[Healeys] Oil Change Frequency

[Al Fuller]

Hi, Richard:

 

Maybe I'm a little too literal for my own good, but I have to believe that
when a business stocks millions of dollars in inventory, sells me a $60,000
vehicle, makes legally binding representations, offers a warranty [perhaps
on behalf of the manufacturer - but offers it nonetheless], is responsible
for warranty repairs, recalls, etc., and is either the only or at least
primary contact between the manufacturer and literally thousands of
customers then they meet the definition of a "representative".

 

Anyway - I'm glad to hear that you aren't doing what my dealership is doing:
scaring people into needless oil changes.

 

Thanks for the exchange!

 

Al 

Al Fuller

al at bighealey.org

'62 BT-7

'65 BJ-8

'85 Rx-7

 

From: Richard Ewald [mailto:richard.ewald at gmail.com] 
Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 10:42 AM
To: Al Fuller
Cc: John Sims; Oudesluys; Dan Stromquist; healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Oil Change Frequency

 

While you may thing of them as the manufacturer's representatives, they are
not.  They are independent business that sell and service Toyota cars and
trucks.  As such then can tell a customer whatever they wish.
What the dealer tells the customer often makes the factory unhappy, but
there really isn't much they can do about it.
Rick (Who used to work for the factory, and now is a service manager at a
large dealership)
(PS We don't recommend 3K oil services at my store)



On Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 6:26 AM, Al Fuller <al at bighealey.org> wrote:

My Toyota dealer changes my oil.  I went in last week, and the new sticker
has a 3000 mile interval (as usual).  The owner's manual says 7,500 miles.
I ignore the sticker and do it at 7,500 (the second trip odometer is great
for this...).

I hate to think like a lawyer, but there IS an argument that having/allowing
manufacturer representatives telling people they need oil changes at less
than half of the manufacturer's interval feels fraudulent.