Got my first oil change done.

[robd53]

So guys,

My wife has put 2600 miles on our Sonic so far, and I decided to get the first oil change done. I figured taking it in to the dealer would be best / easiest plus it had to go in for the horn (stopped working).

So they fixed the horn, I guess it wasn't plugged in all the way. Changed the oil too.

So driving home from the dealer (YES, an authorized GM dealer), the check engine light comes on. Ughh... now what? Well it was the weekend so I wouldn't be able to call them until Monday morning. Called today, setup appointment for tomorrow, no problem.

They forgot to reset the oil life monitor, no big deal I guess, I did it myself. So tonight we drive the car and its smoking under the hood / stinking like burning oil. I open the hood, and there's oil everywhere, with the oil cap cross threaded. WTF?!

I grabbed my code reader from a friend who had borrowed it and checked codes - PO171. Here's a pretty good read on that code:
1.4L and 1.8L Engine Oil Dipstick and Oil Fill Cap Installation - GM Techlink

Is this the standard for dealer service departments nowadays? I'm supposed to trust them with anything when they can't even do an oil change? I mean I know people make mistakes but that's a bit ridiculous. Already went to the car wash and hosed off all the oil from under the hood. :blankface:

//rant

Moral of the story - do your own oil change.

 

[oldertech]

Moral of the story - do your own oil change.

Moral of this story - do your own oil change AND check that the cap in on properly! Good thing to keep an eye on!

 

[robd53]

Here's a couple night - iPhone pics of the mess. This is after I put the oil cap on correctly. Not that it matters, but it was rotated the other way so that you could read it from the back of the engine not the front.

Check out the work order too, looks like a 2nd grader filled it out.

 

[Sonic]

That's quality work right there.

 

[Papasonic]

I did the first oil changes on both of our Sonics last evening. I used AC Delco filters, and Mobil 1 5W-30 extended performance Dexos 1 certified oil.
They both have about 1500 miles on them, and I wanted to get the initial fill replaced. The 1.8 engine is the easier to change oil on; the belly cover doesn't need to come off, and the filter is easier to access. The 1.4 engine requires the belly cover to be removed, and to make the filter access easier, the charge air tube that goes to the throttle body, needs to be disconnected and pushed aside. I used Rhino ramps to elevate the cars for working clearance. I reset the oil life monitors, and checked for leaks.

If this is something you wish to DIY, be sure to log your service, and keep your receipts, just in case!

Papasonic

 

[wingman]

That sucks! Thats why I do mine myself. So I can kick myself in the ass if something like that happens. Looks like someones getting a free motor detail.

 

[robd53]

Maybe I was too harsh in my first post, I know people make mistakes, we're human.

If I do my own oil change does that void the warranty or anything? Honestly that's the only reason I had them to the oil change - this is the first car I've ever had with a warranty.

 

[oldertech]

Can't imagine that an oil change would be needed at the dealership to validate the warranty. The ONLY good thing about doing it that way is if its a good dealership, and there is a service bulletin, or computer flash to be done, it will come up on their system and get done.

Since the oil life indicator seems to run these cars to about 10,000 miles before a service, just wondering why you had it done early? I know some on here wanted to do the first one early to ensure there were no metal nasties left from production. I remember seeing filings in my first Cobalt's oil change.

 

[robd53]

It was the first change, I wanted to do it at 1500 miles or so. People can argue it either way I guess, but like you said there is a chance of some metal filings being in there from the break-in process.

I know that GM's oil life monitor systems are very complex and actually work quite well. Our oil life was 77% when I got it changed, and that was with 2600 miles on it. I plan on doing it every 5,000 miles. They put a sticker on the windshield to bring it back in 6,000 miles.

 

[Papasonic]

I have asked numerous staff at different GM dealers about warranty issues concerning DIY maintenance, and all agree that if what you do is documented by what, when, and which products were used, that I would never have warranty denied because of DIY maintenance. Anytime I've had a dealer change my oil, they usually don't take the time to let the oil finish draining, then they either put too much, or too little oil in the engine.

I did my oil changes early because of concerns of manufacturing residue inside a new engine, and not knowing what the original fill actually was. Also, in the case of my hatch, it was manufactured in Aug. 8, 2011, so the oil was more than 6 months old already. I will now use the oil life monitor as a guide, but I will also keep watch of the oils level, and obvious signs of contamination in determining when a change is needed. Oil is very inexpensive relative to compromising the service life of an engine.

We must remember that the auto manufacturers are in the business of selling cars, and are not neccesarily concerned about their longevity.

 

[acwdjon]

The dealership did the same thing to mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes folks!!!! If only I would.ve thought to take pictures. I drove home and popped the hood to check everything (always paranoid about letting proffessionals do anything of course). I found my oil cap half off and oil alllllllllllllllll kind of spilled on the skid plate. And I didn't have all the warnings and stuff, I could've crusied around with that mess for weeks. This dealership is also "GM Certified" and they are proud that they are the only one in the county. Never again. I changed it myself this past time and I couldn't even make a mess that big and I was trying to!!!

 

[oldertech]

If the dealer had messed up my oil cap and the engine had been sprayed, I'd march back to he dealer and demand a steam clean detail like new to be done on it. GM needs to know their oil caps are not the best.

 

[acwdjon]

If the dealer had messed up my oil cap and the engine had been sprayed, I'd march back to he dealer and demand a steam clean detail like new to be done on it. GM needs to know their oil caps are not the best.

Ooooh I know I wanted too. I was tooo ticked to be near them. Actually, the oil cap isnt bad atleast to me. But then I am comparing to an old Dodge and an Astro van.

 

[SonicBoy24]

I'm planning on having my first oil change done at the dealer because they gave me a free one when I bought the car, but I always change my own oil.

After reading this thread I'm kind of hesitant...

 

[sonicR]

Same here but a little different. My first change I took it in for an on star issue and oil change. Thry fixed the on star prob and sign off on the oil job. Two days later I checked my oil brothers( dont trust nobody) the oil was dirty snd below the dip stick filler line. Long story short Chevy dealers suck and fir now on double check everythang!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ubryaj]

I was also given a free first oil change. Not happening. I'd rather do it myself and guarantee it's done right.

 

[acwdjon]

Mine was also free. And that was the ONLY reason I let them touch it. Lesson learned.

 

[Machine]

You guys must have some **** dealerships in your area. Cuz I know that this sort of crap would not fly at all where I work. The lube-techs wouldn't last 5mins if stuff like that rolled out the door.

 

[sonicR]

Love the car, hate the dealerships. We pay too much money for bulls#!?. Like that. Something got to give. how can they get away with all this deceptions. Service, parts whats next warranties?

 

[acwdjon]

It is so sad. In their defence, they were able to program my car for the fog lights to work. Heaven knows I would've never let them rip my bumper off but they managed to handle programming something.