Re: oil change question
I saw this thread and thought it very timely as it begins to address a number of things that I've been faced with lately.
For starters, I don't have the manual for my '05 Coupe so that, combined with my absolute newbieness, means I have to ask a lot of dumb questions!
I picked up my Xfire about July 1 at 25,000km (15,500 mi) and now it's at 30,000km (18,600 mi - daily driver). Not knowing (or knowing how to check) when it's last oil change was I elected to take it in last weekend.
The first question was where to take it and the conventional wisdom was a Mercedes dealership on account of the engine. Being that they were booked for the next two weeks I resigned myself to the local Chrysler dealership.
One and half hours and $167 later (with no vaseline, either) I walked out of there slightly stunned. I had read here to expect $100 so a 67% increase was painful. I think I was also PO'd that their treatment of me was so shoddy. I was made to feel like it was a privelege to be their customer, they explained nothing about the process to me up to and including installing parts without my knowledge and approval.
Now again, I'm sure part of it is my learning curve but can anyone tell me what is an "element" for $48, and why would they need to replace a gasket for an oil change?
I was also a little miffed that they rest my trip meter (I was calculating fuel mileage) but maybe that's something to do with this automatic system you guys are referring to?
Finally, they recommended another change in 8,000km (5,000 mi) and I guess from what's in this thread that's reasonable, but I'd sure like to hear more about this system for checking the need?!
Sorry to rant - thanks for the space...