A good friend of mine was a supervisor there, the stories of replaced motors and trying to weasel out of replacing motors were terrifying. The practice of deceiving customers to get sales, wiper blades, air filters, etc were unnerving as well. I will also admit that I used them a lot when another friend was working there. It is sad how much of a difference it makes when you are friends with someone and can actually watch them work. They did a great job while I was standing there watching.
I would rather not change my oil than allow the idiots at these quickie change places anywhere near my vehicles, less chance for damage.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside by Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
tll wrote: I use "Valvoline Instant Oil Change" for my oil changes. Very professional, well trained, very polite and friendly, seem to have a method to verify their work with coworkers, and mention the stuff you need but don't get a hard sell. We have several in our area, intersting to note the level of service is exactly the same at each one.
Years ago, I used to be asst mgr at one. Bias aside, they are definatly the best. Employees are very well trained, and there are checks in place to be sure nothing is missed. I feel comfortable taking any vehicle I own to a Valvoline.
We also have these in my area and I used to take mine there. Won't go into detail, but won't let them service even my bicycle now!
I have used the one near me a couple times when I was really pressed for time. They did an acceptable job, but were expensive. The 5.4 holds 7 quarts of oil, and they charge dearly for those extra 2. Any other fluids are also a premium. They also push maintenance intervals. My Expy was about 30k miles when I was there last. Oh boy did they try to get me to do stuff!! Told me I needed all kinds of stuff done. They follow the severe schedule for every car, but don't tell you that. I do not follow the sever schedule. They also do not see to know the difference between the torque shift and the 6R75. Kept trying to tell me i neede to do a tranny flush, I kept telling them to look again, the book says not needed for the 6R75 at 30k. Then the guy essentially tried to make me feel like I was a terrible owner, and my car would call apart for not letting them do all that unnecessary stuff for several hundred dollars. I have not been back.
My local Ford dealer is resonable, except they take 2 1/2 hrs to do an oil change.
I just do it myself
2007 Expedition EL 4x4 Tow pkg
1981 Palomino Pony, the PopUp (Sold)
2006 Pioneer 180CK (No more PUcampin!)
I've had a "quick lube" place not just charge a family member $450.00 for an oil change + other junk (blades, trans flush), but actually shred a transmission hose causing another $800 worth of work at a legit shop.
The thing that erks me to no end is, if someone else had driven my vehicle to the freeway as we regularly do, they would have assumed everything was fine until the engine light comes on and by then the engine has likely suffered internal damage, also your on the side of an always dangerous roadside. Plus had the over slop of oil landed on the serpentine belts...well that's a whole nother disaster. Then what call the complaints department..i'm out $15,000 for an engine. So, i'm lucky i checked it...a supervisor could have double checked it before handing it over and apoligized for the slop spill over, and double check the filter install and he wouldv'e caught all this..then there'd be no issue. I can accept someones error. It wouldv'e instilled a sense of confidence as someone is watching over these guys. But that never happened.
I'm also not saying these types of business's are all bad. I'm sure I just got the bad one who thought it was okay to slop oil all over and the filter was tight enough according to him, or maybe someone forgot to check it. I've gone to 5 of these places and all of my experiences are good, They were thourogh and double checked everything .., all of them followed the same military style procedure before signing off on the vehicle.
* This post was
edited 04/13/12 03:41pm by PalmTree *
While in college I worked at one of these places as the cashier. Our "lead" mechanic smoked more pot than anyone I had ever met. Generally speaking for the average 4 banger they do great work. Bring in a diesel and you are asking for issues.
When on the road we need to get the oil changed and are forced to use these types of businesses. I simply hover their and make sure they do everything right. In the last year I have advised on: proper filter priming, filter tightening, plug gaskets, tire air pressures, how reverse on a manual works, why standard coolant can not be added to a cummins, how to drain and fill a rear diff, why licking tranny fluid is not a good idea (no kidding), and why leaning against sheet metal with a belt buckle is bad.
I dont think its just jiffy lube. Most if not all oil change places use cheap unskilled labor (kids that just dont care). The dealers do this also.
I have had the oil filler cap left off as well some year back. I later found that it had fallen into the engine compartment. Instead of saying something, they just let me go without it.
When I had my mustang, they would say that they would check the filter but they dont carry that size. I later found out why. It was a pain to take off. Thats why they "dont" carry them in stock. They might have to actually earn their money.
Had trans fluid flush in at one of these place also years back. Later found out that they used wrong trans fluid.
Buddy worked at a jiffy lube out of high school 20 years back. One guy forgot to put the drain plug back in. A brand new car left and about a mile down the road the engine blew. Yes, they paid for a new motor but who wants to have the engine replaced on a car less than a year old.
I do all my own but I realize that some folks arn't healthy enough to do it their self. I dont do it for the cost saving. I do it because I its something I can do myself and I do it right. Things I cant do, I stay with my car and watch them like a hawk.
Mike
2006 Ford E350 Van (standard length)
V10, 3.73, 5 Star Tuner, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Prodigy BC, Hensley Arrow Hitch
Well, you hopefully learned your lesson. A quick Internet Search would have told you so, before you bother to go there.
I woujld have to be almost Dead, before I let anyone change my Oil or Filter. I have done all of mmy own work all of my life. And will continue to do so.
Now understand this. I am 100% Disabiled, by Doctors oppions. But I sure am not dead as yet. Yes, I pay a terrible price in pain, for doing my own work on everything. But it is a small price to pay, to know its done the right way, the first time, every time.
Even though it hurts to do so, I beleive in the end, by doing it myslef, it will keep me doing it much longer, and will keep me self depended on mmyslef.
I have to take Pin Killer for the rest of my life anywys, so why not do as much as I can, whenever I can.
Mybe I'm just to proud and to much Irish, but I will never quite, or give in until I can't ever move again by myslef. Good Luck. Happy Travels. Dan & Jill
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and the 3 in 3 
2007, DD 
2008
