Dealer Oil Change - DEF Not Topped Off?

ESMD · January 14, 2018

I took my new 2017 diesel in a couple weeks ago to the dealer for the first of my two free oil changes. I have no plans on using them after the second one but I figured they were free, so why not. The truck also had a couple of recalls and I wanted them to update the software for the backup camera so it wasn't so bright at night. All was good when I left. This morning I happened to be scrolling through the DIC and noticed it said my DEF level was at 30%. I would assume that when you take a vehicle in for an oil change and "multi-point inspection", they would check and top off all fluids. So my question, is DEF normally topped off during a dealer's oil change and MPI? I don't normally drive by the dealer, so going there is out of my way. But if it should have been done, I'm certainly going to make time and stop in and have them top it off.

Off topic a little, but it was interesting asking them to update the backup camera software. They had no clue there was an update. I wonder how many other updates are out there for the truck that I don't know about!

CRApex · January 14, 2018

My dealer topped off the DEF at my 1st free service visit.

4x4Pete · January 14, 2018

You get what you pay for. That is why they call them free. Even if you feel that you paid for them in the purchase price they consider them free and really don't put much care in it. If they cause a problem then they get more warranty work. It's not about you. I will never go to the dealer service department again. Even warranty issues I would rather pay someone to repair it correctly rather than worry about what the dealer may have skipped in their hurry to get it in and out.

redwngr · January 14, 2018

Should have been filled...

From GMC.com:

Standard on every 2017 GMC Sierra 3500HD heavy-duty truck, GMC Pro Grade Protection has you truly protected with features and services, including:

Two maintenance visits (includes DEF for diesel)10
3-year/36,000-mile Bumper-to- Bumper Limited Warranty11
5-year/ 60,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty11
HD Duramax Diesel 5 year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty11
5-Year/60,000-mile Roadside Assistance & Courtesy Transportation11
HD Duramax Diesel 5 year/100,000-mile Roadside Assistance & Courtesy Transportation11
3-month trial of OnStar4 Guidance Plan with a suite of emergency security and diagnostic services8
5-year OnStar Basic Plan12

Footnotes 10,11,12:

10. Whichever comes first. Covers only scheduled oil changes with filter, tire rotations and 27-point inspections, according to your new vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule.

11. Whichever comes first. See dealer for limited warranty details.

12. Does not include emergency or security services. Visit onstar.com for coverage map, details and system limitations.

My dealer filled mine at delivery and put a jug of def in the backseat.....

At $4 or less per gallon, and 1200 mpg usage, I wouldn't be driving to far for 'free' def.

KARNUT · January 14, 2018

I’ve had free warranty and service work done by Toyota, GM, and Hyundai never a problem. Paying for it instead would never cross my mind.

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SILVER SLED · January 14, 2018

Go back and tell them they forgot to fill it. They should fill it for you. See if your copy of the paper work has def fluid billed out. It shouldn't be a big deal for dealership to make this mistake right for you.

Adamrg · January 14, 2018

For what it's worth they may have filled it but the screen hasn't updated yet. Mine is pretty slow to update once it gets below 'ok' level. Filled up at my last oil change, just performed an oil change the other day, def gauge still reads 24%. Never moved since last time of filling. Drove me nuts for about two weeks and then I stopped bothering to look

unless 17's have different programming than 16's

ESMD · January 15, 2018

I'll be driving by the dealer next weekend for unrelated reasons, so I'll stop in and ask them to top it off. I'm not going to raise a big stink (mistakes happen and no harm was done) but wanted to make sure it was something that was supposed to be done. Thanks everyone!

ESMD · January 15, 2018

For what it's worth they may have filled it but the screen hasn't updated yet. Mine is pretty slow to update once it gets below 'ok' level. Filled up at my last oil change, just performed an oil change the other day, def gauge still reads 24%. Never moved since last time of filling. Drove me nuts for about two weeks and then I stopped bothering to look

unless 17's have different programming than 16's

It was reading "OK" when I left the dealer (scrolled through the pages to check to see if they reset the oil life percentage) and I usually check everything once a week. Today was the first time I noticed it said 30% and not the vague "OK" level. I would hope they are not that slow to update!

SILVER SLED · January 15, 2018

1 hour ago, Adamrg said:

For what it's worth they may have filled it but the screen hasn't updated yet. Mine is pretty slow to update once it gets below 'ok' level. Filled up at my last oil change, just performed an oil change the other day, def gauge still reads 24%. Never moved since last time of filling. Drove me nuts for about two weeks and then I stopped bothering to look

unless 17's have different programming than 16's

Where do yo live? I've seen def fluid freeze in the tank, and the truck only driven short distances not giving the def tank heaters enough time to melt the def fluid. When the def fluid freezes in the tank the meter will just continually read at that level without issue.

Adamrg · January 15, 2018

21 minutes ago, SILVER SLED said:

Where do yo live? I've seen def fluid freeze in the tank, and the truck only driven short distances not giving the def tank heaters enough time to melt the def fluid. When the def fluid freezes in the tank the meter will just continually read at that level without issue.

Northeast Ohio. I filled up last back In June-July so freezing wouldn't be the issue. maybe as of late, but the initial issue showed up back when it was 90+

CRApex · January 15, 2018

9 hours ago, 4x4Pete said:

You get what you pay for. That is why they call them free. Even if you feel that you paid for them in the purchase price they consider them free and really don't put much care in it. If they cause a problem then they get more warranty work. It's not about you. I will never go to the dealer service department again. Even warranty issues I would rather pay someone to repair it correctly rather than worry about what the dealer may have skipped in their hurry to get it in and out.

You need to find a new dealer..Mine is great and I would prefer they repair it, even non warranty work.

DanL · January 15, 2018

I took mine in for one of the free services and specifically told them to make sure the DEF was topped of. Guess what? That's right. It never happened. I have little faith in the service at most dealerships. My next visit was when they had my new truck for 29 days to figure out how water was leaking into the passenger compartment. That's a story for another time though.