My dealers oil change dumbfounded me.

b-real · Dec 13, 2021

1999 White C5 Coupe said:
Being the stubborn person I am, I would have asked for the employee’s supervisor - then requested a copy of the liability law or laws that the service advisor cited.

I also would have taken my business somewhere else.

I would take my business elsewhere from any business that is not going to do what I am trying to accomplish. In this case I am sure this is a business policy and the supervisor would have no knowledge of any liability law (nor would their counsel who helped them craft this policy), nor could the supervisor do anything about it. Most policies like this are made at a level above what any of these employees could do, and the decision is made by someone who knows absolutely nothing about engines and how oil works, but they do know how revenues, profits, and lawsuits work. Lawsuits don't have to have any merit in order to cost a company tons of money. Just defending a business against lawsuits costs a ton of money.

farout75 · Dec 13, 2021

The owners manual calls for 5W20 synthetic. I would have insisted they drain the junk out and put in what you told them to do. Here is the big issue Mobil 1 is not meet the requirement made by FCA (used to be FCA) and if your truck in under warranty they can deny repairs. This has happened in a dealership I knew.

Doug Ram · Dec 13, 2021

When I go into a shop for maintenance for any of my vehicles, I always bring along the owners manual turned to the oil and filter specifications page. If the shop won't use what it says, I walk out. It's been a loooooooong time since I've walked. Usually they push the most expensive synthetic, but often a tech simply suggests the wrong viscosity -- probably b/c they got it by the 55 gallon barrelful, real cheap, and that's what the boss tells them to push.

Scottly · Dec 13, 2021

Get another dealer. It's you money.

gfh77665 · Dec 13, 2021

RLJ10X said:
Ok..... look at it from their perspective.

The dealership put in synthetic/wrong/out of spec oil, and the lifters destroy the cam. Now the customer wants the engine fixed free of charge because the dealer put the wrong oil in it. The dealership, rightfully says no. Customer drags the dealership to court.

How does the dealership avoid that hassle? Put in the specified oil, per the manufacturers recommendations.

This, exactly. You beat me to it.

Don't blame the kid, blame greedy unreasonable customers and the ****** lawyers they hire. The easiest policy to drill into any employees head is to follow the spec EXACTLY, WITH NO EXCEPTIONS at all, to avoid any risk of litigation from an unreasonable customer wanting to wrongly blame oil.

This is the world we live in now.

gfh77665 · Dec 13, 2021

pjram said:
To suggest I could sue for a new engine is not based on any reality. How would I prove an oil that provides superior protection caused the engine damage? Then on top of that to pay an attorney 250 dollars an hour or more would be less than practical.

I believe you would not, but somebody, somewhere would. People sue for anything. I know that for a fact.

GTyankee · Dec 13, 2021

When i take the product that i want in the engine, transmission, or differential
My dealership just notes it on the invoice
That is all they need to do to cover their liability worries

Of course they will not put something in that they know will harm the lubricity
Or pour in a gallon of HOAT & a gallon of OAT mixture

Tim7139 · Dec 13, 2021

pjram said:
So I went to the dealer today to get an oil change ... He said sorry liability laws won’t allow it....

I've yet to find a dealer that doesn't make it sound like your gonna destroy your truck if you don't step up to full synthetic.

Tim7139 · Dec 13, 2021

farout75 said:
The owners manual calls for 5W20 synthetic.

Nope, it does not. They don't ship with synthetic either.

From your 2017's manual
"We recommend you use API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil, meeting the
requirements of FCA Material Standard MS-6395 such as Mopar,
Pennzoil, and Shell Helix. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for correct
SAE grade."

GTyankee · Dec 13, 2021

Motor Oil: Certification: Chrysler MS-6395

Synthetics

Pennzoil Platinum
Royal Purple
Castrol Edge
Halvoline Synthetic
Quaker State Ultimate Durability

Conventional

Pennzoil (Yellow Bottle)
Quaker State Advanced Durability
Valvoline (White Bottle)

reference: 2013 article, with short explanation about Mobile One

Motor Oil: Certification: Chrysler MS-6395 | Jeep Off Road Adventures

Autobot81 · Dec 14, 2021

Hi,

Not sure what the requirements are for your year, and I am going to post this in the engine failure post as well...but I have a 2013 with a 5.7L. Mobil 1 does not meet the mopar spec. I knew that and put it in my truck for the last three oil changes and now I have lifter failure at 107,*** miles. Cam is toast on cylinder three. Don't think it was oil, but will be making sure oil in the next motor meets spec.

pacofortacos · Dec 14, 2021

My dealer puts in what ever oil I bring and what ever filter I bring. I need them to do it at least once a year for the maxcare warranty.
They just put down that it was customer supplied oil and filter.
I love my Pennzoil Platinum bottles

2019RamInSC · Dec 14, 2021

EdGs said:
Leave a couple of negative reviews on their website as well. They seem to hate that. Additionally.

Oh yes they do NOT like that. I had a General Manager call me on my cell phone and say: "I am not going to allow you to get away with leaving a negative review about my dealership"
He was livid! :gr_grin:

I asked what he was going to do to not allow it? He mumbled something incoherent. I told him fix my problem and I will write an update.

He ended with telling me that he was to be my only point of contact at the dealership. So, I asked him to please ship me a quart of oil. He hung up on me. :Big Laugh:

njjeff201 · Dec 16, 2021

Scranton Dodge in PA is also run by clown college drop outs. You make an appointment & hour & 1/2 later truck still sitting in street. I ask why did I schedule a time for? She says “That’s when you can talk to us… nothing to do when work will we done.” REALLY??? They took it in… almost 4PM now. Oil change done nothing on list (first visit). Will be my last. I leave messages once home for service writer, service manager, sales man & eventually owner… NO ONE CALLS BACK! WTF… I spent $73,000 & I’m getting ignored??? TY Scranton Dodge, Scranton, PA. & my salesman Jim O.

ChaosMike · Dec 16, 2021

njjeff201 said:
Scranton Dodge in PA is also run by clown college drop outs. You make an appointment & hour & 1/2 later truck still sitting in street. I ask why did I schedule a time for? She says “That’s when you can talk to us… nothing to do when work will we done.” REALLY??? They took it in… almost 4PM now. Oil change done nothing on list (first visit). Will be my last. I leave messages once home for service writer, service manager, sales man & eventually owner… NO ONE CALLS BACK! WTF… I spent $73,000 & I’m getting ignored??? TY Scranton Dodge, Scranton, PA. & my salesman Jim O.

I'm getting my truck through Domiano, generally when I buy a vehicle I do all maintenance except for warranty stuff but will let a dealership do an occasional thing just to get a feel of if they seem to know anything..so we'll see. I always look forward to changing the oil as I get a chance to poke around underneath and see if everything is looking alright, no hobos living underneath etc

MuleDawg · Dec 16, 2021

Ram-in-PA said:
LOL - My Daughter has a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, when she took it in to the Dealer for the 1st service/oil change the Service Rep tried to tell her that Subaru designs their new motors to ONLY use full-synthetic and tried to get her to accept that and the nearly double cost over a synthetic-blend. She called me from the shop (and in front of the Service Rep) and I told her that was 100% bunk and they were trying to upsell her on something she didn't need.

The Service Rep relented and said they would use the blend at the lower cost, but when she went to pick it up, they had still charged her for the full synthetic. So she talked to the Sales Rep she bought the car from, showed them the Subaru Web page that said the Blend was recommended and the full synthetic was NOT required. They not only covered the full cost of her service, they also filled her tank of gas (it was 1/2 full) and sent her a $50 gift card for her next service

Damn dealer staff need an education, and to stop trying to take advantage of their customers!

Brother I’m glad you were there for you daughter!! It’s a doggone shame, we already bought the vehicle, in the bed with them on payments but yet they still want to stick it to ya every chance they get…

Moose2 · Dec 16, 2021

1999 White C5 Coupe said:
Being the stubborn person I am, I would have asked for the employee’s supervisor - then requested a copy of the liability law or laws that the service advisor cited.

I also would have taken my business somewhere else.

I haven’t bought tires at sams since that happened to me about 20years ago.

njjeff201 · Dec 16, 2021

I usually do oil changes myself but I want receipts in case anything goes wrong engine wise… they can’t say I screwed up. The finger points right back to them…

BCSTPete · Dec 19, 2021

pjram said:
So I went to the dealer today to get an oil change and tire rotation. Most of the time I do it myself except wanting a tire rotation made me not want to do it. I always use Mobil 1 synthetic so I wanted whatever synthetic they are using. When I asked the service advisor to put in synthetic he said they couldn’t do it. My next question was oh you don’t stock it? He said yes we have it but your vehicle calls for semi synthetic. I said I’d prefer full synthetic please. He said sorry liability laws won’t allow it. I’m staring at this kid a third my age in total disbelief what I’m hearing. I said liable for putting a better quality oil In it? He stood fast and said he couldn’t do it. At this point I lost total confidence in any knowledge or honesty this place had so I just asked for it back and did it at home later on. This was in troy, mi. I told the kid I’m sure you believe what you’re saying but someone is filling your head with nonsense.

So, I’m absolutely sure there are more educated people out there than I on this subject, but for my 2cents, read on. When breaking in a new or newer motor, I’ve always been taught to use none synthetic (so the oil preps the metal), then after a while of break in, transition to simi synthetic (after all the seating but before wear and tear really start), then of course after the motor is fully broke in, use full synthetic for longevity, power, and performance.

stevenram · Dec 19, 2021

^^^^^^
Pete , just wondering who taught you this procedure?

My dealers oil change dumbfounded me.

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Motor Oil: Certification: Chrysler MS-6395​

Junior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Junior Member

Military

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page

Motor Oil: Certification: Chrysler MS-6395