Price of oil change
done that myself with my last car (SRT4). I change my own oil in the turtle. It is by far the easiest oil change I have ever done. My wife's Venture is a nightmare.
Member
Joined: 02-13-2007
Posts: 84
From: Ticonderoga, NY
I took mine to the dealer the first oil change because, correct me if I'm wrong, they need to install the nipples to grease the front end. It was about $32. Then I took my other car to Wal-Mart and they wanted $25. I figured getting it done by a trained technician at the dealer was worth the additional cost.
On the second oil change, I also had the tires balanced and rotated. The total cost was $89 and took one hour. At Wal-Mart, the rotation/balancing is free (because I bought the tires there) but it would have taken 3-4 hours. One time the tech at Wal-Mart did not secure the power steering pump cap properly the day before I went on a long trip. It allow the fluid to leak out and ended up damaging the pump. It has made a terrible noise ever since. At least it still works!
I'll chose the dealer any day!
On the second oil change, I also had the tires balanced and rotated. The total cost was $89 and took one hour. At Wal-Mart, the rotation/balancing is free (because I bought the tires there) but it would have taken 3-4 hours. One time the tech at Wal-Mart did not secure the power steering pump cap properly the day before I went on a long trip. It allow the fluid to leak out and ended up damaging the pump. It has made a terrible noise ever since. At least it still works!
I'll chose the dealer any day!
Also...you mention Wal-Mart not securing the power steering pump cap...I hope you are referring to something other than an HHR, since the power steering on the HHR is electric and there is no power steering cap or fluid.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-15-2007
Posts: 125
From: Homer Glen
done at the dealership. This only becomes relavent if you have an engine warranty issue and GM wants to claim neglect or Preventative maintenance. Instead of taking to the hacks at jiffy lube (jiffy lube techs make minimum wage and have no training on what to look for on your automobile. A dealer has a jouneyman tech do the service on your car to do the inspections) I recomend finding another chevy dealer and pricing with them. Its $20.00 at my chevy dealer to service my HHR.
Background as to where my info comes from: I ran a jiffy lube in 98' and decided I wanted more and became a Union mechanic where I was trained and became an ASE (Automotive Service Excelence) tech. I wouldn't try and point you in the wrong direction just to keep the dealers money, but in my opinion your car is, and please forgive the GM goodwench pun here, in good hands with a qualified tech doing the PM (preventative maintenance) inspections. I dont do my own oil changes because I'm lazy and I only trust my car to another Tech. Hope i was able to change your mind about a "stealership" and the people who work there.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-17-2006
Posts: 1,851
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Actually its much easier to prove proper maintenance if you have the oil change
done at the dealership. This only becomes relavent if you have an engine warranty issue and GM wants to claim neglect or Preventative maintenance. Instead of taking to the hacks at jiffy lube (jiffy lube techs make minimum wage and have no training on what to look for on your automobile. A dealer has a jouneyman tech do the service on your car to do the inspections) I recomend finding another chevy dealer and pricing with them. Its $20.00 at my chevy dealer to service my HHR.
done at the dealership. This only becomes relavent if you have an engine warranty issue and GM wants to claim neglect or Preventative maintenance. Instead of taking to the hacks at jiffy lube (jiffy lube techs make minimum wage and have no training on what to look for on your automobile. A dealer has a jouneyman tech do the service on your car to do the inspections) I recomend finding another chevy dealer and pricing with them. Its $20.00 at my chevy dealer to service my HHR.
New Member
Joined: 10-30-2006
Posts: 29
From: edmonton ab
Hi,
I haven't needed an oilchange yet, but plan to take it to the dealer just to see if they are okay, which I expect them to be. I guess I should expect $46 CDN, but that is a bit better than $55 at Fountain Tire on my previous car - they did a great job, but charge for checking a lot of things that I routinely check myself. Hopefully you get what you pay for no matter where you go.
Peter
I haven't needed an oilchange yet, but plan to take it to the dealer just to see if they are okay, which I expect them to be. I guess I should expect $46 CDN, but that is a bit better than $55 at Fountain Tire on my previous car - they did a great job, but charge for checking a lot of things that I routinely check myself. Hopefully you get what you pay for no matter where you go.
Peter
Senior Member
Joined: 05-23-2006
Posts: 1,082
From: Chandler, AZ
I'm with you on this one! I used to change the oil and filter myself too! Now a days it's too hard getting down and up again on these old joints 
Member
Joined: 12-07-2006
Posts: 37
From: High Point, NC
I hope the dealer didn't tell you they had to install grease nipples for the front end! There are no lube points on the HHR suspension.
Also...you mention Wal-Mart not securing the power steering pump cap...I hope you are referring to something other than an HHR, since the power steering on the HHR is electric and there is no power steering cap or fluid.
Also...you mention Wal-Mart not securing the power steering pump cap...I hope you are referring to something other than an HHR, since the power steering on the HHR is electric and there is no power steering cap or fluid.