Something that happened while at the Pontiac dealer

[truckdriver402]

I thought this only happened at places like Jiffy Lube (www.jiffylubeproblems.com)! I went to Pontiac this morning for an oil change. I provided my own filter and oil. Due to some dumb city rule, I'm not allowed to work on my car in the city limits. Anyway, after they got my car in, I was watching from the waiting room (watch the Jiffy Lube story and you'll see what I mean). I watched the tech start to fill it with their oil (the hose pumping system most dealers have). I went out and talked to him. His response, after looking on the work order, which plainly said "customer provided own oil & filter," was "Oh. Guess I wasn't paying attention.If it were Mobil 1, I would've kept it in. However, the tech didn't know what kind of oil it was and didn't know the grade. Anyhow, he drained the new oil and put in the stuff I provided. I guess I'm mentioning this so you guys who don't watch may keep an eye on them when you can...That, and it made me mad!

[Mavrik]

it happens, techs get in auto mode when doing oil changes and just do the same thing over and over. When I have a customer bring in oil, I hand write it on the RO nice and large and then highlight it with different colours. DOn't be surprised... sometimes they still miss it. But he should have known he dumped in 5w30 into your car from the pump.

[truckdriver402]

Thanks...I didn't know. Ever since seeing those Jiffy Lube videos I am overly paranoid. I'm beyond nuts regarding oil. My wife thinks I'm nuts. I figure I got 200k out of my previous car (which isn't retired yet) by being ruthlessly obsessive over the oil. I just thought that "dealers don't screw up." Wanna take a chance? Go to Jiffy Lube. Want it done right? Go to a dealer. That's the way I always thought it went. I'm learning!

[prathman]

Quote, originally posted by truckdriver402 »I just thought that "dealers don't screw up." Wanna take a chance? Go to Jiffy Lube. Want it done right? Go to a dealer. That's the way I always thought it went. I'm learning!Yes, I wouldn't count on the dealers never screwing up. There was a thread recently on toyotanation where the dealer forgot to tighten the drain plug. At least the customer eventually got an engine rebuild and extended warranty.I was actually rather impressed with the last 'quick-change' place I went to. Drove the car over their bay and stayed in the car while they changed the oil and checked other filters/fluids. They had multiple TV monitors set up so I could see what everyone was doing both underneath the car and under the hood. When done with the oil change he had me run the engine briefly and then came over with the dipstick to show that it was filled right to the top mark.

[truckdriver402]

Quote, originally posted by prathman »I was actually rather impressed with the last 'quick-change' place I went to. Drove the car over their bay and stayed in the car while they changed the oil and checked other filters/fluids. They had multiple TV monitors set up so I could see what everyone was doing both underneath the car and under the hood. When done with the oil change he had me run the engine briefly and then came over with the dipstick to show that it was filled right to the top mark.That is sweet!!! What was the name of the place? There's a quick change place in nearby East Liverpool, OH that is similar, but no monitors. That's my biggest issue with these places is that I, alot of times, can's actually see what they're doing.

[prathman]

Quote, originally posted by truckdriver402 »That is sweet!!! What was the name of the place?It was a car wash/oil change called Scrub and Suds near Milwaukee.

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by prathman »I was actually rather impressed with the last 'quick-change' place I went to. Drove the car over their bay and stayed in the car while they changed the oil and checked other filters/fluids. They had multiple TV monitors set up so I could see what everyone was doing both underneath the car and under the hood. When done with the oil change he had me run the engine briefly and then came over with the dipstick to show that it was filled right to the top mark.That's the way it SHOULD be done... I used to go to a Valvoline oil change, and while they didn't have camers and monitor, i got to sit in the car and they showed me the oil and oil level when they finished. That and i could feel them tightening the drain plud... dam gorrilias though, tightening that sucker to the point i had to pull the pan and re-weld the bung for the plug as the spot welds cracked causing a slow leak... (after quite a few oil changes, mind you)

[ZubenElGenubi]

I'm still scratchin' my head on this: You're not allowed to work on your own car in the city limits of Pittsburgh???I can understand why some would want to limit that - reduce chemical spills, improve neighborhood conditions - but I still wonder how an ordinanace like that passed. Economically, it's unfair.

[Mavrik]

maybe has to do with oil changes and what not... since your average back yard mechanic does not have the proper waste disposal tools at hand?

[AKLGT]

lol. well, i know that Phil is obsessive about the oil as well and makes sure the techs have done their jobs. plus, being "in the family" i can walk in the back and watch them work on my car if i am there and so feel the need. but that usually distracts the techs and they are on the clock, so i have to keep it to a minimum so there is less chit chat and no unhappy service managers.

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »maybe has to do with oil changes and what not... since your average back yard mechanic does not have the proper waste disposal tools at hand?Tech... I am not soposed to do it either... I take my down to the local autozone to get the oil recycled. I don't disposed of it improperly at all

[truckdriver402]

Quote, originally posted by ZubenElGenubi »I'm still scratchin' my head on this: You're not allowed to work on your own car in the city limits of Pittsburgh???I can understand why some would want to limit that - reduce chemical spills, improve neighborhood conditions - but I still wonder how an ordinanace like that passed. Economically, it's unfair.Actually, I live in a suburb of Pittsburgh, or so I have heard it called...Yeah, the city doesn't allow you to really do anything to your car. I have a garage right behind my apartment, but I'm a tad leery on letting him do anything to my car. Long story short, I had a Neon with a bad fuel pump. He claims to have put in a new one, but after months of the same problems (and having him "fix" other things), I took it to Dodge. They replaced the fuel pump and it worked like it should.