Lovely Dealership Experiene

[DREAM2]

I went to the dealership for an oil change (free lifetime - otherwise I would do it myself) and decided I wanted to upgrade to synthetic oil. I expressed this to the relic that was behind the counter and told him I would pay the difference. His response - "We do not carry synthetic oil because the maufacturer does not recommend using it."
"Are you saying that synthetic oil is bad for the engine?" I asked.
"That's correct." He said.
At this point I just smiled and said "that's fine, just change the oil" and walked away. Arguing a point with this man I could see would be futile. And this was the service manager! I guess when the nameplate changes from Dodge to Chrysler it also changes the makeup of the engine. Interesting. I did not know that.
Later the manager comes back and tells me they can't get the valve stem caps off to fill the tires ( I put on aftermarket aluminum ones). He said they could try but they may damage the stems, requiring that they be replaced. Without thinking I said "that's fine, try to get them off". He came back a little later and said they could not get them off and that they are now all leaking. Parts and labor would come out to be $120.00.
Again I started to laugh, not beliving what I'm hearing. $120.00 for 4 valvestems? That can't be right. I looked around and it dawned on me where I was. I was at a dealership! What was I thinking when I said "go ahead". I just figured it's a valve stem, how much can it be?
I talked to the general manger on duty and got the price reduced to 4$47.00 for all 4. Not the best deal in the world, but better than $120.00!
At the end of it all as I was paying my bill, the dinosaur of a service manger, who seemed to be sleepwalking through the day, just rambling things off to other customers like me was programmed or something, came up to me and said, "We'll be sending you a survey through the mail, please remember what we did for you today and fill it out and send it in."
You bet I will pal. Next time can you use sand as a lubricant? All this from a Five Star Dealer. Lovely.

[quicksilverdon]

Hard to believe, isn't it? And they say our economy has shifted from manufacturing to service - Heaven help us! Service is absent more often than not.
I commend you on your calmness - I wouldn't have been.[xx(]

[KingKole02]

I can't believe you even got yours in while waiting!!
It takes my dealer two hours to change the oil. I have the service contract that means absolutely nothing too.

[SDTurbo]

What an idiot that guy is. I work at a dealership and all we use is synthetic oil.

[DREAM2]

I do wait 2 hours for the oil change. Kind of makes me think it is not even worth it.
I did manage to pry one of the caps off and it is black in color on the threads. Does the combination of the brass/copper? valve stem and aluminum cap create this color when moisture is introduced? I assume it would be sort of green in color. I do know what is black though - Loctite Black Max. I maybe jumping the gun on this, but now I'm getting pissed.

[DREAM2]

SDTurbo,
Better let the guys at your dealership know that synthetic oil is bad for the engines![:0]

[KingKole02]

SD Turbo,
Better tell them not to change the oil, and not to put gas in either.[]

[PianT]

You should have asked him for extra pickles with that oil change.

I had the "locking" type caps, after two got stolen I tried to get the other two off, same thing, black corrosion around the threads.

The locking part is a real *&^% when they seize up like that, but even my five thumb hands managed to remove them without damaging the stems.

Go to another dealer if you can, you are not bound to the dealer you bought it from.

[KingKole02]

PianT
You forgot the special sauce.[B)]

[Gary04GT]

I'm sure glad I take my car to a Six Star Dealership for service. [^]