I bought my 08 Nismo a few months ago and since then, during various correspondences with the stealership, they have not missed a chance to remind me of the free first oil change. Here are the occurrences:

-free oil change offered several times during the negotiation
-free oil change when I called the stealership back re: my loan
-free oil change offered when I called about getting an oil filter
-free oil change offered when I set an appointment for a warranty service

As most are aware, getting anything for free from a stealership is like asking for a kidney. It raises my suspicions tremendously how they keep harping on offering this one service for free (I also have a suspicious nature and have no faith in humanity). So what could possibly be the reason for why they want me to visit them so badly for my first oil change?

 

it is just a way to get thier foot in the door and get your business or at least so they think. I would just stick to changing your own oil. Ya its a bit more time consuming with the removal of the lower engine cover but at least you know the job is done well cause no one takes care of your car like you would.. I mean it... no one....

 

They are trying to get you into the habit of coming to them for service. I let them do my first one for "free" and they decided to drill holes in my bumper to mount the front plate. and when I did the next oil change myself, they had not screwed the filter on tight enough to prevent a very small drip. That was the last time they touched my car other than 3 warranty items.

 

Can't do it. I don't have a driveway, front jack, or ramps (even if I did have ramps, I'd be leery to use them considering the Nismo's extended and low front).

I figured it was nothing more than trying to get me to go back to them for future service but I was hoping for something more dastardly so I can go off on a Bill O'Reilly/Chris Berman style raving and incoherent rant.

 

Because you are special. Share the love. Pass it on.

 

Please DO NOT, under any circumstance, use one of their crappy OEM filters. You may as well go to Walmart and get a POS fram filter because they're about the same.

 

I got free oil changes for life as well, but it was after the fact i bought the car. They told me that they would rather spend the money giving free oil changes than advertising for some stupid reason, but I didn't believe a word they said. My guess is it's so they can tell you everything else thats "wrong" with your car when you bring it in so they can try to swindle more $$$ outta you. But it adds up to around $500 over 3 years you save. So when im strapped for cash I can have them change it, and when I have extra money i'll change my own oil. Just my .02 cents

 

Somebody at the dealership forgot something in your car, i.e. wallet, ring, noods..., and they want to get it back w/o having to tell you. You leave car for an oil change, they get their ish back, everyone is happy... Hurry and find what it is they left and use it as leverage for more free stuff

 

I don't like having my oil changed at the dealer's. They charge 30 bucks, into this 30 bucks they have to fit the oil they give, the labor, and the oil filter. It feels like something has to be extremely cheap, maybe they recycle the oil?

I'd rather do it myself, I can take a good look at the engine and check out my car, plus I know what oil I'm putting in it, not some oil that's used on everything from the Versa to Titan, but a performance oil of my choice, and I simply like doing it, I love my car .

 

It's called marketing.

 

I still use the dealer for a few reasons. First, I can relax while they do all the work. Second, the give me a 100 point inspection, including topping off my fluids and a nice color coded report on my car. I use it to see what is wearing and what needs to be replaced. I laugh at their quotes for the recommended services and either do them myself or get a fellow member locally to help out or teach me for the next time. Lastly, I get a free car wash. I always take the coupon for either $20 or $25 bucks. So far, no issues with anything they have done. My service advisor sees how well I take care of my car and treats it with the same care.

 

They will try to sell you other bullsh1t services, like an "engine flush" or a dozen other completely unnecessary things. Seriously - I sat in a nissan service dept waiting room for an hour once and overheard the service managers sell this crap to good people who didn't know any better. It's really sad that they have to resort to this to make money.

I avoid the dealership at all costs, they just have a bad record for doing sloppy work. The only reason I was there is because I had my transmission replaced under warranty. And yep, on the way home I heard some rattling. I went to my friend's lift, looked under the car, and they had left off at LEAST 10 bolts & nuts, and had left off my two plastic underpanels near the rear wheels. I went back and asked for my underpanels. The mechanic said he had thrown one away because it was torn and my other one was missing. Turns out I HAPPENED to have a photo of the bottom of my car from a few months prior, showing the plastic underpanel that he said was missing! Screw them.

 

Seriously, its things like this that make me not trust them, they just don't care.

 

My dealership does free oil changes for life, for my Z and my wifes car. They are great really. I get my oil and filter changed every 3 months, and they never try to sell me on products or services that I dont need or want. They also wash the car after everything that I have them do.
They did mess up once, and not screw the oil drain plug on right. That was only one time and since then its been perfect.

 

Actually, I'm going to have to vouch for my nissan dealership (when I had my Z) my service advisor always took great care of me. I always got my oil changed there. Never tried to sell me anything ever! They always washed my car and I never had a problem with my Z ever. No missing bolts, panels, sloppy jobs, or problems. Mossy Nissan rocks.

 

So they can double gasket your oil filter. Then when she blows, they'll blame it on you and charge you for a new motor. Oldest trick in the book.

 

^^^^

 

Not all dealerships are trying to screw you although "most" of them are. Just be careful and use common sense. On another note, you dont need to remove your underpanel to change you oil. All you need to do is remove two bolts from the panel and stick your hand up there and remove the filter. It seriously took me 20 minutes to change the oil and most of that time was spent putting the car on jack stands.
To address one more thing on this thread. Your car is not to low to "do it yourself!" Buy a low pro jack. Its super sloped to fit under low cars. Your car is not the first "low stance" production vehicle. Most of the problems you run into already have a solution.

 

What was your average wait time for an oil change at Mossy?
I had mine done there once...and it took over 2 hours.

 

your first oil change is on nissan not the dealership