Mechanics Veto Extending Oil Changes Bucking New Trend
07-01-2007, 11:38 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-10-2006
Location: Montana
Posts: 163
Complete B.S. I know for a fact that my employer (a GM dealership) looses money on every oil change. I'm don't know if the quick and crappy lube places or if all dealers are the same. Our oil changes cost the dealership $32 and we charge $25 for a 5 quart system. The whole point of a dealership offering oil changes is to get their customers back in the door and do a quality job making sure that everything gets checked and all issues addressed I.E. upselling acctual money making services such a tranny flushes brakes etc. I don't know that 3000 mile oil changes are nessesary any more I go about 6000 between oil changes but I also run synthetic. I do believe that not only has oil technology improve greatly but engines as well with less blow by and better materials. Anyway I think if you want to change your oil every 3000 for piece of mind I say go for it. Its kind of an outdated way of thinking though.
07-02-2007, 12:06 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-17-2006
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 1,851
You might think it's B.S. from your standpoint, but look at it from my perspective.
It costs $45 for a dealership oil change here. $14 for bulk oil, $6 for the filter. The rest is labour (portion of the $99/hour labour rate), taxes, and environmental fees. If you provide your own oil, the filter is $12
It costs $45 for a dealership oil change here. $14 for bulk oil, $6 for the filter. The rest is labour (portion of the $99/hour labour rate), taxes, and environmental fees. If you provide your own oil, the filter is $12
07-02-2007, 08:40 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-10-2006
Location: Montana
Posts: 163
That sounds a little out of line to me but our shop rate is only $72\hr. Our oil costs us almost $3 a quart and we end up selling it for $2. I suppose the smart thing to do would be to pass that on to the customer but you can't because we still have to be competitive with other shops. There for I just can't see how they could be making money either unless they have some one changing the oil for free.
07-02-2007, 08:57 AM
#24
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Join Date: 07-17-2006
Location: Dallas, GA
Posts: 6,052
07-02-2007, 09:32 AM
#25
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Join Date: 11-10-2006
Location: Montana
Posts: 163
07-02-2007, 11:21 AM
#28
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Join Date: 05-09-2006
Location: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona
Posts: 6,805
07-02-2007, 11:34 AM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: 07-17-2006
Location: Dallas, GA
Posts: 6,052
No wonder dealerships go under.....
07-02-2007, 09:12 PM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: 03-04-2007
Location: harrisburg pa.
Posts: 127
Been here before, so I'll limit my response.
I'm in line with "Crafty". These Certified Mechanics are just that...mechanics. They are not engineers/chemists and have limited knowledge on the components of oil. They are taught and schooled by other mechanics to retain or escalate their certification. I am not a total believer in the self interest theory.....that longer life oils cutting into their oil changing profits. I just think they are just uneducated (and that is not a slam) in the values of oil.
Bet if you asked, very few could tell you what the percentage of oil vs additives are in a quart container of a current product. Then ask them what is was 10 years ago.
I did agree however, with a number of statements that was made in that article.
I'm in line with "Crafty". These Certified Mechanics are just that...mechanics. They are not engineers/chemists and have limited knowledge on the components of oil. They are taught and schooled by other mechanics to retain or escalate their certification. I am not a total believer in the self interest theory.....that longer life oils cutting into their oil changing profits. I just think they are just uneducated (and that is not a slam) in the values of oil.
Bet if you asked, very few could tell you what the percentage of oil vs additives are in a quart container of a current product. Then ask them what is was 10 years ago.
I did agree however, with a number of statements that was made in that article.
I could tell you some stories about are department when they went to 7000
mile oil changes. I know that we had COWBOYS driving out there & we always
will.
I change mine every 3000. 30/40 BUCKS is cheaper than $ 5/6k for a
engine. The equipment I worked on was 15000/25000k a pop.
So the short story oil is cheaper than replacing an engine !!!
later// rNr //mike