by "ceanderson920" (ceanderson9290)
Published 03/09/2017 at 10:56
by "ceanderson920" (ceanderson9290)
Published 03/09/2017 at 10:56
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STARS: 0
Hey oppos, I am thinking about trying the Valvoline Instant Oil change shop next to my workplace. I don’t have a car lift or a pit to do it myself and I would rather pay the extra $15-$20 to have someone else do it for me. I am wondering if anyone else as used these places and how expensive is it? I am sick of going to the Mazda dealer and getting shafted by a $50 oil change. I am probably going to put full synthetic in. They advertise that they only take 15 minutes which would be ideal for me.
"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
03/09/2017 at 11:01, STARS: 7
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
03/09/2017 at 11:01, STARS: 2
Make sure they actually tighten your oil filter and clean up the mess under the car.
"PotbellyJoe and 42 others" (potbellyjoe)
03/09/2017 at 11:02, STARS: 11
There’s coupons online.
One for the oil change, and then two for Autozone so you can get a new oil pan when they strip it.
"Nisman" (nisman)
03/09/2017 at 11:03, STARS: 9
Don’t do it. Either do it yourself, or take it to a reputable shop or dealer and pay a few $ more. If the convenience is worth it pay and have it done right. Not worth the headache.
"LongbowMkII" (longbowmkii)
03/09/2017 at 11:03, STARS: 1
and add oil.
"Manwich - now Keto-Friendly" (manwich)
03/09/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 4
I have a few thoughts:
1. Quick lube places are notorious for fucking up simple things
2. You only need to use oil that meets the manufacturers spec. And if your car isn’t turbocharged or isn’t a high performance specialty engine, then going synthetic is probably a waste of money.
3. You don’t need a lift to do an oil change. You just need a couple of ramps or jack stands to raise the front end. And along with that, something to catch the oil, an oil filter wrench and a socket set/ratchet to remove the oil drain plug.
4. an oil change when the engine is cold is better than an oil change where the engine is still warm. Also when you do it yourself, you will likely take far greater care than anyone in those quick lube places ever would.
I stopped taking my car to quick lube places years ago. And doing an oil change is easy on most cars.
"ceanderson920" (ceanderson9290)
03/09/2017 at 11:07, STARS: 1
Ya after reading what some other people are saying, it doesn’t sound like a good idea. I didn’t know they had such a bad reputation.
"Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
03/09/2017 at 11:10, STARS: 4
An oil change should take at least 20 minutes. You need time for the slower, sludgier oil to drain out.
I used to know people who worked at jiffy lube. Not the kind of people you’d trust with the well being of your car. It’s not the case everywhere but there’s a reason they’re at a quick lube place and not mechanics.
"smobgirl" (smobgirl)
03/09/2017 at 11:13, STARS: 1
If I remember correctly it was not any cheaper for full synthetic there anyway. Might as well go to the dealer. We take the company car to jiffy lube but that’s because it’s not on any of us if it dies a gruesome death and we’re all secretly hoping it will.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
03/09/2017 at 11:14, STARS: 4
Whoa whoa whoa, better cold than warm? Never heard that before, the rule us always been change it hot and change it often.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
03/09/2017 at 11:16, STARS: 1
Everything else though is great info. And an oil change is typically the gateway into wrenching. I know it was for me. That was the first real mechanical thing I did on a car, then it was all downhill from there.... :)
"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
03/09/2017 at 11:17, STARS: 2
Preferably after draining the oil that was in it. Also preferably the motor oil and not the transmission fluid, but that might be asking too much of them.
"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
03/09/2017 at 11:20, STARS: 0
I don’t necessarily agree on point 2. Most modern engines are relatively high performance specialty engines compared to a few years ago. On a 10-15 year old normal car? Yeah. Most modern derpy normal engines are in a higher state of tune than a finnicky Italian screamer from not terribly long ago and it matters more.
"vicali" (vicali)
03/09/2017 at 11:20, STARS: 2
Years ago I had this discussion with my gf, she ‘always’ took her car to the quick lube type places - I was understandable shocked why you would let them touch your car..
The very next time she went the wrench monkey spilled oil all over the engine, then just about lost his fingers when he tried to wipe off the torque converter while it was running. It ate the rag - stalled out the engine - and they couldn’t get it back out. We ended up having it towed to a real shop to make sure there weren’t any other damages.
Oh, and then they asked for the $19 for the oil change, and told her ‘that should have a safety plate over it’..
I’ve done maintenance ever since - I recommend you take your $19 and buy a fumoto. Then you can oil change in about 10 minutes.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
03/09/2017 at 11:23, STARS: 1
DON’T... unless you hate your car and wallet and what’s in your wallet.
They turn things with edges to round things... used to be a 13 mm bolt head. now... just a rounded mess.
You wanted oil change? We will open everything else and “check” for you.
You asked for oil change, but we checked your brakes and you car is not safe to drive so we can’t let you go unless you pay for brake replacement.
"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem)
03/09/2017 at 11:24, STARS: 2
I’d take it to an independent shop before I’d take it to one of those quick lube places. In fact that is exactly what I do.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
03/09/2017 at 11:25, STARS: 2
Valvoline Instant Oil Change has crazy upcharges for synthetic oil so if that’s what you want you will likely be paying more than the $50 you spend at the dealer.
If you want to do a quick lube place, look for coupons and go where there’s a deal. There’s a local place where I live called Super-Lube which is halfway decent in a pinch.
Nowadays I just have my mechanic do it, he’s cheap for oil changes and he knows my car.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
03/09/2017 at 11:25, STARS: 1
not just hot. Cherry Red! Melt your skin off. Hotter than sun surface hot!
"Sovande" (sovande)
03/09/2017 at 11:27, STARS: 0
Spend $30 on some rhino ramps and do it yourself. I would not trust one of those places for servicing anything.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
03/09/2017 at 11:30, STARS: 0
Hey now. But as hot as you can stand, normally come in from a drive, raise it up, let it sit 5-10 mins, then drain? Still hot, but not melt your skin off hot. All the crap is drained down to the pan and the crap in the oil is suspended enough to drain out quickly? Am I wrong? I’ve justice never ever heard to drain a cold engine.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
03/09/2017 at 11:33, STARS: 1
I don’t know about draining it hot... or cold. I’ve always drained it barely warm. Enough for oil to be more flowing and not burning my hands off
"ceanderson920" (ceanderson9290)
03/09/2017 at 11:35, STARS: 0
Ya after reading all these horrible reviews I don’t think I am going to go there.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
03/09/2017 at 11:37, STARS: 1
That’s the gist of the adage, just not cold.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
03/09/2017 at 11:38, STARS: 0
yesm. I was just joshing around
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
03/09/2017 at 11:41, STARS: 0
You can get ramps for cheap off Craigslist.
Mine cost me $20. I did add grip tape to them too.
"Stapleface" (patrickgruden)
03/09/2017 at 11:42, STARS: 0
I see your recommendation for an oil filter wrench. Do you really find that you need one of these? It’s been years since I’ve used one. I usually do have a pair of Mechanix gloves on when I do a change though, so they do give me a bit more grip.
I might add a flat surface as well. I foolishly change the oil in my driveway which is on a slope. But so far a set of wheel chocks and jack stands have been good enough. I hope that doesn’t change.
I miss my S10 4x4 I had years ago. An oil cooler that put the filter right on the drivers fender, and I could drain the pan without a need for any jacking. An oil change only took as long as it takes to drain the oil.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
03/09/2017 at 11:46, STARS: 1
I gathered that from the reply. But there have been times I’ve started a bit too soon and it’s been a bit unpleasant cause it was about twice as hot as I thought it would be. Then I got to have the pleasure of fishing the drain plug I just dropped like a hot rivet out of the cauldron of really hot oil.... good times.
“Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions.” Said somebody else, but it’s true.
"Chuckles" (chucklesw37)
03/09/2017 at 11:53, STARS: 0
Those shops are only as good as the actual techs working on your car. I used one regularly years ago and never had issues. I moved away, went to a Jiffy Lube, and they crossthreaded the drain plug. Also, if you do go, there are usually coupons online. Never pay full price.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/09/2017 at 11:56, STARS: 1
I know everyone will shout “NO”, but I use the quick oil change place next to my house. They do a consistently decent job for me, and I’ve had no problems. They also let me drop off my spare oil cans for disposal. I think with Yelp and other online sources these days, you should be able to see if the place y0u want has a history of good service or of causing problems, at least if they’ve been there a while.
"TysMagic" (twjeffery)
03/09/2017 at 12:00, STARS: 0
I take my quick flip cars to Valvoline just to say they’ve had a recent oil change. They also always have a coupon on their website and it’s relatively quick. However for the long term cars, no. Dealer or bust for this guy.
"Manwich - now Keto-Friendly" (manwich)
03/09/2017 at 12:17, STARS: 1
Yes... cold is a little better than warm because on a cold engine, the oil is all pooled in the oil pan.
On a warm/hot engine, much more of the oil is still up in the engine.
It takes some time for it to all drip down to the bottom.
And you’re more likely to burn yourself.
Having said that, it isn’t a huge difference. The most important thing is you get the oil changed when you’re supposed to.
"Manwich - now Keto-Friendly" (manwich)
03/09/2017 at 12:26, STARS: 0
Well I have an oil filter wrench and it works for me. On some cars (like on the Ford Escort of the 1990s, you pretty much need it as the filter is located on the back of the engine and up a little. And it was especially brutal getting off a filter way overtightened by some previous jackass pretending to be a mechanic where you have to resort to sticking a long screwdriver through the filter to get enough leverage to get it loose.
And it’s okay to change it on a slope. Actually that can be good if you work with the slope so more oil comes out of the oil pan.
On my Focus, the oil drain plug is on the back of the oil pan. So having the front jacked up gets more of the old oil out.
In the case of changing my manual transmission oil on the Focus, it’s actually recommended to have the driver side jacked up higher to get the oil to drain better since the drain plug is on the passenger side of the transmission case.
But it really depends on the vehicle.
"Busslayer" (Busslayer)
03/09/2017 at 12:38, STARS: 1
and tighten the oil plug. I had a shop forget to do that and the plug fell out 2 blocks from the shop. Luckily I noticed a line of fluid in my mirror and turned the engine off before the oil light even came on. I picked the plug up off the street and walked back to the shop and handed it to the manager. He fired the tech on the spot and then grabbed fresh oil and a wrench and refilled it on the side of the street.
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
03/09/2017 at 12:40, STARS: 0
Those people are so bad at life. The worst that’s happened to my parents shop was a double gasket. We cleaned up their garage and it’s now in the to check list.
"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
03/09/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 0
Fumoto was a game changer for me.
"Manwich - now Keto-Friendly" (manwich)
03/09/2017 at 12:52, STARS: 1
To give you an example...
If you have a new Ford Focus with the regular, non-turbo 2L Duratech engine, you’ll have the same 5W20 ‘regular oil’ (Ford WSS-M2C930-A or WSS-M2C945-A spec) requirement as the 2005 Focus I own... mainly because it’s the same basic lower-stress non-turbo Mazda-based engine design... but with GDI and VCT added.
If the oil lists that it meets the WSS-M2C945-A spec, it’s safe to use. And you don’t need to get a synthetic oil to meet that spec.
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2604004
But on the diesels and on engines like different flavours of Ecoboost, the spec is different:
http://www.oilspecifications.org/ford.php
So as you can see, the 1L ecoboost has a different spec, but it’s still 5W20.
But for the Ford Focus RS, you have a truly high performance engine that calls for 0W40.
The most important thing is to use an oil that meets the manufacturer’s spec. And that doesn’t necessarily mean going synthetic.
"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
03/09/2017 at 13:14, STARS: 0
Good. I could tell you dozens of horror stories about fast lube shops. Lets just leave it at that.
"John" (spyhunter641)
03/09/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 0
I had to get an oil change while I wasnt in my home area and had it done at a valvoline. I drive a heavily modded VW and I was hesitant to use them, but honestly they didnt cut any corners and they double check everything. Pricing was average but thats not unexpected with my car, it takes 6 qt of expensive oil and was around 100 bucks. Id say go for it. Let your experience decide if its good. I would go back if there were any in my area
"Mid Engine" (jdlogan2006)
03/09/2017 at 13:22, STARS: 0
You can do it yourself faster than driving to a garage and waiting for it to be done. You know it’s done right and costs you less. I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t do this sort of basic maintenance.
"ceanderson920" (ceanderson9290)
03/09/2017 at 13:33, STARS: 1
I just called them a little bit ago, it would be $75 for the oil change! I am just going to take it to the mazda dealer and have them do it.
"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
03/09/2017 at 13:54, STARS: 1
These guys, Jiffy Lube, Grease Monkey, and the rest of this market segment have a bad reputation. There are too many stories out there of people leaving one of those shops with the engine drained (not refilled) of oil, or horribly incorrect oil used.
"Ilike_cougars" (rohitvenkat01)
03/09/2017 at 17:16, STARS: 0
Unless your oil filter is under neath, I have had a lot of success using a top side oil extractor.
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
03/09/2017 at 23:55, STARS: 0
always do mine - I get to put nice full synth in and I know some dumba$$ air gun jockey isn’t going to screw up my oil pan. And honestly, it’s quicker than waiting in line for an appointment and cheaper.