Paid someone else to change my oil

"I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker" (qaaaaa) 06/26/2019 at 13:43 • Filed to: None

0

27

Went to a Midas to get the Jetta’s oil changed (I had not done so since pulling it out of some dude’s backyard in Muncie). Turns out, oil shops don’t like when a car has no jack point left to jack from.

My original intention was to get an oil change so I could have an inspection done* and not having to change my oil was a bonus. I had a noon appointment, but they didn’t get my car on the lift until 1:15 because their backlog was so bad. So they didn’t charge me for the oil and skipped on the inspection. As far as I’m concerned, free oil and getting to sit in the AC is better than paying for oil and having to lay underneath a shitbox.

As I left, the shop manager and I had this little interaction: “Hey man, you’ve got an exhaust leak and your oil pan leaks.” “Yeah, so?” (he did not mention the airbag light and the CEL).

*I wanted them to confirm my suspicion that the tie rod ends are iffy, as the car will from time to time (every five minutes) change whether it pulls left or right. I don’t have any ball joint play, so I think it could only be tie rod ends. That or the steering rack is fucked.

PartyPooper2012 > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/26/2019 at 13:55

2

Ash78, voting early and often > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/26/2019 at 13:57

4

the car will from time to time (every five minutes) change whether it pulls left or right

Libertarian Car is just doing its thing.

/former MkIII owner

vicali > Ash78, voting early and often 06/26/2019 at 14:03

1

It’s trying to dance to the door chime..

Sovande > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/26/2019 at 14:04

0

Feels good, right? 

E90M3 > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/26/2019 at 14:07

2

Since getting a BMW, I’ve paid someone else to change my oil. I don’t care, it’s easier to have someone do it for me while I’m at work then have to go about changing it myself. 

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Ash78, voting early and often 06/26/2019 at 14:07

0

Did yours do that? It kind of sketches me out, I’ll just be going down a straight road, wheel cocked 10° left to go straight, suddenly I’m heading towards oncoming traffic, so I cock it 10° right and it’s straight. Sometimes 0° tilt is straight. Kinda weird!

Ash78, voting early and often > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/26/2019 at 14:09

1

It actually did -- it’s been quite a while (got rid of it in 2001) but in the 5-6 years I had it, just about every problem came up. A lot of it was from neglect, but some of it was bound to happen either way. In fact, about half of the alignments I had done resulted on a cocked steering wheel and I’d have to go back to the shop again. It was very weird...

Chariotoflove > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/26/2019 at 14:22

1

I go to the quick change place around the corner for my state inspection and my oil. It’s locally owned by this middle eastern family. They’re fast and courteous, so I give them my business. I’m thinking I’ll ask them to do my tires next time I need them, too.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Ash78, voting early and often 06/26/2019 at 14:28

1

Yup, sounds like a Mk3. Because alignments are like a hundred bucks and tires are cheap, I don’t get them done at shops, just DIY it with a tape measure and some string. Check that the rack is centered, drives straight, hey good enough. Then I take the steering wheel off and put it back on centered and call it good enough.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > E90M3 06/26/2019 at 14:29

1

Yeah, I’ve done it a few times on my Golf, and honestly... fuuuuuuck that. I’d rather pay $20 for Midas to do it. Cheaper anyways honestly

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/26/2019 at 14:59

0

Did you tell them you have a problem and DiCaprio wanted it inspected?

Drives me nuts when prone come in for an oil change, then after I’ve pulled the car around say “did you figure out why this random system is doing dumb things?”

Why no, no I did not. Because you didn’t ask me to check it. I’d be happy to, but I don’t work for free. And seeing as how I didn’t find any related issues on the inspection, which is only quick and visual, your real issue will need to be diagnosed properly.

Sorry for the rant. It’s not necessarily directed at you. I don’t know how your visit and conversations went. But this is a thing people do, then have the g all to get angry that I couldn’t figure out their intermittent battery draw with a visual inspection.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 06/26/2019 at 15:02

0

Nah, they do a free inspection with an oil change, just a visual, no road test. I asked the guy if he could look at the front end stuff because of the wandering it’s doing. I already had a guess at what it was, just wanted someone else to take a look and confirm the issue.

I’m okay with them not having done it, I’m gonna jack it up tonight and poke and shake some stuff to confirm my suspicions.

TheRealBicycleBuck > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/26/2019 at 15:12

1

I t only costs me an extra $10 to have someone else change the oil. That’s worth the premium.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/26/2019 at 15:34

1

It also blows my mind when shops don’t do inspections. What if there’s an issue? What if the customer didn't know about a few things and would've happily paid to fix them? 

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 06/26/2019 at 17:09

0

Yeah, it was weird. They were truly swamped though. I offered to pay the $20 for oil if they did the inspection, but it must not have been worth it. 

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/26/2019 at 17:18

1

Since I live in the city and don’t have a garage, or even a driveway, I just take my car to the dealer for oil changes. I have always been able to find a coupon that g ets the price into the $40-50 range for a change with full synthetic. One of my biggest concerns is finding a place with employees that know how to drive a manual transmission. I don’t want people figuring it out on my clutch and figure that since Mazda sells (sold) a fair number of vehicles with manuals I’d have a better shot at getting someone that won’t destroy my car. It also gets me a chance to check out the latest  Miata...

Dogsatemypants > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 06/26/2019 at 18:44

0

Because more people get mad and try to explain why their x is just fine because little jimmy looked at it last year and said it was ok. You would be amazed at how pissed people get about being given free advice.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/26/2019 at 20:06

0

Really weird. They're just leaving money on the table. Can't comprehend.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Dogsatemypants 06/26/2019 at 20:08

0

Some do, most don’t. The ones that get pissed I don’t want add clients anyways. If they’re willing to have an actual conversation or even just politely decline, great. But if they get up on  their high horse and basically insinuate I don't know what I'm doing, gtfac.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 06/26/2019 at 20:24

1

Right, I didn’t get it. I mean, I appreciate the free oil, but like...

Maybe they just didn’t want to stay at the shop after 6. Which, fair. Saves them 20 minutes.

E90M3 > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 06/26/2019 at 22:14

0

One reason I like to bring my car to BMW for things like an oil change is they do check over it. Mainly so they can try and get me to spend more money. 

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > E90M3 06/26/2019 at 22:35

0

Probably 50/50 between getting you to spend  money and genuinely giving a shit about safety/vehicle condition. Actual ratio depending on each individual tech.

E90M3 > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 06/26/2019 at 22:38

1

I could see that, my experience seems to be more along the lines of the tech actually caring.

Dogsatemypants > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 06/27/2019 at 01:18

0

We aren't a full service shop, i just try to give information on the condition of their cars. 

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > E90M3 06/27/2019 at 01:41

1

Most of us actually do. If the job were all about the money most of us would do something else for a living. 

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Dogsatemypants 06/27/2019 at 01:42

0

And they still get mad? Crazy.

Dogsatemypants > Dogsatemypants 06/27/2019 at 11:15

0

Idk what it is, other than really annoying for me. I’m not selling this, but you should get it looked at.....

“How dare you sir!"