Oil change poll
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Joined: 05-28-09
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From: Fayetteville, NC
Oil change poll
Okay so I need an oil change. I do not have time to do it myself and I have to document them all for my warranty (i.e. they must be done by an ASE certified mechanic). Anyhow, the carmax dealer I bought my ss/sc from charges 34 for the full synthetic oil change. Carmax uses a carquest brand synthetic. I have been going to them for just over 1 year for all my service (hence the carmax warranty). I have really been wanting to get it done closer to home. The wal-mart where I work charge $55 for full synthetic of your choice. Here's the catch. The chevy dealership or stealership charges around 75 for the full synthetic oil change. I have not had any performance issues since I bought the car. What should I do? Carmax, Wal-Mart, or Chevy dealership?
P.S.: Also, any ideas on how to convince the carmax folks that my timing chain tensioner needs to be replaced under warranty. My car never wants to act out when I take it to the carmax service center...lol. I showed them a video, but their master technician gave me a story about how they need replicate the problem. This makes since.
P.S.: Also, any ideas on how to convince the carmax folks that my timing chain tensioner needs to be replaced under warranty. My car never wants to act out when I take it to the carmax service center...lol. I showed them a video, but their master technician gave me a story about how they need replicate the problem. This makes since.
See how much a shop would charge if you supply your own parts? I can buy 5 qt of Mobil 1 synthetic and an oil filter from walmart for like $27. Depending on how much a shop would charge might still be cheaper than one of the other choices and you would still have your paperwork.
probably the reason why the dealership is the more expensive of all the choices is for a couple of different reasons. (1) They have GM certified technicians working on your chevy. (2) The other guys are most likely not using an AC Delco oil filter like most people would like. (3) The dealership uses Mobil-1 full synthetic oil, which is the most expensive oil, except for Royal Purple.
It's really up to you where you feel comfortable doing the oil change at if you can't do it yourself. Also, if you want them to change your timing chain tensioner under warranty, you need to find the service bulletin that says that GM has acknowledged this to be a faulty part. No such service bulletin exists (that I'm aware of anyway). The only way I foresee them replacing it under warranty is if it failed under the normal wear mileage (which is right around 40k).
your car takes 5 qt. of oil? I'm jealous...
It's really up to you where you feel comfortable doing the oil change at if you can't do it yourself. Also, if you want them to change your timing chain tensioner under warranty, you need to find the service bulletin that says that GM has acknowledged this to be a faulty part. No such service bulletin exists (that I'm aware of anyway). The only way I foresee them replacing it under warranty is if it failed under the normal wear mileage (which is right around 40k).
See how much a shop would charge if you supply your own parts? I can buy 5 qt of Mobil 1 synthetic and an oil filter from walmart for like $27. Depending on how much a shop would charge might still be cheaper than one of the other choices and you would still have your paperwork.
Last edited by mexi_loco; May 24, 2010 at 06:06 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
maybe that's why I'm spending more than you. I use mobil-1 and an AC delco filter. I used to use that Q-horsepower stuff. Never had a problem with it, but just decided to use what my car was meant to have. O popped the valve cover off the other day, and all my internals (at least my cams and timing chain) were sanitary.
I find it actually takes more time to take my car to somebody else for an oil change, versus doing it myself. I don't see why Carmax would have an issue with you doing your oil change if you keep receipts of when you did it.
As for my pricing, for the LSJ I get a full oil change (filter and oil) for less than $25. I work for Advantage Auto. I use their brand filter and oil. Their filter is made by Wix, and their oil is just rebottled Valvoline. It does meet GM's requirements. There is a bulletin floating around here about that. Just use the search. On occassion I will get the Wix brand filter (higher quality material, and a few dollars more), and Mobil 1 oil from Walmart. That total runs me about $45-50. These prices are only for my LSJ. It's a bit cheaper for me LE5.
A few years ago I had a friend hook me up with a case of Purolator oil filters. I found those to be the best oil filter for the LSJ and my LE5.
As for my pricing, for the LSJ I get a full oil change (filter and oil) for less than $25. I work for Advantage Auto. I use their brand filter and oil. Their filter is made by Wix, and their oil is just rebottled Valvoline. It does meet GM's requirements. There is a bulletin floating around here about that. Just use the search. On occassion I will get the Wix brand filter (higher quality material, and a few dollars more), and Mobil 1 oil from Walmart. That total runs me about $45-50. These prices are only for my LSJ. It's a bit cheaper for me LE5.
A few years ago I had a friend hook me up with a case of Purolator oil filters. I found those to be the best oil filter for the LSJ and my LE5.
lawlz. Not a fan of them either. But I used to go to UTI, and one of my instructors was a Honda tech. There was a thunder storm a few years back that knocked the power out of the complex while he was doing an oil change on a del sol. The pump only put in .7 qt. oil before the power got knocked out, and he let it go before he checked the dip stick. The car ran for two days before he was able to add oil. Nothing happened to the engine, and the owner got a lifetime of free oil changes. valvoline oil...
I used to work for a Honda dealership. I can tell you some stories, but you probably know them already. Faulty transmissions, oil leaks, speed sensor o-rings, and spontaneous combustion to name a few. It made me reaffirm my faith in my Chevy.
running "fine" is different than running efficiently. the car will still run on 5 qt. of oil, but you're running the risk of improper cooling, lubrication, and cleaning properties that a well oiled engine needs. I bet if popped the head off your car and took a good look at your sleeves, I bet at the worse you'll see some scoring along the walls.
I hear ya......I've just recently started getting really "involved" in the car thning and doing stuff myself and one of my good friends is a mechanic for 11 years and I guess we just thought 4 cyl and 5 qt was kinda standard. Didn't take the whold SC thiing into consideration I guess......im gonna put the extra oil in tomorrow.
carmax doesnt use mobil 1 ? i need to change that quick
i pay 65 bucks at carmax for full synthetic
i got my car from them too, that is why i get it changed there. if they miss up they pay for it
i pay 65 bucks at carmax for full synthetic
i got my car from them too, that is why i get it changed there. if they miss up they pay for it
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Joined: 05-12-09
Posts: 504
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From: Delafield Wisconsin
Not using Mobil 1 would not be messing up......aslong as what they used was synthetic, and met the oil spec, which pretty much guaranteed it does.
yea its fine, its full synthetic