Jason
Simpsonville,#2Consumer Comment
Fri, July 08, 2005
I can pretty much tell you that if the engine truly had NO oil in it... You wouldn't have made it 7 days with it in that condition. You wouldn't have made it 7 miles with it in that condition. A very similar thing happened to one of our company vehicles. Nick's Car Wash in Greenville, SC forgot to refill the oil and we drove it off the lot. Made it approximately 3/10 of a mile and the engine seized. Called them to look at it, they showed up with 4 quarts of oil which we would NOT allow them to put in, had it towed, and they had to pay for a new engine. So, I agree that it does happen, I just don't agree that you would have made it 7 days or more with no oil. And it had been 7 days since Dimmit looked at the vehicle.
Patrick
Gilbert,#3Consumer Comment
Fri, July 08, 2005
Charlotte, I agree with Robert's assessment of the situation. But I am also confused about something. Please clear this up so that it can help determine who is truly at fault here. In your initial report, you said that this was Dimmitt's fault because "poor supervision of mechanic lead to the oil being drained from my van and i was allowed to leave dimmitt chevrolet with low oil due to mechanic error." Then, in your update, you said your last oil change was 5/15/05 by someone other than Dimmitt. So which is it? Did Dimmitt drain your oil (for what reason I cannot tell), or did the other place not fill you up on the last change?
Sam
Cornelius,#4Consumer Suggestion
Fri, July 08, 2005
You wrote "I informed her that Federal law prohibits new car dealers from implying or denying warranty service because routine scheduled maintenance was performed at an independent repair facility. Title 50 chapter 50 section 2301-2312 U.S. Federal Code." But you seem to be overlooking the fact that this is not WARRANTY service. Your warranty is expired. And your warranty also has a provision that if a failure is because of lack of maintenance, they can request to see proof of maintenance before covering it under the warranty. If you come in after the warranty expires, they can choose to assist, as they did with the transmission mount, but it's not a requirement. Chevrolet's obligation ended at 36k miles. I'd recommend contacting the shop where you had the oil changed, and check your oil regularly. They can burn oil and not leave any leaks in the driveway. And, read your warranty manual. Roadside assistance is provided as a service when you're under warranty. Outside of the warranty, you can call them, but you get to pay for their services. If you need a tow outside of warranty, check your auto insurance - I have tow coverage on my insurance for only a few dollars extra, and it's nice knowing it's there if you need it.
Robert
Jacksonville,#5Consumer Comment
Fri, July 08, 2005
They had nothing to do with your oil. You even admit you went there for something completely different, a transmission mount. That is at the rear of the transmission, and the mech would have no reason to check your oil or drain anything. The oil change place did not put in enough oil, or you leaked it or burned it off. The dealership went to bat for you once before for a repair that was out of warranty. It is your responsibility to check your fluid levels regularly, and you did not. I think you are trying to get a new engine due to your own lack of maintenence and the place you got the oil changed at(super cheap minimum wage worker discount shop) told you "prove it" when you told them about it. If the warranty was good for 36K miles, then you have nothing after that mark.
Robert
Jacksonville,#6Consumer Comment
Fri, July 08, 2005
They had nothing to do with your oil. You even admit you went there for something completely different, a transmission mount. That is at the rear of the transmission, and the mech would have no reason to check your oil or drain anything. The oil change place did not put in enough oil, or you leaked it or burned it off. The dealership went to bat for you once before for a repair that was out of warranty. It is your responsibility to check your fluid levels regularly, and you did not. I think you are trying to get a new engine due to your own lack of maintenence and the place you got the oil changed at(super cheap minimum wage worker discount shop) told you "prove it" when you told them about it. If the warranty was good for 36K miles, then you have nothing after that mark.
Robert
Jacksonville,#7Consumer Comment
Fri, July 08, 2005
They had nothing to do with your oil. You even admit you went there for something completely different, a transmission mount. That is at the rear of the transmission, and the mech would have no reason to check your oil or drain anything. The oil change place did not put in enough oil, or you leaked it or burned it off. The dealership went to bat for you once before for a repair that was out of warranty. It is your responsibility to check your fluid levels regularly, and you did not. I think you are trying to get a new engine due to your own lack of maintenence and the place you got the oil changed at(super cheap minimum wage worker discount shop) told you "prove it" when you told them about it. If the warranty was good for 36K miles, then you have nothing after that mark.
Robert
Jacksonville,#8Consumer Comment
Fri, July 08, 2005
They had nothing to do with your oil. You even admit you went there for something completely different, a transmission mount. That is at the rear of the transmission, and the mech would have no reason to check your oil or drain anything. The oil change place did not put in enough oil, or you leaked it or burned it off. The dealership went to bat for you once before for a repair that was out of warranty. It is your responsibility to check your fluid levels regularly, and you did not. I think you are trying to get a new engine due to your own lack of maintenence and the place you got the oil changed at(super cheap minimum wage worker discount shop) told you "prove it" when you told them about it. If the warranty was good for 36K miles, then you have nothing after that mark.
Charlotte
palm harbor,#9Author of original report
Fri, July 08, 2005
Dimmit chevrolet neglected to replace motor oil drained from my 2004 Astro mini van on June 27, 2005. Van only has 37,000 miles but warranty expired at 36,000 miles. Van had to have rear transmission mount replaced on June 27, 2005. Larry the service manager was very helpful and did request GM to repair even though warranty expired at 36, 000 miles. I was very satisfied that Dimmitt was assisting with rear transmission mount and General motors also complied with a goodwill warranty due to mileage was 36,700. 700 miles over expired warranty. This was June 27, 2005. On July 5, the same thing occurred that led me to Dimmitt on june 27, 2005. the service engine light came on. I was on my way to Dimmitt when my car made a loud sound and then snapped. My ac, radio, lights and horn still continued to work. My engine was dead. I called 1-800chev usa and was told this service was only up to 36,000 miles something the dealer forgot to explain in detail. I called larry at Dimmitt and told him the problem. I went to work and I was in tears when Larry called and said my engine is dead. At 37,000 miles I need a new engine. I asked him what happened on June 27, 2005 that led to this? He stated there was no oil in my engine. I told him my last oil change was may 15, 2005. He told me the oil change companies have insurance for this kind of issue and told me to call them and work it out. That Dimmit was not responsible and never even opened the hood when they serviced my car on June 27, 2005. Larry also told me to call GM myself. He said he already got GM to do me a favor. He said Dimmitt took care of the last problem with the transmission. I asked him "did GM pay for the last service?" Larry said yes. I called GM customer service at 1-866-932-4368 ext 35558 and spoke with Laurie OConnor and she told me she needed to speak with David Rutters General Service manager at Dimmitt. Laurie was very nice and then she called me back and stated "that due to the oil change was not at a general Motors authorized repair shop GM could not assist with anything". I am aware of a federal law that prohibits new car dealers from implying or denying warranty service because routine scheduled maintenance was performed at an independent repair facility. Magnusen-Moss Act(1975) Title 15 Chapter 50 Section 2301-2312 U.S. Federal Code. I guess that GM has found a way to get around this law. I truly believe that if I never took my 2004 Astro Mini Van into Dimmitt for service, I would have never broke down on July 5, 2005 and my engine would not have died and I would have oil in my engine. Per Larry at Dimmitt ther were no signs of my engine leaking oil and there were no signs of a leak on my driveway. Dimmitt Chevrolet should have assisted with GM replacing the engine and should have admitted its mistakes, instead larry accused the mechanic at the oil change company. The oil change was 5/15/05, and Dimmitt Chevrolet serviced my van on 6/27/05 and the engine died on 7/5/05. Who do you think is at fault??? abide