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Location: The Circle City. Sometimes NE of Bagdad.
24,450 posts, read 25,984,086 times
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I generally pay $19.95 to $21.95 for oil change with filter including fluid top off at my dealer. Sometimes they have other offers like tire rotation or other goodies + the Service Advisor is cute and they have free coffee, sweet rolls am Wi Fi.
The plus side of dealer servicing is that it (usually) gets into the car's database.
Try doing a used-car search. The carfax will often show dealer servicings. Otherwise, unless you have access to the paper records--if the owner kept any--it's nothing but a wild guess at what the vehicle's service history is.
I was recently looking at a 2003-ish LeSabre with 100,008 miles on the clock. Normally I wouldn't look at something with such miles, but this car had an air of cleanness to it.
Sure enough, it had been bought new at the dealership I'd found it at, the older couple had it in regularly for O&F and other items.
This car ran quiet, strong, and solid. I could have bought it for around three grand, it had the TLC that is often hard to find (and confirm) now.
Yes, they usually charge more. Yes, there are duds working at dealerships.
But if properly supervised and checked, dealer service can be OK or good.
And it results in a good paper/computer trail which cannot be duplicated at independent shops or by owner-performed maintenance. That is a very valuable side-effect at certain times.
I'm with M3 Mitch; we found an excellent independent shop when we first moved here and have gone to them for EVERYTHING since. I get synthetic oil changed every 5,000 miles (most of my driving is highway) I know the oil change will be done right and with quality fluids. I've HAD horrible experiences with the quickie-lube places and will never go back.
While I'm generally impressed with dealer service, one situation keeps me away. Had to replace the driver's side mirror on my '92 Ford F150. (The mirror with the bracket that mounts in two places on the door) Without looking for myself to see what the work actually entailed, I asked the dealer's service dept. what it would cost on the way back to my truck. "Job Matrix says it'll cost $75.00" was the reply. (I guess the "matrix' is the modern-day flat-rate manual) Took it home to find that it involved only 4 screws that had nutplates behind them; 3.5 minutes worth of work, and I'm slow...
Independent shops can be ok, but you still have to watch them. I've called a shop advertising an $18.99 oil change and asked them what type of oil and filter were they using. They reluctantly told me and I can honestly say I've never heard of either one. They usually buy the oil and filters in bulk and they make sure they get the cheapest.
If you are okay with someone who probably flipped burgers last week working on your car, fine, go to Jiffy Lube, or Walmart. Find an independent shop who can do the work you need, and check your car over on a regular basis. Someone who will let you know if you have a potential problem and will work with you to budget your maintenance to keep your car in optimum condition. Also you might consider a local car care clinic to teach you how to check your car over on a regular basis.
Determining remaining pad life by checking the MC fluid level? That's a new one to me.
It works for BMW cars that have 4-wheel disc brakes.
Think about it, if you were speccing out the master cylinder reservoir, how much does it need to hold, between "full" and "minimum safe/normal/whatever" level?
For drum brakes, you just need to allow a reasonable volume of fluid so a slight leak won't deplete the fluid supply before a "reasonable, normal" operator would find the leak and/or top up the brake fluid before it uncovers the master cylinder intake port.
But for disc brakes you have to allow fluid volume to make up for the caliper pistons moving out to compensate for pad wear.
My recommendation would be to find a reputable independent, especially for those who drive European or high performance vehicles. I have found that having dealer service for oil changes have no impact on resale value; buyers are more interested in price. I just sold my Saab and they not care where oil changes were made.
I dont know if this has been said but never run an oil change more than 3000 miles, 3500 if your the forgetful typoe but no more. I ran a quick lube for many years and wrote service in a dealership and the mis cues mentioned in the original post would make me find somewhere else to get my vehicle serviced. You cna find excelllent quick lube and poor repairshops dealerships and vice versa. I know with in 2 minutes what the hells going on in a shop and conduct myself accordingly. It would be hard for a person who hanst spent that kind of time in the environment so the only thing you cna do is withold your business.
I know thats what would have hurt us but I had oil changes and service lined up 3 deep on 2 bays for 10 years
Should I expect optimal service when I take my car to the dealer for an oil change? I had a coupon for $40. which included, oil change, multi-point inspection and tire rotation. When I got home I found that my washer fluid was only half full, the sticker said next change due was 3000/ 3 months when book says 7500 miles and the service reminder reminder display was not reset. HMMMM I wonder what actually was done.
Just put some washer fluid into the car and new cars have 7500 however,
my car goes into the dealer every 4 to 5 months. I do not drive lots, and the
dealer is near. I also get the free car wash, I feel somehow safer having the car for 2 times a year on the check-ups! They also treat me well so not a
problem! The multi point I get this or so they say every oil change which is 21.00 plus free car wash ? Tire rotation I just got new tires and buy 3 and
get one free, with the rotation for life? Anyway, I do trust the dealer, and
they have treated me great. Jiffy lube I could go to, but when the dreaded check engine light did come on the dealer did save me the 98.00 fee!
Also they check out other quirks for me as the alarm in valet mode, so if I pay more? Washer fluid is not expensive to buy. I also do know you pay more with the dealer, but I somehow trust them more! Also 21.99 with the oil filter and car wash seems ok to me!
Last edited by maggiekate; 10-20-2009 at 08:55 PM..
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