My car is due for its first annual oil change. If I don't go to the dealership, would they give me a hard time when I go there for warranty work?

 

dangit i just voided my warranty... no it doesn't. unless you replace oil with water. you'll be fine. use the recommended oil weights.

 

Thanks. I dont really trust dealers thats why i wont use them for oil changes. I was just trying to make sure

 

Just keep the receipt for oil and filter. And if you do it yourself be sure the engine is cold. If the engine is warm to hot, there is pressure in the side tank, and when my tt side tank was opened oil flew all over the undercarriage, the tech and floor. And too, you need a special filter wrench which runs about $45.

 

i've been changing my own oil for years. back when the filter was on the side wall and dripped down between the heads and body (sometimes a mess).

the dealership told me there was no problem but be sure to keep your receipts for the oil and filters (i concur with johnww).

don't know about any special tools for the 997. just a 15mm and 19mm for the drain plugs and the filter uses a standard filter wrench you can get at pep boys for a few bucks.

remember to get both types of drain plug gaskets (i've only found them at the dealership). the case takes an aluminum one and the rear tank takes a copper one (or the other way around? you'll see the difference since one is smaller than the other). forget about draining the turbos as there is no drain plug like on the 996's.

 

Unless you damage the vehicle, and the dealer/mfr can prove that your oil change did so, you are not hurting your warranty one bit. The Magnuson-Moss act makes it illegal to limit you to dealer service UNLESS they provide dealer service with the product. And the only thing I have ever gotten free from my porsche dealer was air.

 

And I bet it was hot too!

 

Just did an oil change today at the dealer. 2750 miles on the car so wanted to flush out any metal shavings, bits of German sandwiches that fell in, etc. $293. Oof. May need to learn to do myself!

 

check out eBay for 0W40 mobil 1. i found a guy that sold 6/packs for $30 and reasonable shipping. the parts houses are all over $6 and rarely have enough on hand.

same with the filters, bought a ten pack for $80 including gaskets (both rubber and metal).

it's really an easy job and under $60 for oil & parts.

 

And if you take the filter and oil to the dealer, you are still out $120 labor plus $30 to check all fluid levels which is a mandatory charge at my Porsche dealer even when no levels are checked.

 

Why? I don't get this.

 

It's not hard to believe that many Porsche owners are dissatisfied with their dealership's service department. Trust is earned...it is not given outright. I expect the service department at my dealership to know more about my car than I do. I expect them to provide knowledgeable advice, instead of making up answers. I expect them to be truthful. Trust is earned. Here are examples of interactions with my dealership...the same one I dropped $150K.

Me: My service reminder light came on prematurely. My car's only 11 months old, with less than 7 thousand miles. Can you shut the light off for me?

Service rep: Well...it usually means you need an oil change. We'll only turn it off you we do an inspection...It'll be about $283 for the service.

When you get this kind of interaction...how can you trust your dealership to be knowledgeable about the technical aspects of your car?

 

The computer decides when it needs to be done, so what is saying it didn't need to be?

 

The computer does not decide when it needs to be done. It's simply a clock. The service manual dictates when service is needed. There is no reason my car needs service at this time.

 

what do you do with the old oil from the car?
i have seen people pouring that to sewer and etc.
how do you guys trash it?