View Full Version : FYI, Free Service limitations


Squidward
10-02-2003, 06:05 PM
I just called my dealership to set up an oil change and asked about the free service.

The service guy checked the RX8 bulletin and told me in order for the service to be free, the car has to have at least 7500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first.

Well now... That stinks....

XK4
10-02-2003, 06:22 PM
Guess you didn't read the acknowledgement you signed. It says "free scheduled maintenance...". The owner's manual has that schedule. I wouldn't have imagined that Mazda would do anything other than what is scheduled.

If you want more frequent oil changes, use your $500 debit card at Jiffy-Lube (if you dare :eek: )

Dave

loco4rx8
10-02-2003, 06:31 PM
I will insist that they go by the "Severe" schedule. That's an oil change every 5000 miles. Twice I've been told on the phone by Mazda that you can choose whichever schedule you want to follow. I will hold them to that. You should too.

Squidward
10-02-2003, 06:34 PM
Originally posted by XK4
Guess you didn't read the acknowledgement you signed. It says "free scheduled maintenance...". The owner's manual has that schedule. I wouldn't have imagined that Mazda would do anything other than what is scheduled.

If you want more frequent oil changes, use your $500 debit card at Jiffy-Lube (if you dare :eek: )

Dave

uhhh.. gee you are *so* helpful...

I asked for my *first* 3000k mile service... don't be so jaded.

Magnesium
10-02-2003, 06:45 PM
There is not a scheduled 3000 mile maintenance on this car. The dealer always tells you that so they can charge you for the service.

Chuck Clifford
10-02-2003, 06:57 PM
Mazda told us twice by phone, that we choose the schedule not the dealer, our choice 5000 or 7500. Insist on schedule 2. They are getting fully reinbursed. 3000 miles is not an option, that will be your bill to pay.

RX-8 2004
10-02-2003, 07:15 PM
Copy of what the dealers have go to this link.

tell you just what you get and when ....

http://rx-8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12046

If the dealer gives you any problems I would copy and use this as a back up. To what is and should be done for free.

http://www.finishlineperformance.co...docs/ad_47.html

XK4
10-03-2003, 05:30 AM
Originally posted by Squidward


uhhh.. gee you are *so* helpful...

I asked for my *first* 3000k mile service... don't be so jaded.

Sorry, but I wasn't necessarily trying to be helpful, just informative. Maintenance Service: Schedule 2 - Unique Driving Conditions call for the first oil change at 4 Months or 5,000 miles. I can't imagine anything that will *help* you get more a more frequent service interval for free.

Dave

o_town_racer
10-03-2003, 08:28 AM
I know this doesn't really apply.....but my dealer (Cory Fairbanks Mazda in Orlando, FL) offers a free first oil change (3000 miles) independent of the Mazda free scheduled maintenance plan. I'm still under 1000, but will soon double that with a road trip to Atlanta.

desmo996
10-03-2003, 08:40 AM
Originally posted by o_town_racer
I know this doesn't really apply.....but my dealer (Cory Fairbanks Mazda in Orlando, FL) offers a free first oil change (3000 miles) independent of the Mazda free scheduled maintenance plan.

I used up my free service @ 1400 miles, just to make sure. The oil came out somewhat dirty (Very Dark). My next service, will be 6 months down the line. My commute is short and there is no way I'll put 7,500 in six months.

mikeb
10-03-2003, 08:04 PM
damn
I paided for my oil change after 2900 miles

Mitch Strickler
10-03-2003, 11:27 PM
The dealer said that some Mazda bulletin said you had to wait for 6 months/7,500 for free service. I asked about that on Mazda's 800 line, and they said I could use the other schedule in the manual, 4 months/5,000. Then I read a memo (happened to be on the stationary of a dealer in my area, Washington, DC -- Rosenthal Mazda) that told exactly what Mazda would pay dealers for the service and said that Mazda instructed them to give the more frequent service if the customer asked for it. I also registeded my car on a Mazda site, and they asked me to fill in whether it would be on the 4 or 6 month schedule.
From experience with my own dealer, yours may just have been clueless, not necessarily a thief. But either way, don't let him get away with giving you any less than the more frequent service schedule in your owner's manual.
Mitch

Good Duck
10-04-2003, 12:16 AM
I also got my first oil change (3800 mi) for free at Cory Fairbanks Mazda. But then again my next 3 oil changes should also be free regardless of mileage. I got them to throw it in when I bought the car from them. Of course, I asked it in writing.

As for the maintenance, I'll follow the severe schedule. Every 5k should suffice.

Kurt Bob
10-04-2003, 03:32 PM
I just had my first oil change (severe schedule) at 5400 miles. They said they couldn't rotate my tires until the next service (since it is a 7,500 mile item).

canzoomer
10-06-2003, 11:10 PM
Here is a link to an image of the Campaign MSM02 for those who are eligible for the "free" service.

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/rx8/docs/ad_47.html

Here is what is covered:
8 oil and filter changes
1 air filter change
1 spark plugs (4) change

So, going by published dealer service rates that is:

$35.12 worth of oil filters
$100 worth of oil
$6.80 worth of oil plug washers
$29.95 worth of air filter
$109.95 worth of spark plugs..
For reference see:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com/rx8/rx8_maintenance.html

$281.82 worth of stuff.
Oh, plus labour.
Let's see, if we assume 1/2 hour per service at $65 / hour
$260 tops..

Hmm, wonder where they came up with that $1,200 figure??

Of course in Canada we only get 3 years warranty, so it is only worth about $560 Canadian..

mikeb
10-07-2003, 02:27 PM
canzoomer
nice avatar

canzoomer
10-07-2003, 06:26 PM
Tanks!

Ordered my plate now I am keeping her:

BLUBYU

Really, I am an Emmylou Harris fan.. honest..

rxeightr
10-07-2003, 06:43 PM
BLUBYU

Guess we got something in common there canz...check out the name above my avatar.

canzoomer
10-07-2003, 07:07 PM
Originally posted by rxeightr


Guess we got something in common there canz...check out the name above my avatar.

That is SO COOL!