Nearest Mazda Dealer is 2 hours Away...How Big a Disadvantage?

[finch204]

So, you use your own oil and still go to the dealer for service?

Why are people so content on service at the dealer for 2-3x the cost? Especially on oil changes that anyone could do...

Edit: Yes I use my own oil because I prefer to use Penzoil Platinum which the dealership doesnt' stock.

I can do the oil changes, but I will not know what to check for in the full circle service inspection that they do. I can rotate the tires but I would not know how to check the brake system. I also don't know what, where to lubricate the locks/hinges that are called for in the manual. I also won't know if there is anything wrong in the suspension just by looking at it, even worse I can't look at the bottom of the car since I don't have a lift at home. Two weeks ago my Speed3 was serviced at the dealer and they said the drive/serpentine belt needs to be replaced soon. I never would have known that just by looking at it. I'm pretty good at maintaining computers, but I admit to not being knowledgeable enough to maintain cars. For that, I leave it to the folks who studied for their profession. Do they get it wrong sometimes? Yes. And when they do, I make sure their service manager knows about it. In return, the service manager makes it up to me through whatever means necessary to keep me as their customer. I also get to spend time with my kid while they are working on my car. So far, this has worked out for me, but I'm sure not everyone will share the same experience.

 

[finch204]

Is it cheaper if you bring your own oil, or do they still charge the same price?

It is cheaper only if the oil you buy/bring is cheaper than the oil the dealership charges on their oil changes. Chances are, if you are buying your own oil, it is a better quality and more expensive one than what the dealership uses. So if you add the total cost of the service cost plus buying your oil, it most likely won't really be cheaper.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

$79? Jebus!! I pay $22.95 and that includes tire rotation.

You get a full synthetic oil change with tire rotation for $23? And where do you get it?

 

[madar]

Edit: Yes I use my own oil because I prefer to use Penzoil Platinum which the dealership doesnt' stock.

I can do the oil changes, but I will not know what to check for in the full circle service inspection that they do. I can rotate the tires but I would not know how to check the brake system. I also don't know what, where to lubricate the locks/hinges that are called for in the manual. I also won't know if there is anything wrong in the suspension just by looking at it, even worse I can't look at the bottom of the car since I don't have a lift at home. Two weeks ago my Speed3 was serviced at the dealer and they said the drive/serpentine belt needs to be replaced soon. I never would have known that just by looking at it. I'm pretty good at maintaining computers, but I admit to not being knowledgeable enough to maintain cars. For that, I leave it to the folks who studied for their profession. Do they get it wrong sometimes? Yes. And when they do, I make sure their service manager knows about it. In return, the service manager makes it up to me through whatever means necessary to keep me as their customer. I also get to spend time with my kid while they are working on my car. So far, this has worked out for me, but I'm sure not everyone will share the same experience.

Hey, whatever works for you. Some people are all about the best bang for the buck, and that's ok. If you're comfortable with your routine, all the more power to you. I like doing my own oil changes, I like to get under there for myself and see what's what, but I have no problem going to the dealer and paying money for a simple tire rotation just so they can take a peek under there and give me a great big thumbs up.

 

[NelsonLewis]

Edit: Yes I use my own oil because I prefer to use Penzoil Platinum which the dealership doesnt' stock.

I can do the oil changes, but I will not know what to check for in the full circle service inspection that they do. I can rotate the tires but I would not know how to check the brake system. I also don't know what, where to lubricate the locks/hinges that are called for in the manual. I also won't know if there is anything wrong in the suspension just by looking at it, even worse I can't look at the bottom of the car since I don't have a lift at home. Two weeks ago my Speed3 was serviced at the dealer and they said the drive/serpentine belt needs to be replaced soon. I never would have known that just by looking at it. I'm pretty good at maintaining computers, but I admit to not being knowledgeable enough to maintain cars. For that, I leave it to the folks who studied for their profession. Do they get it wrong sometimes? Yes. And when they do, I make sure their service manager knows about it. In return, the service manager makes it up to me through whatever means necessary to keep me as their customer. I also get to spend time with my kid while they are working on my car. So far, this has worked out for me, but I'm sure not everyone will share the same experience.

I hear ya. Too bad they're most likely telling you they're checking everything, and they're not, until they're ready for that upsale (to you, prob less infrequent, to the old lady, every service). I love spending time with my daughter too, and it will be spent showing her common car maintenance when she becomes of age. Like stated, the worst mechanics (both character and skill wise) I've ever encountered worked at dealerships.

 

[madar]

You get a full synthetic oil change with tire rotation for $23? And where do you get it?

Yeah, and what brand oil are they using??

 

[NelsonLewis]

You get a full synthetic oil change with tire rotation for $23? And where do you get it?

I have about $45 in it total when all said an done. He gives me credit for bringing my own filter and oil, and charges me $15 for labor.

 

[finch204]

Hey, whatever works for you. Some people are all about the best bang for the buck, and that's ok. If you're comfortable with your routine, all the more power to you. I like doing my own oil changes, I like to get under there for myself and see what's what, but I have no problem going to the dealer and paying money for a simple tire rotation just so they can take a peek under there and give me a great big thumbs up.

Totally understand the bang for the buck mentality and if you can do your own oil changes, it will definitely save you money. For me it's all about where my expertise is. I will never take a computer to Best Buy to get it fixed, because I know I can fix it. But maintaining a vehicle is just something I am not knowledgeable with it.

 

[NelsonLewis]

Yeah, and what brand oil are they using??

Mazda Moly or whatever I show up with...

 

[7eregrine]

I went to the dealer Friday. $49 for an oil change. I don't consider that expensive.

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[madar]

I hear ya. Too bad they're most likely telling you they're checking everything, and they're not, until they're ready for that upsale (to you, prob less infrequent, to the old lady, every service). I love spending time with my daughter too, and it will be spent showing her common car maintenance when she becomes of age. Like stated, the worst mechanics (both character and skill wise) I've ever encountered worked at dealerships.

I don't know how long you've owned a cx5, but I always wondered how you could have your car in there for say 45 minutes, and get it back with the piece of paper for the full circle service saying they checked the trans fluid? How do they manage to get that bottom cover off, unbolt the dipstick, check to make sure the vehicle is at the required 122 degrees, do everything else they're suppose to do and button everything up in such a small small time frame? Must be a time warp or something.

 

[NelsonLewis]

I went to the dealer Friday. $49 for an oil change. I don't consider that expensive.

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It's not bad. But, with AWD, I need tire rotation too. And, that old lady will need an air filter and possibly a cabin filter too. I sure hope her flux capacitor is functioning properly...

 

[finch204]

I have no doubt that there are service departments that do this. That's why it also pays to know about cars even if you don't have the mechanical skills to maintain them. For instance, a new service advisor tried to get me to change the cabin air filter at like 15,000 miles. I usually replace them per the manual, at 25,000 miles, so I just flat out said no. They can try to sell you more service work, you can always say no.

I also agree that there are some bad mechanics working at dealerships. One Ford mechanic forgot to put the oil cap back on after an oil change on my Dad's car. Needless to say, we've never visited that dealership ever again. You live, you learn, you move on.

At the dealership I go to, I don't know if they had a new mechanic or what, but I got new tires that were supposed to be installed and all the mechanic did was rotate my tires and do an alignment. I know enough to check if my new tires were installed. The service advisor was appalled, the service manager was furious LOL. It was closing time for them too on a Saturday, but the service manager made sure all the mechanics stayed and completed the work on my car. He had 4-5 guys working on my car then. I also got a free alignment from them that I could use whenever I want to. They did waste a little of my time then but I thought it was hilarious and in the end I got an alignment for free, and some cookies delivered home a few days after. So this worked out for me, but I'm sure not everyone has the same experience.

 

[finch204]

It's not bad. But, with AWD, I need tire rotation too. And, that old lady will need an air filter and possibly a cabin filter too. I sure hope her flux capacitor is functioning properly...

This is the old lady's fault for not knowing any better. Would you trust her to change oil on her car though? She probably can't even get under her car.

 

[dyingquail]

This is Mazda's biggest problem, not enough dealers. I don't mind buying a car from out of town but having to take one out of town for warranty repairs sucks. 50 miles is too far without a dealer and I have to admit that I wouldn't do it.

When I bought my car it was from out of town, 50 miles away. A week after buying it I get a call that the car needs to be checked. I forget the specifics of it but it basically required them to take the engine apart. I called Mazda, got their support people on line and took it to the local dealer (I had tried to buy the car from them bu they didn't have it in stock), who took care of it. I was beyond pissed because they knew about the problem when they sold it and screwed it up.

This went along with 3 other pretty major problems: they messed up the paperwork, had to drive to me to finish it, they owed me some cash on the deal, took a month to write the check, and they tried to not honor the email deal they'd made with me when I bought the car.

Anyways, nothing you can once you've bought it. You don't need to go to the dealer for service, so it's only warranty work. Unfortunately, in my case, there was one major recall, the rest were more minor and fixed in a couple of hours.

 

[madar]

A service department is only as good as its worst mechanic. You can have a garage full of first rate guys, but if you get that one guy that screws up your visit, you're not likely to go back.

 

[NelsonLewis]

This is the old lady's fault for not knowing any better. Would you trust her to change oil on her car though? She probably can't even get under her car.

What's not being able to do the service on your own have anything to do with it. Absolutely nada.

I guess with that mentality it's an owner's fault that a low life thief broke into their car bc the window was left crack.

 

[bigtex]

I hear ya. Too bad they're most likely telling you they're checking everything, and they're not, until they're ready for that upsale (to you, prob less infrequent, to the old lady, every service). I love spending time with my daughter too, and it will be spent showing her common car maintenance when she becomes of age. Like stated, the worst mechanics (both character and skill wise) I've ever encountered worked at dealerships.

I agree. I worked my way through high school and college in different shops. They all usually have 1 or 2 guys who really know what they are doing or they can't really run a business. The problem is, these are not the guys that are going to be doing oil changes, rotations, brake jobs, etc. You will have your newest and lowest paid people doing these simple tasks and they screw it up. Use the wrong oil type for a vehicle, all the time. Crank down on the lug nuts where there is no way you could get them off on the side of the road, a lot. Leave the lug nuts too loose, that too. Overtighten or undertighten drain plug, yes. Top off radiator with wrong spec coolant, yes. Put brake fluid in power steering reservoir or vice versa, yes. Leave a small dent somewhere and never mention it, sure. And this list goes on and on.

I know some people have no choice, but after seeing what can and does happen, there is no way I would let a dealer or a quick lube place touch my car if at all possible. Indy shops are different and usually the guy who knows what he is doing will be working on your car or at least supervising very closely.

 

[finch204]

What's not being able to do the service on your own have anything to do with it. Absolutely nada.

I guess with that mentality it's an owner's fault that a low life thief broke into their car bc the window was left crack.

What do you mean it has nothing to do with it? She was at the dealership because she could not change the oil on her own car. Since she's at the dealership, she is now subject to the shady service department tactics. She should know better that she shouldn't just follow whatever they say. This is where knowing about cars can help her. Otherwise she's at the mercy of the service advisor.

A thief will be a thief. That said, we shouldn't make it easy for them or give them any incentive to break into a car. That means windows up and hide your belongings. If you need to leave something important, then put it in the trunk or out of sight. Best option is to park someplace safer though.


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[piotrek91]

I don't know how long you've owned a cx5, but I always wondered how you could have your car in there for say 45 minutes, and get it back with the piece of paper for the full circle service saying they checked the trans fluid? How do they manage to get that bottom cover off, unbolt the dipstick, check to make sure the vehicle is at the required 122 degrees, do everything else they're suppose to do and button everything up in such a small small time frame? Must be a time warp or something.

My favorite recent experience with the dealer was that my rear brake pads expanded.
A previous service measured them at 6mm at 47500mi but at 58,000 miles they grew to 8mm

I bet now at 67,500 they are up to 10mm!

On my old protege 5 I got a free light bulb change because the dealer marked on the "full circle" report that they checked the operation of my headlights when 1 of the bulbs was burnt out.