THIS! is why I can't wait to swap my truck for a Slate: maintenance & service costs

[bartflossom]

I got my first oil change and tire rotation 10 months ago at the dealership that sold me my Maverick Hybrid and they charged 150 bucks including full synthetic. Didn't like the price and I'd do it myself but I like to get the first oil changes at the dealer just in case the engine craps out so they don't have an excuse to deny warranty.

Today I went for my second oil change at a new dealer near me and they wanted 180 bucks. I balked and they immediately told me they'd look for a coupon and wound up taking 45 bucks off. All's well.
I needed to be somewhere soon so of course they took a full hour which put me in a bit of a rush, but still all's well. So I quickly signed the plethora of paperwork and was on my way. Later I look at receipt and see this.

Not once did I ask for an additive. I told them I wanted 0-20 full synthetic per the manual.
Not once was I asked if I wanted an additive.

Back when I was younger I'd go back and raise holy hell, but I have to watch my blood pressure now and it isn't worth it. I will however leave a truthful review on google maps which I have learned over the years gets way better results from businesses.

Stealerships SUCK!

 

[zipn]

Big believer in doing my own oil changes. Current AutoZone deals include 5 qts CASTROL EDGE 0-20 full synthetic with premium oil filter for $36 and there's a $10 - off rebate going on too. Can't really beat that. I log my oil changes in the app, and of course keep the receipts, so not worried about warranty issues. AutoZone gets my used oil and filters for recycling.

Unfortunately car dealers rely on their service department for the easy profits. Pretty typical to see them add unnecessary charges. They LOVE getting you into their service bays! Less chance of that happening with EVs, but even with EV's they'll try to get you for fluid changes, wipers, brakes, damn near everything else.

Let the buyer beware.

 

[metroshot]

This was my Ford BEV 30K service - tire rotation, cabin filter, inspection, and warranty repair (free):

 

[cadblu]

One of my favorite dealer-based service add-ons is "shop supplies" BS: small consumables, i.e. shop towels, grease, disposable gloves, cleaning supplies, etc. Looks like the OP received the World Class multipoint inspection at no cost. Sadly, that doesn't include the $22 world class oil booster. Something tells me that the requested "coupon" automatically triggers the oil booster.

For those who remember, Seinfeld had an episode called "The Deal" where George is yelling that dealing with service is like chucking $20 bills off the Empire State building.

 

[OldGoat]

And lookout for the "wheel alignment"scam. Tire shops do it and so do dealership now. When I went in for oil change at my Honda dealer recently they tried to get me for it as well as other bogus services. Here are two links to view that will clue you in.

 

[zipn]

Clicked on the first video. Saw it was 20 minutes long to make some point that might take 30 seconds to explain. Not going to waste my time. Not you fault but damn I hate youtubers who are in love with their own crap.

 

[OldGoat]

I totally agree zipn. I always adjust speed to shorten them but even so I wish they had more bullet point presentation.

 

[E90400K]

I solve that problem easily. I buy tires from Tire Rack, ship the tires to my house, remove the wheels from my car and take the new tires and wheels to a tire shop and have the tires mounted and balanced.

Another reason to buy the Slate Truck (pickup version).

 

[bloo]

And lookout for the "wheel alignment" scam. Tire shops do it and so do dealership now. When I went in for oil change at my Honda dealer recently they tried to get me for it as well as other bogus services. Here are two links to view that will clue you in.

Um... Scotty is massive clickbait artist. He dispenses common sense like it's some sort of DaVinci code (that movie sucked, BTW).

 

[SparkYellow]

I understand the warranty concern for getting it done at the dealership. At 2.5K miles/mo, I am usually out of warranty in less than 3 years. I avoid dealerships because I fit the description of a naive customer. 🤷

For my daily driver, the first few oil changes were done at small indie shops and then all DIY. Oil samples are occasionally sent to BlackStone Labs for analysis. My latest used filter is going to get an autopsy by Pete on Youtube.

Don't mind wrenching, but it'd be nice to not have to. I expect Slate to make my life easier.

 

[SparkYellow]

I solve that problem easily. I buy tires from Tire Rack, ship the tires to my house, remove the wheels from my car and take the new tires and wheels to a tire shop and have the tires mounted and balanced.

Another reason to buy the Slate Truck (version).

Same here, I order from several online retailers to ship to my home or the shop, then I drive the car over for mounting/balancing. Two years ago my favorite tire shop told me after completing the job, that I could have checked with them first, that they could source the same cheap 😂 tires locally. By doing that, I could support local businesses. I was so sorry. 🤦

 

[Paul]

I got my first oil change and tire rotation 10 months ago at the dealership that sold me my Maverick Hybrid and they charged 150 bucks including full synthetic. Didn't like the price and I'd do it myself but I like to get the first oil changes at the dealer just in case the engine craps out so they don't have an excuse to deny warranty.

Today I went for my second oil change at a new dealer near me and they wanted 180 bucks. I balked and they immediately told me they'd look for a coupon and wound up taking 45 bucks off. All's well.
I needed to be somewhere soon so of course they took a full hour which put me in a bit of a rush, but still all's well. So I quickly signed the plethora of paperwork and was on my way. Later I look at receipt and see this.

Not once did I ask for an additive. I told them I wanted 0-20 full synthetic per the manual.
Not once was I asked if I wanted an additive.

Back when I was younger I'd go back and raise holy hell, but I have to watch my blood pressure now and it isn't worth it. I will however leave a truthful review on google maps which I have learned over the years gets way better results from businesses.

Stealerships SUCK!

$21.95 for an oil additive on top of expensive, full synthetic that's already packed with additives. For giggles, I would ask them what product they put in so at least they know you're thinking about what they're doing And see if they can come up with an answer. I can't really think of a Ford additive, So this would be their snake oil opinion If they actually put something in there. Next time tell them you don't want any non-OEM additives and and you could shoot an email to Ford asking if this dealership is violating your warranty with additives haha. Dealerships don't really make any money on selling vehicles and on cheap Mavericks, even less, so they hope to cash in on the " maintenance" Which aside from the oil isn't too bad on this truck. But I agree, The thought of just thinking about tires and then dealing with something when it breaks is an entire new experience after owning gasoline vehicles. You can also add that $180 to the cost of fuel for the ICE, an EV is generally cheaper than gas if you charge at home. My dealership in Manchester, Pennsylvania, doesn't do any of that and is pretty straight with repair costs and not jacking up orders for new vehicles They've been a Ford dealer for 90 years for a reason. There are good Ford dealers out there.

 

[E90400K]

$21.95 for an oil additive on top of expensive, full synthetic that's already packed with additives. For giggles, I would ask them what product they put in so at least they know you're thinking about what they're doing And see if they can come up with an answer. I can't really think of a Ford additive, So this would be their snake oil opinion If they actually put something in there. Next time tell them you don't want any non-OEM additives and and you could shoot an email to Ford asking if this dealership is violating your warranty with additives haha. Dealerships don't really make any money on selling vehicles and on cheap Mavericks, even less, so they hope to cash in on the " maintenance" Which aside from the oil isn't too bad on this truck. But I agree, The thought of just thinking about tires and then dealing with something when it breaks is an entire new experience after owning gasoline vehicles. You can also add that $180 to the cost of fuel for the ICE, an EV is generally cheaper than gas if you charge at home. My dealership in Manchester, Pennsylvania, doesn't do any of that and is pretty straight with repair costs and not jacking up orders for new vehicles They've been a Ford dealer for 90 years for a reason. There are good Ford dealers out there.

I had the same thought. I Googled and this came up.

My bet it was an aftermarket product, probably a BG oil treatment product.

A further search found Motorcraft XL-17 engine oil additive.

From my 2022 Bronco owners manual:

I'd be back at the dealership with a WTF and request for an extended warranty on the engine.

 

[Paul]

I had the same thought. I Googled and this came up.

My bet it was an aftermarket product, probably a BG oil treatment product.

A further search found Motorcraft XL-17 engine oil additive.

From my 2022 Bronco owners manual:

I'd be back at the dealership with a WTF and request for an extended warranty on the engine.

When you look up that Ford additive it says is specifically designed for Ford and Lincoln vehicles, often used in limited-slip differential applications to reduce noise and chatter, with a 2-year/unlimited-mile warranty. Or there is no record of it existing or it's a breakin oil Lol So I doubt it's that or if it is... It's more likely some $3 additive they buy by the case and then charge $21.50. But yeah I think you would have a case if the engine did fail and you had that language on the receipt that the dealer had been adding unapproved additives. They should just call it the "enhanced profit charge"

 

[Montauk]

I got my first oil change and tire rotation 10 months ago at the dealership that sold me my Maverick Hybrid and they charged 150 bucks including full synthetic. Didn't like the price and I'd do it myself but I like to get the first oil changes at the dealer just in case the engine craps out so they don't have an excuse to deny warranty.

Today I went for my second oil change at a new dealer near me and they wanted 180 bucks. I balked and they immediately told me they'd look for a coupon and wound up taking 45 bucks off. All's well.
I needed to be somewhere soon so of course they took a full hour which put me in a bit of a rush, but still all's well. So I quickly signed the plethora of paperwork and was on my way. Later I look at receipt and see this.

Not once did I ask for an additive. I told them I wanted 0-20 full synthetic per the manual.
Not once was I asked if I wanted an additive.

Back when I was younger I'd go back and raise holy hell, but I have to watch my blood pressure now and it isn't worth it. I will however leave a truthful review on google maps which I have learned over the years gets way better results from businesses.

Stealerships SUCK!

Yea I get that the dealership has to pay the mechanic and rent but jeeze.

It’s totally people’s choice to use their service dept but to have them sneak in an unauthorized bogus extra snake oil charge? Things like that reinforce the public’s perception that they are sleazy and not trustworthy. Is it a big leap to consider they may not actually change the filter? See how the slippery slope goes?