Anyone ever sneak a check ofother people's oil ?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Originally Posted By: Patman
It might sound weird but I bet the guy's intentions are honorable and we need more good samaritans like him in this world! In that case there where he found one engine was down by 3 quarts of oil he probably saved that person's engine from an early death.



Agreed. There are not many of us out there...
 
andrewg -- agreed. a friend's neighbor is a "shrink", and if i told him this story, he would likely salivate. a patient that
would put his kids through college, as he would say.
i guess we all have our goofy quirks.
 
I check family members cars for them, but they either know or ask me to do it. The closest I've gotten to "maintenance" on someone's car with out them knowing is I have washed a friends car before. I was out washing my truck. My wife's friend pulled in and went inside to chat with my wife. Her car was filthy and since I already had everything out. I put fresh water in the bucket and washed her car for her. Once again, she is a very close friend and really appreciated it. If I would have asked she would have been too polite to accept, even though she would have wanted it cleaned.
 
I used to check if someone asked, but usually I found so many problems, all fluid low, leaks, etc. that I would spend a bunch of time making it right, because I can't leave something not fixed. Then I became the fixit guy for them. Unfortunately the worst maintenance offenders were women, who just don't seem to know or care about these things. Worst time was checking a woman's VW beetle (1999). Oil was sludged, white goop on valvetrain. I wish I took a pic but most here would have probably thrown up if they saw it...
 
I have a confession.

I learned my lesson.

I dated this chick a few times, and at one point she asked me for a ride to the airport.She wanted to leave her car at my place for a week too. Nothing was specificly said about the car itself, a beater Cavalier. I washed it and hit it with a coat of wax before her return, pretty basic stuff. Well, upon her return, she freaked out. I guess it was or was considered me marking my territory or was too invasive. Not really a big deal if you know how I am, I would have done it for a guy friend or a family member.

I still have to basicly steal my Mom's car to do the minimal quickie services I do...I mostly don't even bother to tell her. She's one of those people that think only the authourized service guy with the correct shirt on is qualified to work on a 12 year old VW. Plus, you know how moms are.

Anyway, I learned my lesson...mostly.
 
It's funny how some people will only trust Quick Lubes. In my experience, most are crooks and have no idea what they are doing. Which is why there are so many lawsuits and Quick Lube horror stories out there.

In my hometown, there is one mechanic only. Every local takes their car to him and he takes every one of them for a ride. He is a wicked crook and for some reason everyone trusts him. My brother in-law worked in his garage when he was younger and said he would never let this guy touch one of his cars in a million years. He is notorious for doing cob jobs but charging for a full fix. People drive away thinking they had "x" replaced when this guy only put "duck tape" on it. 90% of the locals are none the wiser to his tactics. Most of the Senior citizens, like my Grandfather, think he is automotive god and I can't convince otherwise.
 
I do, usually almost everytime the oil is low or terrible looking.

Sister's 06' Passat had some nasty deposits at 40K miles(gone now). Her 06' Yukon has around 41K and doesn't look very good either. They usually do Dino bulk oil changes at the car wash every 10K or so.

The just got a 07' BMW w/ 23K, I'm sure it's not too far behind. They also put 87 in it, even though it calls for 91.

My brother has an 01' F150 w/ the 5.4, low and black oil everytime I check it. He probably changes it once a year, somehow runs fine at 185K miles.

No matter how many times I tell them, they never check or change the oil on time.
 
Originally Posted By: panthermike

They usually do Dino bulk oil changes at the car wash every 10K or so.




So your car wash attendant does oil changes or are you saying something else here?
 
I check my sister's and my aunt's cars for them. They know I do it, and they appreciate it. A few of my aunts and uncles sometimes hire me to detail their cars. I love helping out my family members, but given the amount of time and work involved detailing, I simply don't do it for free.
 
Originally Posted By: yeti
andrewg -- agreed. a friend's neighbor is a "shrink", and if i told him this story, he would likely salivate. a patient that
would put his kids through college, as he would say.
i guess we all have our goofy quirks.


Yep...this guy is possibly obssesive-compulsive.
On a side note...my girlfriends son NEVER....and I mean NEVER changes his oil. He has RUINED at least two vehicles because of this. He'll wash his car, and clean the inside....but that's it. One day his Mom asked me to take a look at the dipstick of his car (a minivan we gave him since it had over 170k miles and wasn't worth much...and he needed another vehicle). Upon looking at it I saw that it was jet black and about two quarts low. When he came outside and was asked about his oil he became irritated and said it was fine. We told him it was low and he said that it was warm so that was why it was low...? (I guess he thinks the oil stays up high in the engine 30 minutes after you've driven it). When we gave it to him we advised an oil change within a month.....that was almost eight months ago and he still hasn't had it changed and doesn't need anybody to do it for him either. Soon the oil will have been in there a year! (just plain old dino). It's strange to because whenever he washes his vehicle he plays the radio while the car is on idle....for about thirty to forty five minutes!!! You can't tell this kid (26) anything either. He's really an IDIOT when it comes to cars.....we both just gave up on giving him ANY car advice and will be waiting to hear him whine that his car broke down. He'll get no more help from us, I can promise you that.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Kruse
Originally Posted By: panthermike

They usually do Dino bulk oil changes at the car wash every 10K or so.




So your car wash attendant does oil changes or are you saying something else here?


Not quite, Danny's Car Wash has service bays(I wouldn't trust them though). They do all fluids and filters.
 
i check and fill my friends car cuz i know he wont change or add unless engine is knocking.... same as my BIL...i have checked his camry and have found no oil on DS 3 times...i am lobbying my sis to use M1 for once on her turbo vw
 
Ok, I was a hypocrite today....sorta
grin2.gif


I went over to our church this morning to mow the lawn. They have a lawnmower that is a few years old. I saw an empty quart of Napa 10w40 laying on the ground next to the mower. I did happen to check the oil (I am a BITOGer at heart) and it was a little overfilled and dirty. I think I may change it next time I mow. However, I still think this is different than a person's car as this is a mower purchased by everyone in the church collectively.
whistle.gif
 
I can't remember checking anyone's oil without them knowing that I had done it. I did check the oil on my sister-in-laws previous car, but I also changed her oil for her. She would purchase whatever I suggested because the parts cost less than taking it somewhere. She got a newer car and I told her I didn't want the responsibility of having something go wrong on my watch so she takes it in for oil changes. I've been known to start filling without putting the plug back in so I know that I'm not beyond doing something stupid. I change the oil on both of my cars, but I'm very careful about anyone elses car, especially when I can afford to fix or replace it.
 
I stepped back from "nagging" people and will see the fruits of my gentle encouragement when they actually do something for themselves.

Generic tires and bulk oil for more money than I can suggest good quality stuff for. Low oil and 10k ocis in turbo vehicles on dino. Popped timing belts and replacement engines. I'm now really just as happy to see someone tank an engine as tweek it for them, just to get a grudging "thanks"...if I'm lucky.
 
Originally Posted By: GMFan
Ok, I was a hypocrite today....sorta
grin2.gif


I went over to our church this morning to mow the lawn. They have a lawnmower that is a few years old. I saw an empty quart of Napa 10w40 laying on the ground next to the mower. I did happen to check the oil (I am a BITOGer at heart) and it was a little overfilled and dirty. I think I may change it next time I mow. However, I still think this is different than a person's car as this is a mower purchased by everyone in the church collectively.
whistle.gif

You're a good man GMFan.I used to help mow the yard at the Church I used to attend.there were four of us from the Church who would take turns once a month to mow the yard.Most of time I would have to add oil before I started.I'm suprised that Craftsman lasted as long as it did.My father was the volunteer lawn mower mechanic.We used the Mobil dino that was about 79 cents a quart back in the day.
 
Originally Posted By: callbay
I have a friend that often checks other peoples oil. Guests to his house or his kids friends cars etc. Anyone parked at his house. The interesting part is that the other people don't konw he does this. He adds oil, water to the battery or anything else he notices that the car needs to have added. Even air in the tires. I guess he feels he is performing a service and helping the people. Kids cars, ladies cars, and "company cars" need a lot he says. He once found a company car that need three quarts of oil.

Any thoughts?


Ummm NO. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Funny though. Good there is someone worse than I am.
crackmeup2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Yeah, bit weird and sneaky for me. I can understand wanting to do it, but I don't go near the engine or 'drivers side' of anyone else's vehicle without permission.


Me too. I only touch someones car if they ask me for help.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

john_pifer
Was Your Dad or Granddad a Believer in Non-Detergent Motor Oil?
2 3 4
Replies
61
Views
2K
Sumboodie
Carlostrece
Oreilly Motor Oil for a 97 Buick Park Ave?
2
Replies
37
Views
2K
dlundblad
2
  • Locked
Where can I find this Oil and what is it's Brand Name?
Replies
11
Views
2K
dnewton3
D
Oil experts, please share your knowledge.
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
kschachn
goblin
Valvoline Restore and Protect - 2017 Hyundai 3.3 V6
2
Replies
29
Views
5K
tired
Back
Top Bottom