Out of the blue - free maintenance for a year from GM

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:02 pm

I bought my 2009 Vibe 1.8L AT on 1-12-2009. Drove it home and parked it until 2-10-09 when I sold my '03 Vibe. In today's mail was a letter from Buick-GMC-Pontiac with a Milwaukee return address. Envelope said "Exclusive offer: up to a full year of preventive maintenance on us." As my Vibe is a little over a year old I assumed that it was tied to the purchase of an extended warranty contract but when I opened it up there was a "Complimentary Maintenance Certificate" good for up to 4 service visits now through March 31, 2011. Says "Includes Lube-Oil-Filter, Four tire rotation, and 27 point Vehicle Inspection."The fine print also says "Includes factory-fill grade of oil as outlined in your owner's manual".When I got my 1st oil change at the dealer responding to a $15.95 offer they said in the future I'd have to pay several dollars more if I wanted 5w-20. I guess now I won't have to worry about that. I'm at 5,000 miles (don't drive much) and due for my 2nd oil change. Had tire rotation done at 4,000 miles when the dealer had a 10 for $10 service special so I don't need that right now. Looks like for the next year I will be changing oil every 1,500 miles or so. No extra charge - can't hurt.So it looks like I will end up paying less than $30 for my first two years of maintenance. I've still got 2 or 3 oil change coupons left on the 10 oil changes for $119 that I bought from the dealer when I owned the '03. That will take me through the 3rd year.

star_deceiver · Post by **star_deceiver** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 3:59 pm

Looks like you're good to go!!!

DeClerq · Post by **DeClerq** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:37 pm

Got the same letter yesterday. I just changed my oil last month, so it may be awhile before I get to use it.

ponta2147 · Post by **ponta2147** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:58 pm

Yeah, my husband got that letter for his G6, but I didn't get one for my Vibe. It's great for him, the only downside is that his dealer is an hour away whereas mine is 10 min away!

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:16 am

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 Â»Yeah, my husband got that letter for his G6, but I didn't get one for my Vibe. It's great for him, the only downside is that his dealer is an hour away whereas mine is 10 min away!No specific dealer mentioned in my letter - there was a website listed to find "participating dealers". I assume it is valid at most GMC-Buick dealers.

file014 · Post by **file014** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:54 am

I had a free change done when they "fixed" my gas pedal. They put in Quaker State 5w30 according to the sticker.

ponta2147 · Post by **ponta2147** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:07 am

Quote, originally posted by jake75 Â»No specific dealer mentioned in my letter - there was a website listed to find "participating dealers". I assume it is valid at most GMC-Buick dealers.I guess... we've had issues trying to take his car to the local dealers. We haven't taken it to my dealer, but we took it to the other dealer nearby once (before I got my car) and they basically gave him lots of crap because he didn't buy it there. And when asked, my dealer basically said that they only deal with cars that they sold. It's really kind of crap.

Kincaid · Post by **Kincaid** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 2:47 am

Hope we get one for "any dealer" - I bought mine at a dealership about an hour and a half away when my local dealer wouldn't deal.

file014 · Post by **file014** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:11 am

The dealership that I took it to charged the government, I mean GM, something like $83 for the "free" oil change and tire rotation. I had to sign to show that it had been done. Any dealership that wont service it even if you didnt buy it there is stupid.

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:41 am

Quote, originally posted by file014 Â»The dealership that I took it to charged the government, I mean GM, something like $83 for the "free" oil change and tire rotation. I had to sign to show that it had been done. Any dealership that wont service it even if you didnt buy it there is stupid.Not only stupid, but probably in violation of their franchise agreement. I bought my 2003 at an out of town dealer because everything the nearby dealer had on his lot had a sunroof and I was not going to pay about $1,000 more for something I did not want. I hate sunroofs almost as much as I do 2 door cars. However, the local dealer was more than happy to do my service work.

DiveNut · Post by **DiveNut** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:58 am

Yep, I just got the letter too. Will have to see how much they'll charge for synthetic oil, if it is reasonable, I'll give it a try. It will be interesting to see if they "find" any other issues that require fixing & paying for when doing the inspection. Don't trust most of the dealerships I have dealt with in the past due to them either not fixing the problem, and/or trying to rip me (my wife) off for repairs she did not need.

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:44 pm

Quote, originally posted by DiveNut Â»Yep, I just got the letter too. Will have to see how much they'll charge for synthetic oil, if it is reasonable, I'll give it a try. It will be interesting to see if they "find" any other issues that require fixing & paying for when doing the inspection. Don't trust most of the dealerships I have dealt with in the past due to them either not fixing the problem, and/or trying to rip me (my wife) off for repairs she did not need.Interesting that owners of older (out of warranty) Vibes are getting this offer as well. In my case, if they find any "issues" they are likely to be covered by the warranty. I can change my own air filter and wiper blades.If I keep this '09 Vibe past 36 months I may have to consider an extended warranty. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with ABS, Stability control, cruise control, power windows,and locks, etc. on top of the usual expensive stuff like air conditioner, pcm amd the like.

ponta2147 · Post by **ponta2147** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:57 pm

Quote, originally posted by jake75 Â»Interesting that owners of older (out of warranty) Vibes are getting this offer as well. Hey, come to think of it, my husband's '08 G6 was off the 36,000 mile warranty as well when he got the letter. Maybe that's why they're sending it... figure if you're on warranty you'll be at the dealer a lot, but if you're off warranty you might not be back unless they coerce you?

renate · Post by **renate** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 11:59 pm

I got the leter about 3 months ago,and then an email with the same offer.I went on March 17th,and will follow up in June,Sept. and Dec.They were very nice about it.I don't know about synthetic oil...But its totally free,no tax even.I think the certificate is good at any GM dealarship, but I go to whre I bought my car.They treat me pretty good there.

djkeev · Post by **djkeev** » Sun Mar 21, 2010 12:09 am

I didn't get the letter but I drive an 07.But, think about it. You take your car to the Buick/GMC dealer for a free oil change. What do you do while waiting for it? I wander around the show room, look at brochures, wander among the cars, both new and used just killing time.Getting you into the store is half the equation of making a sale. Add the good will of a free product given to you........ how can they possibly lose when the big picture is viewed?Dave

renate · Post by **renate** » Sun Mar 21, 2010 3:21 am

The thing for me is, I was taking the car to the dealarship for the oil changes all along.Now its just the same place but free.I like to walk the 6 blocks to Wal-mart,shop, and walk back.Makes me appreciate my good running car!Also,I like to sit in the new cars and think,"how much would I pay for this car?".I did that last week,and I sat in a car and decided 21,000 and I would trade in the Vibe.When I looked at the sticker it was 37,000.Oh well......

nepvibe04 · Post by **nepvibe04** » Sun Mar 21, 2010 6:27 am

I got this in the mail also, too bad im getting rid of it.

beemerphile1 · Post by **beemerphile1** » Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:08 pm

I sure wish I would get one of those things, my '09 is due for an oil change.

PhillyVibeGT · Post by **PhillyVibeGT** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 3:43 am

I too got this in the mail on Friday, it is a shame that I am trading her in for a WRX.

Old Tele man · Post by **Old Tele man** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:16 am

...beware when GM goes fishing for ex-Pontiac suckers/customers using fresh new "bait."...ain't nothing truly "free"...there's always a "catch" somewhere in the fine print.

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:35 am

They may just be trying to get people back into the showrooms. You go in with your old shoe, they take it into the shop for an hour to get new laces, you wander around the lot (or the showroom), and they hope you find a new shoe you would like to buy. What's that cost them? 4 quarts of cheap oil and a filter. Might get some to trade in for new. Probably worth it... even if only a few decide to get a new car. Nothing like that "new car smell" on a Spring morning.

michaelgt · Post by **michaelgt** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 10:47 pm

You figured it out! Or could it be that GM wants to make the Pontiac people feel special, and when they are in the market for a new car they consider a GM vehicle.

ponta2147 · Post by **ponta2147** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 10:54 pm

Quote, originally posted by michaelgt Â»You figured it out! Or could it be that GM wants to make the Pontiac people feel special, and when they are in the market for a new car they consider a GM vehicle.I bet they are, because we keep getting mailings from them saying "man if you liked Pontiac, you'll love *GM Vehicle Name* so come spend some loyalty cash our way." I keep saying "Man, our oldest car here is an '08, why do you think we are already wanting to upgrade?????"

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:17 pm

Quote, originally posted by Old Tele man Â»...beware when GM goes fishing for ex-Pontiac suckers/customers using fresh new "bait."...ain't nothing truly "free"...there's always a "catch" somewhere in the fine print.Yes Tele man, there is a Santa Claus.Also - every now and then there is something that is truly free with no strings attached.Every now and then I get a mailing from Kroger with coupons good for a couple of "free items". Once it was a 33 oz can of Maxwell House Coffee. Another time it was a free carton of eggs.At the Home Show a couple of years ago I got a Battery Plus coupon for a free watch battery - no there was not an $10 installation feeAnd I will be getting those free oil changes for the next year without any further cost of obligation at a GM dealer about 3 miles away.Even when there are "strings" free stuff can be good. Like the "free" $1,750 that GM added to my existing $1,250 GM Card earnings that, with discounts and rebates, got me a new 2009 Vibe for a little less than $12,000, plus tax of course. (And the free Garmin GPS that I took back to Target for a $150 refund was also nice.)

ponta2147 · Post by **ponta2147** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:19 pm

Quote, originally posted by jake75 Â»Yes Tele man, there is a Santa Claus.Also - every now and then there is something that is truly free with no strings attached.Yup, it's true. Sometimes the cost of providing a free good or service is worth it to a place that wants to get customers back in the door. Might even be cheaper and more effective than traditional advertising. Nothing works quite as well as free!

nepvibe04 · Post by **nepvibe04** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:15 am

I think they are offering an extra 1,000 rebate if you trade a pontiac or saturn right now.

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:18 am

The auto market is still fairly weak, even with ponta and her husband doing their best to single handedly turn the economy around. Don't quit now though, I think you're creating a positive effect! A lot of folks have been puting off buying a new car during this economic downturn. GM knows there's building pent up demand... so why not get potential customers to visit their dealerships with a freebie offer this Spring? Note that owners of older Vibes are receiving the offers, too. Very smart marketing on GM's part?

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 4:20 am

I think it is an extra $1,000 if you just own a Pontiac or Saturn.

trb · Post by **trb** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:17 am

Yes, I heard that extra $1K too. One of the local Chevy dealer's ads said to come and make your best deal, and then if you have a registered Pontiac, Saturn or Toyota in your household, 1999 or newer, you get an additional $1K off. Not like i'm going to run in and buy a new car right now though. I do hope I get the oil change offer. My son's Vibe needs it soon. My local dealer sent out an offer for a free oil change back in early Jan. if I met with the sales manager to get it "approved". LOL! Too bad I had just changed it and the coupon expired at the end of the month.

Kincaid · Post by **Kincaid** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 6:13 am

I got my free maintenance offer a few weeks ago but it DID specify it was at the dealer where I bought it - an hours drive away.

Out of the blue - free maintenance for a year from GM

Out of the blue - free maintenance for a year from GM

Re: Out of the blue - free maintenance for a year from GM (jake75)

Re: (ponta2147)

Re: (jake75)

Re: (file014)

Re: Out of the blue - free maintenance for a year from GM (jake75)

Re: Out of the blue - free maintenance for a year from GM (DiveNut)

Re: Out of the blue - free maintenance for a year from GM (jake75)

Re: (renate)

Re: (Old Tele man)

Re: (vibolista)

Re: (michaelgt)

Re: (Old Tele man)

Re: (jake75)

Re: (ponta2147)

Re: (nepvibe04)

Re: (jake75)