When is first free service allowed?

whitelt1 · 12-04-2023, 08:21 PM

I got my '23 LT1 Camaro (Convertible auto model) brand new off the dealer lot in July and I'm looking to do my first service at 2200 miles which is supposed to include an oil change, tire rotation, top off fluids, and brake inspection and I plan on changing the diff fluid as well (aware that it is not included)

The dealer closest by that I usually go to told me that it doesn't exist and you only get a free oil change from the dealer you bought the car at. I figured something was wrong here so I called Chevrolet customer service and they confirmed I am supposed to get a first free service, but it depends on dealer policy and they are unsure of why that dealer wouldn't cover it.

I decided to call another dealer after hearing this and reading further reviews that pissed me off. They acknowledged that I get a first free service, but told me that it is due at 5000 miles and they were unsure that I would be eligible for it since I'm doing it so early, but told me that I could schedule an appointment and the service advisor could speak to me about whether I get it or not. I did try to press them to answer my question, but they couldn't.

I want to know, am I supposed to be eligible at any time? What was your experience? I'm just very confused.

GreenZLE · 12-04-2023, 08:56 PM

I wouldnt let a dealer touch my car unless its a warranty issue I couldnt deal with on my own like when my supercharger failed at 20K miles....and its my in laws that own the dealership I ordered from. I've heard too many bad stories about several dealerships on here.
It was no big loss to me and I know for certain that everything was done to MY standards.

m6-lt1 · 12-04-2023, 09:02 PM

I got my oil changed at 510 miles for free at the dealer I bought my car from. This was a couple months ago.

nprario · 12-04-2023, 09:08 PM

GM pays for the first oil change on new car purchases and it should not matter what Dealer you take it to or how soon you want to do it.

arpad_m · 12-04-2023, 09:17 PM

My first service was on day 2 when I noticed they'd accidentally installed the track brake deflectors

No questions asked, no money charged, I stumbled upon an absolutely fantastic service department.

That aside, you are entitled to a free oil change, and you should be able to "call" that anytime. I had my first oil change at 500 miles and the second at 1500 miles, along with a diff fluid change, all free (back in 2018 GM used to grant 2 free fluid exchanges, I think it's down to 1 these days).

If the service department is giving you pain over the timing of this, you need to find a better dealership. They are out there, but unfortunately you can't simply walk into one and expect to be lucky, those days seem to be over (if they ever were in the first place).

whitelt1 · 12-04-2023, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nprario

GM pays for the first oil change on new car purchases and it should not matter what Dealer you take it to or how soon you want to do it.

Damn. I wonder what was going on with that first dealer I called. Lots of people in my area complain about all local dealers. I guess far away is where I should go. The second dealer know more about what they are doing considering they are even aware of the first free service at all.

whitelt1 · 12-04-2023, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arpad_m

My first service was on day 2 when I noticed they'd accidentally installed the track brake deflectors

No questions asked, no money charged, I stumbled upon an absolutely fantastic service department.

That aside, you are entitled to a free oil change, and you should be able to "call" that anytime. I had my first oil change at 500 miles and the second at 1500 miles, along with a diff fluid change, all free (back in 2018 GM used to grant 2 free fluid exchanges, I think it's down to 1 these days).

If the service department is giving you pain over the timing of this, you need to find a better dealership. They are out there, but unfortunately you can't simply walk into one and expect to be lucky, those days seem to be over (if they ever were in the first place).

Yeah dealers these days are shady. Especially where I live all of the local dealers are known to suck according to many who go there. I heard horror stories where local dealers crashed and totaled their car during service and was going to make them buy a new car or going through the vehicle owner's personal insurance.

whitelt1 · 12-04-2023, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenZLE

I wouldnt let a dealer touch my car unless its a warranty issue I couldnt deal with on my own like when my supercharger failed at 20K miles....and its my in laws that own the dealership I ordered from. I've heard too many bad stories about several dealerships on here.
It was no big loss to me and I know for certain that everything was done to MY standards.

Well hey, if you can do it yourself, more power to you. Personally I'd like to take advantage of the free service. Besides, this is not my first car but the first car that I feel enthusiastic about. I've never really done my own work on a car before besides helping my father a little bit working on my previous car in the past.

I'm willing to do things like oil changes myself, but I was told by someone that it's necessary to do a service at a dealer so that the oil change is recorded or else the warranty is voided. I'm not saying that as a fact nor do I know if it is true but I'm starting to doubt that, but wondering if anyone had any thoughts onnit.

CTRifecta · 12-04-2023, 09:33 PM

How much does the rear diff change run typically?

2SS Capt · 12-04-2023, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenZLE

I wouldnt let a dealer touch my car unless its a warranty issue I couldnt deal with on my own

It was no big loss to me and I know for certain that everything was done to MY standards.

I agree, I didn't even take it in for the "free" oil change... I'd rather do the work myself and know it is done right, I've heard far, far, far too many dealer horror stories!

My car has been to the dealer twice in the nearly 4 years I've had it, the first time was for the ECM Flash for the GM Performance Cold Air Intake (free) and the second was at about 2,900 miles when I ran into a issue (see this thread: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=585372) that was a Service Bulletin and needed an ECM flash update to fix so that it wouldn't happen again...

Both times I told the dealer "DO NOT WASH THE CAR" and at least they listened to that...

whitelt1 · 12-04-2023, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2SS Capt

I agree, I didn't even take it in for the "free" oil change... I'd rather do the work myself and know it is done right, I've heard far, far, far too many dealer horror stories!

My car has been to the dealer twice in the nearly 4 years I've had it, the first time was for the ECM Flash for the GM Performance Cold Air Intake (free) and the second was at about 2,900 miles when I ran into a issue (see this thread: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=585372) that was a Service Bulletin and needed an ECM flash update to fix so that it wouldn't happen again...

Both times I told the dealer "DO NOT WASH THE CAR" and at least they listened to that...

Yeah that do not wash the car part is important. I have a ceramic coat and PPF which will mess that up and obviously their machines will screw up paint.

2SS Capt · 12-04-2023, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitelt1

Yeah that do not wash the car part is important. I have a ceramic coat and PPF which will mess that up and obviously their machines will screw up paint.

I do as well, full frontal PPF plus a bit more and Ceramic Coating... I don't want anyone touching my car unnecessarily...

MyNameIs · 12-04-2023, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenZLE

I wouldnt let a dealer touch my car unless its a warranty issue I couldnt deal with on my own like when my supercharger failed at 20K miles....and its my in laws that own the dealership I ordered from. I've heard too many bad stories about several dealerships on here.
It was no big loss to me and I know for certain that everything was done to MY standards.

My dealer is one on the top 10 corvette dealers in the country... I have been very happy with my service. Other than tires and brakes they have been the only to do my service.

MyNameIs · 12-04-2023, 11:54 PM

If you want to get your oil change a week after buying your car thats your decision not the dealers. If he tells you different then he's FOS, and let him know, and tell him because he is FOS you will find a dealer who is not FOS to perform all future service as long as he remains the mgr.

12-04-2023, 08:21 PM	#1
whitelt1 Drives: '23 LT1 Convertible (Auto) Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Broward County Posts: 39	When is first free service allowed? I got my '23 LT1 Camaro (Convertible auto model) brand new off the dealer lot in July and I'm looking to do my first service at 2200 miles which is supposed to include an oil change, tire rotation, top off fluids, and brake inspection and I plan on changing the diff fluid as well (aware that it is not included) The dealer closest by that I usually go to told me that it doesn't exist and you only get a free oil change from the dealer you bought the car at. I figured something was wrong here so I called Chevrolet customer service and they confirmed I am supposed to get a first free service, but it depends on dealer policy and they are unsure of why that dealer wouldn't cover it. I decided to call another dealer after hearing this and reading further reviews that pissed me off. They acknowledged that I get a first free service, but told me that it is due at 5000 miles and they were unsure that I would be eligible for it since I'm doing it so early, but told me that I could schedule an appointment and the service advisor could speak to me about whether I get it or not. I did try to press them to answer my question, but they couldn't. I want to know, am I supposed to be eligible at any time? What was your experience? I'm just very confused.

12-04-2023, 09:02 PM	#3
m6-lt1 Drives: 2023 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,037	I got my oil changed at 510 miles for free at the dealer I bought my car from. This was a couple months ago. __________________ Current: 2023 2SS 1LE Prior: 2016 Camaro 1SS 2007 Mustang GT 2008 Civic Si

12-04-2023, 09:17 PM	#5
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,621 View My Garage	My first service was on day 2 when I noticed they'd accidentally installed the track brake deflectors No questions asked, no money charged, I stumbled upon an absolutely fantastic service department. That aside, you are entitled to a free oil change, and you should be able to "call" that anytime. I had my first oil change at 500 miles and the second at 1500 miles, along with a diff fluid change, all free (back in 2018 GM used to grant 2 free fluid exchanges, I think it's down to 1 these days). If the service department is giving you pain over the timing of this, you need to find a better dealership. They are out there, but unfortunately you can't simply walk into one and expect to be lucky, those days seem to be over (if they ever were in the first place). __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

12-04-2023, 09:33 PM	#9
CTRifecta Drives: 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 320	How much does the rear diff change run typically? __________________ 2024 2SS 1LE \| 6MT \| Riverside Blue 1100 - Order submitted - 7/12/23 2000 - Order accepted - 8/22/23 Vehicle Built (per chevy chat bot) - 10/10/23 Window sticker available online - 11/4/23 Arrived at dealership - 11/10/23

12-04-2023, 08:56 PM	#2
GreenZLE Drives: 2020 Rally Green ZL1-1LE Join Date: May 2020 Location: Illinois Posts: 325	I wouldnt let a dealer touch my car unless its a warranty issue I couldnt deal with on my own like when my supercharger failed at 20K miles....and its my in laws that own the dealership I ordered from. I've heard too many bad stories about several dealerships on here. It was no big loss to me and I know for certain that everything was done to MY standards.

12-04-2023, 09:08 PM	#4
nprario Drives: 2017 1ss 1le HBM Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Temecula Posts: 122	GM pays for the first oil change on new car purchases and it should not matter what Dealer you take it to or how soon you want to do it.

12-04-2023, 11:54 PM	#14
MyNameIs Account Suspended Drives: Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Middle Park East, Liberty City Posts: 238	If you want to get your oil change a week after buying your car thats your decision not the dealers. If he tells you different then he's FOS, and let him know, and tell him because he is FOS you will find a dealer who is not FOS to perform all future service as long as he remains the mgr.

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