Jiffy Lube--Stiffing Customers

[Tempest]

Quote:

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What we use is an Automatic Transmission Fluid +3 and we add an ATF Modifier which brings the fluid to a level that exceeds all of Ford's specs.

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I would guess that it is Pennzoil ATF+3 with some Lubegard Green.

I would definitely be a little worried about using an ATF+3 in a MerconV application. The Lubegard page says:

Quote:

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Enhances DEXRON/MERCON ATF to perform like a MERCON V type fluid

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It does not say anything about ATF+3. Maybe you can get Undummy's input on this, as he seems to have much experience with these things. I would continue to push JL for more information...you paid them for a job done right...it is not unreasonable for you to expect proof that that is what happened.

 

[unDummy]

Don't confuse ATF+3 with DexronIII. They both have 3's.

Since MerconV is cheap and plentiful, I wouldn't bother using any lubegard products.

ATF+3 actually works reasonably well all by itself in MerconV applications. But, it does NOT meet the cold weather performance of MerconV. And, the long term seal, glue, gasket, and band/clutch material compatibility, has never been tested. Stick with the merconV. I currently have several Fords running ATF+4. But, it'll take a couple years before I give it a full recommendation. ATF+4 has the same HFM level as ATF+3 but with the better basestocks and actually beats MerconV in cold weather performance.

Yep, many profit minded shops bend customers over every day. If you don't watch the work, or understand what is being done, you will be wasting money. Honest shops are hard to come by.

 

[Doc8404]

I have the iffy lube junk in now, not Mercon V....

 

[Winston]

One thing is you guys keep talking about the cost of repairs and then list the price of parts. You never list the time it took you to do the work.

To run a shop you need to pay for the techs, the service writers to talk to the clients, the tools, the rent for the bldg, the insurance for your business, and on and on.

Having said that you should not lie to your customers.

I had a dealer swear that my pads were almost at metal too. When in reality they had over 50% life left. And I am a normal looking white guy.

 

[Doc8404]

here's the latest email update from them...who makes this garbage?



They should be using Heartland Automotive Products' T3 additive at our shops, but if they are using the lubeguard products still then the green bottle (the cap is green not the bottle) would be right.. A more technical name is Lubeguard Automatic Transmission Fluid Friction Modifier Mercon V Applications. I hope this helps."



IF??? IF??? That's why i'm asking THIS guy..the regional rep...whatever Iffy Lube....



cross your fingers that my tranny will be fine.

 

[wgtoys]

Can anyone show me a Ford approval for using Lubeguard or it's clones to turn DIII into MV? Can anyone show me any automaker approval for similar magical transformations? Lubeguard promotes it's products as automaker approved, but when you try to find the approvals it is obscure stuff like an old 1993 Saab TSB saying to add Lubeguard to address certain customer complaints.

 

[Doc8404]

Quote:

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Can anyone show me a Ford approval for using Lubeguard or it's clones to turn DIII into MV? Can anyone show me any automaker approval for similar magical transformations? Lubeguard promotes it's products as automaker approved, but when you try to find the approvals it is obscure stuff like an old 1993 Saab TSB saying to add Lubeguard to address certain customer complaints.

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great question....
they wouldn't admit to LubeGard, but said, "IF they used LubeGard"
really #@$%! me off....and this is from the Regional manager, whom stopped emailing me when i nicely told him that this is unsat and they need to tell me what they put in my truck....email is below...again, after my last email from him, i told him that I wanted to know what they use, not what they should use or if they used, blah blah...
________________________________
Brian wrote:
They should be using Heartland Automotive Products' T3 additive at our shops, but if they are using the lubeguard products still then the green bottle (the cap is green not the bottle) would be right.. A more technical name is Lubeguard Automatic Transmission Fluid Friction Modifier Mercon V Applications. I hope this helps.

Robert wrote:
is the modifier Lubegard green?

>>> Brian 27.Feb.07 10:04 >>>
The transfer case and Tranny both require a Mercon 5 fluid. What we use is an Automatic Transmission Fluid +3 and we add an ATF Modifier which brings the fluid to a level that exceeds all of Ford's specs. Again, I hope that this helps and let me know if there is anything further you need.

-Brian

Robert wrote:
Thanks Brian...that's pretty much what the tech told me, "they meet the specs"
more or less, I was wondering what fluids they actually use in the transfer case and tranny.
Thanks again for the effort...off to another meeting.

Rob

>>> Brian
Rob
I had a chance to get out to Yorkville yesterday. I was able to print out the invoice from your service based on your plate info (thanks). I double checked everything. The fuel filter application was correct, the oil filter application was correct, the Fuel System Cleaner was correct, and the Transmission Fluid application was correct. The only thing that I noticed that might differ from the manufacturer's specs was the oil weight. Ford recommends a 5w20 weight oil for your vehicle with 5w30 as a secondary option. We used the Full Synthetic 5w30. So while it is not Ford's first choice it does "meet the manufacturer's specs." I hope that this answers your questions and settles any concerns...if you have any further questions, comments, or concerns please don't hestitate to send me a message or give me a call.

Thanks!

-Brian
\
Robert wrote:
Brian, that would be great if you'd do that...i really wish i could pull the receipt so i could give you the date....
if you need my plate to look up my records, it's xxxxxx NY plate.....

>>> Brian 02/24/07 9:24 PM >>>
Thanks for the reply Rob. Here at Jiffy Lube we have access to Electronic Service Manuals which have specs for many fluids and quantities on most vehicles. We use these ESM's to determine what fluids are correct for certain applications including any and all gear boxes (differentials/transfer case). The 25 year old at the shop was most likely going by what the electronic service manual told him, which should match any manufacturer's specification. I would be more than happy to cross check and double check any and all fluids that we used on your vehicle. Please let me know if you would like me to do this, and by all means feel free to give me a call.

-Brian

Robert wrote:
Thank you for the email...I am at work right now, so it's difficult to call.

My questions essentially relate to what fluids are used at this location since the guy servicing my vehicle really couldn't tell me...it was a few months ago and my truck is under cover, buried underneath several feet of snow...as are my receipts.

The 2001 F150 5.4L 4R70W is very particular about the fluids it uses, especially in the differentials/transfer case...which BTW, Ford doesn't recommend changing, but apparently the 25 year old kid at JL knows better than Ford Motor Company.

Rob

>>> Brian 23.Feb.07 12:22 >>>


My name is Brian and I am a district manager for Jiffy Lube. My region includes the location in Yorkville, NY. I understand that you might have some concerns about the service that you received at this location and I would love to chat a little about them to see if we can remedy any potential problems. Unfortunatley I was unable to find any contacy info for you other than your e-mail. If you would like to contact me, my phone number is (508)963-xxxx. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Brian

 

[unDummy]

http://www.theheartland.com/products.htm#transmission

If the tranny works well, don't worry about it.
If don't like the way it performs, visit your local autoparts store, pick up any case of MerconV, and find a shop to flush it, or do it yourself!

All it takes is ONE corrupt shop, one video or newspaper article, to mutilate the reputation of 1000's of franchisees. I also believe this is location specific. I know various quicklubes and independent shops that I would trust for service. I also know plenty that I wouldn't even consider.

I have no problem with fluid converters. They've been used for many years. I also don't see the need for them with the availability of most specs now. I also don't care or need an OEM approval for anything used on my car.

 

[DINO_NO]

yeah, be sure to put in the correct fuel system cleaner.
My manual states "fuel system cleaner type F"

CORRECT FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER? IS HE JOKING?

 

[Mystic]

I have a solution for their bad service-put them out of business and do the work yourself. Anybody should be able to change their own oil, check the air pressure in tires, add coolant or windows washer fluid, keep the vehicle clean, and do other general maintenance. The more capable can do their own brakes and stuff like that. The more you can do the more you can save. And you know that oil of the correct viscosity is being put into the car or truck because you are doing it yourself. You know the correct air pressure is being maintained, etc.

If you come across some problem that you can't handle, then you take the car or truck to a repair facility that can do the work. Otherwise, put these crooks out of business.

 

[wileyE]

It's not just the monkey lube places. Most the transmission repair shops around here the Lubegaurd additive to up-spec the (wrong) fluid. Right or wrong it's pretty common in the industry.

 

[Kestas]

Quote:

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yeah, be sure to put in the correct fuel system cleaner.
My manual states "fuel system cleaner type F"
CORRECT FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER? IS HE JOKING?

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That depends. I worked in a lab for one auto manufacturer where I saw the chemists evaluating fuel system cleaners. Being the DIYer and looking for inside info, I asked them if they could tell me which of these cleaners was most effective. They told me that they don't evaluate for effectiveness, they just make sure the cleaners don't harm the materials in the fuel system.

Strange as it sounds, that probably explains using the "correct fuel system cleaner". The manufacturer certified it won't harm the fuel system.

 

[pacem]

This is why I changed my own oil for the last 15 years!

You cannot trust anyone these days, unless you have a long term relationship with a "country" mechanic that depends on constant business, not these franchaises by the side of the main road that don't depend on repeat customers.

 

[Dr_No]

My local lube shop has the best service i've ever experienced.
I took in my car with the PCV valve, since it was too hard for me to reach.. they tampered for a good 5-10 mins and got it done well. No charge.

After adding some transmission treatment I was slightly overfilled, I asked if they could drain some.. they drained two litres and filled two litres.
No charge

 

[rustlerdude]

I am a tech at a vw dealer, so I have to side on the dealer perspective. You guys bash dealers for being overpriced but then you bash smaller shops for doing bogus work! Honestly, the dealer is NOT overpriced. My dealer is not corrupt like some others out there and I would never work for a corupt dealer. If your vehicle needs the work, i will be as accurate as possible about how much longer till its useless or what to expect when it fails or how much life is used up. I use the percent system when it comes to pad thickness. At 10% or less i'm gonna be pushing a brake job because now it is a safety issue. If you have 20-25% i'm gonna tell you that the brakes are getting low, about 24% and you should expect to change them at the next service...sooner or later depending how they drive.

If you want the correct fluids being used and a WARRANTY on parts and labor for 12 months 12k miles, then go to a dealer. If you want corners cut and cheap parts, go to a independant shop. Finding a good shop is difficult and it only takes one messup to lose a customer.

 

[Saab9-3]

Rustlerdude, explain me this then.

I needed 2 oxygen sensors recently. I called the dealer, they stated the part would cost 250$ each. I call my local mechanic (saab specific) he wants 67$ each for the exact same brand model etc.

That is why I never go to a dealership, for there outrageous prices.

 

[Saab9-3]

OH,, and the Dealer is OVERPRICED.

 

[GMBoy]

How about this one - Optispark for my 94 Corvette. Gm dealer $674...Eckler's (corvette catalog) $399 for the same exact AC/Delco GM part. GMPARTSDIRECT.COM was like $350, but the shipping was $70, but still cheaper. Even with my GM discount the part was too much. Got it from Eckler's...

 

[mazduh30]

In my opinion, the problems with the Jiffy lubes, Wal-Mart TLEs, etc. is low wages, no training specific to the job, unskilled (lack of mechanical ability), ---- managers running the department, and greed for making the buck. Let see...going to Wal-Mart TLE in my brand new $60,000 vehicle because I want to save a few bucks, lazy, or whatever...on an oil change. Most likely, the "technician" will be unskilled, untrained, non-motivated, uncaring who all he/she wants is to do is to go on a break performing your oil change while I shop for butt wipe and milk. Or find a qualified mechanic or do it yourself....Your choice.

 

[4esorselrahc]

Once a friend of mine some years back used Jiffy Lube. They failed to put the oil filter back on properly (not tight enough). All of the oil spewed out at the filter and the engine was ruined....This is why I will never use them for any work. I've heard so many stories. It amazes me that they are still in business