Quick oil change and lube ... in and out, right?

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I decided to save a few bucks and instead of going to a CAT dealer did my PM at a TA truck stop near Erie, PA. The mechanic had trouble unscrewing the fuel filter on the driver's side of my CAT C15 and ... broke the air pressure sensor in the process. I complained to the manager that my "CHECK YOUR ENGINE" light was on after the oil change was done, and he found the broken sensor. S**t happens, and I don't blame the poor mechanic, but this is Saturday, the part can be ordered only on Monday, and my load delivery appointment has to be canceled. Jeez... Some thirsty folks in Ajax, ON are really going to be unhappy with me failing to deliver 44,000 lbs of boxed fruit juice on time At least the TA service manager promised they would take care of the part cost and labor...

Question: how many of you guys use your engine maker to do PM, and how many just choose the cheapest truck stop available on-route (like I did this time)?

[Rev.Vassago]

The only place that does my PM's is Peterbilt in Green Bay, WI. Period.

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The only place that does my PM's is Peterbilt in Green Bay, WI. Period.

I don't know. My truck is an International and I found that International dealers don't know much about servicing the engine (CAT, in my case). So, I usually go to a CAT dealer to do the PM... They're not cheap but they know what they're doing (more often than International).

[Kranky]

They're not cheap but they know what they're doing

That's still cheaper than being down for 2 days because some quick lube moron f***ed up your truck.

[NotSteve]

I say that was just a fluke and could happen to any mechanic. If that filter was stuck I'm sure there isn't any special training a dealer mechanic gets to prevent slipping and breaking that part.

I would also venture to say that a TA mechanic has done 100 times the amount of oil changes then any dealer mechanic has done in the same time span.

I would also guess that your chances of getting a rookie are 10 times greater at a dealer because they would have the very junior people doing the simple jobs.

[Jumbo]

I say that was just a fluke and could happen to any mechanic. If that filter was stuck I'm sure there isn't any special training a dealer mechanic gets to prevent slipping and breaking that part.

I would also venture to say that a TA mechanic has done 100 times the amount of oil changes then any dealer mechanic has done in the same time span.

I would also guess that your chances of getting a rookie are 10 times greater at a dealer because they would have the very junior people doing the simple jobs.

It is getting more and more common to hear of guys who have only one dealer do all their pm's. Unless it is an emergency we don't have anybody but our local dealer work on our trucks. I drive a Freightliner and I only go to the Freightliner dealer if it is a warranty or Mercedes issue. We get our pm's done at Wisconsin Kenworth because they do it at a more resonable cost and their work is better.

[NotSteve]

We get our pm's done at Wisconsin Kenworth because they do it at a more resonable cost and their work is better.

Could you be more specific how your oil changes and lubes are done better at the dealer? How do you know your oil change and lube isn't being done by some pimple faced apprentice?

I would like to see some data that supports your claims?

Sort of like saying Swift is the worst carrier when in fact they have 18,677 trucks on the road and their safety rating is better than 1/2 the national average.

[Rev.Vassago]

We get our pm's done at Wisconsin Kenworth because they do it at a more resonable cost and their work is better.

Could you be more specific how your oil changes and lubes are done better at the dealer? How do you know your oil change and lube isn't being done by some pimple faced apprentice?

#1. They know the trucks, because they've been trained and certified to work on that specific type of truck. I wouldn't take my Cummins to a Cat dealership, because Cat and Cummins aren't the same thing. The same holds true here. I'd rather have someone trained to work on my type of truck working on it rather than having someone trained to work on trucks in general.

#2. Dealerships generally have tighter requirements of their mechanics than truck stops. The guy who did my last oil change had been working on trucks for over 30 years. They don't give the "easy jobs" to the younger guys - when a mechanic finishes a job, they go in and get the next job that is on top of the list (unless that job requires someone with a special skill)

#3. I know when I ask for a specific oil and filter at a dealership, that is what they are going to put in my truck.

#4. I know that if I need a part, the chances of the dealer having it are better than the truck stop.

#5. The rates at the dealer who does my oil changes are lower than the rates at T/A.

[NotSteve]

I didn't know taking off an oil filter on a Kenworth is different then a MAC.

I didn't know they didn't give the easy jobs to the new kids. I guess they do the transmission rebuilds.

I get to pick the oil that goes into my truck also!!! Wow, what a concept.

The rates are lower from what I've seen at the truckstops. I think you are confusing oil change with a PM. How much is an oil change and lube at your dealer Rev?

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I would also guess that your chances of getting a rookie are 10 times greater at a dealer because they would have the very junior people doing the simple jobs.

You're probably right, but the dealer at least would have the part in stock and replace it in 5 minutes. TA carries virtually no serious parts. Of course, if this was a weekday it'd be a different story - there's a CAT dealer 2 exits away. Just my luck.

[Rev.Vassago]

I didn't know taking off an oil filter on a Kenworth is different then a MAC.

It is.

I didn't know they didn't give the easy jobs to the new kids. I guess they do the transmission rebuilds.

My dealer doesn't employ "new kids". They have experienced, trained professionals.

I get to pick the oil that goes into my truck also!!! Wow, what a concept.

Yup - and there's never been a truck stop that has put a different kind of oil into a truck than what was requested.
(I've heard of it happening)

The rates are lower from what I've seen at the truckstops. I think you are confusing oil change with a PM. How much is an oil change and lube at your dealer Rev?

An oil change is a PM. Since I use more expensive oil (Delo), and more expensive filters (Fleetguard), my oil changes are more expensive. But the hourly rate at my local Peterbilt dealership is about $10 an hour less than any T/A that I've ever seen.

[NotSteve]

So, how much is your PM at the dealer Rev?

[Rev.Vassago]

So, how much is your PM at the dealer Rev?

Around $250. Like I said, expensive oil and expensive filters.

[bob h]

If the tech had trouble getting the filter off... I would be apt to blame the guy who put it on... too tight.

Ideally, you would use the truck dealer where you bought your rig for the truck service. Then, the engine distributor for your engine maintenance. Of course, there's many exceptions based on your situation.

[Papa Rick]

I have never took my KW to anyone else except for the KW Dealership in Chattanooga TN.

Reason, very simple, they work on KW's every day and know what items to look for, they are CAT certified and are usually 5 to 20 years at this dealership and know more of the recalls and problems they have with my motor.

I get to walk out and talk with the Techs when they work on my truck. I see what kind of oil, and filters go on, and I know if my truck is getting greased right or not.

These guys have been great to me and taught me alot about my Truck. Now I wonder if the TA, Petro, Pilot, etc.... would let me walk around my Truck when it is getting a PM, or any other service done?

Do they charge me alot, no, one hour of labor, filters (Which Oil is Cat and Fuel is one Cat and one Fleetguard filter), 1 gal Lucas and 9 gal Rotella, oil sample done every oil change.

Could I get it done cheaper at my local shop around the house, YES, but I choose not to.

Everyone is different on this, but the best way I know to explain it is when I take it to the KW Dealer, they are in the business of making money and they will hunt to find something wrong to make more money, and this is fine also.

What do the fast oil changes do, turn them out as quickly as possible to get another one in and keep the pace up.

So either you eat at the steak house and order it like you want it (pay a little more, but then you are getting more), or go to Mickey D's and try to throw off on the steak house.

[Jumbo]

We get our pm's done at Wisconsin Kenworth because they do it at a more resonable cost and their work is better.

Could you be more specific how your oil changes and lubes are done better at the dealer? How do you know your oil change and lube isn't being done by some pimple faced apprentice?

I would like to see some data that supports your claims?

Sort of like saying Swift is the worst carrier when in fact they have 18,677 trucks on the road and their safety rating is better than 1/2 the national average.

Some data to support my claims? If you reread my post I was talking about the service I get at the Kenworth dealer as compared to the Freightliner dealer. I refuse to get my regular maintainence done on the road. My truck is serviced at the same place everytime, and alot of other guys do the same thing. Some dealerships are worse then others for service. That is why when you find a good place to get your truck worked on you tend to stay with that place.

[NotSteve]

I was just talking about the oil change and lube as the thread suggested, not about any other maintenance.

[Rev.Vassago]

I was just talking about the oil change and lube as the thread suggested, not about any other maintenance.

I don't see a difference between them.

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TA came through. After I managed to find an emergency repair person at the Cat franchise network, their Parts guy called me back a couple of hours later (on Sunday!) and the TA service manager took the sensor off (it was outside air pressure sensor) and sent a kid to pick up the part 2 exits away. My delivery was on time. They did a blunder but fixed everything at no cost to me (just some lost time).

[Jumbo]

I was just talking about the oil change and lube as the thread suggested, not about any other maintenance.

I was refering to preventative maintainence, which I thought was your oil changes, lubes, dipping of radiator chemicals and the other things you get done on a regular basis. I still stand by my claim that I and other people get it done at only one shop (except for emergencies).