Dealer said they changed my oil but now my oil life indicator is on

[JP7099]

I took my 2024 Gladiator Rubicon X to Waynesboro Jeep in Waynesboro GA to replace a bad steering wheel control module (all of the buttons on the steering wheel stopped working except the cruise control buttons) and get it's first oil change under the Jeep Wave program. It had 6,000 miles on it.

It was after service department hours when I picked it up. I noticed there wasn't a service sticker on the windshield and I didn't get any paperwork, so the next morning I called the service department asked them, "You did change the oil didn't you?". They guy told me yes it got changed.

A few weeks go by and I get an Email from Jeep telling me it was time to get my oil changed under the Jeep Wave program and it showed the correct mileage of my Jeep of around 8,000 miles AND it said I had TWO remaining Jeep Wave services left. When I bought it they said I would get two free services.

I called the service department back and told them about the Email and the guy said you can't go by those Emails, they just send them as part of the Jeep Wave Program. I asked again, "You are certain the oil got changed." Again the guy said yes.

Well, yesterday the Oil Change Required indicator came on, so now I have one guy (I've been talking to this one guy the whole time) telling me my oil has been changed, but I have two indicators telling me it HAS NOT been changed.

Looking at the oil, it looks fine, but I can't be 100% sure.

I would assume for the dealership to get Jeep to pay for that service, they would have to tell Jeep they did the oil change, so I shouldn't have received that Email. I can see them forgetting to reset the oil change interval, but now I don't know.

I don't think the dealership changed that oil. Any thoughts from anyone?

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[Not2Late]

Normally, should be easy to tell if you check right after the oil change. If the oil looks "clean" and is still somewhat translucent, I think you are ok and they just forgot to reset the oil-life. If they forgot to to do that, you would recieve the emails as the computer would be telling the system, "hey, my old needs to be changed". I don't believe the system analyzes the oil, its just an algorithm related to start/stop cycles and miles. So, your oil could be perfectly fine, but the computer is thinking its been in there for 8000 miles and not 2000. Problem is its been 2000 miles since you had it in there, and that could be enough to darken the oil a bit , making it hard to do the eye test.

From your description of the interactions you are having with the dealer, they seem pretty laxidaisical about it. If it was me, I would take it another service place and have them change the oil just to be sure. Or try it yourself. One thing I like about jeeps is how easy it is to do so! Not sure you are going to be able to get them to do it on their dime at this point. Then make sure you reset the oil change interval indicator - instructions are in the manual. Pretty easy. Good thing is even if it's the original oil at 8000 miles now, I don't think you have not hurt anything. Cheap insurance to change it again on your dime if you have any reservations.

As an aside, when I bought my used 2023 Wrangler, dealer said they changed the oil as part of the service it went through before sale. When I drove it, the oil life indicator showed 30% left. I checked the oil and it was obviously new. So, I think there is some laziness going on in dealerships. They may figure as long as they do it and note in their system the miles and date, why go the extra customer service step of resetting the indicator - just my little rant there!

 

[danimal2000]

Imo, if they changed the oil they would/ should have reset the indicator. So at BEST they cut a corner and didn't do an incredibly simple reset. I wouldn't be happy about them cutting corners like that regardless.

Did you ask why it wasn't reset? If the answer is "someone forgot" well, that's probably it for going there for service. What else might they forget? I've lost any patience for shoddy work. Either I'm doing it myself or going somewhere else until I find someone quality. If they can't do the 5 or 6 simple steps of changing oil, then you definitely won't be touching my wheels/tires/brakes

I used my free jeep wave oil changes, and their multi point inspection recommended new engine and cabin air filters for $150...cmon gimme a break. They give u free oil changes so they can talk you into this kind of crap. I've committed to handling more and more of these simpler things myself.

After a horribly botched oil change that resulted in a tow (wasn't at a dealer, long story) I'm doing it myself now. Too many unskilled people at some places these days. No offense at all to the skilled people who know what they're doing it's just sad that they're a dying breed and the chances of getting a good one is slim.

 

[KevinM60]

Like @Not2Late said, if the oil is fresh it will be pretty easy to tell because it gets discolored fairly quickly and will still look clean.
Since they returned it after hours it sounds to me like they rushed it out the door without giving you your paperwork.
I would take it back, have them reset the oil indicator, and give you your paperwork for your records. If they serviced your Jeep it will be in their system and they will be able to print out your oil change information.

 

[AmosMoses]

Change your oil every 5k miles. Always change it yourself. Always use quality oil like mobile 1 synthetic.

 

[Badunit]

used my free jeep wave oil changes, and their multi point inspection recommended new engine and cabin air filters for $150...cmon gimme a break.

I've had non-dealer shops quote (unsolicited by me) outrageous prices (over $100) for cabin air filter replacement on other vehicles I own. It is roughly a $12 filter that takes 5 minutes to install but they act like it is a gold plated filter requiring half the dash to be disassembled. And what really torques me is they have already taken it out (without permission) to take a picture of it to try to convince me it needs replacing.

 

[danimal2000]

Jeep recommends 30k miles for engine air filter... yet dealer said at my first oil change it needed replacing!

 

[XraytecH]

Change the oil and filter yourself. Then reset the oil life indicator.

Not very difficult...

 

[Hunter#1]

I get my servlce form a , I think very good and honest dealer shop. But After I pick the glad up I stop up the street and check the oil for coleration. Plus I check to see if the filter cap was removed for a new filter. So fat so good.

 

[Hootbro]

If I read this correctly, all you got is a verbal reassurance the oil change was done but there is no paper trail or indication from Jeep Wave that the dealership actually billed for it. I would lean on the premise with that data it was not done.

 

[Rusty PW]

Check the top of your oil filter. See if there is any type of pen marking on it. On the original filter. They usually mark it as part of their check out list when done building the engine. Mine had a light blue stripe. If it doesn't have any markings. It may have been changed.

 

[Blade1668]

The stealership that I bought my 05 Wrangler Unlimited from tried to charge me for the "cabin air filter" when I was getting the comp. oil change. My response was show me the old filter andwhere the new one was installed.
When services are done on my vehicles I habitual walk to where I can watch it being done. Only certain conditions when I don't. When the Dealership replaced the fuse bar in my JT the technician hooked it up different than what it was. I noticed that when I checked the work done afterwards. I actually told them I wanted the old one it was with fob and paperwork. End point; verification of anything done always. Upselling has cost me a engine and transmission due to shoddy work in the past.
If you have doubts that the oil was changed pull a sample and send to be tested it will cost more than an oil change and filter "about $45.°°" The testing can be piece of mind. Why I send off samples. Plus a tracking of oil changes and engine condition.

 

[JP7099]

Normally, should be easy to tell if you check right after the oil change. If the oil looks "clean" and is still somewhat translucent, I think you are ok and they just forgot to reset the oil-life. If they forgot to to do that, you would recieve the emails as the computer would be telling the system, "hey, my old needs to be changed". I don't believe the system analyzes the oil, its just an algorithm related to start/stop cycles and miles. So, your oil could be perfectly fine, but the computer is thinking its been in there for 8000 miles and not 2000. Problem is its been 2000 miles since you had it in there, and that could be enough to darken the oil a bit , making it hard to do the eye test.

From your description of the interactions you are having with the dealer, they seem pretty laxidaisical about it. If it was me, I would take it another service place and have them change the oil just to be sure. Or try it yourself. One thing I like about jeeps is how easy it is to do so! Not sure you are going to be able to get them to do it on their dime at this point. Then make sure you reset the oil change interval indicator - instructions are in the manual. Pretty easy. Good thing is even if it's the original oil at 8000 miles now, I don't think you have not hurt anything. Cheap insurance to change it again on your dime if you have any reservations.

As an aside, when I bought my used 2023 Wrangler, dealer said they changed the oil as part of the service it went through before sale. When I drove it, the oil life indicator showed 30% left. I checked the oil and it was obviously new. So, I think there is some laziness going on in dealerships. They may figure as long as they do it and note in their system the miles and date, why go the extra customer service step of resetting the indicator - just my little rant there!

From your description of the interactions you are having with the dealer, they seem pretty laxidaisical about it. If it was me, I would take it another service place

That's what worries me. Little details add up.

 

[JP7099]

Check the top of your oil filter. See if there is any type of pen marking on it. On the original filter. They usually mark it as part of their check out list when done building the engine. Mine had a light blue stripe. If it doesn't have any markings. It may have been changed.

I will check that. Thanks.

 

[JP7099]

If I read this correctly, all you got is a verbal reassurance the oil change was done but there is no paper trail or indication from Jeep Wave that the dealership actually billed for it. I would lean on the premise with that data it was not done.

Yep. Basically all I have is a verbal that they changed the oil. One guy is saying they changed it, two different indicators are saying they didn't.

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