Dealer oil changes - Marking filters - Who does it?

[JaymanUS]

So my truck came with 4 regular oil changes per year (im sure i got charged for it) for as long as I own the truck. Must be done at purchasing dealership.

Does anyone mark their oil filters before getting oil changed just to verify it actually got changed? hopefully it's not an issue... but just a safe measure.

 

[chrisbh17]

One of my cars had the same thing (free oil changes for life). I never marked the filter. If I cant trust them to actually change it, I just wouldnt ever go there to get it changed.

Towards the end of when I would take it there, I knew for sure they at least changed it once....the only time I have ever needed to stab a filter with a screwdriver was when I had to change the oil myself (was about to go on vacation with it). That was *the* last time I ever let them touch the car, free or not.

 

[Tim Garceau]

The front subframe should have oil residue from snaking the filter out. Difficult not to spill especially when you’re on shop time.

That being said, I change mine every-other due to modern filter capacities. Heavy use/towing periods would be every fluid change.

 

[BWL]

I mark the filters on equipment to make sure guys are changing the oil and not just resetting the computer, but if I take it in for a change I would be very surprised if that happened. I know because they use mopar and I use wix I could tell right away so I guess they are marked in a way in my case. Never had any shop not change the filter during an oil change.

 

[17CrewCab1500]

I've heard of some people taking a pen/marker and putting a line on it. But you can tell if it's been changed. Cleaner and oil residue..etc.

I always put the date on mine - but I change my own oil.

 

[PoMansRam]

New filter or not, I'm still more concerned about it being put on correctly. I know of people who've had such bad stuff happen, I have little/no faith in dealer oil changes. I've done every one myself for the past 30+ years.

They can't even get the Pentastar canister style oil filter right. A co-worker of mine almost lost the engine in his new Grand Cherokee due to the O-ring not being installed. They came to work to make it right though.

 

[MJCs18Diesel]

On my '04, I write on the filter the mileage and date with a sharpie when I install the filter every time I change the oil. But, If I were you, the only way to be sure an oil-change place installed a new filter with your oil change is to write the mileage on the filter when you get home. Yes, the computer tracks the oil filter life and miles since oil change reset, but did they actually change the filter, or wipe it with a rag?. And, more importantly, with "free" oil changes, are the dealers installing a quality filter, or do they use the lower priced oil-change brand filter?

 

[ram1500rsm]

I change it myself, but oil filters are cheap i doubt they'll be leaving the old untouched. i'll be more concerned with them not cleaning out the mess

 

[rojo_143]

I marked my filter for my first courtesy oil change from my purchasing dealership only because I had no experience with their work and wanted to ensure it got changed

 

[Rado]

It never hurts to make sure the shop is honest ! If using a new shop I would just to be sure. Then if all is fine I would not bother !

 

[Pull Ya]

I just stand there and watch them do it. My truck never going into one of the bays without me watching what they are doing from the doorway. I have also, over the years, developed a relationship with the service writers and some of the techs and trust them. Once you explain your expectations on how you want your service work done, there should be no question. You don't need to be a jerk about it, just firm. It has turned into a friendly business relationship. I also supply my own RP filters for the truck.
Jay

 

[Rado]

I just stand there and watch them do it. My truck never going into one of the bays without me watching what they are doing from the doorway. I have also, over the years, developed a relationship with the service writers and some of the techs and trust them. Once you explain your expectations on how you want your service work done, there should be no question. You don't need to be a jerk about it, just firm. It has turned into a friendly business relationship. I also supply my own RP filters for the truck.
Jay

Jay I agree with you 110%. I have a good relationship with both of my service writers ! The young lady I have is very knowledgeable IMO for her 20's maybe 30 tops, And the male writer maybe 30's just as nice and knowledgeable > They know I know enough to be dangerous that is why I do not work on my own truck lol But they listen to what I have to say. The techs have never given me my RAM back dirty ! SO I do all or most my service work there ! And as you said you do not have to be a ****** to them show respect !

 

[El Comandante]

I just watch em do it. That’s how I know.

 

[four bye]

My Ram is under a service contract with the dealership, so yes I mark my filter to make sure they changed it because my dealer has been caught changing only the oil but not the filter. This happens with a lot of service centers not only dealerships.

 

[Pull Ya]

^^^ Pretty sad you have to do that---but not surprising I guess
Jay

 

[leroys73]

So my truck came with 4 regular oil changes per year (im sure i got charged for it) for as long as I own the truck. Must be done at purchasing dealership.

Does anyone mark their oil filters before getting oil changed just to verify it actually got changed? hopefully it's not an issue... but just a safe measure.

Every time I take any of my vehicles to be touch by someone other than myself I examine the are that was supposed to be worked on for evidence the work was actually done.

I am concerned about the oil the dealer uses on my "included" oil changes. Is it really synthetic or just their standard bulk oil.

 

[O.R.T.]

I’ve marked mine one way or another, sometimes even in UV marker since the second oil change when I caught a tech at the dealership I worked at not changing it. This way I always know.

 

[blade]

New filter or not, I'm still more concerned about it being put on correctly. I know of people who've had such bad stuff happen, I have little/no faith in dealer oil changes. I've done every one myself for the past 30+ years.

They can't even get the Pentastar canister style oil filter right. A co-worker of mine almost lost the engine in his new Grand Cherokee due to the O-ring not being installed. They came to work to make it right though.

the oil filter on my wife's 2011 jeep grand cherokee had never had the oil filter changed until i did it at 9 years. she had it done at dealership multiple times, tire kingdoms and privately owned places too.
after i retired i told her id do it and it had the original blue type marker from the assembly plant still intact, i broke the seal for the first time. her engine the pentastar has leaks everywhere head gaskets main seal u name it. over 100k miles I'm sure oil was changed but nobody knows filter is on top and nobody stocks it.

always do all your own maintenance and work. at least when u **** up your vehicle u will no what and where and that u tried ur best. so many forums and videos out there. I'm sure u can find a how to on what u need

 

[JaymanUS]

Every time I take any of my vehicles to be touch by someone other than myself I examine the are that was supposed to be worked on for evidence the work was actually done.

I am concerned about the oil the dealer uses on my "included" oil changes. Is it really synthetic or just their standard bulk oil.

I was informed that it's their standard "Non" synthetic oil changes since that's all it calls for from manufacturer.

 

[RASelkirk]

Timely thread! I took mine in for the first of four free changes today. Didn't mark it, but did manage to get my phone up in there and snap a "before" pic. Truck was too hot to climb under to verify, but will do it tomorrow...

Russ