Oil Changes??

[DC_Rogue]

Hello!

So I am sort of a forum lurker-- today I am asking for your thoughts.

I am due for an oil change, its been about 3,500 miles of mainly city driving (probably like 80%).

What is everyone's thoughts on having the change completed at the dealer vs a local shop?

The dealer is sort of far away, and a bit expensive. I have always had work done by the dealer on my other cars (toyota, honda, dodge...). I am fine to pay the higher amount, knowing that it will be done right...

Thanks for your thoughts!

[ProudNissanFreak]

I usually go to a local shop; there's a family owned one close by specifically that I go to for anything and everything. More people generally go to local shops over dealerships because of the cost.

[philipa_240sx]

There are no issues changing your oil at a lube shop or local garage. Just keep your receipts in case there is a warranty issue/question.

About the only thing I would recommend is using a good filter. There are several recommended ones in the oil change thread:

how-to-change-the-rogue-s-engine-oil-diy-t296876.html

I personally use NAPA Gold 1356 / WIX 51356 filter in my Rogue. I highly recommend them over the orange brand and even OEM Nissan filters.

[philbert1998]

I got my Rogue in January & got free oil changes for life.It is a bit of a drive but I can overlook that for free oil changes & a car wash.The dealer's service dept. is the best I've had in years.

[globe9]

I use the dealer. I like to know that it's being done right, plus they give a multi-point inspection and I think they actually do it. Jiffy Lube, Speedy, etc. say they do, but I think they just look to charge you for a new air filter or windshield wipers IMO.

I just had mine done this past Thurs. at the dealership(I've got 3,600 miles on my Rogue and this was the 2nd oil change). I had a coupon Nissan sent me in the mail so the price was $24.95. I couldn't change the oil myself for less than that, so overall a good deal IMO. My dealership also has a 30mins or less or it's free policy...I've got 2 free oil change coupons sitting in my glove box right now LOL 1st change got the coupon, but then got the $24.95 coupon which expires in April...wanted to use that before expiration, so held onto free coupon. Got another free coupon last Thursday.....I don't know how they make any $$ with this policy since they seem to be unable to change oil in 30mins or less, but I don't mind. Free oil change is worth an hour at the dealership for me...I like looking around at stuff anyway.

As for free car washes...I tell them NOT to touch my Rogue. The dealership will f-up your paint big time w/swirls and marring. My paint is like glass right now and I work hard to keep it that way.....no lie, I saw a guy at the Audi dealership washing a $45,000 car with a BROOM in a bucket out in back of the dealership! They will cover up the marring with a glaze(think shoe polish here)...after first wash, the glaze is removed and you're left with some crappy paint.

[kerrton]

I have a great dealer that does oil change services at a very low price (around $41) compared to around $50 at most quick lube places, and I have had a lot of repeated warranty work done on my Rogue so I always go to the dealer. I also have a couple other excellent service shops in town that we take our other car to and they are as good or better than my Nissan dealer, and after my warranty is up I may switch over to them mainly due to the great personal customer service and pride of work that is obvious in the shop.

I personally would not take my car to a Quick Lube place if I can avoid it just to keep on the safe side with my expensive vehicle, those quick lube employees are not certified mechanic/service techs and they don't get paid very well. I know that an oil change is simple and basically anyone can do it but I like the certified tech's to do the work because they are trained to recognize other problems and they should provide the highest level of quality. Certified Tradesmen adhere to a code of ethics and are trained to strive for the highest level of quality, and with all the competing service shops in town there really isn't any reason to compromise with a lower quality quick lube shop.

Any certified service shop has the potential to be as good or better than the Nissan dealer. There is a ton of variability in the quality of service you'll get from any service shop, regardless if it's Nissan or otherwise, so the trick is to find one that has a good crew of service techs and excellent management to ensure honesty and great customer service as well as staff who are happy and enabled to provide high quality work. To find a great service shop just ask around and get as many opinions as possible, then give one a try.

[philbert1998]

I use the dealer. I like to know that it's being done right, plus they give a multi-point inspection and I think they actually do it. Jiffy Lube, Speedy, etc. say they do, but I think they just look to charge you for a new air filter or windshield wipers IMO.

I just had mine done this past Thurs. at the dealership(I've got 3,600 miles on my Rogue and this was the 2nd oil change). I had a coupon Nissan sent me in the mail so the price was $24.95. I couldn't change the oil myself for less than that, so overall a good deal IMO. My dealership also has a 30mins or less or it's free policy...I've got 2 free oil change coupons sitting in my glove box right now LOL 1st change got the coupon, but then got the $24.95 coupon which expires in April...wanted to use that before expiration, so held onto free coupon. Got another free coupon last Thursday.....I don't know how they make any $$ with this policy since they seem to be unable to change oil in 30mins or less, but I don't mind. Free oil change is worth an hour at the dealership for me...I like looking around at stuff anyway.

As for free car washes...I tell them NOT to touch my Rogue. The dealership will f-up your paint big time w/swirls and marring. My paint is like glass right now and I work hard to keep it that way.....no lie, I saw a guy at the Audi dealership washing a $45,000 car with a BROOM in a bucket out in back of the dealership! They will cover up the marring with a glaze(think shoe polish here)...after first wash, the glaze is removed and you're left with some crappy paint.

Good point about the free wash.It was freezing the first oil change I got so it wasn't washed.I'll tell them from now on to not wash it.Thanx

[DC_Rogue]

I was looking around on the dealers website and found a coupon for oil change at 21.95 plus tax and such fees. But that's a pretty good price

I haven't had any trouble with the dealer washing my car poorly. I think this place doesn't by hand.... ill have to watch and ask how it is done.


Sorry for any typos. Im on my droid.... my wife has the laptop!

[takeshi]

What is everyone's thoughts on having the change completed at the dealer vs a local shop?

Depends on the specific dealer and local shop that you're talking about.

I am fine to pay the higher amount, knowing that it will be done right...

I wouldn't assume "dealer" automatically means "done right". Assess each dealer individually. I've known quite a few people that had dealers that left their oil cap off, etc.

[pawprint]

I do it myself. It takes 20 minutes, and that's if I'm going slow. I fit under the Rogue, no need to lift it up. I was surprised how much oil that engine needs.

[philipa_240sx]

I was surprised how much oil that engine needs.

It's not that much actually. Try changing oil on a Porsche or BMW... usually 7 or more quarts!

[rayjgold]

Good point about the free wash.It was freezing the first oil change I got so it wasn't washed.I'll tell them from now on to not wash it.Thanx

I have a black rogue and that baby had Swirls when i first bought it! I say let the dealer wash it....let the car live! When we get old we get swirls/wrinkles. Let the car get old too. I was worrying about the paint job a lot when i first got the car, and it took a lot of my time. after the first scratch, i was like forget it.. It's just a car! Im going to snatch up a kid that falls on my car, curse out a lady in the parking lot who hit my car with a shopping cart and shoot birds that poop on my car...and for what?

Now if we had BMWs maybe I'd think differently. But for now, its not that serious.

[globe9]

Good point about the free wash.It was freezing the first oil change I got so it wasn't washed.I'll tell them from now on to not wash it.Thanx

I have a black rogue and that baby had Swirls when i first bought it! I say let the dealer wash it....let the car live! When we get old we get swirls/wrinkles. Let the car get old too. I was worrying about the paint job a lot when i first got the car, and it took a lot of my time. after the first scratch, i was like forget it.. It's just a car! Im going to snatch up a kid that falls on my car, curse out a lady in the parking lot who hit my car with a shopping cart and shoot birds that poop on my car...and for what?

Now if we had BMWs maybe I'd think differently. But for now, its not that serious.

So if the car didn't cost $50K its ok for it to look like crap? Sorry, diasgree. I'm not going to snatch up kids or beat up old ladies, but I'm going to take precautions when it's so easy to do so. How hard is it to tell the dealership not to wash it? I park far away in parking lots and pick spots along curbs, so there is only 1 side of the car in danger of getting dinged. These precautions are easy, and hey, who couldn't use more exercise from having to walk further. Accidents do happen. Am I going to freak out? Nope, but I'm gonna do what I reasonably can to prevent them.

But hey, to each their own. My Rogue will have a higher resale than yours though

[rayjgold]

I have a black rogue and that baby had Swirls when i first bought it! I say let the dealer wash it....let the car live! When we get old we get swirls/wrinkles. Let the car get old too. I was worrying about the paint job a lot when i first got the car, and it took a lot of my time. after the first scratch, i was like forget it.. It's just a car! Im going to snatch up a kid that falls on my car, curse out a lady in the parking lot who hit my car with a shopping cart and shoot birds that poop on my car...and for what?

Now if we had BMWs maybe I'd think differently. But for now, its not that serious.

So if the car didn't cost $50K its ok for it to look like crap? Sorry, diasgree. I'm not going to snatch up kids or beat up old ladies, but I'm going to take precautions when it's so easy to do so. How hard is it to tell the dealership not to wash it? I park far away in parking lots and pick spots along curbs, so there is only 1 side of the car in danger of getting dinged. These precautions are easy, and hey, who couldn't use more exercise from having to walk further. Accidents do happen. Am I going to freak out? Nope, but I'm gonna do what I reasonably can to prevent them.

But hey, to each their own. My Rogue will have a higher resale than yours though

Your rogue may have a higher resale value. but Im going to live a few days longer than you for being less stressed out. when i first got the car i parked way in the back of the lot.....worked up a sweat just walking to the store from the car.....I got back and the front end of the car right next to me was mashed in.... pieces still on the floor in front of the car.! A day after getting the car, birds pooped on it. I got all excited and decided to try to remove the bird poop before it damaged the car. and now....the only scratches i have on the car are the places where i tried to rub off the bird poop......now this was my fault...but the car would still have no scratches had i left it alone and waited for the next rain.

Im not saying treat your car like scrap. Im just saying to live and realize it is just a car. I still try to avoid double-sided parking etc.. but I dont go to the extreme, and im not going to cry or get a heart attack if i come out side and find a scratch. And my car looked very nice and shiny when i first bought it...and still does....but I looked closely at the paint and i could still see swirls....It's black so they cant be avoided. no need to skip on free washes because of swirls. they will come regardless.... I will wash the car myself in the summer, to prolong the life and spend quality time with it, but when it is freezing out, through the brushes it will go!


Hey phil, anyway to have this form email you even if you didnt start the discussion? many people get quoted and responses that they never know about because they aren't notified.

[philipa_240sx]

Hey phil, anyway to have this form email you even if you didnt start the discussion? many people get quoted and responses that they never know about because they aren't notified.

There is supposed to be a subscribe button, but I can't seem to find it.

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