First oil change & Ford points

[iam2sam]

I got my first oil change this morning, going to full synthetic at 1,350 miles. I know that's quite early, but I consider it a good precaution. I seem to recall being told something about Ford credit points that can apply to service work or other purchases when I bought the truck. I was in a hurry to run some errands after the oil change this morning, so I didn't try to pursue it with the service manager. Are they theoretically supposed to proactively inform the customer of any such benefit that he or she is entitled to, or is that responsibility on the customer? I'm OK with the service and the price charged this morning, I just wanted to get the process straight for future service maintenance. Thanks.

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[Hot Runr Guy]

First of all, you should look at your Ford app to make sure the points you should have received at time of purchase were posted. They will expire with non-usage, so hopefully that hasn't happened to you.

2nd, I stretch the points out by using 8,000 at a time ($40), to make me think the cost is from 10 years ago,,,,,

HRG

 

[Lone Ridr]

I did my first oil change at 1100 miles to get the casting flash metal out of the pan and to burn my points. The young female service advisor explained in detail my options and how it works when I asked and already knew. She did a good job explaining. I usually ask questions from the service reps when I already know the answer to build or diminish the trust I have in the service person. IMO, it's a good way to fast-track my opinion of the service department personnel. She got an A+ but I service my own vehicle when it's not free, at a reduced cost, or warranty.

 

[nickruggeri]

I wouldn’t trust anyone to change my oil, even if it’s free. I hope you check to ensure they actually did change the oil. If they did, was it the proper viscosity? Was the type of oil you requested such as full synthetic used? Was the oil the brand you wanted? Did they install the drain plug properly, and it’s not leaking? Did they replace the oil filter, and is it not leaking? Did they under or overfill it? Is the fill cap on and secured? I doubt they ensured all those questions were answered. The quality of work and honesty of these people isn’t good. Also, if you want to check for leaks yourself, it’s 15 #30 Torx screws holding on the lower cover.

 

[Lone Ridr]

I check the dipstick before I leave the lot. I had my oil drain plug replaced with a cracked one with a different hex size at Pep Boys 10-12 years ago - It didn't end well for them. I tend to trust people until they prove they can't be trusted. I follow the adage "trust but verify". There are dealers I trust. I don't subscribe to the theory that dealers are 100% "stealerships". My wife and I are at odds with the number of tools that I have and continue to purchase (two sets of ratchet wrenches to carry in my trike this month). Thanks for your opinion. It made me smile.

 

[iam2sam]

I wouldn’t trust anyone to change my oil, even if it’s free. I hope you check to ensure they actually did change the oil. If they did, was it the proper viscosity? Was the type of oil you requested such as full synthetic used? Was the oil the brand you wanted? Did they install the drain plug properly, and it’s not leaking? Did they replace the oil filter, and is it not leaking? Did they under or overfill it? Is the fill cap on and secured? I doubt they ensured all those questions were answered. The quality of work and honesty of these people isn’t good. Also, if you want to check for leaks yourself, it’s 15 #30 Torx screws holding on the lower cover.

If you don't trust the service provider to do the work they promised, why would you trust them to accurately document what they did? Beyond checking the dipstick and looking for obvious leaks, which I do on every vehicle no matter who is doing the work, I don't see much benefit from your other suggestions. NTM that your reply appears to have nothing to do with the question that I asked.

 

[iam2sam]

I check the dipstick before I leave the lot. I had my oil drain plug replaced with a cracked one with a different hex size at Pep Boys 10-12 years ago - It didn't end well for them. I tend to trust people until they prove they can't be trusted. I follow the adage "trust but verify". There are dealers I trust. I don't subscribe to the theory that dealers are 100% "stealerships". My wife and I are at odds with the number of tools that I have and continue to purchase (two sets of ratchet wrenches to carry in my trike this month). Thanks for your opinion. It made me smile.

You are diligent. But I seriously doubt that an oil change proactively done at 1,350 miles to get rid of any metal chips or shavings is going to be visible on the dipstick (I did check to confirm the correct oil level). May I also ask what your reply has to do with the question I asked about applying Ford points to the work?

 

[Lone Ridr]

You are diligent. But I seriously doubt that an oil change proactively done at 1,350 miles to get rid of any metal chips or shavings is going to be visible on the dipstick (I did check to confirm the correct oil level). May I also ask what your reply has to do with the question I asked about applying Ford points to the work?

When I said I burned points it implies the system worked. I didn't go into detail. You won't usually see shavings on the dip stick. They are in the pan and oil filter. When I change my oil, first time -new vehicle, I always find metal in the catch pan. On the Mav, I gave up my curiosity about how much metal I would find for "free and expedient". The dipstick check was to check fill level. When I was on the drive, I saw cars leave the shop with no oil. A Corvette made it 2 blocks before the engine locked up. A grease monkey told me a car wouldn't crank after he had just changed the oil. He put 5 quarts into it then went to lunch. He put 5 quarts into it when he got back from lunch. Oil doesn't compress - pistons couldn't move through the oil. I told him to lower oil level to where it was supposed to be. The car fired right up. A customer came up to my service desk and said the oil change he paid for hadn't been done. The car was his baby and the oil was clear after he did his service. The oil was just a shade from clear. I put his car on the rack and showed him the plug had been pulled and the filter was clean. He was skeptical but was satisfied. As I reached up to remove the trouble light, I saw a dark streak on the area between the filter and the pan on the V8. Closer inspection showed that he wiped the filter with a shop towel and hadn't removed it. I called out to Ted (I still remember his name) and showed him what I had found, apologized profusely, changed his oil and filter, and got the mechanic fired. Yes, I know this has nothing to do with your original question. I don't know how much flash was in my break-in oil because I didn't care. I'm not oblivious to the risk involved in order to get a "free" oil change.

 

[KenE]

I got my first oil change this morning, going to full synthetic at 1,350 miles. I know that's quite early, but I consider it a good precaution. I seem to recall being told something about Ford credit points that can apply to service work or other purchases when I bought the truck. I was in a hurry to run some errands after the oil change this morning, so I didn't try to pursue it with the service manager. Are they theoretically supposed to proactively inform the customer of any such benefit that he or she is entitled to, or is that responsibility on the customer? I'm OK with the service and the price charged this morning, I just wanted to get the process straight for future service maintenance. Thanks.

My salesman made a point to address the points, how they could be used, and ensured both myself & wife had the Ford App installed on our phones at the time of sale. Thereafter it's the customer's decision when & how to use the points. Dealer should inform customer, customer decides how to use points.

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