Do your own oil changes (avoid dealer service)!

[Brett 61]

I went to the dealer to get the first oil change and I get back home and inspect the work and see the guy busted every single clip and bolt on the back of the front piece to the skid plate. I didn't want to do the first oil change but now i'm regretting not doing it myself. I'll be going back to the dealer in the morning and they're going to fix it. I was going to have them fix my tail light from coming unflush but they'll probably bust all the clips there too. I'll take pictures in the morning and post them. I don't doubt those clips and bolts (which is what I assume they were) are easy to break but how do you break every single one. They do a complimentary tire rotation with oil changes ( hopefully not this time) i'll probably find that the bolts are torqued to 250 ft lbs.

Did oil change myself 1000 miles after breakin.
was afraid dealer would not do correctly.
Was not difficult, I think I dodged a bullet.
note EB is 5.5 quarts

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[Ozarkbeard]

... if you decide to add a washing machine drain pan to your arsenal they are located dead middle of the washer/dryer section...

I've used a water heater pan in the past, which works well. Also available at most plumbing and home improvement stores.

 

[Tim d]

I went to the dealer to get the first oil change and I get back home and inspect the work and see the guy busted every single clip and bolt on the back of the front piece to the skid plate. I didn't want to do the first oil change but now i'm regretting not doing it myself. I'll be going back to the dealer in the morning and they're going to fix it. I was going to have them fix my tail light from coming unflush but they'll probably bust all the clips there too. I'll take pictures in the morning and post them. I don't doubt those clips and bolts (which is what I assume they were) are easy to break but how do you break every single one. They do a complimentary tire rotation with oil changes ( hopefully not this time) i'll probably find that the bolts are torqued to 250 ft lbs.

I was told by by dealer that when buying a brand new vehicle the Ford pass points will pay for the first two oil changes. After that I will probably do my own.. curious why that plate was installed? Is it supposed to be a skid plate to protect the engine?

 

[jsus]

I was told by by dealer that when buying a brand new vehicle the Ford pass points will pay for the first two oil changes. After that I will probably do my own.. curious why that plate was installed? Is it supposed to be a skid plate to protect the engine?

The points are worth $210 at any participating Ford dealer for just about anything. Doesn't have to be oil changes, or service. They can be used towards parts and accessories, an ESP (extended warranty), even a new vehicle -- pretty much anything that a Ford dealer cashier can ring you up for.

 

[Flomounier1]

$210 can get you 6 oil changes if you buy the oil from Walmart/Costco and the filters in bulk online.

I spent the ford pass rewards on all weather floor liners.

 

[unclerunkle]

Do those fit over the plastic on the Maverick too? I had to custom cut my pinch weld adapters to be wider for the Maverick. I have a metal one that fits though.

Yes, they are actually a tad looser than I’d like. I’d like to be able to hang them on the pinch weld and then move the lift up to meet them. Otherwise positioning is kind of a pain. I’ll probably use some sort of tape or something to fill the gap a bit more.

 

[Nesser]

Quickjacks with a set of SUV adapters is pretty good - just make sure you wont hit your garage door opener!

@georgeb which model of QuickJack do you have?

The Maverick is such a long wheel base that I may have to compromise to be able to use it with all our vehicles.

 

[OneAlienBoi]

I’m pretty sure this monkey can do a lot more damage than their certified monkeys

Not to mention if their monkeys mess it up, and you can prove it, which isn't hard, then guess who foots the bill?

 

[OneAlienBoi]

There is NO solution for the 2nd fire recall. Expected, maybe, in October but I can't imagine they're going to replace 125,000 engines. More likely they're going to just give the hybrids affected and extended warranty.

As for the airbag recall, I'm not having that done either.

So a win win. Having talked to multiple Kia/Hyundai owners who were impacted by that engine fire fiasco, which impacted about 6 million cars, I never knew anyone who had an issue with their car directly. Most were actually pretty happy, because their cars never had an issue, and they got extended warranties on top of it. I take it back, I knew someone with a Sorento who had Kia replace the engine at about 70k miles. But as a gesture of good faith, they gave them a brand new 10 yr/100k warranty on the powertrain.

 

[LM42]

I went to the dealer to get the first oil change and I get back home and inspect the work and see the guy busted every single clip and bolt on the back of the front piece to the skid plate. I didn't want to do the first oil change but now i'm regretting not doing it myself. I'll be going back to the dealer in the morning and they're going to fix it. I was going to have them fix my tail light from coming unflush but they'll probably bust all the clips there too. I'll take pictures in the morning and post them. I don't doubt those clips and bolts (which is what I assume they were) are easy to break but how do you break every single one. They do a complimentary tire rotation with oil changes ( hopefully not this time) i'll probably find that the bolts are torqued to 250 ft lbs.

I am a service advisor at a luxury European brand. I can tell you for a fact getting qualified technicians is getting increasingly difficult. We pay big numbers and offer signing bonuses and it is still a real struggle. We are also in a major market. Your location says a corn field, so combine being potentially in a small market and it being a low end dealer and good luck having your service done by someone who is really good.

 

[georgeb]

@georgeb which model of QuickJack do you have?

The Maverick is such a long wheel base that I may have to compromise to be able to use it with all our vehicles.

the 5000 model.

however it worked with my 240sx, my friends 350z, and I think it will work with my miata as well.

 

[RichardCranium]

My truck was returned with oil on the headliner, scratches on the A pillar and B pillar plastics, unseated rubber seals, and other issues for the airbag recall.

The dealers don't care and Ford doesn't either. When I come back from vacation, I'm going to another dealer for the 6th time to hopefully finally get the headliner replaced.

It's absolutely insane to me that they can be this careless with someone else's property.

Try starting ether to get the grease off the headliner. Old mechanics trick. Works in the carpets, headliners, seats, etc. spray, wipe with rag, let vehicle air out.
***disclaimer…spot test small area yada yada. But I have never had discoloration.

 

[vRS]

This happens at dealerships of all bands including high end and luxury where you are charged crazy labor rates for simple things like oil changes, wiper blades, or air filter replacements.

Usually it's the low paid or entry level techs that do the "easy" service work. The good/experienced techs are usually doing the "harder" jobs.

If you don't care about your car or it getting messed up then take it to the dealer. If you do care about it and still want to use the dealer for servicing then make sure you take pictures/videos of your car and inspect it when you pick it up.

 

[Mav_RICK]

This thread proves once again that there is nothing that creates more anxiety than the topic of oil changes. I’m seriously afraid to take my truck to the dealership now!

But then if I DIY then at how many miles or months and what brand of oil , is it certified by Ford, should I pre fill the filter with oil, should I let it run before I drain it even, or not !?!?! ‍

 

[Gpp]

I am a service advisor at a luxury European brand. I can tell you for a fact getting qualified technicians is getting increasingly difficult. We pay big numbers and offer signing bonuses and it is still a real struggle. We are also in a major market. Your location says a corn field, so combine being potentially in a small market and it being a low end dealer and good luck having your service done by someone who is really good.

Getting anyone period that works with their hands and gets dirty anywhere is very hard to find!

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