Take 5 oil changes !!!

[Not So Fast]

So any learned info on these quick oil change places ?? Ive looked them up and opinions galore but no scientific info so I thought Id ask the brain trust that resides here, what say you??
NSF
PS it sure beats having to make an appt or drop off your car for a day just for oil changes !!

 

[ChrisV]

Wut

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I think he’s taking about the oil change place in Havasu?

You go there, some person who may or may not be an idiot changes your oil, while you wait. You pay, you leave, and you hope for the best .

 

[Bigbore500r]

Its not worth the risk, at any of these "quick lube" drive thru places.

I concluded that long ago after a real bad experience, but depsite knowing better . . . I recently tried to use one of these places again as I was busy AF and the truck's oil was long overdue for a change. I took it to Valvoline instant oil change - sounds reputable, right?

They removed my air filter after I told them not to do anything but change the oil, and when they put it back in they lost 2 of the airbox screws. Even better, they overfilled the truck by 2 full quarts.

I discovered all of this at the gas station after leaving their shop, so I went back and it was an absolute joke.

"Oh, your air filter box was missing the screws when it came in"

"Oh, the machine controls how much oil goes in, we aren't alloweed to drain any out for liability reasons"

After disucssing with the manager, they absolutely refused to drain the overfilled oil. I took care of it at home.

NOPE! DONT DO IT!

 

[LakeMeadLavey]

So any learned info on these quick oil change places ?? Ive looked them up and opinions galore but no scientific info so I thought Id ask the brain trust that resides here, what say you??
NSF
PS it sure beats having to make an appt or drop off your car for a day just for oil changes !!

Not sure exactly what you are asking? I do my own. Costco for oil Mobil 1 and about 30 min of my time. I know the job is done right and cleaned properly. Pour used oil back in the new oil bottles and drop off at any Autozone.

I do not like those monkeys at express lube centers touching my vehicles. So many horror stories I have heard over the years. Leaving the filler caps off, loose or stripped drain plugs, no knowledge of what oil they pumped in not to mention the mess they leave underneath. Just my opinion.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

If you ask for good oil, such as Mobil 1, at one of these places what you don’t know is the guy in the back is filling empty Mobil 1 jugs with his bulk oil while pocketing the the up charge and you are none the wiser.

If you must have some place change the oil, take it to a dealership for your brand. At least they are somewhat familiar with how to work on your car compared to the quick lube places that see everything and know nothing.

Yeah it costs more but you’re less likely to get a screwed up car in return.

 

[warpt71]

Id say the only true advantage is a clean driveway. I still enjoy doing my own oil changes, just not the mess that I create lol A lift would be nicer than a floor jack and jackstands too

 

[ChrisV]

What car is it?

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Best thing I ever got for an oil change....... ramps. They make simple tasks under the car SOOOO much easier!

 

[Racey]

They are a good way to get your drain plug cross threaded and stripped

 

[ltbaney1]

They are a good way to get your drain plug cross threaded and stripped

hey a crossed thread is a tight thread!

 

[Sherpa]

Never ever ever.

If anyone thinks it’s cheap, or fast, or just as good as doing it yourself, you’re dilusional.

Once they strip the threads on your oil pan, or add the wrong oil, or either don’t replace the oil filter or use the wrong one just because the threads were the same, you’ll have regret.

And none of their techs were the one that f’d up
The (insert fubared part here).


Me myself and I are the only ones that service my vehicles..

 

[Ziggy]

They are a good way to get your drain plug cross threaded and stripped

^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^ 100%.
.
Throughout my dealership years it is impossible to count how many oil pans we fixed or replaced because of stripped or cracked pan drains....especially when aluminum became the normal metal for them.

 

[Waterjunky]

Yup, done one of those places once in the last 15 years.
They didn't touch/check the trans, PTU or diff as was checked on the paper. Just bold face lied about it. The manager and I had a little discussion over that. There were no handprints on the dust for the trans cap.

That reminded me why I do my own.

 

[boatpi]

Many Ford dealers have Quick Lube at a decent price with Ford points too.

 

[Sharky]

They have the correct oil for every vehicle. Even the newest 0-20LV that just came out. Following manufacturers specs perfectly. . . . . .






Everything gets bulk 10W-30.

 

[2Driver]

Many Ford dealers have Quick Lube at a decent price with Ford points too.

Its a sliver better but the guys at dealerships doing oil changes arent mechanics by a long shot.

I always check everything before leaving the dealer. Found it a quart low once and another time the car wash arm took a chunk out of my new ARE shell laslty the jeep dealer drained the oil onto the top of my aftermarket skid plate.

While waiting at Right Toyota the guy next to me was back because they put trans fluid in his engine

 

[4Waters]

They are a good way to get your drain plug cross threaded and stripped

Or left lose so it falls out on the freeway, happened to my brother in his 95 cobra with an A block, steel crank, H beam rods, JE pistons, B303 cam and motorsport aluminum heads. Luckily it had an autometer oil pressure guage and he saw the pressure drop and he hit the key.

Many Ford dealers have Quick Lube at a decent price with Ford points too.

Most if not all of them will take all cars and trucks

 

[X Hoser]

Those places sell mileage info to insurance companies. Don’t ask me how I know

 

[Not So Fast]

WHEW ! I guess the overall recomendation is DONT GO THERE

 

[240Hallett]

hey a crossed thread is a tight thread!

but only once!

 

[hav19]

My shop has had (2) different vehicle's towed in from the local Havasu place, one was smoking (not their fault) however they also weren't trained well enough to know the AC clutch had locked up and was smoking the belt - the other they couldn't remove a drain plug, they told the client the oil pan needed to be replaced - it got a new drain plug and left right away... -

Peeps are correct at my shop its a 2 hour minimum for a 'simple' oil change and we don't allow peeps to wait (we offer no charge loaner vehicle's, free transportation to and from OR we will even pick up and deliver the vehicle if its local), however a certified tech is performing the service, he is also performing and filling out a complete digital inspection report with pictures and then the vehicle is washed before the vehicle is ready for delivery......

I Thank God Havasu's Walmart doesn't have a vehicle service center or we would see a lot more of these threads!!!

 

[lakemadness]

I heard they hire high school dropouts. Not even a GED is required. Disgusting...

 

[FreeBird236]

You live in Havasu don't you? Just make an appointment with Robinsons. Some of the prices I've heard lately, Robinson's is probably less anyway.

 

[ultra26shadow]

I heard they higher high school dropouts. Not even a GED is required. Disgusting...

It’s hire you dropout

 

[Morehart]

Our fleet trucks have to go through some of these lube centers. I've seen the laziest most unqualified people to do any job in there. My first car got the stripped drain plug treatment at 16. Besides the work truck I have now, haven't been back. (With my personal vehicles)

 

[Ziggy]

It’s hire you dropout

I wanted to say so too but then I thought maybe he was just being punny.

 

[Mandelon]

Once they drained my transfer case and didn't tell me. $2500 to repair it.

A different one didn't put any oil back in the engine. I was hundreds of miles away when the idiot light came on.

Nope. Not again.

Always trying to show me all the other things they need to do. Haven't been in many years.

I do use an independent shop for the wife's BMW though. But they are quick and fair.

 

[mjc]

Best thing I ever got for an oil change....... ramps. They make simple tasks under the car SOOOO much easier!

Id say the only true advantage is a clean driveway. I still enjoy doing my own oil changes, just not the mess that I create lol A lift would be nicer than a floor jack and jackstands too

I have put Fumoto valves on all my cars. Get a jug from last oil change and use the drain tube straight into the old jug. Not a drop on the ground or on my hands.

 

[Ultra...Good]

I heard they higher high school dropouts. Not even a GED is required. Disgusting...

they should open next to a recruiting office. can't change oil? no problem, we will teach you how to blow shit up. no Ged required or dezeye-erd

 

[Badchoices03]

I have put many many miles on work lease vehicles, where they essentially only let me take my car to these type of places for oil changes....as soon as my oil change interval is up, they are sending me reminder notices everyday until I get it done, so needless to say, I am pretty on time every 5000 miles with oil changes...I don't even care which places I use, if its time, and I have some free time, I will pull into any Jiffy Lube, Valvoline, etc type place and have it done...my current car is a 2022 Chevy Traverse...that is pushing 70k, at which time I will get a new car...so in this car alone, in about 3 years, I have done approximately 12-14 oil changes...give or take...

In all these years, I have never had one bad experience at any of the places I have been....yes some places have had shitty service or taken forever, or just plain idiots working there....but never had anything mechanically wrong with any of my cars after any visit...

 

[The Prisoner]

I bring the wife’s old Ranger there. I always bring my own oil and filter. I bought these 2 months ago but keep forgetting to bring it in!
They give you a free bottle of water too!!!!

 

[MOUZER]

do my own cost me $23 bucks for oil and filter, both cars except wifes has to b done by dealer cost $100

 

[jetboatperformance]

It’s a good example of you get what you pay for if you get a cheapie oil change, you probably get a cheapie oil and a cheapie filter as a mechanical damage inspector I could tell you stories when I look at service history for the administrators as to engine failures, and where the maintenance has been done

 

[Roosky01]

About 6 months ago, I was lazy and went there. After, I realized I had testicles and thought if there was any hope at retaining my man card, I would make a solemn pledge to the testosterone gods that I would do my own oil changes. But, that’s just me…

 

[Racey]

I heard they higher high school dropouts. Not even a GED is required. Disgusting...

Well it's either that or the Navy

 

[Runs2rch]

I bring the wife’s old Ranger there. I always bring my own oil and filter. I bought these 2 months ago but keep forgetting to bring it in!
They give you a free bottle of water too!!!! View attachment 1329269

Toss that standard Fram. Pick up a Fram Ultra instead.

 

[Happy Smitty]

I go to the dealership. I'm sure it costs more but I'd imagine the dealer is in a better position to correct any of thier f-ups. Plus I always run manufacturer spec fluids and parts. Not sure if the other places use manufacturer spec even if they say they do...