Change the oil myself or take in?

[alexh]

Hi,

I change the oil in all of my vehicles myself - not because I'm cheap (it probably costs more) but because many mechanics cann somehow find a way to screw that up (I'm not talking about the dealer). I also tend to keep cars for long time so I use synthetic oil.

My wife just got an 06 G35 coupe. I have been taking care of it for her (she lets me drive it once in a while but only when she's in the car ) and I bought a case of Amsoil synthetic + filter shortly after she got it. I know that synthetic does not really reduce engine wear but it does seem to keep the internals cleaner which could have a positive effect down the road. I even made some jack pad adapters so as not to damage the underbody jack points.

Is there any real reason not to do it myself (warranty issues etc.)? I know in theory they cannot void a warranty if you do your own maintenance but thats in a perfect world and this car costs about twice as much as any car I have ever had before.

Of course if I end up not doing myself we will take it to the dealer but I suspect they will not use my oil. Are they putting dinosaur oil in these cars at the dealer?

Thanks

[WI_S14_Goldie]

i HIGHly doubt that u changing the oil with mess up the warranty....i mean cmon its just changing oil....

[alexh]

A law was passed many moons ago allowing the owner to perform maintenance w/o voiding warranty. I'm really asking from a practical point of view since laws protecting consumers often don't work well.

Has anyone had any difficulty with Infinity in this regard? Also, they take care of TSB's when you bring it in although I don't think I saw anything critical for the 06.

[Q45tech]

It is hard to absolutely prove you did change the oil inside the 7,500 mile 6 month required interval.

You can save all the receipts you want and still not legally prove you actually put that oil/filter in the G35.............a video tape can be edited and it could show another same color G35.

However a letterhead receipt from a shop with the date, mileage, VIN, and type of oil, etc is a legal oil change.

The main reason to have dealers change the oil [every 90 days] is so they can examine the car to find warranty work they can charge Nissan to repair.

All dealers will be happy to use your supplied oil and reduce the charges slightly............however you may be required to remove your empty oil can/bottles from the premises..............they cannot legally put them in dumpster/landfill..............varies by location.

The tech usually doesn't mind opening and drain 4-5 bottles vs the automatic measured refill system [just tape a few dollars to one of the bottles so he can buy a coke and a candy bar for the extra time and mess it creates!

TSB are just technical service bulletins addenda to the FSM.... how to diagnose and repair problem under warranty.

[alexh]

I tend to agree. If it was a $20k Mustang I wouldn't hesitate but suppose we get that 1 in 1000 cars with a major engine defect. Just gives them an excuse to try and deny. Hell, even Toyota tried to deny engine warranties on that sludge issue.

[RED_DET]

I would rather change the oil myself at this point. I have taken my car to the dealer once for oil change and warranty work. Wife picked the car up, drove home and parked it in the garage. Now being the anal individual I am and have a hard time trusting people I don't know, something told me to make a trip out to the garage to check for any damage to the car. What I found was curb rash about 12" around the rear driver side wheel. **My coupe wheels I had just purchased on top of that**. Now imagine how pissed I was standing in my garage @ 2 in the morning looking at this bull****. So, some jack leg, inconsiderate bastard damaged my car and nobody told me about it. I had to find the damage myself. The wheel was replaced and the wheel swap was not done @ Infiniti either. So will I take my car back there for some other a$$ clown to destroy something else, HELL NO! I will buy the oil @ wal-mart, get a filter from Infiniti and change the damn oil myself, since its so hard for somebody else to do it without destroying things.

p.s.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to look at the oil and see if it has been changed regularly, nor would it be to hard to look at the internals of the engine to see if the oil was changed regularly, if something happened to the motor and needed warranty work.

[szh]

I buy my engine oil (Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40) from a local Kragen, the filter from http://www.everythinginfiniti.com and take it to a local shop (usually Precision Tune or a Goodyear - both near work) for the actual oil change.

Precision Tune charges me $14.99 and Goodyear charges me $12.99 for doing the actual work.

Simplest solution as far as I am concerned - the small amount of labor that these two places charge me is well worth it! I watch the work being done and get to make sure that they do it right.

If I had a ramp, and time, I would probably do the change myself. However, the ease of having the cans/used oil disposed off, etc., for such a low cost makes it worth it!

Z

[Q45tech]

When the time comes that you depend on [need] the dealer service manager to take your side against their largest paying customer [NISSAN] in a warranty dispute...........remember this discussion.

Don't expect them to take your side when asked if they see any special reason that Nissan should cover something you think is a Warranty item.

Since you chose NOT to be a Service Department Customer until you need something from Nissan......................are you really a Service Department Customer?

[joe603]

I do my own oil changes period. I don't want to be a service department customer, ever! The less I have to go to the dealer, the better (that means everything is ok with my car). But if my power seats crap out, you better believe that the dealer, or Nissan will pay to fix it, even if I don't have them change my oil.

[RED_DET]

+1.

Don't expect the dealer to take your side for warranty work because you don't have the oil changed there? Are you serious? Having the oil changed at the dearler is NOT a requirement. You might as well say you have to get your tires, windshield wipers, brakes, etc........ @ the dealer also so that you can BRIBE them into doing their JOB if you car ever needed any kind of warranty work. The dealer I went to had a chance to earn my business, but like I said, some inconsiderate bastard messed that up for them. So as the FBI would say, "thats a clue" for me not to take them my business for an oil change.

[Q45tech]

What do you think a dealerships repair job actually is? It is to install the parts that they sell period. Who is the dealerships largest paying customer Nissan Warranty! Who do you always keep as happy as you can Nissan Warranty. Whose side do you take in disputes- Nissan Warranty.

The dealer service department is an independent and separate profit center at any dealership. They do not have to accept you as a customer they can delay, hem and haw, or tell you to go somewhere else PERIOD. Nissan cannot make them repair your car. You cannot sue the dealer to make them Warranty Repair your car because they are not a party to the car warranty..................Just a repair shop that has a direct bill contract with Nissan.

Good paying and polite [nice] customers get priority in scheduling, loaner cars, and usually quality repairs.

The entire world runs on profit load optimization management ........even ministers/rabbis/imans come faster to dying - big pew donors.

I hope you never need them for warranty repairs when you want them to bend the rules for you.

Everyone should take a parttime job a dealership to LEARN how things really work.

[ezflow]

I've never frequented dealers for service, not even when I had a ...a.. a.. Ford! .. brrr...there I said it!

And never had an issue when it came to warranty work. I guess there is always the first time. But I have saved a bundle on both work I did myself, or what I farmed to an independent for oil-changes/tires/brakes/alignment done for normal wear items.Only exception was taking both an Acura and Honda to the Honda dealership for $14 oil changes (with my own oil/filter) including the car wash.Today I just took my 04 G35 into the Infiniti dealer for the first time. I've only had this car for 2 months. They are replacing both front and rear brakes under warranty. Which expires in 2 weeks. No questions asked. I was surprised to find the rear needed replacing also.Had a loaner ready for me, and I was on my way. If not for the warranty, I would not be having a brake job done here for the ridiculous mark up on parts.Actually, I will likely take this car to a Nissan dealer I understand who does the same oil changes for quite a bit less. But that's for my convenience and and the knowledge that the 'changer' will not have to figure out there is a bottom cover to remove first.

[ezflow]

Correction: Tech just called from Infiniti.. new rotors and pads for the front.Rears are fine, check again in 6 mos. I guess my own visual (without even removing the wheels) was right on.

[Q45tech]

Nissan Average warranty cost per vehicle are less than $500, which obviously means lots of cars are perfect [or owners don't catch and report problems] and a few cars get $5000+ repairs. Some get new engines and other things and total $10,000.

Getting a brake warranty is easy because they admitted the problem publically, in creating and extending coverage out to 36k on certain models beyond the normal 12k adjustment period.

[RED_DET]

The dealer service department is an independent and separate profit center at any dealership. They do not have to accept you as a customer they can delay, hem and haw, or tell you to go somewhere else PERIOD. Nissan cannot make them repair your car. You cannot sue the dealer to make them Warranty Repair your car because they are not a party to the car warranty..................Just a repair shop that has a direct bill contract with Nissan.

Good paying and polite [nice] customers get priority in scheduling, loaner

I hope you never need them for warranty repairs when you want them to bend the rules for you.

I have been there and done that with another NISSAN I own and they are hem-hawing around and I have done nothing wrong as a customer. It's all part of not wanting to fix and pay for things that obviously are faulty and not because of something the customer did. So you can try explain it until you are blue in the face, but dealerships aren't called "stealerships" for no reason.

I am a good customer, if I get quality work done. But I'm not going to kiss nobodys a$$, people need to learn to do their damn job just like I have to when I go to work. Somebody destroying my property that I pay for with my hard earned money ISN'T going to get my business. Might have been different if somebody had came to me and said "sir, we are sorry but your wheel was damaged while your vehicle was under our control and we will take care of the problem". But instead I get a car given back to me, damaged and nobody says anything. Just lets my wife drive off and I guess they thought hopefully we won't notice for awhile and won't remember how it happened. Sorry, you got things twisted, because I take care of my cars and expect others to take care of them as well when in their control.

As far as bending the rules, I don't ask for anybody to bend the rules.... either its covered under warranty or its not. There is no gray area and I know what is and what isn't covered under warranty.

[RED_DET]

They admitted the problem and still had a lawsuit filed against them.

[ezflow]

They admitted the problem and still had a lawsuit filed against them.

That's true, even though only a few collected on the lawsuit. I think it helped grease some skids.For all the cars I've owned of various makes over the years, I don't see that much difference in how they do business. And problems tend to be localized whether it's to specific dealers or zones. For the most part they work to the letter of the warranty. I've never had an issue with that.Attitude is everything though, on both sides.

[RED_DET]

Attitude is everything though, on both sides.

Amen.

[szh]

When the time comes that you depend on [need] the dealer service manager to take your side against their largest paying customer [NISSAN] in a warranty dispute...........remember this discussion.

Don't expect them to take your side when asked if they see any special reason that Nissan should cover something you think is a Warranty item.

Since you chose NOT to be a Service Department Customer until you need something from Nissan......................are you really a Service Department Customer?

A good point ... so I should be clearer in my post!

All my regular service work (7500, 15000, 22500, etc., etc., etc.) is done at the Infiniti dealer. Has been since I bought my first Infiniti Q45 in March of 1991 (that is a sixteen year history with Frontier Infiniti in San Jose). So, my history and relationship with them is excellent ... been working with the same Service Manager there for like 10 or 11 years now, I think! The first Service Manager I worked with there in 1991 is now their Parts Director and knows me by name too!

However, I do "in-between-regular-service" oil changes every 3750 miles too. Since these are "just" oil changes, I do them at the places I mentioned. The difference in price is totally sufficient to justify it, and the Infiniti service manager agrees with my decision! Even when I provide my own Synthetic oil, he has to charge me $45 or so, whereas Precision Tune and Goodyear charge me $12.99 to $14.99.

Dramatic enough difference! And, fortunately, it does not appear to have damaged my history with the Infiniti dealer!

Z

[C-Kwik]

I tend to like to do my own oil changes. It gives me the opportunity to get a look at things in the engine compartment and underneath. As I get older, I am finding myself with less time to do such things, but still manage to squeeze them in. With a recent jump in the prices of oil at the local auto parts store, it's tempting to consider service at a shop.

As far as warranty work is concerned, while I can see what Q45Tech is saying here, I don't think this is a common situation. Most people who bring in a car under warranty will likely have a reasonable problem that would be covered by warranty. It's unlikely that a dealer will simply refuse the warranty service. There can be value in it if you should run into an issue that is perhaps ambiguous, but my speculation would be that most issues aren't. Especially if the car's is maintained reasonably.

Q45Tech: I appreciate much of your insight and knowledge, but some of your posts in regards to warranty work tend to come off as propaganda. It's one thing to provide the behind the scene info. But it's another to come off as scaring people into thinking that they are going to have problems with Nissan/Infiniti honoring a reasonable warranty. I don't know what your current occupation is, but it tends to sound like you have some underlying motive. Not trying to attack you or make you sound bad, but, this is the impression you give off. Especially when it comes to this particular topic. Most of your posts are simply full of facts and technical infortmation. Its a pretty big contrast.

[ezflow]

A good point ... so I should be clearer in my post!

All my regular service work (7500, 15000, 22500, etc., etc., etc.) is done at the Infiniti dealer. Has been since I bought my first Infiniti Q45 in March of 1991 (that is a sixteen year history with Frontier Infiniti in San Jose). So, my history and relationship with them is excellent ... been working with the same Service Manager there for like 10 or 11 years now, I think! The first Service Manager I worked with there in 1991 is now their Parts Director and knows me by name too!

However, I do "in-between-regular-service" oil changes every 3750 miles too. Since these are "just" oil changes, I do them at the places I mentioned. The difference in price is totally sufficient to justify it, and the Infiniti service manager agrees with my decision! Even when I provide my own Synthetic oil, he has to charge me $45 or so, whereas Precision Tune and Goodyear charge me $12.99 to $14.99.

Dramatic enough difference! And, fortunately, it does not appear to have damaged my history with the Infiniti dealer!

Z

To keep your car well maintained, you ONLY need to do what's in the book for REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. Not all the extras which are nothing more than warm&fuzzy profit makers for the dealership. And if you are a fanatic about your car, you will be doing a lot of extra stuff on your own. You don't need a mechanic to oil door hinges and tell you all your lights are working.

[Q45tech]

Just from many many many conversations I have with friends who are service managers and ex service managers for dealers.

Nissan is seems under stress with recent office moves and cost cutting and the aftermath.

Most warranty problems exist because owners don't change and keep fluids at full level.............really nothing else is required of a vehicle owner to maintain a warranty...........change the oil and any other fluids that may have gotten dirty or degraded.

You would be surprised at the number of owners who don't change oil within the required 6 months or 7500 miles, the number of owners who don't check oil [and other fluid levels] between changes and allow leaks* to destroy other subsystems. Who drive on overheated engines [fan belts] until the engine siezes. People who think they don't have to change oil until the oil light comes on.

* Leaks that are covered by warranty if only the owner would bring the car in for a 90 day check out.

It is almost as if going into dealer is a bad thing and they will tie you up and force you to spend money. Ignorance is definitely not bliss.

Owners cannot seem to comprehend that the dealer is just a service shop with a direct bill contract with Nissan. Nissan [all manufacturers] would love to have it's own dealerships and service facilities across US but this is illegal under all state franchise laws!

Actually I'm a Wireless Consultant MBA and Engineer.........Q is just hobby.

[C-Kwik]

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised by the number of people that neglect their cars. I was more concerned with the implication that covered items would not be covered unless you're in bed with the dealership. Perhaps it wasn't your intent.

I think more peole than you realize understand that the dealer service centers are nothing more than a shop. Cost is a major factor with any product or service and dealers tend to be on the high side for parts and labor. If customers felt the dealership was the only one who can service the car, then they would not consider an independent shop. If dealers were more price competetive, I'm sure business would increase.

Come to think of it, sometimes it's a catch 22 for dealers. In car sales, many dealers try to upsell or extract every dollar out of a customer, even if the customer shouldn't. This certainly doesn't help if a customer is financially strapped and has to look for alternatives to a dealer when it comes to servicing the vehicle. While I don't point the finger at the dealership for this, dealerships can certainly look for back end profit from a customer by making sure they can afford their service. And this is certainly harder than it sounds, but just some of my thought on this.

In a way though, dealers have an advantage in having the warranty contract with the manufacturers. This provides them with opportunities to impress the customer with great service and cross sell other services. A lot of companies spend a lot of marketting money just to get someone to stop by or call in. Any loss in decreased labor rates offset some of the marketting costs which is all the more reason for the service department to truly make themselves stand out and try to bring back the repeat business. I don't see nearly the marketting put into the service side as I do from the sales side. It's a different beast of course, but I might come in to spin a wheel and have a chance at winning something nice. I get enough of these from the car sales departments of all the local dealers. =)

[szh]

To keep your car well maintained, you ONLY need to do what's in the book for REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. Not all the extras which are nothing more than warm&fuzzy profit makers for the dealership.

Point taken. However, I have a good working arrangement with the local Infiniti dealer. I don't ask them to do the silly stuff, but I do things that others do not (and should!) that are not usually listed under REQUIRED MAINTENANCE, but are essential for safety and long life of the car.

Like a full transmission flush every 25k miles, brake fluid change every other year, radiator fluid change every other year, upper link replacements (on my older Q45) every 25k miles, ... etc., etc., etc.

Keeps my cars running beautifully all the time. I get the dealer to do these to keep it simple - they have the equipment to do things that most small places do not.

BTW, with the service coupons that I get from the dealer, the regular maintenance cost is higher than other places (but not excessive) for the "regular maintenance every 7500 miles" stuff.

And if you are a fanatic about your car, you will be doing a lot of extra stuff on your own. You don't need a mechanic to oil door hinges and tell you all your lights are working.

Also agreed. All that - and more of the simple stuff that does not need special equipment - is my responsibility for sure! I change my own wiper blades, do my own Zaino treatments, regular interior leather cleaning, etc.

Z

[ezflow]

Point taken. However, I have a good working arrangement with the local Infiniti dealer. I don't ask them to do the silly stuff, but I do things that others do not (and should!) that are not usually listed under REQUIRED MAINTENANCE, but are essential for safety and long life of the car.

Like a full transmission flush every 25k miles, brake fluid change every other year, radiator fluid change every other year, upper link replacements (on my older Q45) every 25k miles, ... etc., etc., etc.

Keeps my cars running beautifully all the time. I get the dealer to do these to keep it simple - they have the equipment to do things that most small places do not.

BTW, with the service coupons that I get from the dealer, the regular maintenance cost is higher than other places (but not excessive) for the "regular maintenance every 7500 miles" stuff.

Also agreed. All that - and more of the simple stuff that does not need special equipment - is my responsibility for sure! I change my own wiper blades, do my own Zaino treatments, regular interior leather cleaning, etc.

Z

We agree on most points (also a Zaino addict). Fluid changes are essential. And I would not have anyone touch the power train other than an Nissan dealership.Although, when it comes to brake work, etc. I am not convinced there is anything magical about Nissan/Infiniti than other make. Running gear is essentially the same, just takes a competent and knowledgeable mechanice to perform the task with the correct parts.Same is true for tires and battery.
Modified by ezflow at 11:30 AM 10/16/2006

[Q45tech]

just takes a competent and knowledgeable mechanice to perform the task with the correct parts.

I sure wouldn't let a MECHANIC work on my new car I would want a Infiniti/Nissan Certified Technican to diagnose problem.

The world and US are full of MECHANICS who are educationally obsolete and have difficulty with newer all electronic control systems and diagnosis tools.

Changing oil and brake pads are not so demanding.

[ezflow]

just takes a competent and knowledgeable mechanice to perform the task with the correct parts.

The world and US are full of MECHANICS who are educationally obsolete and have difficulty with newer all electronic control systems and diagnosis tools.

I've seen incompetence at dealerships too. You can never be sure enough about WHO is working on your car. It pays to do the research.

For unique electrical systems and the drivetrain in general I agree you are better at the dealer for problems.

The better independents have the same equipment, and many are previous dealership mechanics with enough knowledge and smarts to step out on their own. There is no 'classified' knowledge about how to fix any car. It's all available online or you can pay for it.

As an owner, if you have a technical or auto background it pays to invest and/or download the service manual so at least you gain some understanding what is being done to your car, as well as how all the systems function. The more informed you are the less you can be taken advantage of...

[Q45tech]

As an independent with 3 locations working on nothing but Lexus and Infiniti....................we don't need to take advantage of any customer*.The vehicles themselves after warranty [especially the 8+ year olds] create more than enough revenue to keep 10 tech busy. That's about 300 vehicles per week or 6,000 per year.

* The customers try to take advantage of us. The ever since syndrome.

[telcoman]

I agree with you ezflow. I paid for the 4 volume printed service manual for my 2006 G35 Sedan 6sp manual. I felt it was worth the $300.00 for such an expensive and complex vehicle.If I have a question, I can go look it up in the service manual. I tend to keep vehicles for over 10 years as well so the manuals do come in handy as my cars get older.I also change my own oil which takes about a half hour. To avoid damage to the vehicle, I do not drive the car up the ramps. Instead I have a 3 ton hydraulic jack. I jack up each side & then place the ramp under the front wheel & lower the jack on the ramp. I then do the same on the other side so both front wheels are then resting on the ramps. I rejack each side of the vehicle to remove the ramps when I've finished.

Telcoman