Hi guys,

Not for the first time I find myself with a car question I would prefer 
to ask here before approaching my Ford dealer.

Having bought a F.D. Mondeo, 9 months old, with 10,000 miles on the 
clock, I checked the levels two weeks later after about 260 miles.   The 
oil was (typically) slightly over-filled, but when I took a sample from 
the dipstick it looked as though it had done 10,000 miles, rather than 
260, since the oil was new.
The filter casing also looked as though it had been in place more than 
260 miles, but I couldn't get at any label to check date or mileage 
label.

I understood that all Ford Direct cars are fully serviced in 
preparation, but the Annual Standard service is 12,500 miles from new. 
If the oil was not changed during preparation, then in theory I could do 
another 12,500 miles before servicing is due, which means that the oil 
would have been in the engine for 22,500 miles.    It is more likely 
that I will do about 6,000 miles and have the service carried out after 
12 months at 16,000 miles.

I will pose this question to the dealer and/or Ford Direct, but I wonder 
what opinions the group might have about the oil/mileage situation?
I am 71 y/o and it is quite a few years since I did my own oil changes.
;-)
-- 
Gordon Harris

Gordon wrote:

> Hi guys,
> 
> Not for the first time I find myself with a car question I would prefer 
> to ask here before approaching my Ford dealer.


Is there a stamp in the service book?

John

Forgive the stupidity, but if it is a diesel I think you will find that the
oil will look crappy after a few miles as it absorbs the combustion products
of the diesel. If it's petrol ahve a quiet word with them pointing out that
as their reputation may be at stake they might like to double check and
rectify the problem.



"Gordon"  wrote in message
news:KpX2AzA+3CFDFwdp@g3snx.demon.co.uk...

> Hi guys,
>
> Not for the first time I find myself with a car question I would prefer
> to ask here before approaching my Ford dealer.
>
> Having bought a F.D. Mondeo, 9 months old, with 10,000 miles on the
> clock, I checked the levels two weeks later after about 260 miles.   The
> oil was (typically) slightly over-filled, but when I took a sample from
> the dipstick it looked as though it had done 10,000 miles, rather than
> 260, since the oil was new.
> The filter casing also looked as though it had been in place more than
> 260 miles, but I couldn't get at any label to check date or mileage
> label.
>
> I understood that all Ford Direct cars are fully serviced in
> preparation, but the Annual Standard service is 12,500 miles from new.
> If the oil was not changed during preparation, then in theory I could do
> another 12,500 miles before servicing is due, which means that the oil
> would have been in the engine for 22,500 miles.    It is more likely
> that I will do about 6,000 miles and have the service carried out after
> 12 months at 16,000 miles.
>
> I will pose this question to the dealer and/or Ford Direct, but I wonder
> what opinions the group might have about the oil/mileage situation?
> I am 71 y/o and it is quite a few years since I did my own oil changes.
> ;-)
> -- 
> Gordon Harris

Hirsty's  writes

>Forgive the stupidity, but if it is a diesel I think you will find that the
>oil will look crappy after a few miles as it absorbs the combustion products
>of the diesel. If it's petrol ahve a quiet word with them pointing out that
>as their reputation may be at stake they might like to double check and
>rectify the problem.
>

It is petrol.    Thanks for the reply, I will adopt your suggestion.

They (Br*mh*ll Q**cks) already know me quite well, because

a)  The manual for the Radio and Sat/Nav was missing when I collected 
the car.   They were "on order" but I resorted to making myself 
comfortable in the Sales reception area until they produced one.    :-)

b) The rubber floor mats (part of the deal) were said to be "out of 
stock" when I collected the car, so I called their spares next day and 
found they had some in, so I reserved a set and called in to collect 
them.

c) (More seriously)  I was allowed to drive away the car when I 
collected it without the tax disc in place.   It was on the salesman's 
desk along with my insurance cover note......

A sloppier experience than the previous FD car I bought from them, but I 
am still within the 30 days and 1000 miles limit for a "No quibble" 
exchange for an equivalent replacement.


>> I understood that all Ford Direct cars are fully serviced in
>> preparation, but the Annual Standard service is 12,500 miles from new.
>> If the oil was not changed during preparation, then in theory I could do
>> another 12,500 miles before servicing is due, which means that the oil
>> would have been in the engine for 22,500 miles.    It is more likely
>> that I will do about 6,000 miles and have the service carried out after
>> 12 months at 16,000 miles.
>>


-- 
Gordon Harris

John Greystrong  writes

>Gordon wrote:
>> Hi guys,
>>  Not for the first time I find myself with a car question I would 
>>prefer  to ask here before approaching my Ford dealer.
>
>Is there a stamp in the service book?
>
>John


Only an unsigned, undated, stamp which says Ford Direct and the mileage, 
which was 9997.

There is no stamp in the 1st Annual Service square, and the schedule for 
that is 12,500 miles or August 8th, 2006.

If I had bought the car new, it would be 1st November 2005 for its
1st Annual, or at 12,500 miles, another 2000, but no way am I paying for 
a service on that date!
-- 
Gordon Harris

Gordon  writes

>Hirsty's  writes
>>Forgive the stupidity, but if it is a diesel I think you will find that the
>>oil will look crappy after a few miles as it absorbs the combustion products
>>of the diesel. If it's petrol ahve a quiet word with them pointing out that
>>as their reputation may be at stake they might like to double check and
>>rectify the problem.
>>
>It is petrol.    Thanks for the reply, I will adopt your suggestion.
>

The Sales Manager agreed to an oil and filter change tomorrow, "Because 
it's my job to keep customers happy".

He didn't even look at the sample of oil I took with me.   :-)
Thanks for all comments.
-- 
Gordon Harris

In article , Gordon says...


> The Sales Manager agreed to an oil and filter change tomorrow, "Because 
> it's my job to keep customers happy".
> 
> He didn't even look at the sample of oil I took with me.   :-)
> Thanks for all comments.
> 

THe 10 it'll cost them is worth it to keep your business.

-- 
Conor

"You're not married, you haven't got a girlfriend and you've never seen 
Star Trek? Good Lord!" - Patrick Stewart, Extras.

"Gordon"  wrote in message
news:b2PCHJQfoJFDFwO1@g3snx.demon.co.uk...

> Gordon  writes
> >Hirsty's  writes
> >>Forgive the stupidity, but if it is a diesel I think you will find that
the
> >>oil will look crappy after a few miles as it absorbs the combustion
products
> >>of the diesel. If it's petrol ahve a quiet word with them pointing out
that
> >>as their reputation may be at stake they might like to double check and
> >>rectify the problem.
> >>
> >It is petrol.    Thanks for the reply, I will adopt your suggestion.
> >
> The Sales Manager agreed to an oil and filter change tomorrow, "Because
> it's my job to keep customers happy".
>
> He didn't even look at the sample of oil I took with me.   :-)
> Thanks for all comments.
> -- 
> Gordon Harris


Get them to stamp your 1st annual service box in the service book to show
that the oil has been changed. From my reading of your post the 1st annual
service box has no stamp in it? This service is little more than an oil &
filter change and a checkover so they should stamp it, which will see you
through to your next annual service at an expected 16,000 miles in August
2006.  If you go through to August 2006 with no stamp in the book, and no
service invoice from the dealer, you could have problems with warranty
claims against Ford in the future?

Doctor D  writes

>
>"Gordon"  wrote
>> >
>> The Sales Manager agreed to an oil and filter change tomorrow, "Because
>> it's my job to keep customers happy".
>>
>> He didn't even look at the sample of oil I took with me.   :-)
>> Thanks for all comments.
>
>Get them to stamp your 1st annual service box in the service book to show
>that the oil has been changed. From my reading of your post the 1st annual
>service box has no stamp in it? This service is little more than an oil &
>filter change and a checkover so they should stamp it, which will see you
>through to your next annual service at an expected 16,000 miles in August
>2006.  If you go through to August 2006 with no stamp in the book, and no
>service invoice from the dealer, you could have problems with warranty
>claims against Ford in the future?
>

Hmm, it was done today, but the only stamp is the Ford Direct stamp at 
9997 miles, which they say is evidence of a 'service', whatever that 
might mean.   I have checked that the filter housing is new and the oil 
is clean.

They maintain that all FD cars carry the warranty.     I wanted the oil 
change because I may keep the car after the warranty period and oil is 
something I don't compromise with.
-- 
Gordon Harris