|
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
02-01-2013, 07:26 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 301689
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Channel Lake
Vehicle:2012 WRX DGM |
Gary Lang in McHenry - 5,000 mi oil change interval
Does the cold weather here mean the 7,500-mile interval for synthetic oil changes should be reduced to 5,000 miles? That's what Gary Lang just told me but my dealership back in Seattle stands by the 7,500 plan and I'm inclined to believe them.
Thanks in advance.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
|
02-05-2013, 09:47 PM | #2 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 122043
Join Date: Aug 2006
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: RomeoVille
Vehicle:n/a n/a n/a |
Never hurts to oil change more frequently. I personally run Amsoil and 8k
|
02-05-2013, 10:26 PM | #3 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 172064
Join Date: Feb 2008
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Mchenry illinois
Vehicle:2009 WRX DGM |
Being local to Gary Lang, and having a few friends that have/still work there, they are only trying to get your money. I was originally going to buy a wrx from them, but they wouldnt budge on their prices. I drove an hour east to Highland Park and spent 4k less for a lower mileage car (same year, an options). Like hoffmanestates said, it wouldnt hurt to change it. Its really your call whether you want to go ahead and have them change it. I think you would be fine sticking to your regular schedule.
|
02-06-2013, 06:57 PM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 262760
Join Date: Nov 2010
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Lake in the Hills, ILLnoise
Vehicle:2011 WRX Hatch Limtd Satin White Pearl |
Gary Lang is a bunch of criminals. I gladly drive the extra 40 minutes to go to Grand Subaru. Gary Lang has tried to screw me and my family over on several different deals. This is another shady-ass move to rape customers. Those who don't know better fall for it.
Did they also tell you the cold weather requires you do your 30k mile service at 15k? You are wise to check with us. Now, do the right thing and take your business elsewhere. And, FWIW, I change my Rotella T6 every 5k and that's even excessive in some people's eyes. |
02-06-2013, 07:15 PM | #5 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 292096
Join Date: Aug 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Western Chicago Suburbs, IL...
Vehicle:2011 WRX Sedan Dark Grey Sexiness! |
I purchased my car at Grand Subaru and wouldnt go anywhere else for warranty work (performance i go elsewhere). They worked on my car all the while knowing I was stage 2 without any questions and even allowed me a courtesy car for over a week. Great guys over there. John (service manager) is a great guy to deal with and very honest.
Ive been to Gerald also but had a poor experience in every way except with Sandy in sales who recently just transfered to Grand (awesome!) On the oil thing, i use Shaeffers and change mine every 2-3k because I'm anal about it and it helps me sleep at night. This is regardless of temperature. That being said its personal preference. And while the temperature can have an impact on wear, i really doubt it would/should change your intervals that drastically. If at all. If its a quality oil and you feel your engine still runs smooth and feels good then stick with your current schedule. Hope this helps! |
02-06-2013, 08:16 PM | #6 | |||
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 301689
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Channel Lake
Vehicle:2012 WRX DGM |
Quote:
I figure if Subaru thinks their cars need more frequent oil changes in colder temperatures, that would be in the manual and it would have also occurred at my dealership in Seattle. Quote:
Quote:
Thanks everyone for your input! I appreciate it. I won't go back to the Lang group. |
|||
02-09-2013, 05:02 PM | #7 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 262760
Join Date: Nov 2010
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Lake in the Hills, ILLnoise
Vehicle:2011 WRX Hatch Limtd Satin White Pearl |
Quote:
|
|
02-09-2013, 05:37 PM | #8 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 262593
Join Date: Oct 2010
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
|
You can always phone up Subaru customer service, ask them for what Subaru as a manufacture is recommending and them file a complaint so they can correct the issue so others are not taken on it.
|
02-09-2013, 06:35 PM | #9 | ||
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 301689
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Channel Lake
Vehicle:2012 WRX DGM |
Quote:
Quote:
Edit: So after I posted this I thought about what the guy said about earlier intervals being an oil industry guideline. I went to the oil manufacturer's website to see what they: We recommend you follow the oil and filter change frequencies shown in your owner's manual. Generally, this means changing your oil every six months when using Mobil Super***8482;, Mobil Super High Mileage and Mobil Super Synthetic motor oils, and every year when using Mobil 1***8482; or Mobil 1 Extended Performance synthetic oils. So yeah, I'm going to contact Subaru and do all I can to make sure they know what's going on. Last edited by Cyndy; 02-09-2013 at 06:57 PM. |
||
02-09-2013, 07:09 PM | #10 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 262593
Join Date: Oct 2010
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
|
Since your profile does say you are in Seattle, it's hard for us to recommend a different dealer to go to but you can always look for another dealer in the area.
|
02-09-2013, 07:57 PM | #11 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 301689
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Channel Lake
Vehicle:2012 WRX DGM |
Oh... I should update that. I'm north, near Antioch.
|
02-10-2013, 12:37 PM | #12 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 292096
Join Date: Aug 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Western Chicago Suburbs, IL...
Vehicle:2011 WRX Sedan Dark Grey Sexiness! |
Well us midwest folk are some of the nicer bunch Ive had the pleasure of meeting so if you ever want to do the work yourself/need help ask around - lotta cool guys and girls out here.
I dont venture that far north to know any reputable dealers, I myself generally go to Six Star in Schaumburg for everything cause Im lazy and I trust them. I used to wrench for Nissan and would try my best to only recommend what i felt was essential but even then techs still have a bad rep in most cases...oh the auto industry...how far youve fallen. |
02-21-2013, 08:36 PM | #13 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 301689
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Channel Lake
Vehicle:2012 WRX DGM |
I wrote and submitted a letter to Subaru of America and cc'd Gary Lang. I haven't heard from SOA yet but Gary Lang called me to apologize. He said it is his policy to change oil at 5,000 but acknowledged the people I dealt with did not do a good job of communicating why. He said it is something they do because 7,500 miles is the maximum you can go, even with synthetic, and most people end up going over by 1,000 or so before service and they end up damaging their cars.
So, that's the message from Gary Lang himself. |
02-21-2013, 10:10 PM | #14 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 262593
Join Date: Oct 2010
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
|
I think this says it best. It's from a random site I found
But as former service advisor David Langness put it, the 3,000-mile oil change is "a marketing tactic that dealers use to get you into the service bay on a regular basis. Unless you go to the drag strip on weekends, you don't need it." Since Subaru has put the limit of oil changes at 7,500, and them probably knowing that people like to go over by some time because the service centres are full from everyone else rushing in for oil changes, it's probably safe to say that even at 7,500 there is still room left to play with. Manufactures will be on the safe side as they want to make sure they don't have to pay for a repair from their requirements. If Audi is doing 10,000 and Porsche 911 turbo is at 15,000, these cars we have should be able to do 7,500 no problem. |
02-21-2013, 10:59 PM | #15 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 262760
Join Date: Nov 2010
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Lake in the Hills, ILLnoise
Vehicle:2011 WRX Hatch Limtd Satin White Pearl |
But...it's a what makes a Subaru, a Subaru! I never understood this logic employed by other car companies safely obtaining longer intervals than Subaru.
Anyways, I'm glad you did what you did. We'll see if SOA agrees with Gary Lang. By his own explanation, his logic is still bad. It doesn't explain the reason for shorter intervals in the winter. It's crap. It's a scam and he still doesn't own up to the bad information since they sighted the need to change more in winter. I really despise that stealership. Keep us updated! |
02-22-2013, 09:51 AM | #16 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 301689
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Channel Lake
Vehicle:2012 WRX DGM |
Quote:
Edit: For those who may be interested, this is the letter I sent in: Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru Plaza P.O. Box 6000 Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000 Attn: Customer/Dealer Services To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to inform you of what I consider to be disingenuous and predatory behavior occurring in the service department at Gary Lang Subaru in McHenry, Illinois. First, some background: I purchased my 2012 WRX from Chaplin's Subaru in Bellevue, Washington, in November of 2011. I could not possibly be happier with my purchase and maintenance experience with Chaplin's, which is who serviced my car for the first year/10,000 miles. My last trip to Chaplin's was for a 10,000-mile oil change, which I later found out was an incorrect interval due to the wrong reminder sticker being printed for my car. This was not a concern for me as it was a simple mistake. I left Washington State and moved to Illinois in October 2012. It is a 2,000-mile drive and after putting another 1,000 miles on, my sticker told me it was time for an oil change. I made an appointment with Gary Lang in McHenry. When I arrived for service, I mentioned to the service representative that Chaplin's did my last oil change at 10,000 miles. It was then he told me I was too early for a scheduled oil change; since the interval is every 7,500 miles, I should come back when I reach that mileage. Three months later, I was close to the 7,500-interval, which brings me to the reason I'm writing this. At mileage 16,600 I made another appointment with Gary Lang for an oil change. When I checked in, the service advisor, Joseph Jesky, asked if I was there for the 15,000-mile service. I was surprised because I didn't realize I was supposed to take my car in at 15,000 miles. I said yes, if it is due, let's go ahead with it and by the way, I have pre-paid maintenance. Mr. Jesky told me my pre-paid plan doesn't cover their 15,000-mile service. Again, I was surprised because that wasn't my understanding of the plan. I asked him what was included in the 15,000-mile plan that isn't covered. He responded with a list of items, including PVC valve, air filter, throttle body, and more. These items are not what are listed under the 15,000-mile service on My Subaru. I asked if this was a Subaru policy and if so, why wasn't it in my service / maintenance schedule. He said there are different plans for different cars, but never really answered me. Finally, I asked him to look online at what my car needs at 15,000 miles. He then told me he was unable to access the Subaru website where that information could be found. We proceeded with the oil change and he told me that I wouldn't need to come back for another 7,500-mile (the regular interval). After I left Gary Lang, I looked up at the reminder sticker to see my next appointment was due in 5,000 miles. I immediately called back to the dealership to ask why I was receiving conflicting messages about the service my car needed and when I needed oil changes. The person on the phone said 5,000-intervals are recommended. I asked if that was a Subaru guideline or a dealership guideline. The person I was speaking to couldn't answer, so I asked to speak with a manager. When the manager answered the phone (I believe his name was Adam, but I'm not entirely sure), I pushed for an answer as to why I need to change the oil more often than the 7,500-mile interval. He said it was because of the cold winter weather we experience here in Illinois, that cars lose oil over time. I asked him how do they lose oil, specifically, how would my car be losing oil. He said the older cars with higher mileage do, especially in the cold weather. My car is one year old and has 16,600 miles on it. It does not have an oil leak, but still, he insisted that I needed to bring it in more often. I asked again if that was a Subaru guideline or a Gary Lang guideline. He said it was an oil industry guideline. When I got home I went to the Mobil Oil website to review their recommendations (link below). Mobil One is the brand of oil used at Gary Lang. This is what the Mobil One website states: "We recommend you follow the oil and filter change frequencies shown in your owner's manual. Generally, this means changing your oil every six months when using Mobil Super***8482;, Mobil Super High Mileage and Mobil Super Synthetic motor oils, and every year when using Mobil 1***8482; or Mobil 1 Extended Performance synthetic oils." To verify the Subaru 7,500-mile interval, I reviewed my car's service manual where I found: "Engine Oil Use only 5 W 30, synthetic, replacement interval 7,500 miles." I trust that if Subaru thought their cars needed more frequent oil changes in colder temperatures, that would be outlined in the manual and it would have also occurred at my dealership in Washington as I owned the car there during the winter. In an attempt to verify with one more source, I called Chaplin's in Bellevue and asked them what the oil change interval is for colder climates. They stated, 7,500 miles. Now that I've confirmed the oil change interval for my WRX and that the oil industry defers to manufacturers, my concern is Gary Lang is taking advantage of people and Subaru, in the name of Subaru. They're taking advantage of individuals who pay out of pocket for oil changes more frequently than needed. They're taking advantage of Subaru, by billing for oil changes more frequently than needed. They are also attempting to sell customers services that may or may not be standard. Again, I have had such a fantastic experience with Subaru that I cringe to think there are people being taken advantage of by Gary Lang, operating on behalf of the brand. To me, that is the antithesis of what Subaru is about. I hope this letter finds its rightful home, with someone who can review Gary Lang's service policy, procedures, and practices before too many either prospective or current Subaru-owners are caught in the same trap. I will never return to Gary Lang, even though they are the closest Subaru dealership to my home. Mobil Oil Website: http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...Intervals.aspx Best regards Last edited by Cyndy; 04-30-2013 at 10:19 AM. |
|
04-30-2013, 10:23 AM | #17 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 301689
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Channel Lake
Vehicle:2012 WRX DGM |
I meant to update this a while ago but I forgot. I received a call from SOA and they confirmed the correct interval is 7,500 miles. The SOA representative said he was going to follow up with Gary Lang as soon as we hung up.
So, there you have it... Lol. |
04-30-2013, 12:43 PM | #18 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 292096
Join Date: Aug 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Western Chicago Suburbs, IL...
Vehicle:2011 WRX Sedan Dark Grey Sexiness! |
Still too long imo...i wont go longer than 3k
|
04-30-2013, 02:43 PM | #19 | |
Former Vendor
Member#: 217382
Join Date: Jul 2009
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: 3340 W. Oakton Skokie IL 60076
|
Quote:
Deniro = So_A |
|
04-30-2013, 04:34 PM | #20 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 325461
Join Date: Jul 2012
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Chicago
Vehicle:2003 WRX WRB Rotated 35r |
I go around 4500 MAX in my car, although it is modified and driven a bit harder. Might I add it also goes through about 3 quarts before a full oil change is done (less if I'm not racing around like an idiot).
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|