Quick Change Oil Services

[Ken7]

A recent visit to a quick lube oil change shop has gotten me wondering, are you getting what you pay for.

What happened in short was my wife went and had the oil changed in our 2010 Altima. When they were done the vehicle would not start.

Now comes the fun. She was told that they could diagnose the problem costing you $80.00. this would normally cost $150.00 at the Nissan shop she is told. I put a stop to that suggestion and they then gave her a boost, to get the vehicle off their floor.

When I had a opportunity to check the vehicle, the positive post was notably corroded. Sign of future battery troubles to me.

The battery check was one of the 23 to be done to your vehicle.

I would question, wouldn't a battery check be visual and possibly a load test when you see apparent trouble? The least mention it to the vehicle operator that there appears to be a problem in that area.

Ironically the franchise supplied link to contact the Kelowna location, does not work. I forwarded a complaint to head office and was simply told the don't own the franchises. No offer to look into my complaint.

A video pertaining to a oil change shop, not the one I used and no connection to the Kelowna Lube shop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiCAJ8ULnaI

If you have any stories of similar visits, feel free to post.

[Ken7]

If you have voted NO, maybe why the no would get this topic flowing.

[GordonH]

I voted no, I have no need to use them since I have very good shop that get all my work done at. Just that simple

[diggerdick]

The only thing simple battery corrosion means is a lack of maintenance. Not the signing of a failed battery
Something that these guys should've picked up on. The people doing the work on your cars are not Even remotely mechanics.

There's usually a sign on the window that says mechanic on duty But they're usually in the office drinking coffee

[Rjamer]

If you have voted NO, maybe why the no would get this topic flowing.

I voted No.. I have always changed the oil at home myself.. My mother used to change the oil in VW van and VW car up until she was well into her 70 s..LOL It is so easy.. Go to Wallmart or wherever ,,buy the drain pan for maybe 10 bucks,, buy the oil for 12 bucks or so for 5 litres,,the filter for 6 bucks or so and just do it yourself.. It should be done with the motor hot, (not sure if the "professionals" do that if they are busy,,I mean,,how can they?? ) I know one horror story that happened to a friend of mine that had the oil changed by the "professionals " and they forgot to put the oil in. This was in Sask. at a well know chain.. Just do it yourself and then you know it is done right !!!

[zerograv]

i always do my own maintainence at home, these places just can't be trusted to do anything right!

I had one of the rear calipers on my Mazda sticking about a month ago. Having a pretty good idea what the problem is i wanted to get someone else to do the work as i just didn't have the time. I took it to a few shops around town here in Westbank. One place (for 50.00) did an inspection on the car plus their thirty area check or whatever it was. They recommended an entire brake rebuild for all four wheels, new rotors new calipers the works.....2100.00 total

took it to another place and they inspected it for free. Turns out just one rear caliper was sticking so they took it apart and cleaned it, put on new rotors on the rear due to the uneven wear and new pads on the entire car. cost...$280.00 all in.



the best part about the whole ordeal....the first place as part of their inspection said I needed to change the windshield wipers for a nice total of 80.00 for parts and labour.........and they were less than a week old!!

[SmokeOnTheWater]

I voted No.. I have always changed the oil at home myself.. My mother used to change the oil in VW van and VW car up until she was well into her 70 s..LOL It is so easy...!

I admire women like your mother. I know nothing about cars. I go to my dealership. I know they are more expensive but they are great. They have never tried to cheat me. Quite the contrary in fact. I've learned a few things here and there.

[Rjamer]

I admire women like your mother. I know nothing about cars. I go to my dealership. I know they are more expensive but they are great. They have never tried to cheat me. Quite the contrary in fact. I've learned a few things here and there.[/quote]
Mom didn`t know much about cars either,,but that didn`t stop her.. LOL.. Dealers are probably the best route ..Just make sure they do it when the engine is still hot,,or have them take it for a drive to warm it up if not done right away..

[kelowna_proud]

Our family owns 2 trucks and 4 cars. 5 of them take 10w30 Oil. The one car takes 5w20 (Ford/Lincoln).

I buy the oil filters for $3.50-$7.00 and the oil when it goes on sale for $12,00-$15,00.
That's an average of $18.75 Per change which we do 4 times per year. $75.00

I stay away from Valvoline and Shell oil/Gas station Garbage. Usually Castrol or in a pinch QuakerState.
Sometimes you can buy a 5 Litre jug and get the oil filter free at Canadian Tire.

The $29,00-$45,99 is pure garbage oil at the change shops, the weight of it is similar to sewing machine oil.
I know Petro-Can and Valvoline 10W30 when you shake the jug feels like 5w0 or almost water.

Grab an oil pan, grab a grease gun, some drive-up ramps, Learn were your oil filter, drain plug, filler cap, and grease zerks are and your well on your way.

The oil quality I use is the same as a $60,00 change from the menu at the oil change places

AT Home:
$18.75 Per Change
$75.00 Per Year
$375.00 5 Years
$2250.00 6x 5 Years Vehicles

Quick Oil Change:
$60.00 Per Change
$240.00 Per Year
$1200 5 Years
$7200 6x 5 Years Vehicles

I seriously believe in my neighborhood out of 20 houses I'm the only one that changes his own oil and washes his own vehicle.

[Impulse_rs]

To the person with the VW, if you are changing your oil with a $12 jug of oil I can assume you are doing it wrong.
http://www.my-gti.com/2543/volkswagen-o ... -audi-seat

Most VW's take a specific oil along with most german vehicles. Some must be synthetic, low ash, non wax etc. You can seriously lower the life of your engine not knowing the details. Your lube specialist should know this when you change your oil. Dexos for newer GM vehicles is another example, tho not mandatory they should atleast give you the option.

Dealerships base driveline fluids on mileage, dates etc... I will never go to a dealership. Find a lube shop that you are comfortable with and stick with that one shop to build a history. They check all of your differentials and you can ask to see what everything looks like and leave the decision with you to change it or not. If you change your own oil, what are the chances of you checking all the differentials, transmission fluid (on a standard or auto), greasing everything etc. Most reputable shops have strict policys to make sure everything is done, checked and re-checked. Lube shop techs make commision, so sure they will try and sell you absolutely everything, but they are checking things like cabin air filters, pcvs, air filters, battery tests, serpentine belts, wipers, bulbs etc. I can name a handfull of quick oil shops that I recomend, and some that I will not go to. Sure, the kids working on your vehicles are not mechanics but they are in this line of work because they are ambitious to learn doing their absolute best. Lube shops r a WILL NOT put an in-experience guy in the pit. They use their most experienced person, usually who has being doing this for 3 plus years. Now everything is on camera, even downstairs... if you have a problem that something was not done you can have it pulled back up on video. Some shops are switching over to "live feed"!!!

I have worked in lube shops for 6plus years (I am now a mechanic) and if I do not know the answer to something, or a specific fluid for a vehicle we have computers which are pretty damn accurate. Dealerships are now saying dont change your oil for 12,000km's or more!!! This is *bleep*. They are implementing this because of their "free oil changes for life" Is it benifiting them? Yes... You car will start having internal issues just out of warranty and expect you to return for servicing. At a minimum I will use semi synthetic or a full synthetic due to the different properties in the oil. I change my oil at 7000km's or if I am lazy at 10,000kms and a filter at 5000kms. Afterall, a $4 filter is insurance for a good running engine.

What I'm saying, is find a shop you are comfortable with. Do your research. cheaper is not always better... and if they tell you a specific oil will not work in your car... dont argue. I dont care if you've been running the wrong oil in your BMW or Audi for the past 4 years... do the switch to the proper more expensive oil.

On a side note, Need your oil changed? let me know

[Impulse_rs]

Regarding being charged for work not done... I have never ONCE charged for work not done. If I do a transmission flush, coolant flush etc I usually run through a little extra to make sure the job is up to MY standards. I am very thourogh and like to keep customers happy.

[kelowna_proud]

I stopped at that new deli in Kelowna. Helmut's Sausage Kitchen.
When I came out with my pepperoni in a cheese bun there was a manager and a kid from an oil change shop close by sitting on the curb.

The kid was crying saying "I swear to you that's always how I always do transmission flushes, I don't know how it happened" The manager was *bleep* but comforting him.

Need I say more.

[Impulse_rs]

[/quote]
I admire women like your mother. I know nothing about cars. I go to my dealership. I know they are more expensive but they are great. They have never tried to cheat me. Quite the contrary in fact. I've learned a few things here and there.[/quote]

you been charged for nitrogen filled tires? Useless powersteering flush? How about a yearly transmission flush. What services have you authorized your dealer to do on your vehicle? Brakes? Dealerships usually charge less for oil changes but its everything else they make their money on. Always recomending brakes, tires balancing, tie rods, sway bars links etc.

I'm sorry If I'm so biased. I have NEVER paid a shop to do anything, i believe that everyone should take a basic auto class to do things yourself. I am sick and tired of seeing people ripped off... but I guess thats the world we live in.

[Impulse_rs]

I stopped at that new deli in Kelowna. Helmut's Sausage Kitchen.
When I came out with my pepperoni in a cheese bun there was a manager and a kid from an oil change shop close by sitting on the curb.

The kid was crying saying "I swear to you that's always how I always do transmission flushes, I don't know how it happened" The manager was *bleep* but comforting him.

Need I say more.

LMAO.

Lube shops run a in/out system to exchange your fluid. Pump out 13 liters, pump back in 13 liters... At the extra cost they will change your filter. (usually $60 more) but well worth it.

Dealership. Change filter, top oil back up. You're still running the *bleep* old oil...

[deedub]

I have worked in a number of dealerships over may years and NEVER was oil not changed when the filter was changed .Come on , you can SEE dirty oil . And in this day and age of $ 100.00 / hour labour , someone taking apart a caliper , freeing it up and putting back together for $ 80.00 ? What did the caliper kit cost ?