Amateur hour at Calgary Chrysler service departments - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Boblobla · 05-25-2009, 11:59 AM

UGH.

So I bought a new truck from Crowfoot Dodge in August. I live in Ranchlands but I work in Sundance so if I need an oil change Tower Chrysler is more convenient. Let me start off by saying I know SFA about vehicles.

I had my 10,000km oil change performed at Tower. I just had to take my truck into Crowfoot Dodge as I noticed an oil leak had started and they were able to fit me in on my day off.

I was informed that the leak was caused by the oil filter not being tightened correctly. I was charged $40 for an engine shampoo to ensure this was the source of the leak. Needless to say I am a little choked at this point but I understand that dealerships are franchised so they can't comp a service because another dealership effed up. It would have been nice of them to do but from what I have learned about dealerships so far is that 'nice' is pretty rare. I have contacted Tower and asked them WTF??!?? and told them I would like to be reimbursed for the cost of the shampoo.

So I pick up my truck and take it home. Later that day I am going out to pick up the Mrs from work and I notice THAT MY FREAKING HOOD ISN'T CLOSED PROPERLY. It was only being held closed by the latch...

This is my first new vehicle. Is there any reason for me to have to go to a Chrysler dealership to regular maintenance?

There is a shop near me that I used to go to all the time with my old car but I am moving to Lake Chaparral in the summer, anyone have any shop recommendations in the deep south?

Shazam · 05-25-2009, 12:01 PM

Engine shampoo. And $40 for it. Oh man, that takes the cake.

ken0042 · 05-25-2009, 12:37 PM

If we've learned nothing else from the Mr Lube comercials, no you do not have to take it to the dealer for oil changes. But I would make sure you keep receipts in case you do have an engine problem down the road.

Barnes · 05-25-2009, 12:37 PM

My wife took our Liberty into the Chrysler dealership in the NE. There was two recalls that needed to be done and the front diff was leaking a bit. To fix it myself I would have needed about an hour in the driveway or $90 at the the Mr Lube.

They recommended a driveline service so I said sure, saved me an hour. They charged $230 labour.

I pooped myself. I can't wait until the lease is up in September. First and last DC product.

Ironhorse · 05-25-2009, 12:45 PM

You don't have to take your vehicle to the dealership for oil changes; you just have to get them done regularly.

Having said that, I have seen just as many (if not more) improperly tightened oil filters and stripped drain plugs from the high school kids at Mr.Lube as from a dealership. Pricewise, I think my Ford dealer charges us a whole $4 more for an oil change than Mr.Lube...

I-Hate-Hulse · 05-25-2009, 12:47 PM

The shampoo was over the top definately, but if all they forgot to do was not slam the hood properly, I'd say that's not bad enough that I'd ditch the dealership. Far more incompetence and ineptitude await you at other dealers.

If you want to absolutely stay onside your warranty, if you do go to a Jiffy Lube type of place, you may want to get OEM oil filters from your dealers parts counter and keep the receipt. Some OEM filters have unique traits that could potentially trip up a warranty claim. Like my Subaru for starters - it has a bypass that activates at 23 psi, which I gather is higher than your normal filter.

SportsJunky · 05-25-2009, 12:48 PM

Were the truck balls OEM or did you have to get those yourself. =)

Boblobla · 05-25-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Were the truck balls OEM or did you have to get those yourself. =)

Those were DIY :P

They recently fell off though (I suspect they were removed) and I need to find a better attachment method. I have made sure that I listen to my music really really loud though in the absence of my balls to ensure adequate offensiveness is coming from my truck.

I also got a tattoo on my forehead.

CRXguy · 05-25-2009, 12:57 PM

I take my cars, both import and domestic, to Option Import. They're in the strip mall at Macleod Trail and 46th ave SW.

Been going there since they opened and I'm impressed everytime.

Boblobla · 05-25-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

The shampoo was over the top definately, but if all they forgot to do was not slam the hood properly, I'd say that's not bad enough that I'd ditch the dealership. Far more incompetence and ineptitude await you at other dealers.

If you want to absolutely stay onside your warranty, if you do go to a Jiffy Lube type of place, you may want to get OEM oil filters from your dealers parts counter and keep the receipt. Some OEM filters have unique traits that could potentially trip up a warranty claim. Like my Subaru for starters - it has a bypass that activates at 23 psi, which I gather is higher than your normal filter.

I just thought it was funny/annoying that they service rep I was dealing with told me it was a pretty dumb of tower Chrysler (I am paraphrasing, i can't remember exactly how he worded it) to screw up the oil filter and then they forget to close my hood.

burn_this_city · 05-25-2009, 01:05 PM

The rubber gasket probably got stuck to the block when they removed the old filter. When they put the new one on it likely pinched the old gasket but seemed tight to the tech. I find when dealing with dealers you almost need a friend working there to get decent service. Make sure to fill out those questionaires that Chrysler sends out as a follow up to your service. I know if you hard mark the GM ones the dealer always phones to see what they can do to make you happy.

MelBridgeman · 05-25-2009, 02:39 PM

You live in Ranchlands and work in sundance, that's insane!

Traditional_Ale · 05-25-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

You live in Ranchlands and work in sundance, that's insane!

^ Are the two kids in your sig singing "I'm On a Boat?"

4X4 · 05-25-2009, 03:22 PM

I boycott Tower Chrysler because of some stupid radio commercials they used to have. I can't remember them very well, something like a kid talking or something. But I remember hating that ad campaign so much that I vowed never to buy anything from Tower. I know. I'm petty.

Shazam · 05-25-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

You don't have to take your vehicle to the dealership for oil changes; you just have to get them done regularly.

Having said that, I have seen just as many (if not more) improperly tightened oil filters and stripped drain plugs from the high school kids at Mr.Lube as from a dealership. Pricewise, I think my Ford dealer charges us a whole $4 more for an oil change than Mr.Lube...

At least at the Mr. Lube places you start your car and they show you the dipstick with oil on.

You know, I really like Ford's service. They have a huge chart with prices for most of their major services. That makes it about a zillion times easier to compare prices. There seems to a sort of stigma attached to them still, but I find their service and even sales guys to be totally honest and competent. Beats the poopheads I've dealt with at Honda dealerships.

Barnes · 05-25-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

The rubber gasket probably got stuck to the block when they removed the old filter. When they put the new one on it likely pinched the old gasket but seemed tight to the tech. I find when dealing with dealers you almost need a friend working there to get decent service. Make sure to fill out those questionaires that Chrysler sends out as a follow up to your service. I know if you hard mark the GM ones the dealer always phones to see what they can do to make you happy.

This is a mistake you only make once and then you damn well should be looking for the gasket on the old filter everytime. Any tech should know this.

When I did it the one and only time, it sprayed oil out like some sort of crazed oil pressure washer.

jammies · 05-25-2009, 05:19 PM

I had a dealership swap my winter for summer tires and forget to inflate one, and then DRIVE IT OUT FRONT FOR ME TO PICK UP.

Ok, I can see maybe being an idiot and not noticing the front-side passenger tire has no air. But how do you not notice the car shimmying like a m'fer while you're actually in it and driving it?

Flash Walken · 05-25-2009, 05:30 PM

If their workmanship is so poor they don't notice an oil gasket (which, by the way, is absurdly noticeable), why would you ever trust them with your breaks?

I would go to Mr. Lube. Once you develop a relationship with the upper techs, you would be amazed and what you can get. And if you stop by after your oil change to talk to the manager about how great your service was, you may be surprised at the gratuities they may send your way.

Mr. Lube really is worth it for your checkup.

Good service, free coffee, paper, garbage bag for your car, wiper fluid top up, and upper and lower inspection all in a bout 20 minutes for cheaper than the dealer?

No brainer in my opinion.

killer_carlson · 05-25-2009, 06:29 PM

the nice thing about going back to your dealership with a new car is if you spend the extra 30 bucks and get a 100 point inspection each time you change your oil, you catch way more stuff that will be covered by the warranty than if you wait to notice something yourself.

Just my 2 cents.

Boblobla · 05-25-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

the nice thing about going back to your dealership with a new car is if you spend the extra 30 bucks and get a 100 point inspection each time you change your oil, you catch way more stuff that will be covered by the warranty than if you wait to notice something yourself.

Just my 2 cents.

Yeah, but if my hood isn't closed and my filter is leaking WTF are the going to catch in the 100 points?