Is this an oil change disaster?

[vee93]

Okay, time for an oil change. My usual oil change guy is busy, so I run the car to the Chevy dealership. Simple oil change, right? Wrong.
It wasn't until I got back to my house and was filing away my service invoice when I notice a 10W30 Mr. Goodwrench synthetic blend oil was put in my Vette!!!! What the h*ll!?!!! I call the service advisor and he tells me, and I quote: "I don't know nothing 'bout that..., I just write 'em up. Lemme go ask the technician and I'll call you back." A fifteen-step walk into the service bay took 20minutes of me waiting for a call back at which time the service advisor states: "Well, he said that's all we had, we put it in all our cars." To which I said: "THEN WHY DIDN'T HE TELL ME THAT?!!! IT'S NOT LIKE HE CAN'T READ THAT Mobil 1 5W30 plaque right there under the hood or read the d*amn sticker in the window from the previous oil change!!!" Then this moron asks me what I'd like them to do about it. Lord.
This only reinforces my fear of dealerships!
Any CAC member know anything about this Mr. Goodwrench synthetic blend oil? If it'd been Mobil 1 10W30 I wouldn't have minded. And there were 3 other Vettes besides mine in the service bay getting oil changes--1 other C4, 2 C5s and a brand new C6!!!! All getting the Mr. Goodwrench synthetic blend treatment. I wonder if their owners know?!!!
Thanks for the feedback.

 

[6 Shooter]

Bummer - Sorry to hear about your bad experience with the dealership.

C4/C5 Dude should know about Mr. Goodwrench synthetic blend oil.

When I'm on the road per contract work, I find a good shop that cares about cars and have them change my oil. I bring in my own oil and filter for our Corvette. They usually charge between $10-$20, but it is more the type of service not the cost.

I learned to always tell them what type oil to put in my vehicles.

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[Robertwav1]

Vee, I would get that changed again ASAP. I don't know anything about that other oil...but protect that LT-1 with the correct oil. I'm fortunate enough to change my own but I think 6shooter has the right idea....BYOB....I mean bring your own brew and filter!

 

[Joe C]

Vee, I would get that changed again ASAP. I don't know anything about that other oil...but protect that LT-1 with the correct oil. I'm fortunate enough to change my own but I think 6shooter has the right idea....BYOB....I mean bring your own brew and filter!

i agree!

the syn blend will not hurt anything, but i'd get it changed back to full synthetic at the next 3000 mile change. i'd also take your own stuff back to the dealer and try to make them change it if free, since the morons pulled that crap on you. i'm not buying that "that's the only thing they have..." crap.

 

[vee93]

Hey! Thanks everybody!!! I'm on my way to the dealership as soon as I log off for them to change my oil again! Let them tell it, they'll have to go and buy some Mobil 1 for my car----asking me what I pay for an oil change. I was like, What?! What's that got to do with the price of beans?!!! Y'all run a Chevy dealership and you're feeding me some line that the only thing you have in the shop is some Mr. Goodwrench synthetic blend!?!!!! Uh-huh, yeah. Riiiight. Whatever, go get the Mobil 1 cause I'm coming over. They said, ok. Now I guess I'll have to watch them to make sure it's actually Mobil 1 they put in my Vette.
Thanks again!
Vee

 

[Achilles]

Ya know, I've had to find out the hard way that most shops, and dealerships as well, don't have a clue about working on Vettes. I too fall into that catagory. But I'm learning fast in order to protect my investments from these so called certified mechanics. I don't know how many times I've had to return to the shop because something wasn't done right. We had some gasket repair work done on our car and when they were fininished, they put straight conventional oil it. I wouldn't have even known it if I hadn't been looking over the bill when I got home and noticed the oil change (less filter) was $12.95. What!!:W

They're response, "Well we didn't know."

Now, I do all my own oil changes and try to do as much of the mechanical work myself.

 

[AdvancedAutoCC]

Take a deep breath, relax.....

And check the part number of the oil used....

Part number 12345885 is GM Goodwrench 5W30 Mobil 1 (yes, they repackage it). All you have to do is make certain that's the oil used the next time the oil is changed, if you choose to use the dealer. If they didn't use it, then go to the service manager (in a calm cool manner) and inform him/her that the recommended oil used is the above mentioned oil, or Mobil 1 (the retail brand), and you were under the impression that's what was to be put in the engine. Seeing that is was not the case, you'd like them to correct the mistake. Be firm, but courteous! If you go in there with a chip on your shoulder and being stupid about it, you're likely to get thrown out (which is what would happen in my shop). I value my customers and treat them with the utmost respect and expect nothing less in return. Respect is a two-way street and the more professional you are in handling things, the more cooperative the staff will be.

FYI, 99% of dealer service advisors are simply salesmen with NO technical knowledge whatsoever. Their job is to sell work, nothing more. A good tech is VERY hard to find, dealership or independent, as well. Find a good,knowledgeable Corvette tech in your area and stick with him. Your Vette will thank you for it.

As to the matter of bringing your own? No reputable shop I know of (mine included) will do that. Buy your own oil and filter, change them yourself.

 

[Vettefan87]

Yeah that sucks man. That is why I try to do all the work on my Corvette that I can. That way it kind of eliminates screw ups. I hope you get it fixed, good luck.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Clearly that dealer was either staffed with persons unfamiliar with nominal GM service procedures or they were trying to f**k you by substituting "Goodwrench Blended Synthetic" for Mobil 1.

The big problem for consumers with "blended" synthetic oil products right now is the neither the oil industry or the FTC has defined "blended" thus, anyone can take a low-end, petroleum-based oil, add a tiny proportion of synthetic ingrediants and call it "blended synthetic" or "semi-synthetic". Plus...the synthetic ingrediants don't even have to have be a lubricant. They could be part of the additive or dispersant chemical packages. Lastly, "blended synthetics" are a rip. The oil companies put a small amount of synthetic ingrediants worth a fraction of a penny in a bottle of oil then charge a much higher (in comparison to a staight petro-based oil) price.

Bottom line:
All you need for your Corvette to have best performance and durability from its oil, is a 10W30 synthetic product. Mobil 1 is good, Red Line is best.

 

[Vettefan87]

Hib is it worth spending the money and buying Red Line over Mobil 1 if all my driving conditions consist of is just driving the car, and the normal "getting on it" ?

 

[c4cruiser]

If you continue to take your car to the dealership for normal maintenance like oil changes, why not take your own oil? Mobil 1 is available at just about any parts store, Wal-Mart, or Costco for prices much less than a dealer will charge. At our shop, we charge $7.95 a quart for Mobil-1. You can get Mobil-1 at the retail level for $4-5 a quart.

If the service writer balks, or wants to charge a fee for using your own oil, then ask him if the oil they use meets the GM 4718 standard for synthetic oils and clearly states that on the bottle. Oils meeting that standard are the only recommended oils for the Corvette LT1 motor. If their oils doesn't meet that standard, then you need to tell them they don't put it in. Period.

 

[vee93]

And check the part number of the oil used....

Part number 12345885 is GM Goodwrench 5W30 Mobil 1 (yes, they repackage it). All you have to do is make certain that's the oil used the next time the oil is changed, if you choose to use the dealer. If they didn't use it, then go to the service manager (in a calm cool manner) and inform him/her that the recommended oil used is the above mentioned oil, or Mobil 1 (the retail brand), and you were under the impression that's what was to be put in the engine. Seeing that is was not the case, you'd like them to correct the mistake. Be firm, but courteous! If you go in there with a chip on your shoulder and being stupid about it, you're likely to get thrown out (which is what would happen in my shop). I value my customers and treat them with the utmost respect and expect nothing less in return. Respect is a two-way street and the more professional you are in handling things, the more cooperative the staff will be.

FYI, 99% of dealer service advisors are simply salesmen with NO technical knowledge whatsoever. Their job is to sell work, nothing more. A good tech is VERY hard to find, dealership or independent, as well. Find a good,knowledgeable Corvette tech in your area and stick with him. Your Vette will thank you for it.

As to the matter of bringing your own? No reputable shop I know of (mine included) will do that. Buy your own oil and filter, change them yourself.

You know what?... I don't need advice on how to deal with supposed certified professionals after they've screwed up one of the most routine of auto maintenance services. Like I stated before, the use of Mobil 1 in the car is plainly visible--both under the hood and on the windshield with the weight of the oil also plainly visible. Hell, all these people got from me was respect. How about respecting me enough to at least point out the fact that they didn't have the Mobil 1 and I could've politely declined and gotten the heck outta there? But noooooo, the tech just grabbed the in-house crap and put it in my car. So allow me my anger. And don't call 'em SERVICE ADVISORS if all they're gonna do is right up a friggin ticket.
F.Y.I. I checked said ticket... Oil part #: 123456168 is what was put in my car--not Mr.G's synthetic blend #12345885-repackaged Mobil 1 5W30. Hold up...maybe that was repackaged Mobil 1 10W30, huh?
On my way over to that dealership this a.m., I rethought the entire thing and decided... screw them. I'll just eat the cost of that fiasco. I went to WallyWorld, got a jug of Mobil 1 and an oil filter.
I can tell you this--I won't be going back to any dealership in this area for any type of maintenance work--ever!

 

[KOPBET]

GM Goodwrench Motor Oil
SAE 5W-30, SJ, SH
Size: 1 qt. Item #: 12345610

SAE 10W-30, SJ, SH
Size: 1 qt. Item #: 12345616

SAE 15W-40 CG-4, CF-4, CF-2, CF/SH
Size: 1 qt. Item #: 12345634



Synthetic Motor Oil
SAE 0W-30, Synthetic SJ, SH/CF (Mobil 1)
Size: 1 qt. Item #: 12347283

SAE 5W-30 Synthetic
Size: 1 qt. Item #: 12345885

SAE 10W-30, Synthetic SJ, SH/CF (Mobil 1)
Size: 1 qt. Item #: 12346184

15W-50 Synthetic Racing Oil
Size: 1 qt. Item #: 12347284



Me thinks you got bent over big time. :booty

 

[Ken]

SAE 10W-30, SJ, SH
Size: 1 qt. Item #: 12345616

Vickie's part number: 12345616_8

There's an extra digit represented in her number. Y'all sure it's not the same part number?

 

[KOPBET]

Vickie's part number: 12345616_8

There's an extra digit represented in her number. Y'all sure it's not the same part number?

I considered it a typo/error and the indeed same p/n.

 

[c4cruiser]

As to the matter of bringing your own? No reputable shop I know of (mine included) will do that

It's been my experience as a customer of a number of auto repair facilites (both independents and dealerships) where they do not mind at all if a customer brings in their own oil and/or filter for a LOF service. Shops may charge a fee for labor when their own brand of oil is not used and that's fine with me.

BTW, my local Chevy dealer uses Pennzoil as their "house brand" and Mobil-1 oil is displayed at the parts counter and they have a display of prices for basic services and one line item is an oil change using Mobil-1.

 

[AdvancedAutoCC]

It's been my experience as a customer of a number of auto repair facilites (both independents and dealerships) where they do not mind at all if a customer brings in their own oil and/or filter for a LOF service. Shops may charge a fee for labor when their own brand of oil is not used and that's fine with me.

BTW, my local Chevy dealer uses Pennzoil as their "house brand" and Mobil-1 oil is displayed at the parts counter and they have a display of prices for basic services and one line item is an oil change using Mobil-1.

In todays litigious society, shops can no longer take a chance on using ANY customer supplied parts, be it oil, filters, or whatever. People are only too happy to lay the blame on the last guy to touch their car if anything does go wrong.
For example: You come into "Joe's Garage" with your own oil and filter, they do the work and you drive off.... two days later the filter bursts, the oil runs out and the engine locks up. Who's then responsible? You? The filter manufacturer? Or is it the last mechanic to touch the car?
"Joe", by using a customer's part, makes a tacit agreement that he certifies this part to be fit to use and therefore assumes the liability while not even knowing about it. Think I'm exaggerating? It happened to a shop I used to work in a long time ago after a prolonged legal battle... The shop ultimately put an engine in this car free of charge. That extra $10 the shop charged made them wiser to consumer law.
Personally, I have no problem with a customer wanting to use a specific brand of oil or filter (as long as it's not a Fram filter - total garbage), but still will not use their supplied oil and/or filter. I will not take the chance first of all, and secondly..it's still my opinion that if you get your own parts, you can install them yourself. You don't buy a $3 steak at Wal-Mart and take it to the local fine dining establishment and expect them to provide you with their dining experience. The same applies to auto repair. Fortunately, I do not have to do this in my shop (and I'm up to a 6 month waiting list on major projects now).

YMMV

 

[vee93]

Vickie's part number: 12345616_8

There's an extra digit represented in her number. Y'all sure it's not the same part number?

Yeah Ken,
That's exactly what it says on the invoice. I asked the tech up at the dealership---cause we'd talked about Vettes for quite a while before he changed mine and I just had to know why he didn't mention the oil-thing. He told me the '8' is a typo and should be a 'B'----like that helps. He just said, he didn't know. He'd also used 6 quarts of oil too. I told him I had it dumped out and Mobil 1 was put in it.

 

[vee93]

I considered it a typo/error and the indeed same p/n.

Kopet,
That part number is what's on the invoice. But I talked with the tech today at the dealership---cause we'd talked about Vettes for quite a while before he changed my oil and had those other Vettes to do. I just had to know why he didn't mention the oil-thing. He told me the '8' is a typo and should be a 'B'----like that helps. He just said, he didn't know about the Mobil 1--that the Mr. Goodwrench is what they have so that's what he uses.

 

[WhalePirot]

Seems that 'Advanced' is among the rare in business today: someone who stands behind his work without being sued. When I find a service such as this, I don't even check the details, nor the pricing. I already know the forthright character behind it and will pay more for it.

The dealer is question is apparantly, cut from a more common cloth. The dealer should have immediately refunded the total cost of the oil change, especially upon learning that you "dumped" their oil. In such cases, I check and nit pick every detail. Se appropo.

Maybe a call to Chevy, if dealer satisfaction ratings are truly of import, stating factual reasons why that dealer should not be certified to do Corvette work, will help blow off steam, at least.

GM is hurting bigtime; no secret there. Dealers like that one are a big part of the reason why.