Oil Changes from dealer FOR LIFE?

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

ga0358, were you ever able to find the "mystery" document?

Jeff Morris, Chevrolet Customer Service

[justa25thTA]

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

is this a trick question?

the devils in the details

[shrinkdoc]

Originally Posted by ga0358

I took my car for an oil change Saturday at my dealership, and I have the GM extended protection plan. When I signed up for it, I was told that oil changes were included for the life of the car. BUT Saturday, the service guy looked at my info and says "you've got ONE more left"...I said, "no, I should have oil changes for the life of the car"- he said, "well. unless it's something that automatically renews, I don't know of any oil changes for life.

Have any of y'all run into this? Although it was 18 months ago, I distinctly remember thinking "WOW-Free oil changes for life! SIGN ME UP!"_ I guess I'll have to go back to the finance guy, who signed me up, and fight with him, The service guy told me he'd hold him while I punched him....

I have that plan...its good for 24k miles. I want to see about extending mine because I want them changing my oil during the warranty so I have an accurate record on maint. The program also includes tire rotations and topping off of all fluids. So if you are a quart low of oil just drive in and they will add a quart.

[SirZeusor]

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

Always get stuff like this in writing. If you did, find that piece of paper and show it to them.

BTW, I never buy extended warranty stuff. I would be afraid to let my dealer touch my car at this point.

+1

[ZL-Bee]

Places do that however if the dealership changes owner than it's likely the free oil changes will come to an end, also remember that they will likely use the cheapest motor oil available. It's not that they want to give you free oil changes but that they'll include it as a perk to get you to buy a car from them.

[zkdreads]

if it aint in writing, it aint happening!

[Kenmecca]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

Your dealer could not have possibly offered you oil changes for life. The Camaro has less than $1,000 markup from invoice at sticker. If you fought your dealer down to invoice, they aren't making much between the holdback and the cost of running the business—paying the salesperson, all managers, finance person, porter, and paying all building costs, like rent, gas, and electricity. Every car they sell would cost them thousands in oil changes, and they don't make the money most people think they make. Anyway, it would not make sense to even offer lifetime oil changes unless they knew when you were getting rid of the car so they could control the profit.

Not true really,
It's a loss leader for them. Your likely to do the regular sched maint with them when u get an oil change. This is where they make their biggest profit, not oil changes or selling the vehicle. it's also a way to keep you coming back so you'll buy that next car from them too.

[NFERNOSS]

Originally Posted by NavyDood

If I owned a GM dealership and offered this to my customers, you can also bet that I would have it in writing that the oil change will only happen at 5% or less on the OLM.

This is exactly how it is where I work.

Originally Posted by Ladybugsmom

I got lifetime oil changes on the Camaro and my hubby's Silverado - it's a dealer thing, not a GM thing...

Exactly!

Originally Posted by GhostOutlaw

Honestly, I wouldnt trust the dealer enough to put proper oil/filter in there at each change. I know GM demands a certain level, but I dont believe dealers are honest enough to care.

Wrong! Maybe your dealer does that to you, but catagorizing "ALL" dealers under this statement is just plain wrong. Most do care, the only ones you hear about are when someone bitches about how they got screwed by their dealer. Most people will more than not complain before they will give praise. Human nature.

Originally Posted by The_Blur

Your dealer could not have possibly offered you oil changes for life. The Camaro has less than $1,000 markup from invoice at sticker. If you fought your dealer down to invoice, they aren't making much between the holdback and the cost of running the business—paying the salesperson, all managers, finance person, porter, and paying all building costs, like rent, gas, and electricity. Every car they sell would cost them thousands in oil changes, and they don't make the money most people think they make. Anyway, it would not make sense to even offer lifetime oil changes unless they knew when you were getting rid of the car so they could control the profit.

For our dealership, it is mainly an advertising thing. It can actually be used as a tax write off for advertising, has nothing to do with the value of your car.
Dealership plate on the front of car, vinyl logo on rear will get you free oil changes for life if car was bought from us. Of course ya get some that have their personalized plate on the front then swap the dealer plate onto holder before they pull in for service. Dealer plate is usually riveted to holder when it leaves PDI. I personally don't have any of this crap on my car, because the MY11-12's only require Dexos for the oil, I run Mobil 1, so I buy my own oil, and I don't advertise for anyone on my vehicles.

Originally Posted by ZL-Bee

Places do that however if the dealership changes owner than it's likely the free oil changes will come to an end, also remember that they will likely use the cheapest motor oil available. It's not that they want to give you free oil changes but that they'll include it as a perk to get you to buy a car from them.

Seriously dude! Most dealerships that do this buy the oil in bulk, as in a 500 gallon tank. Why would a dealership go out of it's way to find some cheap-ass oil to keep in bulk just to put in the free oil change cars? No less to make enough room in parts dept for cases of cheap oil from Autozone, when they could use that space for more important inventory!
We use this program as a chance to upsell needed maintanance items, like wiper blades, tires, brakes, etc. Usually things that most normal drivers neglect to look at on their own, until it's too late.

[ardailsmith]

Originally Posted by GhostOutlaw

Honestly, I wouldnt trust the dealer enough to put proper oil/filter in there at each change. I know GM demands a certain level, but I dont believe dealers are honest enough to care.

How did you get your car go to Canada and get it off the line? Who did your auto prep?

[shrinkdoc]

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

is this a trick question?

Filters are included with all O/Cs.

[ardailsmith]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

Your dealer could not have possibly offered you oil changes for life. The Camaro has less than $1,000 markup from invoice at sticker. If you fought your dealer down to invoice, they aren't making much between the holdback and the cost of running the business—paying the salesperson, all managers, finance person, porter, and paying all building costs, like rent, gas, and electricity. Every car they sell would cost them thousands in oil changes, and they don't make the money most people think they make. Anyway, it would not make sense to even offer lifetime oil changes unless they knew when you were getting rid of the car so they could control the profit.

Sure, the dealer could make money, the only way for him to lose money is for everyone too always come back and only get the oil change and nothing else. This offer is not just for Camaros its for all new GM cars

The oil is not relay free, you would have to buy that warranty, and the life of the car would mean as long as you own the car. Plus it would be for a basic oil change 4 to 5 Qts and a standard filter. if you want 100% Synthetic and high performance filters it will cost more.

My oil change is $60.00 because I use Royal Purple. I have to buy it and put it in my trunk when I drop the car off that's my only cost.

[shrinkdoc]

Originally Posted by ZL-Bee

Places do that however if the dealership changes owner than it's likely the free oil changes will come to an end, also remember that they will likely use the cheapest motor oil available. It's not that they want to give you free oil changes but that they'll include it as a perk to get you to buy a car from them.

They use a brand name oil Synthetic blend because I asked the manager. Plus they have a banner up advertising the brand. Cant remember the brand off the top of my head but its a major brand.

[Austin45]

The dealer sweetened the pot for my by adding a $10.95 oil change and free tire rotation service contract for the life of my car. A new engine or transmission (out of warranty) voids the service agreement. I can't complain.

[shrinkdoc]

I just got an oil change today and looked at the pamphlet, they offer 1,2,3,4 and 5 year plans. No lifetime. Its part of the Nationwide VCP plan which is Value Customer plan. I can go to any dealer in the country and use it. So if I drive across country I can use it a dealer there then drive back home.