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First oil change

97K views 188 replies 58 participants last post by  Bigdaddyaw 
#1 ·
When should you do it?
 
#4 ·
I couldn't get a hold of the salesperson after delivery for the key code, so I called the Service Advisor of the Alfa Service Department. He was quite helpful, but when asked about the first oil change for the Stelvio he got stumped. (wtf?)

He placed me on hold, then came back on the line that the first oil change is at 10k miles.

That was amusing.

I LOVE MY STELVIO
, but what type of basic training does FCA provide to the Alfa dealers?
 
#5 ·
There is a reminder setting accessed through the menu on the screen so you don't forget. One dealer mentioned that there was a sensor to monitor oil quality but nothing in the manual. Anybody aware of this? Interesting there is no dipstick.
 
#7 ·
Ah, the manufacturer recommended oil change intervals. They are usually too long when the manufacturer pays for the service.


I keep my cars a long time and have always changed oil more frequently than suggested by manufacturer.


10,000 miles for first change? On a brand new engine? I'll change mine at 5,000 the first time, and maybe even before that.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Cost of an oil change in your area??




For those of us who plan to keep their cars for a long time, maintenance costs are a factor. I will be in that group and i am curious about the cost of a single oil change, never mind tuneups and other essentials. I called 3 dealers in my area about the cost of an oil change.

Just like @karlfevans , at first they were all baffled by the question and had to put me on hold to find out. They came back with: " Well they are so new we have never done one so we have to look it up", so I suggested to look up an oil change price for a Giulia and they came back with these cost numbers.

Minimum 1 hour of labor plus parts. Labor involves removing a protection shield/tray before they can get to the drain plug. Parts cost from $51 to $80 depending on which dealer you talk to.

One dealer told me they charge $175 for the service, another $245 and the 3rd one said $300!!

How much does your dealer charge you for an oil change in your area?
 
#9 ·
First service is gratis. I intend to have the hitch installed at that time and Alfa roof bars if available. Advance Auto Parts told me they have filters in stock so subsequent oil changes should be $50-60 with synthetic at Precision Imports, our local garage around the corner. Any recalls I will drive to the dealer- 40 miles- and make a decision at the time about other services. Software updates should be gratis.

The Alfa Romeo dealer has a Jeep store and they were excellent and frankly I enjoy going there to walk the lot and see what's new. For me, an enjoyable outing.
 
#10 ·
I'm sorry but there is NO WAY an oil change will cost $50-$60 .... even if its not the dealer and you get a smoking deal from a local garage it will cost more than that .... if they quoted you over the phone they don't know the work that's involved and the price of the special oil and special filter ..... NO WAY
 
#11 ·
Dealer told me the didn't know the price because they have never done one, but estimated it would cost somewhere between $300-$750 for the first years service, I didn't bother to tell them yet that Alfa says it's free (or that they are smoking crack if they think I'm paying $750 for an oil change, the local dodge / jeep dealer techs will get an exotic treat instead). BTW, year 2 requires a new serpentine belt if I recall the manual correctly.
 
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#12 ·
Believe it or not, I get the oil changed in my wife's Miata for $25 at a small shop near my house. The price includes the filter but not the oil. I provide the 5 quarts of Mobil1.


I get my oil changed in my Audi S5 at a European specialist near my house. The specialist provides filter and oil (8 quarts) and the cost is $180 with the 8% Texas sales tax.


I may get my Stelvio oil changed at the European specialist, only because the guy is so anal and he has higher level certifications than most Audi and BMW mechanics. I bet it costs $160 ( two fewer quarts of oil).
 
#13 ·
On the infotainment center it has access to the selection of the “car” category which shows the count down for the year and miles left to the oil change, which matches my owners manual. It also shows the oil level. My dealer stated after the first free oil change, the price is $200.00. Before I do the second oil change, I will be shopping around to find the right shop to service my Stelvio.
 
#15 ·
I BELIEVE you, i just don't believe them! It makes no sense! $50-$60 for synthetic oil and a special filter plus labor? I honestly think they don't know about having to remove parts before getting to the oil plug. You can call them or stop by and ask about whats involved in the oil change and see if they have even looked under a Stelvio yet.
 
#23 ·
Not according to Alfa's website, you got duped!

1yr 10,000mi Complimentary First Service (34)

(34) Coverage only applies to 17MY and newer Alfa Romeo vehicles excluding all 4C Coupe and Spider
 
#24 ·
Calling AlfaTech on Oil Changes

@ALFATECH can you please look into posting a report on the Stelvio oil change? preferably with pictures.

1. I would like to know what you consider a reasonable amount (US $) for an oil change.

2. I would like to know what is actually involved in an oil change procedure. Basically, what do you have to remove to get to the filter and oil drain plug? Is it really the same as the Giulia?

3. Can any good shop do it or do you need special tools from AR?

4. Jaguar F-pace does not have a drain plug and the oil is pumped out from the oil filler point. Is the same procedure possible with the Stelvio and if yes do you recommend it?

5. Whats the best source for buying the oil and filter if you want to do it yourself?

Thanks.
 
#26 ·
4. Jaguar F-pace does not have a drain plug and the oil is pumped out from the oil filler point. Is the same procedure possible with the Stelvio and if yes do you recommend it?
Marco, I don't know if this applies to us or not, but just an FYI, while this is uncommon on automobiles, it's fairly common on small marine diesel engines like those found in sailboats, and not considered a very difficult thing to do (in fact if I were do change my oil at home this is how I would do it, since I don't have ramps). Most marine stores sell a hand powered vacuum pump to do this for under $100
https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|2285701|2349116&id=1298219

All you need to do is run the engine a bit to get the oil warm (not hot), stick the tube in the dip stick, and give it a few pumps. Just wait for it to do it's thing after that, it's quite simple.
 
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#25 ·
I’m starting to feel my dealer is giving me a good deal. He’s eating my first three maintenance fees and giving me free climate controlled tire/wheel storage for my winter set.

Now to find winter wheels for a bolt pattern I can’t find documented.
 
#28 ·
235/60ZR18, 8Jx18 ET34 wheel, 5x110 bolt pattern, M14 x 1.5 thread size, 65.1 center bore
255/45R20, 8.5Jx20 ET31 wheel, 5x110 bolt pattern, M14 x 1.5 thread size, 65.1 center bore
 
#27 ·
I've changed oil for years with a vacuum pump and have been very satisfied.

1. 2003 Audi 1.8T sold in 2017 with 175,000 miles
2. 2001 BMW X5 sold in 2015 with 180,000 miles
3. 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo (owned since 1995 and zero issues)

I moved into a new house and have stopped changing my own oil, since I always seem to spill oil from the oil filter onto the garage floor.
 
#34 ·
First Oil Change 2018 Stelvio Saga continues...

My Wife's Stelvio ha 4550 miles on it. Took it to a dealer in NW Indiana. Purchased from the north side of Chicago Sept 30 last year. The roadside assistance sticker stated 4000 miles or 3500 if I remember...Anyway. It was the dealers very first Stelvio oil change...ugh! Ultimately took 90 minutes last Saturday....they washed the car too. It was all complimentary zero charge as the original salesperson assured us the first one is free. ...We found out later it could have been done at 10k miles along with needed software updates...The trouble began on Tuesday...yesterday. On way to work almost an hour away in Chicago...the low oil level light comes on. She gets to work and looks to reset. Also looks for oil leak...sees nothing. I call the dealer and say come tow this back and rent her a car. Instead, they talk to the mechanic who did the oil change and he says he only added 4.5 quarts. It requires 7. They dispatch a mechanic to her office with 2.5 quarts, check for leaks and try to reset the computer. No leaks...reset does not work. Remember no oil stick under there either. Anyway, we talked to mechanic & service department advisor and agree to drive home. NO issues on the way home and the computer light resets to show no warning. Fast forward to today...on way to work again...about 3 miles away and the light warning now says Oil Level too full...ugh! So again we call and they insist probably a little too full no more than 1/2 quart. Anyway...appointment again this Friday to drain, fill, repeat...If this screwed up this engine I will surely be even more upset. Hopefully, the tech, rings and mechanicals inside will be fine. I bought the car for my wife who really does not appreciate vehicles...she is not impressed. Along with putting the car seat behind her seat...and everytime she parks and gets out the seat reclines all the way back and you have to then manually power seat forward to get the child seat out...to the other complaints on wiper fluid driver side at highway speed ending up on side window...and rear squirter not doing a great job...however; she did get familiar with the shifter finally. Another side note...during winter...when in drive...and on an incline, the car wanted to lunge forward and had to apply the brakes until RPM rev subsided...kinda scary...not sure what happened...but happened three different times...hmmm very odd and not sure if anyone else experienced this.
 
#37 ·
Another side note...during winter...when in drive...and on an incline, the car wanted to lunge forward and had to apply the brakes until RPM rev subsided...kinda scary...not sure what happened...but happened three different times...hmmm very odd and not sure if anyone else experienced this.
The ZF8HP50 (2nd Generation) transmission has "Automatic idle shift (stand-by control)" which engages when the vehicle is at a standstill. When Motor Trend first reviewed the Stelvio it was apparently the first vehicle with the new 2nd Gen of this transmission they had tested, and certain people insisted that the car must have had a dual clutch transmission as a result of it.

I couldn't find anything that specifically details the idle shift function (referred to in some documents as SBC), but this explains a little about the transmission internals that allow for it to work.
ZF developed a completely new concept in the current version. With four wheel sets, the 8HP has only five shift elements. In combination with three multidisk clutches and two brakes, it achieves higher efficiency than comparable transmissions. Since only two shift elements are opened per gear, drag losses are significantly minimized. This effect is supported by the use of a new parallel-axis vane cell pump. By integrating an electric oil pump, the 8HP now has an extended start-stop and coasting function
https://www.zf.com/corporate/en_de/..._8_speed_automatic_transmission.shtml#tabs1-0
 
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#35 ·
I assume you are not a troll. The owner's manual shows oil capacity is 5.5 quarts, so only having 4.5 quarts is okay (for a while). The lack of a Stelvio dipstick is inexcusable and your experience shows EXACTLY why. My Audi S5 came with a plug in the dipstick tube- but at least you can buy a real dipstick, which I did.

No dipstick is pure FOLLY.

Your other gripes appear to be learning curve issues. I was yelling at the car early on, and found it was me who didn't understand. Modern cars have electronics and the logic varies from car to car, so there is a learning curve.
 
#36 ·
All real. Just got off the phone with the dealership manager. They are sending a loaner car to my wife's office, sending out a flatbed to tow car back to the dealership (like I requested yesterday). I also have them set up an appointment with Factory Rep so I can complain and state my valid concerns of possible damage over the course of three errors over three days and 4 days of driving with incorrect oil levels from their service. FYI; I own Durango RT, did own a Charger SXT and now Alpha Romeo Stelvio...I hope this rep knows this lack of basic service knowledge is not going to fly on this dealer who only recently has added the Alpha badge along with FIAT to their dealership. Brand new car is prob jacked. So sad. 5.5 quarts...Not 4.5 and not surely 7.0 as they told me previously.
 

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#38 ·
That’s crappy, I’m not sure what the QV takes for oil but maybe it’s supposed to have 7 and they looked it up by accident? Either way, I’d think the next oil change or two are on them for all this hassle.
 
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