[elliotgb]

I bought a package from a local Chevy Dealership that's much closer to my home than the Nissan dealership. For $39.95, I get 3 oil/lube/filter changes plus a lot of other "stuff" that I am not truly interested in. I figure a standard price for the oil change, plus filter and lube is somewhere around $25.00 here in PA, so maybe I might come out ahead for once in my life.

I plan to use the package in between some service checks that I feel I can do without. I just have a basic fear that since this is a Chevy dealership they might screw something up on my baby. Paranoia, perhaps?

The package states that they service all makes and models, but I take that at face value. I think I should be ok unless they decide to monkey around with the CVT fluid or something like that.

Any comments?

Thanks!

 

[dmako]

Getting service at a dealership is like going to a restaurant. You have good chiefs, and bad one. At dealerships, you have good mechanic, and then you have bad ones.

So you never know no matter what dealership. They should just change oil and filter; I can’t see them doing anymore than they have to.

 

[Stoker]

I agree with dmako and if they did anything else especially around the CVT I would gentley RIP THIER ARM OFF AND BEAT HIM WITH THE SOGGY END. Just kidding of course

 

[Gonzo]

Tell them to stick with the oil change only.... heck they don't even have to put it on the lift.

What oil and filter will they be using?

 

[Eric L.]

If its a Chevy dealer, they will probably use an AC Delco filter (which are good) and whatever bulk oil they got the best deal on (which is still fine).

 

[gargoyle]

I would be sure to EXPLICITLY tell them to not touch the CVT. Make sure they note that in the work order. Last thing you want is them adding dexron to the CVT fluid. :3:

 

[dklanecky1]

I would be sure to EXPLICITLY tell them to not touch the CVT. Make sure they note that in the work order. Last thing you want is them adding dexron to the CVT fluid. :3:

Amen!

The technicans that do those bulk oil changes at the dealership are definitely not the most highly skilled mechanics. I've got proof since a couple of times, I've taken my Nissans in for oil changes, specified on the work order that they use THE MOBILE ONE FULL SYNTHETIC oil that is sitting on the floor of the passenger foot well.

Twice, I've gone to pick it up and the Mobile one is still there, un opened.

I might even go so far as to "pad lock" the cvt filler closed so they can't get in there as I don' think they even look at the work orders most of the time.

 

[Phil-KSA]

For the money you save is it worth it?

At least if you go to a Nissan dealer you get piece of mind, in that they should know what they are doing and if things go wrong you can hold them accountable.

 

[Gonzo]

One reason why I like to do these changes myself. Just a piece of mind and its so easy in the MO due to the location of the filter. No ramps needed.

 

[Richie]

At least if you go to a Nissan dealer you get piece of mind, in that they should know what they are doing and if things go wrong you can hold them accountable.

I recently had my driver's seat track replaced for the second time (2003). I just now came from a return trip to the Nissan Service Dept. to have them retighten the seat belt buckle bolt. The bolt was almost ready to come out. I happened to notice it was loose when I dropped my pen down the side.
Acountability wouldn't matter much if someone driving my vehicle was hurt seriously in an accident because the seat belt came loose.....
I CHANGE MY OWN OIL AND FILTER!!!!
RichE :3:

 

[jaak]

I agree with you both.

I agree with Gonzo, when you find a good service department.

But I've seen enough idiots working on vehicles to want to do everything myself. (Which some people would say, is just another idiot, but unfortunately for the industry, I rate pretty high up there in knowledge from most mechanics.)

I'll pay for good service, but it's hard sometimes to find it.

 

[jaak]

I agree with dmako and if they did anything else especially around the CVT I would gentley RIP THIER ARM OFF AND BEAT HIM WITH THE SOGGY END. Just kidding of course

Sounds like a good plan to get the industry in shape... The downside is we'd be short on Mechanics. Oh, sorry, I mean Automotive Technicians. (Where's my Secretary, I need to write a letter... Oh, uh, er, I mean Administrative Assistant. Yeah, the one that used to be a Stewardess. Er, I mean Flight Attendant. The one I hired after seeing her as a Waitress. Er, oh, I mean Server.)

You know, sometimes it takes a Rocket Scientist to figure this all out. Ah jeese, I mean an Aerospace Engineer.

 

[Gonzo]

I'll pay for good service, but it's hard sometimes to find it.

Agree. I used to use a Nissan dealership for my previous car... the dealership was OK but the mechanic was awesome. I would always tell them that I only wanted him to work on my car.... and he did. He was honest, did good work and appreciated that I took care of my car. At one point I brought it in for something and while doing that he found another issue. He bascially was yelling at me since I didn't ask him to fix it... well he war right as it needed to be fixed. "I see that you take good care of your car and I want to as well. Why didn't you tell me to fix that?"

Don't see too many mechanics do that.

 

[Eric L.]

Agree. I used to use a Nissan dealership for my previous car... the dealership was OK but the mechanic was awesome. I would always tell them that I only wanted him to work on my car.... and he did. He was honest, did good work and appreciated that I took care of my car. At one point I brought it in for something and while doing that he found another issue. He bascially was yelling at me since I didn't ask him to fix it... well he war right as it needed to be fixed. "I see that you take good care of your car and I want to as well. Why didn't you tell me to fix that?"

Don't see too many mechanics do that.

Actually I think the opposite. A mechanic who finds other things to fix, seems to me, to be looking for more profit. I used to go to an independent Toyota specialist who was honest in that he NEVER did or recommend unnecessary repairs. One time I wanted him to change the platinum plugs on my Maxima at 45k and he said "you are just wasting your money, they will last until 60k." Since I supplied the plugs, I said change them anyways. He handed me back the old plugs when I picked up the car and they were of course, still in great shape. He said "I told you so." Same went when I supplied belts to be changed at 30k intervals - he said they do not need to be changed until 60k, but would check them for me. I of course, being anal, said change it anyways. Old belt came off looking as good as the new belt. Since then, I've never gone against the recommendation of that guy. Honest mechanic.

 

[Gonzo]

Really I don't think so... after all what he pointed out needed to be replaced. I can't remember what it was but it was an honest repair. I think I'm able to read when someone is BS me.

I know what you mean about being anal and having an honest shop. I used to replace my brake fluid every 30K miles... one shop said that I was craxy and it really wasn't necessary, heck it wasn't even in the car maintinance schedule. I did it anyway, funny for the $35 they charged it was a no brainer.

 

[Murano_driver]

For the money you save is it worth it?

At least if you go to a Nissan dealer you get piece of mind, in that they should know what they are doing and if things go wrong you can hold them accountable.

As far as I know; dealers are not responsible to any damage to you car during the service.:3:

 

[Richie]

As far as I know; dealers are not responsible to any damage to you car during the service.

It was necessary for me to have "Garage Keepers Liability" for my own protection when I had my own shop. I don't remember if it was required or just a "wise" business decision. (I'm certainly not saying I'm wise), but it was part of the "business package" insurance I purchased to protect me in case of legal liability. I operated with a significant volume of vehicles.
RichE

 

[9495]

Really I don't think so... after all what he pointed out needed to be replaced. I can't remember what it was but it was an honest repair. I think I'm able to read when someone is BS me.

Yes, it depends. I've been to several mechanics that claimed other things needed to be fixed that OBVIOUSLY did not need it. But then there are the good mechanics out there.

I have one that I really like, has worked on all my cars (well, not my Mo yet, knock on wood). He's saved me a LOT of money in the past giving free advice and trouble-shooting. A couple times I brought my car in for what I thought would be an expensive repair, he said I could get by with a cheaper repair. Twice I took it in for one thing, he called me to ask if I also wanted <something else> fixed as well, that I didn't know was a problem. Any other mechanic I would say "no way" but with this guy my standard response is "if you think it needs to be done, please go ahead and do it." The only mechanic I have ever met that I would even dream of saying that to.

 

[zagato27]

Amen!

The technicans that do those bulk oil changes at the dealership are definitely not the most highly skilled mechanics. I've got proof since a couple of times, I've taken my Nissans in for oil changes, specified on the work order that they use THE MOBILE ONE FULL SYNTHETIC oil that is sitting on the floor of the passenger foot well.

Twice, I've gone to pick it up and the Mobile one is still there, un opened.

My wife takes Scoot to the local Nissan dealer for oil changes. She doesnt' want me to touch her baby, a little particular eh? Anyway, I usually send her off with a 5 qt container of Mobil 1 5-30. She specifies to the rep that she wants the oil changed and that she is supplying the oil which is in the back compartment. This goes on the repair bill. The dealer is usually pretty good with this and subtracts the cost of their oil from the bill. Well once she had the bill and there was a charge for oil. She checked the back and the Mobil 1 was still there. Notified the service advisor and they put Scoot up on the lift and drained the oil and replaced with the Mobil 1. Then they redid the bill. Hmmm, wonder if that tech was a bit light on his paycheck that week Cheers

 

[CoolMo04]

One reason why I like to do these changes myself. Just a piece of mind and its so easy in the MO due to the location of the filter. No ramps needed.

:werd: :werd: :werd: I tackled this just today, besides not having the right sized filter wrench, the whole process took less than 20 minutes. :29: