Took the truck in for its first oil change and was surprised to learn the price for an oil service of 15 quarts and a $28 oil filter. Grant it, this oil change was free, part of a free complementary first service but if I want to take it back in the future, I'm looking to pay $103.99!!

This is my first diesel but I have been around diesels most of my young life. Dad's 7.3 get service done at Danny Family Car Wash for $70, give or take. I am not quite positive they use fresh oil for diesels, but on gasoline engines, they use that recycled stuff. Either way, thought it was a little high.

My question is: Is that the going rate?

For those of you who take in for service, what do you pay?

Quite frankly, I do not have the time to do this myself like most of you all do. If, indeed, it is the going price, I could justify that but I was merely looking more like $85 at the most.

 

Don't take this the wrong way, but to be quite frank, Just exactly how much of a bargain are you hunting for your $40,000 truck? This is the reason I change myself. Ford wants a $100 bill, most of the quick lube places don't stock the filter, and are just about the same price if you get brand name oil. You can change it yourself for $55 or less depending where you get your filter and oil from. If you should have any problems that may arise from an oil related issue and Ford has been changing the oil, it would be real hard for them to deny warranty. With the quick lube places, you get what you pay for. However it never hurts to call around. There a couple places here that specialize in the the powerstroke for fleet accounts, they usually have pretty good deals as they buy the filters and oil in bulk if they have the call for it.

 

Don't take me wrong either but I am not in for a bargain. I am merely curious to know what everyone else is paying. Like I said, I'll pay the price but I was some what astonished to know it took a Franklin to get some service.

If I'm not doing it, I want Ford to do it. I'm not bound to drive it up those cheesy quick lubes.

I understand it's cheaper to do it myself but I simply do not have the time. We have a family business going on 24/7, plus I have a full time job, and on top of that I do school in the evening. It's hard to juggle couple hours to do this when I could be doing something else. I'll have to wait and see but in the meantime, I'm going to Ford for service.

Again, I just want to know if this is high or normal rate?

 

You can save some money if you buy the oil and filter yourself and take it in for the change at the dealer as they rape you on the cost of oil and filters. I only get it done at the dealer when I can tag it onto some other service or warranty work. If you cant do that at least buy the filter over thier parts counter so you are giving them some profit on parts and supply the oil you want. I have never had a dealer say they wouldnt do it.

 

Ah, good thinking.

I'll find out if they have a problem with it, if not, it's a way to go.

 

The ford dealer I bought my truck from quoted it would have cost $103 when I got my first compementary oil change. Fortunately I have the time and know how to do it myself! Hope this helps on your question of what other dealers are charging.

 

I understand your schedule King, as I am on call 24/7 and my truck with all the tools in it is on call as well, so I cannot be down for extended periods as well. However if you have never changed oil in this truck before, you might want to try it once before parting with that hard earned benjamin. You need a 15 qt drain pan, a 3/4" combination wrench, a 36mm socket, and ratchet to accompany said socket, 4 gallons of oil, one filter, 3 rags, a creeper and about 10 minutes of time. (yes it takes longer to get all the tools out and put them back up than it does to change the oil)

 

Is it a Benjamin? That just goes to show you how often those things come across my hands!

I will admit, there will be times where I will change it myself so in that regard, I'll keep note of that tool list you just provided, Ryan.

So I have two $103. Anyone else?

 

$103 is probably the going rate with the recent increase in lube oil prices, due to the new CJ-4 spec. for the new emissions trucks. Last time I checked (was back in 03 it was $89 and I almost fainted then, I could change it for right at $43 back then, (oil was $6.79 a gallon) so that other $46 was getting invested in cold beer, and other useful things like diesel fuel. Besides it takes the dealer longer to change it than it would if you did it yourself. (figure the time talking to the service writer, the time it takes for them to change the oil, then the time it takes for you to pay the cashier) I just don't see how your saving any time. It takes me twice as long to change the oil in my wifes car (5.5 qts) than it does in my truck. I will give Ford that, they sure were thinking about ease of service on the 6.0 as far as oil changes go. I have yet to change oil in any vehicle that has been easier than this. The money you save on the first oil change will pay for all the tools on the tool list. I did forget one however, a small step stool makes changine the filter and adding the new oil alot easier. Then again I am only 5'9".

 

Both dealers in my area are higher than $103 -- I went back one time after my "freebie" service, and the bill was $120 with tax (everything is taxed in TN), with a little discussion they let me out the door for $100 since that's what I was quoted when dropped it off, but they ensured me the $120 was correct. Other dealer is a few dollars higher than that!

I do get occasional coupons from selling dealer, last one was $75 for oil/filter change and tire rotate, not a bad deal if I could get it everytime. However, I still didn't use it as I'd already changed to synth in mine, and didn't want to change back for a one time offer. I figure I can change at home and use synthetic for less than the dealer service, no brainer.

I'd also agree w/ Mr. X above, once you get "good" after a couple changes, you will hardly save time by waiting at dealer, unless another family member is doing that for you?? I'm not the fastest, but including time to pour the old oil back into jugs for discard, clean up, I have it down to 30 mins total. The fumoto drain plug helps a little too!

 

Well if you look at it this way if the dealership does it it will be done right with the right oil an filters. But off course there in business to make a profit an pay there bills to. But you know here you stand with waht it will cost. You can do it your self an save half I would imagine. Make sure you use a high quality oil an filter. I use motorcraft filters in my diesel from day one an use a very high quality oil . Even at that I still save money from what the dealer would charge. Once you change the oil once the next time it will go much faster.

 

hmm, well i took mine in to the dealer for an oil change and they over filled it with 15 QTs.

done right?


i do agree it takes more time to drive to dealer and wait that it does to do it yourself. oh ya, they over torqued my drain plug too.

 

Add a oil drain valve to the list (fumoto) and you can just flip the lever and let it drain while you do other work things. On a 4x4 a large plastic bucket fits under the truck too so no need for a Oil drain pan. Just throw an old table cloth down and crawl under as there is pleanty of room (unlike cars) and leave the expensive creaper out.

If you are "kinda short" then might need the stool but being 6'4" I just reach in myself. Easiest oil change I have ever done. Too bad you missed out on the oil filter sales lately (2 4 $6.50), although they are still going on in the West . . .

Anyway I agree you should do it once to see it is a piece of cake, a cake walk, a walk in the park, you get the drift????

 

lonewolftx is exactly correct. Get the Fumoto Valve and change the oil yourself. It's as easy as it gets. Truck is easy to get under, the valve makes draining a breeze and the canister filter on top is easy to get at with a small chair or "helper steps". Plus you can make sure you only add the necessary 13.5 quarts. Whatever you do, stay away from the Jiffy Lube type places. You don't want those folks wrenching on your 6.0

Enjoy your ride!!

 

$120 is what I am paying in Brewster, NY. $140 if I want the tires rotated. I am headed for synthetic and going to do it at work.