thompstl1

Two months ago I had my oil changed at one of the larger dealerships in the area (Tomball, Tx.). It didn't' go well as the service tech tried to tell me they didn't use Mobil 1, they used Dexos oil and that Dexos was what was installed at the factory. We finally got that straight (or did we really?) and on my way home a wrench fell out from under my car.

Here I am two months later and changing my own oil (for obvious reasons) and I find the dealership installed a PF48 filter rather than the PF64. The PF48's internal bypass pressure is significantly lower than the PF64's and there are even dealership bulletins available (if the dealership cared to read them) explaining why the PF 48 is NOT a substitute for the PF64.

It's beyond frustrating to me that we can't even (with confidence) count on our dealerships being even minimally competent for a simple oil change 100% of the time.

KenHorse

I thought Mobil 1 *IS* "Dexos oil" (Dexos is a certification not an actual oil)

Steve Garrett

Sorry to hear, Tommy. Is there no other Chevy dealership close?

Vet Interested

gliot1

Mobil 1 is a Dexos oil but there are many other brands. Dexos as said above is an SAE certificatiion. It is illegal to require a certain brand of oil in any car as long as the oil meets cert. GM "reccommends" Mobil 1 per agreement with Mobil, but cannot void warranty or make you use it. Likewise your dealer can use any Dexos oil of the proper weight. Your dealer was not out of line. Likewise you could request Mobil 1 but they may charge you more. Leaving a wrench underhood.....I wont pass judgement as I have done it as well. I think on this whole thing you are overeacting a bit frankly.

LarryFL

The "Tomball, Tx." kind of narrows it down. However, his incrimination is against all dealers, so it doesn't really matter which one in this particular case.

Gary barnes 1098

thompstl1

Parkway Chevrolet in Tomball, Tx.

thompstl1

You read the part about installing the wrong filter right? The WRONG filter! An OReilley's worker on his first day on the job can give you the proper filter for our cars.

thompstl1

There is a dealer close by, but I went to the larger dealer about 30 minutes away hoping they'd have more experience with Corvettes. Apparently, I was wrong.

Perf n Restore

Best advice is to ask ANY dealer:
"Specificially, what type, brand, weight oil are you going to use?"
"What oil filter are you going to install?"
Then YOU make your decision if you want to use that dealer.

MikeERWNC

The oil filter did not harm anything. The car will be OK.

thompstl1

Mike,
I get your point and don't disagree with your assessment. The fact is though, I don't know what the wrong filter does and I shouldn't have to be worried about it.

Vet Interested

Avanti

Welcome to reality, such as it is, but most importantly, you seemed to have learned your lesson! Some never do.

lakemg

Exactly why I never used my free oil changes. I'll do it myself and have comfort knowing that it was done correctly. It's also therapeutic to spend some quality time with 'er.

dmaxx3500

sorry,but,you guys get so wacked-out about the oil in your cars,,

I don't even see a real diff in the filters [just never use a fram-cardboard filter]

just drive the damned car,keep all records,and its under warranty

thompstl1

So you read the part about the dealership installing the wrong filter, right? You're of the opinion that's nothing at all to concerned with... Geez, do you work at a Chevrolet dealership?

lakemg

When it happens to you, you will think otherwise.

Dave80C3

Wow, you would think they would know the brand and weight of Dexos 2 they are using. Chevy, specifically authorizes and reimburses the dealership for the use of Mobil 1.

That is unlivable they could not select the right filter. That one has way to low a by-pass pressure, which means on a LT1 at high rpm, the oil is not being filtered.

True on the dealer can use any approved Dexos approved oil of the proper weight ratings. That said the manual recommends Mobil 1 and 99% of the dealers know that. I would be if they are not using Mobil 1, they are still submitting the paper work to GM to be reimbursed for it. They can not charge more for Mobil one, and this has been brought up many times. GM will and does remimburse for the use of mobil 1. Heck, my dealer even went so far as to use the new Dexos 2 Mobil 1 0-40 for me. Right now the 19 cars call for that weight and I believe Mobil 1 is about the only one with it.

Installing the wrong oil filter is completely out of line when there are service bulletins saying not to use that filter. Show pure lack of care, and lack of knowledge. As for leaving a wrench, again, out of line and incompetence. He is not over reacting at all.

You go to a dealer expecting them to be trained to properly service your care with the correct parts. This was not jiffy lube who does every brands, make and model.


How do you know? There is a service bulletin that states not to use that filter. It states the filter by pass pressure is to low for the oil pressure in the LT1 engine. That means there is a very good chance the filter was by-passing and not filtering the oil. Odds are it was working as he probably was not running 5 and 6 thousand RPM. That said it is pure incompetence of the dealership.