$500+ 15k Miles service - drove from TN to CA to get ripped off!

[mostWnted]

Bummed to hear you had a bad experience. I had a good experience with this dealer for service most recently. Per online reviews they are the best-rated Ford Service department in the area. Online reviews are often manipulated, so who knows.

I did have bad experiences there before too. For my prior '24 Mustang they basically turned me away when I had clear issues including a coolant leak and known axle defect (SSM 52444). They wouldn't provide a loaner and said I had to leave it for 2 weeks for their specialist to look at it, and that people just ask for loaners to scam the system and get a free SUV for the weekend. This was on my 2nd attempt with them, after scheduling an appt a month ahead of time, for 8am on a Monday morning--not exactly weekend trip time!

My honest assessment is: ALL dealers are "less than ideal" shall we say (don't want to offend all the dealer employees on this forum). The auto industry is just set up this way. Most car-related experiences are about gouging the customer, exploiting people, very anti-consumer. I had a good experience with them most recently, but for every 1 customer they treat fairly, they probably have to scam 5 to make up for it.

I love cars but hate the car industry ecosystem.

That’s why I came into their dealership because of the reviews I saw. Unfortunately, this very expensive experience is an eye opener. If I ever do come back to them for anything, I’d be very specific on what I want. Before I left they quoted the basic oil change as $180. Still more expensive than the TN rate, but is this reasonable for CA? I know it’s easy enough to DIY but I live in an apartment complex and don’t have the necessary equipment to deal with this rn. Plus disposing of the used oil.

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[mostWnted]

That was a painful lesson that you won't repeat! I hope you exact some benefit down the road! Glenn

Expensive and painful! Could have used the money for something else

 

[Skye]

Before I left they quoted the basic oil change as $180. Still more expensive than the TN rate, but is this reasonable for CA?

For a 10-quart, CA dealer oil change, that is about right.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/what’s-your-ford-dealership-charging-for-an-oil-change.201134/

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Before I left they quoted the basic oil change as $180. Still more expensive than the TN rate, but is this reasonable for CA?

No, it's not! $180 for a basic oil charge is ridiculous. For that price you should at least get full synthetic. Certian things are more expensive in California. Oil changes aren't one of them. Dealers however can charge what ever they want. Go find another dealer. That place is a ripoff!

 

[glenng6]

No, it's not! $180 for a basic oil charge is ridiculous. For that price you should at least get full synthetic. Certian things are more expensive in California. Oil changes aren't one of them. Dealers however can charge what ever they want. Go find another dealer. That place is a ripoff!

Wow! I can't imagine paying that much! I bought a package of 5 full synthetic oil changes from my local gas station for $446.77. That is $89.35 for each oil change. Glenn

 

[mostWnted]

Wow! I can't imagine paying that much! I bought a package of 5 full synthetic oil changes from my local gas station for $446.77. That is $89.35 for each oil change. Glenn

Neither did I for an oil change 🥲

 

[Skye]

Curious, I did a random sampling of Ford Dealers. My process was completely unscientific. I was looking for advertised pricing, coupons and details for oil changes.

Because of the differences in models, engines and requirements, many dealers would not list pricing. I can understand that. For those that did, it was often through coupons and sales.

Galpin Ford, CA, $160. The price was for a diesel engine oil change, up to six quarts. No other services. I did look at five or six other CA dealers (LA, Santa Barbara, Sacramento). None currently had costs or coupons listed for a traditional, gasoline engine, oil change.

https://www.galpinford.com/service-specials/

The note on six quarts was common, regardless of engine type.

Joe Myers Ford in Texas is offering an oil change (six quarts), tire rotation and air filter replacement, for $109.

https://www.joemyersford.com/service/coupons.htm

^ This is a deal on offer from Apr to Oct. The offer does not list the type of oil used, be it Blend or Synthetic.

Brandon Ford, FL, $120. This is for an oil change and inspection, Full Synthetic.

https://www.brandonford.com/service-specials/

My interpretation of the offer is it is for 5 quarts, with "additional oil priced per quart." Routine checks are included. No tire rotation or other maintenance.

Questions worth asking, whomever you go to:

1. How much oil is included at that price? Most notices/coupons seen for service included six quarts.

2. What type of oil is included at that price? Dealers typically offer Motorcraft Blend as the default. The one did offer synthetic.

3. Dealers often advertise a "works" service, which includes a tire rotation, fluid check/top off and system checks. If you want an oil and filter change only, how much is that?

Setting the dealer aside, it is not required (in the US) to have the dealer do anything to maintain the warranty. All one needs is follow the maintenance schedule, document the work performed and use materials that meet or exceed the specification.

Local car shows will bring out several people who love their cars, but have someone else do the maintenance. These meets might be good for sourcing referrals to local shops, where like-minded enthusiasts do the maintenance; it's an additional option when dealers are either too expensive or untrustworthy.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I had decided to go with Motorcraft synthetic for all future oil changes. Problem is they only come in 1 qt. Bottles. Each one can be between $10 -$15 depending on where you get it. So just the oil alone for my car will be over $100.

I could get 5 qt. Jugs of Mobil 1 for only $25 each and save $50 just on oil. But I decided to stay with Motorcraft full synth.

Screw it……What’s $50 these days….one stop at the gas station?

 

[robvas]

Nothing wrong with MC but I would only buy it if I was spending ford pass points

get the same protection and save a ton of money with Supertech or Costco synthetic, or save a bunch of money and go with M1/Castrol

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I have a theory that using the Motorcraft oil has the additives that might prevent the valve ticking many complain about.

Just a theory….

 

[robvas]

I have a theory that using the Motorcraft oil has the additives that might prevent the valve ticking many complain about.

Just a theory….

Plenty of MC users report they have the tick

 

[Starship Enterprise]

Plenty of MC users report they have the tick

Welp....there goes that theory...lol

I'll see myself out....

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I have a theory that using the Motorcraft oil has the additives that might prevent the valve ticking many complain about.

Just a theory….

Coyotes never had valve tick. The "typewriter" or "BBQ" comes from the bottom end. Coyotes do have noisey injectors, but that doesn't have anything to do with engine oil.

3rd gen Coyotes had plastic (or composite) oil pans which provided less sound deadening, and made it easier to hear. Gen 4 Coyotes went back to metal pans. Not a coincidence IMO.

Regardless, I did hear rumors that some dealers used an additive to help quite the tick on 2018-2021 cars, but that was never proven. Most people just use Ceratec themselves after a change. In 2022, Ford changed oil weight to 5w-30 to help combat noise. But plenty of people still complained with MC oil.

Like I said before, dealers have the leeway to charge what ever they want to for oil changes. Thats how they make their money. So I'm sure that is all there is to it.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

Ryan, Thank for clarifying!

 

[Frogdog1]

I buy my PUP and filter from Amazon, take it to my dealer and they change it with a very good tech, let me watch him do it, for $35. I'll pay $35 not to crawl under my car and say a few curse words any day.

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