Dealer Service Center Oil Change Nightmare

[Clipdat]

What if one of the oil analysis comes back and it says that it's filled with transmission fluid again?! J/K... or am I??


Keep us updated on those oil analysis reports when you get them.

[GNS]

Jesus Christ. I thought I had heard everything when it comes to dealership oil change nightmare stories.

[CruiseZen]

Why is this same thread posted in three different areas on this forum? There is an identical thread under Mechanical Maintenance and Engine, Exhaust, and Transmission.

[Jyn]

Took my car in today to the dealer for its first oil change and a TRD quick shifter install. I'm a few hours north of OP, but let's see if I end up with a similar story

[Takumi788]

This is the reason why I will ALWAYS do my own oil change. I do not trust ANYONE with my car. They can throw in free oil changes, brake pads or whatever routine maintenance for the rest of my life and I wouldn't use one. Since the car left the dealership it has not gone back and it never will. (Unless it has to for a TSB, recall or if it was covered under warranty.)

[stevesnj]

They once used blinker fluid to grease my muffler bearings...dopes. I would of gotten a new engine. But oh well. It actually should be okay. It still lubed the internals but may have evaporated quickly.

[michael_king]

I had my '06 STi in to Irvine Subaru for an oil lifter valve malfunction that caused my engine to blow-- when they put a new engine in it, the fucking tech didn't put ANY oil in it, I made it a few miles and blew that one. They put me in a loaner car for the first & second engine swap and never charged me a dime. It's a pretty similar situation, I think that is the only fair thing to do.

[cwb48]

Originally Posted by Takumi788

This is the reason why I will ALWAYS do my own oil change. I do not trust ANYONE with my car. They can throw in free oil changes, brake pads or whatever routine maintenance for the rest of my life and I wouldn't use one. Since the car left the dealership it has not gone back and it never will. (Unless it has to for a TSB, recall or if it was covered under warranty.)

Finally, a useful comment. Same for me- the only way my car is going back to the dealer is for a recall, warranty problem or TSB. They keep emailing me and begging me to bring the car in for the "free" service, but there's no chance of this happening, especially after hearing the horror stories on this forum.

[HunterGreene]

Originally Posted by Takumi788

This is the reason why I will ALWAYS do my own oil change. I do not trust ANYONE with my car. They can throw in free oil changes, brake pads or whatever routine maintenance for the rest of my life and I wouldn't use one. Since the car left the dealership it has not gone back and it never will. (Unless it has to for a TSB, recall or if it was covered under warranty.)

Originally Posted by cwb48

Finally, a useful comment. Same for me- the only way my car is going back to the dealer is for a recall, warranty problem or TSB. They keep emailing me and begging me to bring the car in for the "free" service, but there's no chance of this happening, especially after hearing the horror stories on this forum.

And I have had zero problems with my dealership when it comes to routine maintenance being performed on any car I have had with them.

I am willing to bet for every "horror story," there are hundreds, possibly thousands of people who have had no troubles.

At least those of us who take it to a dealer have a path of recourse if they screw something up. Is it more likely than doing it ourselves? Possibly. But its not worth giving into paranoia.

[aznatama]

Doing things yourself, you get a sense of control, but also creates an additional burden of proof to fulfill if you need to file a warranty claim. Each person has their own priorities, and the risk of dealing with a warranty denial for a big ticket item is up to each to decide.

Remember, people only complain if there's a problem. I usually only self service my vehicles if they're out of warranty already.

[Takumi788]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

And I have had zero problems with my dealership when it comes to routine maintenance being performed on any car I have had with them.

I am willing to bet for every "horror story," there are hundreds, possibly thousands of people who have had no troubles.

At least those of us who take it to a dealer have a path of recourse if they screw something up. Is it more likely than doing it ourselves? Possibly. But its not worth giving into paranoia.

Originally Posted by aznatama

Doing things yourself, you get a sense of control, but also creates an additional burden of proof to fulfill if you need to file a warranty claim. Each person has their own priorities, and the risk of dealing with a warranty denial for a big ticket item is up to each to decide.

Remember, people only complain if there's a problem. I usually only self service my vehicles if they're out of warranty already.

I probably should have added that I went to collage to be a tech so I know my way around a car. It isn't for everyone.

ALL of my experiences with a stealership have not been the best because I expect too much and don't trust anyone with a wrench under my car (even some friends). I know how to do it the correct way and when some one takes a short cut because they are on commission, or for whatever reason, it really eeks me.

I also know how easy it is to forget to tighten something or strip a bolt if you are not "delicate" enough.

I also know how some techs treat other peoples cars. People have zero respect for anything that isn't theirs. This is multiplied when they are envious. It seems like when a Toyota tech gets nothing but Carmys and Corrolas, a "long test drive" is needed when working on a FRS.

You're right. Working on your own car isn't for everyone and it ruins the service history. The benefits of maintaining it myself out weighs the benefits of service history. I am planning on keeping the car forever so this is not a big deal for me.

[cwb48]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

And I have had zero problems with my dealership when it comes to routine maintenance being performed on any car I have had with them.

I am willing to bet for every "horror story," there are hundreds, possibly thousands of people who have had no troubles.

At least those of us who take it to a dealer have a path of recourse if they screw something up. Is it more likely than doing it ourselves? Possibly. But its not worth giving into paranoia.

Lucky you. I'm afraid that I'm just not willing to roll the dice. Since I've been driving and doing my own routine maintenance since 1968, I don't worry about "screwing something up", and I keep a logbook and receipts for the work I do myself, just in case. I certainly wouldn't define my attitude as "paranoia", self confidence is a better description. Those who know nothing about mechanical things are probably better off to let someone else work on their car, but I would suggest finding a trustworthy independent mechanic rather than using the dealership.

[HunterGreene]

Originally Posted by cwb48

Lucky you. I'm afraid that I'm just not willing to roll the dice. Since I've been driving and doing my own routine maintenance since 1968, I don't worry about "screwing something up", and I keep a logbook and receipts for the work I do myself, just in case. I certainly wouldn't define my attitude as "paranoia", self confidence is a better description. Those who know nothing about mechanical things are probably better off to let someone else work on their car, but I would suggest finding a trustworthy independent mechanic rather than using the dealership.

I indeed have been lucky. You will note that I said "routine maintenance"--there is a story involving my former tC supercharger install that is too long to be told here (long story short, it ended fairly well for me), so I don't have any illusions about the fact that things can be screwed up if someone else works on your car.

I also understand your perspective, as you lived in an era before service garages were standard at most dealerships. I apologize for generalizing your stance as "paranoia," but I think we could agree that there are some people who are very suspicious of anyone approaching their car/property, let alone working on it.

My peace of mind is also based on the fact that the dealership I have taken my car to for these oil changes and warranty repairs has no problem with taking me back to look at my car (escorted, of course). I've found that if you actually show that there is an actual human who owns the car, and cares about it, the techs tend to be a bit more kind in and out of the car.

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

In a normal car, a new engine would be a good solution.

But this is not a normal car. It has the potential to become a collector's car in the future, in which a matching numbers engine would be worth money. Swapping out the engine in his car doesn't make him whole, because he won't be back where he started before their mistake. Potential future loss in value is not something that can be quantified, however, so it would be difficult to get them to agree to it. Even so, I would have that in the back of my mind throughout any negotiations and would still be pushing for some other solution.

And if they did do an engine swap, I would try to keep the original engine as well so that it could stay with the car and be rebuilt and reinstalled in the future should the matching numbers ever become an issue.

this has been discussed many times, that potential is extremely low unless you have a special edition