I received an e-mail from my local dealership prompting me to do various service and offered discount coupons for them.

What struck me as an unjustifiable price was the delta between 2 tire rotation/oil change specials.

For a tire rotation & oil change w/ filter using conventional oil is $39.99

For a tire rotation & oil change w/ filter using synthetic oil is $99.99

I perform my own maintenance and never experienced any additional difficulty pouring a 5 quart jug of synthetic oil into a crankcase than conventional oil. I have also found that when I purchase motor oil, the delta in cost between synthetic oil and conventional oil is about $10.00-$15.00, depending upon brand.

I don't want to sound like I'm picking on the dealer service dept, but I have to wonder why they charge an additional $60.00 for synthetic oil when it takes the same labor? Is it basic gouging, or is there something else to it?

 

Sounds like gouging to me......

 

You should know that here in México the synthetic oil cost is about $110 - $120dollars, mainly for 20W-50. 10W-30 is almost imposible to find.

 

Oh wow! Here where I live it's anywhere from $20-$30 for regular, and about $50-$60 for synthetic. And I thought that was terrible!

That's why I do it myself...plus I like doing it anyways.

 

I got the same one from the same dealer. It's pretty silly, an absurd price difference. I always change myself anyhow. This is probably the easiest car I've ever done a change on too-don't even need to lift it.

 

take a look at what they want to change the cabin filter about $55.00 a 2 minute job and cost at Napa about $12.00, I called about needing 2 screws for the Mas sensor $2.50 each only 1 in stock in Wisc., they can order costs $15.00, and they dont even wear a mask and gun.

 

I take my 5 qt container of M1 to the dealer when they have these specials and I wish to take advantage of their offer. Usually I change my own oil as it is very easy to do. $5 for a filter and $24 for oil M1 5-30W. A lot less than $99 from the dealer.

 

But are you SURE they put your M1 in your motor ?? Very easy for one to save your M1 & just add regular dino earl.. Think about it..

I do my own & know what I got.

 

My local dealer wanted 50 plus tax to put the cabin filter in my hand,not my car carquest 8.00 including tax

 

I ask my dealer why there was such a big difference in price between an oil change with conventional oil verses synthetic oil one time. His answer was this - "We buy and stock conventional oil (especially 5w30) in bulk quantity. We have to order the synthetic in smaller quantities and find a place to store it. They also had to keep the used synthetic oil separated from the used conventional oil." The last part did not make sense to me seeing as when I watched them do oil changes they drained all of the used oil into the same waste container. I then asked him what the price of an oil change would be if "I" brought in my own synthetic oil instead of using theirs. He replied that they would still charge me the full price for an oil change with conventional oil. So I would still be paying for their oil that they would have never put in my vehicle. Just does not make a lot of sense - just another way of getting more money out of people.