local dealership has gotten desperate

[max power]

i get a newsletter from my local dealership, although it is mostly advertising their sales they throw in service and parts coupons as well inform about local events in the area.

today i think they've crossed the line in posting this article

http://www.imakenews.com/volvo...9Q809

sure oil changes these days aren't what they used to be. but dang, to recommend not to do it on the grounds they give. . . . . if you use the wrong parts to do ANY job you'll mes it up.

you'd think that even if a DIY-er were to call in the service dept and ask for advice as to what oil/filter/tools he'd need they'd try to sell him the right things, not scare them into scheduling an appointment.

sorry for the vent, ive had my car serviced by the dealer since day one (convenience reasons not that i cant do it myself). this just seems very unscrupulous in my eyes

[V50_T5]

but grandpa always said "don't matter what you put in that motor, as long as you bought it from a gas station.... you'll be OK"

and... we all know not to dump the oil in our yards ! (that's what neighbors yards are for)

change oil filter before or after? Good question..... can I use my 50/50 joker on that one?

[stealth]

Maybe if the dealerships didn't want over a hundred bucks to do a synthetic oil change, more people would go to the dealerships. Sadly I didn't make that number up, I just called yesterday. On the other hand, gotta love that cute, cuddly guilt at the end of that article. Do it for the birds.

FYI, check with your local parts stores like Pep Boys, Advance Auto Parts, Autozone, etc to see if they recycle oil. Some of them do, and it's free as well.

[EricV]

I think most DIY'ers are familar enough w/ the do's and don't's.

The main reason I cite (when people ask why in the h**l I change my own oil) is that it's not necessarily the changing but it's what's learned along the way...seeing the color, looking for particles, and getting a good view of the underside of the engine to see if there are any leaks, progression of seepages, or anything like that. Just being familiar w/ what's under the hood and what's under the engine is a leg up when issues do present.

[ForceFed Motorsports]

Quote, originally posted by stealth »

Maybe if the dealerships didn't want over a hundred bucks to do a synthetic oil change, more people would go to the dealerships.

Yeah too bad, because even the 3.2L which takes 8 qts is only like 50 some bucks plus a 10 dollar mail in rebate from castrol thru us...

We actually lose money on oil changes... the idea is to service the vehicle and then hopefully upsell on the repairs that it requires. People trying to make money off of LOF's are stupid, scaring your customers away from even servicing the vehicle doesnt get them in to have it repaired

[max power]

Quote, originally posted by ForceFed Motorsports »

We actually lose money on oil changes...

no offense, but i find that really hard to believe. you guys don't pay what joe blow pays for oil/filters because you're a dealer, and labor costs don't change that much per year. i know you'll never charge close to cost for an oil change but for $100+ you guys are making money no doubt about it

[MarvynDT]

LOF's

What's that?

[stealth]

Lube Oil Filter

In plain English, an oil change.

[Chilled Man]

$100 ? jebus

I take it to the local dealer and its $40

dino oil only here

[theshadow27]

Quote, originally posted by stealth »

Maybe if the dealerships didn't want over a hundred bucks to do a synthetic oil change, more people would go to the dealerships.

It would typically cost me $75 or so for a syn change, and I had no problem paying that since I got a free car wash and a general look-over in with the deal. (Operative work had no problem - Until they forgot to bolt back on my dipstick. Never again...)

It costs me personally (including shipping) $68.76 to do an oil change myself. That's 2 gallons of Amsoil and a filter/crush ring from IPD.

[ForceFed Motorsports]

Non taken just relaying the info... its true. We dont profit from oil changes (aka LOF lol )

Oil still costs us quite a bit per qt, plus markup on the filter and crush washer is very minimal, I think its like a dollar or something like that. Once you pay me .5 of my wage to do the oil change theres very little money left over to cover the detail and shop supplies we use that dont get charged to a customer like fluids which are topped off for free... but are billed to parts when I need more.