Oil and service questions

[TurboLover]

So, for the third time in about seven oil changes, my dealer shorted the fresh oil by 1 to 1.5 quarts. Picked the car up last night and on the way to work today the "low oil / add engine oil' warning came up. Checked the dipstick and nothing registered. How can it be so difficult to understand that the turbo needs more oil than the normally aspirated engine?

As it turns out, I could not find synthetic oil near my office in Manhattan. I could only find 10w-30. So I picked up a quart and needed to use that to get home. I figured better than running down low enough that it tripped the sensors. Question is, am I OK to continue to run the sync (it should be 5w-something) with the 10w-30 mixed in? Or do I need to get another oil change to correct to full synth at the proper spec? I am not going back to the dealer for them to correct the error and redo the oil change because, based upon my experiences, they will say they changed it and really not do it. I have had other issues with this dealer on my car and my wife's Verano so I am done with them.

 

[stoopid]

You should let corporate know, if you haven't already, about the issues you've had at the dealer (otherwise things go unnoticed/unchanged). There's a customer service rep from Buick on this forum, too...

I wouldn't be concerned about mixing/matching new oils. Especially since the majority of it will be the synthetic you want running in there.

 

[MikeC725]

I don't blame you for being upset and wanting to go somewhere else. But, I would at least stop there and talk to the Service Manager and let him/her know the problems you've had and why you are taking your business some where else. If he offers to correct the problem right then and there, let them do it, but with you watching. Good Luck.

 

[TurboLover]

Hi Mike and thanks for the feedback. The service manager is well aware of all three incidents. First time they towed it in because the light flashed the day after an oil change, temp was about 100 degrees, I was in the middle of a highway and no oil registering on stick. Second time I discovered by checking the dipstick at home the day after a change. They wanted to see it...came to my house to see it and added oil. Now yesterday and I called them as soon as the light flashed and discussed with them a couple times yesterday. Service writers are good and try to do the right thing - but something goes awry with the mechanics. Last service they did not reset the tire pressure monitors and I overinflated the wrong tire after a leaky tire and low pressure warning...discovered quickly. My wife's car was in for a cabin filter change and returned with blood all over the center tunnel, passenger seat and door and glovebox of the cream leather interior. I am done with them....sorry but they had many chances. I mean three out seven they put too little oil in.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Hi Mike and thanks for the feedback. The service manager is well aware of all three incidents. First time they towed it in because the light flashed the day after an oil change, temp was about 100 degrees, I was in the middle of a highway and no oil registering on stick. Second time I discovered by checking the dipstick at home the day after a change. They wanted to see it...came to my house to see it and added oil. Now yesterday and I called them as soon as the light flashed and discussed with them a couple times yesterday. Service writers are good and try to do the right thing - but something goes awry with the mechanics. Last service they did not reset the tire pressure monitors and I overinflated the wrong tire after a leaky tire and low pressure warning...discovered quickly. My wife's car was in for a cabin filter change and returned with blood all over the center tunnel, passenger seat and door and glovebox of the cream leather interior. I am done with them....sorry but they had many chances. I mean three out seven they put too little oil in.

BLOOD!??!!

Yeah, time for a new dealer. Better still, if your car is out of warranty -- and I'd think a 2011 would be by now -- find a good independent shop. You'll save $$$ and annoyance.

As far as the oil, modern engines are tough, and modern oils are even tougher. One quart out of six (?) of a heavier grade is not going to matter one bit. As you said, better that than run a quart low.

 

[MelsRegal]

what does it say on the receipt the dealer gives you when picking the car up, 5 quarts of oil or 6 quarts of oil? The owners manual clearly states 6.3 quarts for the 2.0 engine.

 

[GTP>GS]

I would photocopy the page (12-2) from the owners manual that shows "Capacities and Specifications" and have the service writer staple it to the work order. Then, ask that the mechanic signs off with his initials besides the 6.3 qts on the photocopy.

Better still, perform your own oil changes. I do.

 

[TurboLover]

Thanks for the feedback on mixing oils. Looks like I should be OK with doing so this time. I left the message with the service writer yesterday evening telling him that the dipstick was bone dry. You would think someone would have called me today....but not a word.

@MelsRegal - good question...I will check the invoice in the morning. I know the first time it happened, the invoice was for 6qts of synth. Will check what they have this time. That first occasion, I was with the Service Manager and mechanic when towed in. The mechanic said, 'I didn't know it was a turbo." The service manager and I both pointed to the word "turbo' on the plastic engine cover - and right next to the oil fill hole. Can't make this up.

@BenzAdmiral - yes, blood. And a good amount smeared. They apologized and said it is a tight fit getting to the cabin filter through the glovebox and he cut his hand. Ok...then frigging clean it up afterwards!

 

[Benzadmiral]

. . .
@BenzAdmiral - yes, blood. And a good amount smeared. They apologized and said it is a tight fit getting to the cabin filter through the glovebox and he cut his hand. Ok...then frigging clean it up afterwards!

Sure. I sweated quite a bit, changing my cabin filter, but no blood . . . but this could have happened to anybody, right?

Right?

Time to find a good independent shop, I say. You can buy your own oil and filter at Walmart. If you can't change your own (I can't at this point), take the supplies to the shop, and this way you know what oil went in and what filter is on there.

 

[stoopid]

Thanks for the feedback on mixing oils. Looks like I should be OK with doing so this time. I left the message with the service writer yesterday evening telling him that the dipstick was bone dry. You would think someone would have called me today....but not a word.

Really? What did you expect to happen? The shop obviously has issues, and they're not being addressed because of managerial decisions as much as technician incompetence. Now you're voluntarily wasting your breath. TELL CORPORATE!

 

[TurboLover]

@Stoopid...absolutely going to report to Corporate. I wanted to let them continue to hang themselves and prove the point.

 

[MikeC725]

Sorry to hear about this, hope you find a better shop. If you were in Metro Detroit, I'd have you go to Sellers in Farmington Hills, they ROCK!

 

[andrewz21]

Glad I read this, my oil was short by a quart as well, not low enough for a light but low enough to barley get the stick.

 

[stoopid]

Mine is overfilled. ****ing dealers. lol