excluded from Powertrain for Life are vehicles with 80,000 or more miles and 9 model years and older at time of purchase. Also excluded are duallys, hybrids, altered vehicles with leveling or lift kits, tuners, after market exhaust, commercially titled vehicles or vehicles intended for commercial use, or 3500 GVW single wheel trucks.”

So essentially useless if they want an out on any Jeep vehicle.

 

[DanW]

10 years ago I had a GMC Terrain (Chevy Equinox) throwing a code commonly known as a clogged oil port. The engine used skinless oil filters but consumers were discovering a specific port would clog and I believe it was a similar design issue a Chrysler V6 had around 20+ years ago - exhaust manifold too close to the backside of the engine and basically cooking a port.

Anyway, off to the dealer with the common code. They asked about oil records and I did my own. I keep a spreadsheet and the receipts for any filter/oil purchase and I keep part of the filter box with the part number and UPC code. The only issue I had was the dealer stating I was using Wix filters. I gladly stated they could demand I use only OEM (conflict of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) in writing which they wouldn't. Also, I would gladly pay for the $5k repair if they could prove anything clogging the port was material from the Wix filter versus the OEM GM filter from the original and 2nd oil change.

A few days later I received the repaired vehicle without any further questions. YMMV depending on dealer and/or vehicle. I did recently see an article in Warranty Week where a guy in Canada bought a used 2yo Infiniti from a dealer, the engine needed replacing less than 12 months after purchasing and the dealer wouldn't pay the cost under warranty. He didn't have the service records from the previous owner (2 years worth). Even the Canadian agency that helps owners dispute warranty issues states it's up to the owner to provide maintenance.

It is very hard for them to deny a known issue even if you don't have the records. Very hard.

It also helps to have a good relationship with a dealership. And, you can use some of their own info. I had valve cover gaskets replaced on my JK's 3.8 at about 150k miles and they made a note on the receipt of how exceptionally clean the valve train appeared. That right there is solid evidence of oil changes with a high quality oil. In that case, Mobil 1.

As for records, they don't always define them. A spreadsheet should be sufficient.

I have always wondered if the oil life monitor records the hours or mileage or even date when it is reset? If so, that could back up the owner's documentation.

 

[JABCAT]

[QUOTE="Chupacabra, post: 1907854, member: 57908"

This warranty is probably not worth the paper it's printed on either, but that's just my cynical view.
[/QUOTE]

Agree 100%. Hope the OP didn’t pay extra for this.
The dealership from which we purchased our ‘20 GC offers a lifetime engine warranty (I think just engine) but it is no-cost. Reading the fine print, after the 1st year it’s a $200 deductible for any work, after the 2nd year it’s $300 deductible. Which is useless because the factory powertrain warranty is 5/60. It’s just a gimmick to think you’re getting this great warranty.

I don’t care about their warranty as we purchased the vehicle for $9k below MSRP and will trade the car in when the factory warranty runs out, if not before.

 

[DogsRule]

CarFax Car Care App. Works awesome to keep track of all the repairs/maintenance that potential new owners can see when you decide to sell as well.

I do like to see a clean and regular schedule of maintenance and repair work, especially if done by the owner themselves. Hopefully it would be tracked by VIN, not by owner. Perhaps it would not be erasable by anyone.

Could be a good maintenance tracking app, especially if it allows a picture of receipts, POPs.

 

[Initial-Jeep]

I was planning on doing all of my own oil changes. However, the dealer I purchased my vehicle from offers a lifetime powertrain warranty. They said all my oil changes must be done by an ASE certified mechanic otherwise my lifetime powertrain warranty will be void. I am debating on whether it will be worth it just to do my own oil changes. Maybe I can go get ASE certified.

Fuck that! Do you really think they're going to do a major repair >5 years/60K miles from now (beyond the factory warranty) without finding an excuse to "void" their "warranty"? It's a marketing gimmick to get you coming back to them regularly to see their new wares whilst they frustrate the hell out of you with your current vehicle, making excuses and otherwise giving you the run-around. Are the required oil changes free and annual/15K mi-inspections free?

Nobody will care for/about your vehicle like you will; I do my own oil changes and that's the time I do visual inspections, corrosion control, and lubrication (even if I have to add my own grease-fittings). Oil changes, air filters, wiper blades, and fluid levels are all user-serviceable.

I video the oil change with two witnesses. I then store the image in the cloud with a digital hash to prove the recording hasn't been tampered with. ...

As a sideline, you could make NFTs that are all the rage now!

 

[DanW]

Dealer warranties and aftermarket warranties are notorious, but there may actually be some out there that are decent.

I have the lifetime powertrain warranty that came with my 08 at no cost. It was a factory warranty, not dealer or aftermarket. The fine print is simple and makes sense. But here are the big things: 1. You have to take it into the dealership every 5 years within a 30 day window of the purchase date for an inspection. 2. The cost of the warranty repair must not exceed the wholesale value of the vehicle. 3. It is non-transferrable. Once the vehicle is titled in someone else's name, the warranty is over.

I've done the inspections and have another one due this September, at the 15 year mark. Each of the two previous times they gave me an extensive printout of what they checked. They never asked for documentation for oil changes or maintenance and never required it. It was documented as being in excellent condition across the board on the 5 year and 10 year and should be just the same this September. So it would be very difficult to deny a warranty claim for lack of maintenance when it has passed their own inspections with flying colors.

The resale value of my Jeep is still very high, as it is a Rubicon and is in excellent shape. Its current value is far in excess of the cost of a new engine or transmission or transfer case, or axles. So this warranty will be good for awhile.

At 115k miles, on August 22 of 2017, I had a rattle in the transmission when in 1st gear going up my driveway and it was slipping out of 3rd gear about once a month. I actually only brought it up because it was already in for the 10 year inspection. Otherwise, it performed fine. They had done a repair about 46k prior, in 2012, on popping out of gear that worked fine until then. They wound up not only diagnosing it with the inspection but replaced the transmission and flywheel! They also gave me a loaner vehicle and installed a new clutch for only the price of parts and a couple hours of labor since they already were taking out the transmission. That, friends, is a great deal and exceptional warranty service. The new transmission has been perfect ever since and better than the original, since it incorporated improvements made since the 2008 model year. Since then, they've replaced the water pump (Sept 2020, at 143k) under the lifetime warranty, as well because it was very slightly seeping coolant and the valve cover gaskets, No deductible. No fuss. Just smiles all around. I had a radiator leak, too, and paid them to replace it since it was leaking, too, and they were already in there and it saved me a little bit on labor.

Finally, due to the great experience with the JK and the fact it was going strong and holding up exceptionally well, I decided to buy the Maxcare Lifetime Warranty (Factory) when I purchased my new JLUR. Unlike the first warranty, it does have a $200 deductible but it covers all non-wear items like the clutch, brake pads/rotors, serpentine belt, batteries, spark plugs, etc. So I think it is a better warranty, overall, as the electronics are VERY expensive these days. It is also transferrable, which would be nice if I ever changed my mind and decided to sell it.

I'm out of the bumper to bumper warranty by almost 30k and over a year now, but this Jeep has been extremely reliable. Jeep did replace my Uconnect screen about 4k out of warranty, but covered it anyway, even though I had this warranty. So I did not have to pay the deductible. Jeep and my dealership has treated me VERY well over may years.

Anytime a dealership offers any kind of warranty, do your homework and check on it. See who underwrites it, what the reputation of the underwriter is, and customer satisfaction with it. There are some good aftermarket warranties out there, but there are lots of bad ones, too. Oh, and read the fine print.

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