Motor oil decal for engine compartment?

[VirginiaHeritage]

I’m thinking of putting a decal in my engine compartment with oil info on it to somewhat idiot-proof my truck for dealer oil changes. I found these on Etsy and they are vinyl. I would prefer a metallic foil type decal but haven’t been able to find one yet. Wondering if these vinyl ones would be likely to hold up to the heat in there mounted on one of the plastic (intake?) tubes that cross the engine compartment up top. Anyone done anything like this or have a better idea? I’ll get to DIY oil changes when it’s out of warranty.

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[Brian_B]

Isn’t it already in big yellow letters on the oil cap?

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

Yes, but someone posted previously about a dealer “tech”’ putting in the wrong oil despite that. That’s where the “idiot-proofing” factors in. Maybe if I make it impossible to miss…

 

[MachOne]

I cannot help you with your question, but it would appear that you may not have 100% faith in the dealer to perform services perfectly. My opinion doesn't matter, but what I did actually do was to ask the service manager if I could get the oil and filter to 'carry out' and change it myself. They will scan the label in the driver side door jam, which records it, and give you the oil and filter.
Change the oil yourself, and you know exactly how and what was done. I don't normally do oil analysis, but I want to see what the oil and filter look like.

There are a lot of threads on self service oil changes changes, and no one is exaggerating when they say that hot oil comes shooting out that big drain hole. My solution was to get my old 5 gallon Homer bucket in place before I pulled the drain plug. Worked great. I also installed a high dollar Ronin drain plug, so from here on out, draining is a piece of cake.

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

I appreciate the feedback. If I documented all the dealer service department f-ckery I’ve dealt with in the past, I would surely hit my character limit for a single post. Wrong power steering fluid used (despite a CLEAR label on the cap), brakes not properly bled after a fluid change, etc, etc.

At the same time, I already have over 30 engines I take responsibility for when it comes to basic DIY maintenance and I’m not looking to take on a new one when it’s still under warranty and more complex than any other I deal with. That day may come with the Bronco if it becomes a keeper. I’d prefer that Ford has limited wiggle room on any warranty issues in the mean time.

 

[MachOne]

Horseshart, I need a supply of those!

( I may get banned depending on how this post actually prints out, because auto spell keeps changing the 'ar' in your name to 'i' Really, I'm serious.

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

I’m thinking of putting a decal in my engine compartment with oil info on it to somewhat idiot-proof my truck for dealer oil changes. I found these on Etsy and they are vinyl. I would prefer a metallic foil type decal but haven’t been able to find one yet. Wondering if these vinyl ones would be likely to hold up to the heat in there mounted on one of the plastic (intake?) tubes that cross the engine compartment up top. Anyone done anything like this or have a better idea? I’ll get to DIY oil changes when it’s out of warranty.

The best way to idiot-proof your oil changes is to do it yourself.
With the addition of an oil drain valve (I use Fumoto), oil changes are a walk in the park without mess.

 

[GPPBronco]

I appreciate the feedback. If I documented all the dealer service department f-ckery I’ve dealt with in the last, I would surely hit my character limit for a single post. Wrong power steering fluid used (despite a CLEAR label on the cap), brakes not properly bled after a fluid change, etc, etc.

At the same time, I already have over 30 engines I take responsibility for when it comes to basic DIY maintenance and I’m not looking to take on a new one when it’s still under warranty and more complex than any other I deal with. That day may come with the Bronco if it becomes a keeper. I’d prefer that Ford has limited wiggle room on any warranty issues in the mean time.

What really pisses me off (in addition to wondering about all the mistakes I’m NOT catching) is the amount of PTO/drive time to and from the service department.

 

[RallyGorgo]

To the OP, neat idea on another sticker. But, if they can’t put the correct oil in based on the information Ford put RIGHT ON THE VEHICLE, do you REALLY think that the lowest-paid, (allegedly) factory-trained guy in a Ford dealership is going to read, let alone believe, a non-factory sticker?! I honestly can’t remember the last time I paid ANYONE else to change the oil in any of my vehicles, dealership or not. I watched another tech I worked next to at a Honda dealership in the 90s pound on the dash to get the oil light to turn off after “changing the oil”. Really he only dumped the oil because the new oil was still sitting on his bench… The only work I’ve had done at dealerships have been warranty repairs and Honda V6 timing belts, I do all of the other work myself. Yeah, having a lift and tire mounting & balancing equipment has save me some money over the years…

 

[wjtinfwb]

I’m thinking of putting a decal in my engine compartment with oil info on it to somewhat idiot-proof my truck for dealer oil changes. I found these on Etsy and they are vinyl. I would prefer a metallic foil type decal but haven’t been able to find one yet. Wondering if these vinyl ones would be likely to hold up to the heat in there mounted on one of the plastic (intake?) tubes that cross the engine compartment up top. Anyone done anything like this or have a better idea? I’ll get to DIY oil changes when it’s out of warranty.

Great idea, but my personal experiences with Ford dealers and with independent quick change shops is …. These guys don’t or can’t read. I specifically requested to both the write up guy and the tech at the line bay, 5w-30 Full Synthetic. As I’m standing there watching he pours in 3 quarts of 5w-20 Semi Synthetic before I could get his attention. I made him drain it out and go and get the correct oil. At a quick lube I again stated 5w-30 Full Synthetic only to watch the guy fill a jug from the bulk bin marked 5w-20. I stopped him before he poured it in the engine. And as mentioned it clearly states 5w-30 on the oil filler cap. Change it yourself of find a good Indy mechanic and bring them the oil and filter you want used. It’s sad, but all the gearheads that used to work in these are long gone.

 

[Danielsand]

The best way to idiot-proof your oil changes is to do it yourself.

This is absolutely not true. There are a lot of idiots in this world, and I'm sure some of them change their own oil. How the hell are they supposed to "proof it"?

 

[adam1991]

The best way to idiot-proof your oil changes is to do it yourself.

I dunno about that. Have you been around here long?

 

[adam1991]

or find a good Indy mechanic and bring them the oil and filter you want used.

I have that two blocks away.

They charge $25 cash for the labor and old oil disposal. Done deal.

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