Free Oil Change ???

flynhigh · Jul 25, 2002

So....

With the purchase of my AV I was given 4 years/48000 miles worth of FREE oil changes. Sounds like a good deal right.....

So I call the dealer this morning to find out how much extra it would be for them to use Mobil 1 instead of the Dino oil. It gets well over 90degrees for more than 90 days of the year here in Livermore so synthetic is the way to go. Well the dealer charges $8.50/qt for Mobil 1

which works out to be about $40 extra for my free oil change :8:

It takes me 20 minutes to drive to where I bought my AV, I have a Jiffy Lube 3 minutes from my house that charges $51 for Mobil 1 oil change.

What would you do

P.S. the dealer normally charges $72 for a Mobil 1 change

ygmn · Jul 25, 2002

I would not use Mobil 1 .. and get the free change....and do it every 3000 miles since it is free

Big_Don · Jul 25, 2002

If you want to use Mobil 1, maybe you could change it yourself. ?I buy Mobile 1 at a wholesale club for less than $4/qt. ? The other advantage is that I know it was done right, all the zerks lubed, and the filter changed and properly installed. ?It is a nice time of "bonding" with my AV. ? The view from underneath is awsome!
I personally stay away from Jiffy Lube and such places. ?I have heard too many horror stories.
I know you said that the oil changes are free at your dealer, but in the time that you drive back and forth to the dealer (40 minutes, plus the time you have to wait for them to get to it, do the job, write the ticket, try to sell you additional work that you may or may not need) ?I can have my oil-change done, tools cleaned up, and be ready to do something else.

bowtie-racing · Jul 25, 2002

I am in El PAso Texas and it gets hot here alot.. I use the GM OIL and I go to the dealer. I have it changed at 3000 miles and I have had NO trouble with the truck.. I have had it over a year now and over 13,000 miles.

Pete

Durwin · Jul 25, 2002

Hello,
Glad to see that you're nearby FlynHigh. As far as the prices on Mobil 1 goes, at the Elk Grove Walmart it's $3.34 a quart.
And now, if I happen to go there and they are all out of Mobil 1, I'll know exactly who to BLAME!
Durwin

midlifecrisis · Jul 25, 2002

But if he changes the oil himself, he is losing out on 40 minutes of pure heaven behind the wheel of his Av.....

Chasman · Jul 25, 2002

I have to agree with ygmn: he's a smart man you know. Don't spend the money if you don't have to (the benefit of synthetic is too small for the added cost), have the dealer do it so there's no warranty issues, and be happy.

Blueruck · Jul 25, 2002

I have talked with two dealers in my area and they will both do the oil change using any oil I bring in - I made the mistake once of not asking their price for Mobile 1 - next change I am taking in my own filter and Mobile 1.

If you bring your own oil, you have the best of both worlds

flynhigh · Jul 25, 2002

Thanks for your inputs.

I was thinking of doing 1 of these things;

1. Doing it myself, easy enough, my AV is lifted.

2. Bringing in my own Oil for the change, but I would still have to drive there and then sit and wait for it to be done.

3. Just having Valley Lube and tune do it, they have been doing my TA for 2 years now with no probs.

I am kind of leaning towards alternating option 1 and 2. Still saves me money over time.

:B:

pdxkevin · Jul 25, 2002

RUN! RUN! Grab your keys. Grab your AV. and RUN!

Anything 'free' is worth exactly what you pay for it.

I had a card for 12 free oil changes on the previous Jeep I bought. ?The 'free' oil changes were not worth it at that time, with that dealer.

I went in for the 'free' oil change and specifically stated "ONLY an oil change. No inspections or look overs". They would check out the rest of the Jeep looking for stuff to say needed to be replaced of fixed. ?

Caught 'em, when I looked into the bay to see how the oil change was doing and they had both rear tire off and were into the drums! ? :8:

So I raised hell. ? :7:

They actually looked shocked that someone called em on it. ?

Never went back to get the remaining 'free' oil changes.

Chief · Jul 25, 2002

I'm going to agree with ygmn. Although I do Mobil1 in my Av if they're free than I'd do it free and my dealer would be seeing me every 3,000 miles. What? Go by the change oil sensor? Oh but you see Mr. Dealer I do the "severe driving" according to the owners manual.

Anyway, that's my recommendation. Alternatively you could buy the Mobil1 yourself and have them use "customer oil." Don't know of an oil change place yet that won't do it. Heck my next oil change is going to be done by a place called Bucky's - they charge $9.95 for labor and disposal and use my Mobil1 and my Wix filter. Then I know the parts are all quality and I can watch so I know the job is done right - and I don't get dirty...

zimmthumps · Jul 25, 2002

IMHO - Free stuff rocks! Just go with the dealers oil, but get it done as often as they'll let you.

gpfahler · Jul 25, 2002

I buy Valvoline full synthetic and filter at Pep Boys and
1. do it myself or
2. Take it to a shop and have it done with my stuff.

midlifecrisis · Jul 26, 2002

A friend of mine has a BMW, which comes with free oil changes. The catch is that the dealer will only change the oil if the oil light comes on or 12,000 mile intervals, whichever comes first.

Well, she wanted to take the car on a 2000 mile trip to Florida and was at 11,500 miles. The dealer would not change the oil for free because the oil light had not come on yet. So she had to have to have the oil changed at the BMW dealer.

Cost: $85

Yikes

flynhigh · Jul 27, 2002

Well I changed the oil myself today, put in Mobil 1 Like I wanted. I got it at Costco for $23 for the 6 pack.

Was a royal pain in the butt because the oil filter wouldn't come off. This was the factory installed filter. Ended up having to do the ole screwdriver through the filter trick. On top of that the wind gusted at one point and took the oil outside the range of the pan :7: