Changing Oil Interval Featured

I haven't been to a quick change place in decades. I stopped going when one place marked off something as "Checked - OK", something that I knew could not be seen without removing a plastic shield under the vehicle. (Don't recall what it was...)

When I asked them how they checked it, they said "Visually, from under the van." When I called BS on them, and didn't hand them my credit card, the guy asked me if I wanted $10 off. We had reached an agreeable settlement. ;-)

Precisely Keep the customer happy on the little things and they won't be temped to spend the REAL money somewhere else. I built a top 10 in Canada toyota dealership service department that way. It was the only toyota service fepartment in Ontario - and I believe in Canada, with a retention rate over 80% - and some years it was well over 100% - meaning I was servicing MORE vehicles that year than we had sold over the last 3 years. I was drawing from 4 to 6 dealers in the surrounding area - a 45 to 50 mile radius

Are you sure you don't mean "particularly"

But how do dealers get that other service business? One big way is getting people in for oil changes and then doing their checks, telling the customer they need anything from new windshield wiper blades to brakes. They don't have to make money on the oil change itself.

An elderly friend of mine just had an oil change done at the Honda dealer. When he left, he said he only went a mile before he realized there was some noise coming from under the car. He proceeded to drive probably ten more miles to a park where he was meeting his daughter. Upon arriving he discovered the plastic shield was dragging. So, what does he do? He decided to drive over to the auto body shop that had repaired the car from some minor damage a year earlier, caused when he hit something in the road, because he though maybe something they did came loose. Go figure. While backing up, the cover came completely off. So he put it in his car and drove to the auto body shop. They were closed. Next he called his insurance company that had paid for the collision work a year earlier to tell them. Go figure. Eventually he called me, I asked why he didn't just turn around and go right back to the dealer, since that seemed the proximate cause of the problem. I got him to go back, quickly they admitted they screwed up, fortunately despite all that he did, the cover was still OK and they put it back on.

Another guy I worked with took his company car to JL for an oil change, they didn't put oil back in it or left the plug out, he drove a few blocks and destroyed the engine. JL paid for that episode.

I've seen it at dealers and service departments with people waiting and service clerk coming out telling people they need windshield washers and cabin air filters something they could readily do themselves at a fraction of the cost.

My local Kia dealer charges exactly the same for the cabin filter ; and approx. the same as a quality wiper blade - that I would buy at an aftermarket place. John T.

Interesting point!

Many years back, the very old lady who lived across the street from me used to take her Honda to a dealer several towns over for service. She swore they took very good care of her, did everything right- even remembering her name! In fact, it is a one-off, small dealership. Too bad my current ride is a different brand :-(

Maybe I should look further away from home for a small mom and pop one!

Speaking of the shield, I tore one off my car a few years ago.

Many places around here that have a sidewalk between the bulding and parking spaces where you pull in facing the building have some concrete strips about 2 feet from the side walk that stick up several inches. With cars being lower partly because of the shield, that shield will hit the concrete strip. If I see one of those, I now park a few feet back so the bumper of the car is even with that strip or before it.

My daughter called this morning. She took her Honda to the dealer for a software update, free since it was a recall.

The dealer said "Oh, you have 15K on the car. The 15K service is an oil change, tire rotation, engine air filter and 4 wheel brake service. $225."

The same dealer had changed the oil less than 4K miles ago (free under CPO warranty). The oil life indicator reads 70%. When she told him that, he eliminated the oil change. Brought it down to $201. (Wouldn't you think the guy would be smart enough to say "You don't need an oil change? I'll save you $24." That would garner more loyalty than trying to rip her off for the same $24.)

She asked about the "4 wheel brake service". They lube the slider pins. $100 by itself.

So that leaves $101 to rotate the tires and change the engine air filter.

I'll be doing it all (except the unnecessary oil change) this weekend and all it will cost her is a couple of sausages on the grill.

I keep a spreadsheet for my vehicles. I try to get the youngins to keep a record, but it's their choice. They pay for their own cars, I just help out with simple repairs because it's fun.

Keeping records for them is not.

My wife took her Kia to the local dealer recently for some minor warranty work, which they completed successfully. On her way out of the dealership, she said they recommended a few services. Looking at the paperwork that evening, I see the following:

- engine air filter - cabin air filter - coolant flush - transmission flush - four wheel alignment - brake pads & rotors - front - brake pads and rotors - rear - wiper blades - front - wiper blade - rear

Look at the owners manual for the tranny & coolant service - my Kia dealer always uses the "severe duty" schedule - because we're in Canada - and it takes _years_ off the service period depending on your annual mileage .. When I said I would use the owners manual schedule they didn't try to change my mind nor say that it affects warranty. < it's out of warranty now so it's moot >

John T.

Don't know about wipers but my Subaru dealer charges about twice the cost of the cabin air filter.

I have a very good delimia now. The wife bought a new car and shortly after she broke her hip so can not drive for a while. As I have another car and truck it is difficult for me to put many miles on anything being retired. The car is about 6 months old and is still on the tank of gas that it came with. I do drive it once a week about 10 miles to keep the battery charged up and the tires from going 'flat' on one side.

If things go on, the car will have less than 1000 miles on it in a year.

I usually have the oil/filter changed every time I have to get a car inspected even though they may only have 3000 to 4000 miles on them.

Not sure what to do about the new car.

If you don't follow the owners manual mtc. schedule - - you risk voiding the warranty. To most people < me included >

that would make an annual unnecessary $ 50. oil change worth it. < ie : 2 oil changes per year >

John T.

I essentially have the same problem with mine but change oil once a year.

There are other potential situations depending on manufacturer. Some may be tighter on voiding your warranty.

I also had three recalls in less than three years on my Subaru Crosstrek so Subaru did all the dealer checks when in for recall.

No matter what the manual says about doing things, no more than this car has or will be driven, the warranty will be out on it before it gets to

I could probably not ever do anything to this car but check the oil and put gas in it and it would outlast us. However it might fall apart on the next person.

I will probably do like the other car and truck and get the oil changed every time I have to get the yearly inspection. I think my lawn tractor gets more use than any one vehicle. Bought a new mower at the start of this season and already changed the oil at 20 hours per the book. Think the next change is going to be at 200 hours which should take a while.

The last car I traded in was 10 years old and had less than 40,000 miles on it. Just decided I wanted a new car and Toyota had a no interist loan for 7 years at the time. Truck is 14 years old and only has 75,000 on it and most of that was put on the first 5 years while I was still working. I will hang on to that one to I get over 100,000 to 150,000 miles on it or I get tired of it. Being in a garage most of the time it looks almost new except for the bed inside. Put a lot of wood and things in it using it like what a truck should be used for.

The warranty will not be voided by the miles - - but rather by the _months_ .. Often 6 months but could be 12 months. .. read the Owners Manual. I just checked my Kia manual - it's 6 months for the first oil change then 12 month intervals. I never went more than about 4 months because of the miles driven ~ 15000 per year. John T.