Oil Change

I’m getting the oil changed in my car this morning.   I do this pretty regularly.   I try to get in every 3000 miles or so, but sometimes I go a little longer.   I never go more than 7000.   My Grandfather told me that getting the oil changed in a car regularly is the best thing you can do to extend its life.   I was not very good about doing it when I was young, but now that I’m older, I’m much better about it.

I get my oil changed at Ron Tonkin Acura, which is the dealership where I bought the car.   I know you’re thinking to yourself that that’s crazy.  Why would he go to the dealership?   There are thousands of places that will do it much faster and cheaper.   Yes, you’re right, but not completely right.   Ron Tonkin and I share a symbiotic relationship.   We have established a deal with each other that benefits us both.    Shortly after I purchased my car in 2004, I purchased something called the “Lifetime Oil Change”.   It’s been so long ago that I don’t remember what I paid for it, but it was around $500.   By purchasing this option, Ron Tonkin agreed to change my oil, with no additional charges, for as long as I own the car.   He probably didn’t know that I keep my cars until they fall apart; I don’t think that would have affected his decision though.   The price per oil change doesn’t really matter to either of us.   For the record though, I’ve had my oil changed here about 12 times.   That means I’m currently at about $41.50 per time.   By the time I get rid of my car, it will be a lot less.

I say that the price doesn’t matter because our relationship is not really about the price of the oil change.    For me, it’s about the fact that I’ve already paid for it.   I know myself well enough to know that if I’ve already shelled out money for something, I’m going to make the most of it.   Because my oil changes are already paid for, I come in and get the service done far more often.   This means that I’m extending the life of my car, which is a good thing for me.   I would probably go 10 or even 15 thousand miles between oil changes if I did not have this service.   Because I have it, I sometimes go back in after only 2000.   There is also free coffee.  

For Mr. Tonkin, the price per oil change doesn’t matter because he really just wants me to come into the dealership.   When I’m here, he can sell me things.   There is a little accessory shop, although I never buy anything there.   There is also a big showroom full of brand new cars.   I often times look at those.   I haven’t bought one in a long time, and I’m not planning to very soon.  (I’m still trying to maximize my oil changes on this one)   What he has sold me, is additional services on my car.   Since I’m already here, I go ahead and let them change various filters and hoses and windshield wipers.   I let them service the different systems when the time is right.  They ALWAYS remind me when the scheduled time is.   I’m pretty sure I end up paying a little bit more than I would somewhere else, but the simple fact is that I wouldn’t do it if I had to go somewhere else.   Ron Tonkin was smart to sell me the “Lifetime Oil Change” and I was smart to buy it.