$57 Oil change?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[ADE 1000]

Just took my car in for its first oil change at 1000 miles and was shocked when they charged me $57. I was told that the Marauder comes from the factory with a synthetic 5W-20 oil and that is what Ford recommends. They charged me $5.20 per quart for 7 quarts of oil. Does this sound right?

I was shocked, as I was not aware that Ford was using synthetics. I was planning on using regular oil for the first 5000 and then switching to Mobil One 0W-20 after that.

I have no problem paying $57 for the oil change if that is what is specified, but if the dealer charged me for synthetic without my permission...........:mad2:... ....... :mad2: .............:mad2:

[bugsys03]

hey pm me and i can tell you where to go for $21 and get the motorcraft 5W20 which is what we use. I believe it is 6 qts though. they really hosed you.

[joflewbyu2]

semi synthetic 5w-20 is what is recommended by the owner's manual and 6 quarts is the capacity. did they use full synthetic or semi synthetic for $5.20 a qt? if they used mobil 1 then that is about right. if not, you can pick up ford motorcraft 5w-20 in wal-mart for $1.77 per qt. I would ask to see the service mgr and show him the 7 qt charge on a car that supposily holds 6 qts. he will at the least refund you for the 1 qt overcharge or possibly comp/goodwill you an oil change.

[RF Overlord]

^^^what jo said^^^

The factory fill IS a synthetic blend, and the motor takes 6 qts, not 7...

I buy Mobil 1 at Wally World for $22.42 for the 5 qt. jug, plus 1 loose qt @ $4.77...that's about $4.53/qt for FULL synthetic oil...$5.20/qt for synth blend is WAY too much...

On another note, you might want to check your oil level...if they actually put 7 qts in, you should take it back immediately and have them drain a qt out...you're over-full, and that can be worse than being low...

The only Ford I'm aware of that comes with a full synth oil as factory fill is the Mustang Cobra R...it comes with Mobil 1 15W-50...

[Lowell]

My dealer charges 21.95 plus tax. WTF

[TripleTransAm]

$57 for an oil change...

Last time I saw someone get railed this bad was in a raunchy porn flick...

[JohnnyB]

I pay $24.95 at my local FLM dealer. Includes 6 quarts of Motorcraft 5-20 synthetic blend (factory spec) and Motorcraft filter. They even top off the windshield washer fluid for free. Not a bad price considering I don;t have to get dirty and dispose of the oil.
I'd say your dealer ripped you off. Go back and complain.....

[Bigdogjim]

Sorry but the got your number.........

Get back and show them the error of their ways.........:)

[01True BlueGT]

I work at a L-M dealership, in parts. We offer $24.95 oil changes and that covers up to 7 quarts of oil. Your car does take a 5w20 synthetic blend, and its only takes 6 quarts. All 03 Grand Marq's,Town Cars and MM's take 6 quarts.

Ford part # XO-5w20-QSP
and an F1AZ-6731-BD(FL-820) filter.

I agree, check you fluid level and make sure its not over filled.
Actually, all lincoln and mercury vehicles from 2001 use motorcraft 5W20 synthetic blend oil.
I would also complain and treaten never to return for that type of service.
$5.20 is actually pretty close to suggested list price, but nobody charges that, because they buy in such large quantities, that they can offer it at a buck or 2 above cost. Motorcraft items have many incentives and dealer discounts that allow this to be done.

[merc406]

Be glad they don't use Amsoil. $$$$

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by Bigdogjim
Sorry but the got your number.........

Get back and show them the error of their ways.........:)

and have them remove a quart, then refund you for it.

Most Ford dealers seem to participate in the $24.00 oil change/service program. it's to compete with the "fast" oil change joints

[bigslim]

My dealer charges me $21.95. It takes all of 15 minutes for them to do it.

[sailsmen]

My dealer charges zero as in free every 5K miles and reminds me to come in and have it done.

I change it myself in between.

[ADE 1000]

First of all, thanks to everyone for the great input. The part numbers listed by 01True BlueGT are especially handy.

Now I am really pissed. :mad2:

They essentially charged me $5.20 a quart for semi synthetic Ford 5W-20 and then charged me for an extra unecessary quart on top of that. We have a 2002 Mountaineer and 2001 Sable in the family and both of them get $24.95 oil changes at the LM dealer, that is why I was shocked at the charge initially. Unfortunetly I picked the car up afterhours, so there were no real service people to talk to at the time.

I can't wait to tear the service manager a new one tommorrow. :flamer:

If anyone has any good recommendations for a good dealer in Chicagoland, please let me know.

[Murader03]

For $57 I can get 2 oil changes and a tire rotation at my local Ford dealer. What they all said above!

[junehhan]

Arun, I can't believe the audacity of your dealer to screw you like that. My dealer charges $2.22 per quart of semi-synthetic 5w20 and I didn't even know you could get 5w20 in a full synthetic formulation. For some reason, many of the Ford vehicles i've had actually require more oil to top off than called for in the manual. When I had my SVT Cobra, the manual only called for 6 quarts, but required as much as 7.25 to top off without overfilling. The same was true for the Lightning which called for 5.5 quarts, but required a little over 6 quarts to top off. I think I remember my old v8sho which called for 6 quarts, but required 7.25 to top off as well. In fact, when I do my first oil change on the Marauder, i'm curious how much oil it really will take to top off, although the manual calls for 6.

[Amsoil_Dealer]

Before you flame your dealer, ask him what oil he used. IF by chance he did use Amsoil 5W20 the price is justified. Amsoil 5W20 synthetic retails for exactly $5.20 per qt.

If this is what he used, it is a fair deal. Plus the oil is formulated for 7500 mile drain intervals. It is not what I recommend nor is it as good a product as Amsoil ASL 5w30 that I use and recommend. It is a better product than the Motorcraft 5W20 synthetic blend though.


Don

[junehhan]

I think the bigger issue here, is that his dealer did it without asking permission first. That is wrong, and just plain unethical in the automotive industry.

[01True BlueGT]

In regard to free oil changes, they are free because your bought the maint. program. With that you get 5,10,15,20,25,30, and 35,000 mile services. The 30k comes with a tranny service.

In regard to the 5w30, these motors can't handle the heavier weight oils, they build up so much oil pressure, that if you use heavier oil, you will blow out something eventually and get leaks.

I agree, if they used full synthetic without asking, they should refund the difference and ask next time. But, on your repair order, you signed stating that if the repair exceeded a certain amount they needed to call for approval. What was the amount?

Anyhow, good luck.. Most dealers are eager to please, because they want your business.

[gilby04]

Ade,
Maybe oil changes for Dark Blue Pearls are double the standard charge since there are only...hmm... ~400 Blue ones built ??? Maybe typical Dealer mentality ? (No offense, Ray)
Be sure to Tear off a BIG piece ! Best of Luck.

[bryanknie]

My dealers sprice went up, at first I was paying the usual $24.95 for the first two changes. All of a sudden they went to $57. The service manager quoted they were loosing money on the MM at that price. I drove off the lot and went to a quick change and paid about $27.

[01True BlueGT]

Ok, now that I am at work (L-M parts), the actual suggested list price for 5w20 is $2.78 EA and the filter is $6.89. The reason dealers do the oil change for that price is to look for additional work.

[PAPAJOHN]

My dealer charges $ 24.95 for standard oil change. if I specify a full synthetic, they charge $ 59.95

[TheDealer]

$24.95 HERE!!!!! ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT DIESELS!!!:D

I'd like to know how a dealer can say they lose money on a MM oil change when it's no different than any other car???? RAY

[ADE 1000]

Thanks again for all the responses guys.

I was traveling on business all day yesterday, so I was not able to contact the dealer until today. But when I was gone, they left me a voicemail saying that they had overcharged me for the oil and would refund me $28.

So I called them today and gave them a piece of my mind. My main gripe is that I signed for $30 when I dropped the car of, yet they charged me more than that without authorization. And then the line of BS she fed me about the Marauder taking special oil. The service advisor is a younger girl who is absolutely clueless, although she was apologetic. She was saying that the oil got charged under the warranty rate instead of the oil change rate, whatever that means. Funny thing, she still claims that the car takes 6.5 quarts of oil despite the service manual saying 6. In any case, the car does not seem overfilled on the dip stick.

I have still not written off this dealer, it is where I bought the car from. They are quick to provide loaners and do a nice job hand washing the car everytime I bring it in. But this is strike one, hopefully things go better from now on.

[67435animal]

I get the factory oil (6 qts) at my local SVT dealer for just under 25.00. You got screwed.

Bob

[chapel1]

ADE1900 just had my oil changed at my L/M dealership last Saturday with taxes and misc it was $30.00.And thats in the south suburbs.And that was my 10,000 mile chesk up in which they wanted to rotate my tires?Did you check your TIRES?

[junehhan]

Mistakes do happen from time to time, but the important thing is that they took the initiative to correct the error on their own. I am actually impressed with that as some scummy dealers would have waited till you were on the phone going off on them before even making an attempt to fix the issue.

[chapel1]

When you own a Marauder you have to know more about your (Grand Marquis) then the service writer!Your going to a L/M dealership were performance mods are vinyl roofs and chrome fender well covers!:flamer:

[TheDealer]

Originally posted by chapel1
When you own a Marauder you have to know more about your (Grand Marquis) then the service writer!Your going to a L/M dealership were performance mods are vinyl roofs and chrome fender well covers!:flamer:

What chu tauking bout Willis????? :D

[chapel1]

I only wish there were more dealer's like you! !I would drive out of my way to have someone like you and your dealership sell and sevice my car.And while I'm at it I believe anything I say on this forum is never directed at it's users but to the unimformed masses.

[sailsmen]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 01True BlueGT
[B]In regard to free oil changes, they are free because your bought the maint. program. With that you get 5,10,15,20,25,30, and 35,000 mile services. The 30k comes with a tranny service.

I did not buy a maint. prog. As a courtesy my dealer changes the oil for free every 5K miles. They have been in busniess since 1970 under the same family so they probably know what they are doing.;)