Why do oil changes at the dealer take so long?

[aphex]

Sooooooo bored right now, going on 2 hours. Why do oil changes take so damn long at most dealers? With my old car, I used to go to a oil change place that did it in 10 minutes.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

You are not a priority. Much faster, cheaper, no driving or waiting around doing this yourself.

And there are no "free" oil changes if that's your response.

 

[Crono]

They take their sweet time I guess. I noticed the same thing at my dealer. I hate waiting that long during the day, I work nights and am usually sleeping during the day. At least with my phone and with car mags I have something to do, but waiting at any office is very monotonous.

I'm going to start changing the oil myself, just need to pick up some jack stands or maybe ramps at the end of next week.
Can't decide which.

 

[EagleKeeper]

As stated, low priority. Oil changes are a loss leader fir the most part for a dealership.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

BMW and VW both took about an hour for me. Though BMW usually asks if you want a loaner and sends you on your way if you do.

 

[Murloc]

I guess they have a backlog of stuff to do and oil changes don't pay that much. Maybe it's just that dealership that's bad or jammed or understaffed.

 

[HeXen]

Jiffy Lube is pretty quick. Some shops like that i'll just stand around back there and shoot the shit with the guys while they work. Most of the time looks like its spent from the guy who enters info into the computer, plus he's on the phone and doing lots of other things, the actual guys changing the oil do it very quick. It's always that other guy you have to wait on.

 

[Mark R]

As stated, low priority. Oil changes are a loss leader fir the most part for a dealership.

Probably not where I am.

I took my lexus into the local dealership for an interim service, including oil and filter change:

I got a fully itemised bill, for every piece of work done, even the mechanic's gloves:
Oil change $40
Oil: 7 litres @ $30 per litre = $210
Filter: $10

 

[MustISO]

Honda dealer near me has two bays just for oil changes. Most I've ever waited on a weekday was 45 minutes. It's usually 30 minutes and they wash the car.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Jiffy Lube is pretty quick. Some shops like that i'll just stand around back there and shoot the shit with the guys while they work. Most of the time looks like its spent from the guy who enters info into the computer, plus he's on the phone and doing lots of other things, the actual guys changing the oil do it very quick. It's always that other guy you have to wait on.

I wouldn't go within 100 feet of Jiffy Lube.

DIY here

 

[T2urtle]

Its a Saturday. They are packed with people wanting oil changes and other small things like tires that the lube techs can knock out.

 

[gorcorps]

They take their sweet time I guess. I noticed the same thing at my dealer. I hate waiting that long during the day, I work nights and am usually sleeping during the day. At least with my phone and with car mags I have something to do, but waiting at any office is very monotonous.

I'm going to start changing the oil myself, just need to pick up some jack stands or maybe ramps at the end of next week.
Can't decide which.

I'm planning on getting ramps soon. Seems easier to me

 

[nehalem256]

Probably not where I am.

I took my lexus into the local dealership for an interim service, including oil and filter change:

I got a fully itemised bill, for every piece of work done, even the mechanic's gloves:
Oil change $40
Oil: 7 litres @ $30 per litre = $210
Filter: $10

You oil change was $260?

Do they use unicorn blood for lubrication in Lexuses?

 

[T2urtle]

You oil change was $260?

Do they use unicorn blood for lubrication in Lexuses?

Maybe for an is-f but if u have something like a is250 that must be unicorn.

 

[Pantoot]

Oil: 7 litres @ $30 per litre = $210

And I thought the 10w-60 for the m5 was expensive...

 

[Fenixgoon]

You are not a priority. Much faster, cheaper, no driving or waiting around doing this yourself.

And there are no "free" oil changes if that's your response.

cheaper? the oil i use alone costs $35 and you can usually get an oil change for $15

 

[mmntech]

I wouldn't go within 100 feet of Jiffy Lube.

DIY here

This, or any quick oil change place. The one we used to take the rentals to got our dock level box truck stuck. In fairness, that thing was a b---h to drive. Damn F-450s with their long ass noses.

Probably not where I am.

I took my lexus into the local dealership for an interim service, including oil and filter change:

I got a fully itemised bill, for every piece of work done, even the mechanic's gloves:
Oil change $40
Oil: 7 litres @ $30 per litre = $210
Filter: $10

You've been screwed if they're charging you $210 for 7L of oil. The most expensive synthetic oil I found was $10/L. Lexus loves ripping their customers off. My mom stopped taking her ES300 to the dealer after they charged her some outrageous price for a maintenance package. She had specifically told them to only do the oil change, which they were cool with, but they tossed all this extra stuff in without telling her, and refused a refund. I guess they figure if you can afford the car, you won't notice.

 

[T2urtle]

You've been screwed if they're charging you $210 for 7L of oil. The most expensive synthetic oil I found was $10/L. Lexus loves ripping their customers off. My mom stopped taking her ES300 to the dealer after they charged her some outrageous price for a maintenance package. She had specifically told them to only do the oil change, which they were cool with, but they tossed all this extra stuff in without telling her, and refused a refund. I guess they figure if you can afford the car, you won't notice.

when you sign the paperwork for them to do the work, there is a estimate price your paying on there. they need to stay within 15% of that +/- by law. Because that is what you officially agreed to. After that a verbal agreement is allowed.

 

[pcgeek11]

Probably not where I am.

I took my lexus into the local dealership for an interim service, including oil and filter change:

I got a fully itemised bill, for every piece of work done, even the mechanic's gloves:
Oil change $40
Oil: 7 litres @ $30 per litre = $210
Filter: $10

U got screwed, badly screwed!

 

[Zap]

Last two oil changes I sat through...

Mazda dealer for my Mazdaspeed 6. Maybe 40 minutes. Car was washed, but otherwise IDK what else they did. Waiting area was average. I just sat and read stuff.

Subaru dealer for wife's WRX. Maybe 1 hour. Dealer just renovated so really nice inside. Car was washed, plus they fixed the fuel door (wasn't popping out all the way). They have a room with a TV, couches and "bar" like area, but I sat in the "quiet room" and read. They also have a single serving coffee maker, which I took advantage of. Plus, yummy cookies, which I also took advantage of.

 

[infoiltrator]

Generally, dealer oil changes come between other jobs and include "safety inspection" and possible "car wash." Size of crew is a factor.
Oil change franchises are handy, especially since oil "must be properly disposed of."
Oil change franchises also have crews that can leave loose or stripped oil plugs or filters.
Low price change is bulk low price oil, shops have been known to "appear" to change oil to increase profits.

 

[NutBucket]

Probably not where I am.

I took my lexus into the local dealership for an interim service, including oil and filter change:

I got a fully itemised bill, for every piece of work done, even the mechanic's gloves:
Oil change $40
Oil: 7 litres @ $30 per litre = $210
Filter: $10

For $210 you'd better be top priority!

More money than brains I guess....

 

[mmntech]

when you sign the paperwork for them to do the work, there is a estimate price your paying on there. they need to stay within 15% of that +/- by law. Because that is what you officially agreed to. After that a verbal agreement is allowed.

Or better yet just take it to the local garage, tell them what you want, and they'll do it. Most reputable shops and quick lube places are warranty approved. Or just buy a BMW, where the oil changes are "free".

 

[Mark R]

You've been screwed if they're charging you $210 for 7L of oil. The most expensive synthetic oil I found was $10/L. Lexus loves ripping their customers off. My mom stopped taking her ES300 to the dealer after they charged her some outrageous price for a maintenance package.

Well, I'd just bought it privately, and was taking it for a dealer service, as it had a full lexus service history.

They quoted my $400 for an interim service, which I said OK for, not really knowing the service intervals for this vehicle.

It was only when I got the bill at the end, and realised that it was basically an inspection, oil change, brake fluid flush, transponder key battery and a couple of other trivial jobs, that I realised I'd been taken for a fool.

Oh, and in the inspection report, they raised 2 "red alert" points:
Recommend fuel injection cleaner/octane booster $100
Recommend windshield nano-water-coating $40

I saw though those easily enough. I don't think I'll be going back to that dealer.

 

[leper84]

Low priority might sound right, but its more of your car waiting its turn in line than anything else. Waiting hours for a service that takes 10-15 minutes might sound lame, but on the other hand if you were dropping a couple hundred or grand to fix your car you wouldn't want your tech pulled off all day to do oil changes. Personally if I'm waiting on parts or approval I dont give a damn I'll grab every oil change I can but I can't spend all day doing em if I have other stuff to take care of.

If you can't DIY having an actual technician do your service is way better than a quick lube place. Just try and understand going in they aren't a quick lube place and they need some time to work your oil change in just like any other job.

If you want a 15 minute oil change, take it to a quick lube place. They're quick and cheap for a reason....