Need An Oil Change

[The Critic]

It's past 3,000 miles and my Saturn is due for another oil change.

No, I am not changing it myself. I hate changing oil.

I have two choices:

1) Chevy Dealer for $19.95

20 miles away
Delco Filter and New Oil Plug Gasket
GM Goodwrench/Mobil bulk 5w30
A GM monkey giving your car a quick "once over"

2) Jiffy Lube's customer appreciation special-- $19.95

Down the street
Purolator filter
Pennzoil 5w30
Free oil top-offs for 3mo/3k-- I have gone through 2.5 qt in the last 3900 miles.

Where would you go?

 

[hate2work]

Given only those two choices I'd go with Iffy Lube, and I'd watch everything they did. It's closer, free top-offs, no appointment needed, and you can watch.

 

[beast3300]

2

 

[Hemi426]

All things considered, Jiffy Lube.

 

[JHZR2]

I'd flip a coin. You will likely get a hard time on the upsell from jiffy lube, whereas the dealer is likely to be a bit more honest (!) if and when they find issues.

The free top-up is a consideration in your situation though, given your consumption, their location and the fact that you can get Pennzoil conventional.

 

[mikiee]

Jiffy lube. Just make sure they put the filler cap back on and check the level yourself before you drive off.

 

[sciphi]

Iffy Lube. Keep your wallet close.

 

[5sfe91]

save fuel and go with JL

 

[Cutehumor]

option 3: walmart TLE.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
option 3: walmart TLE.

Except it's 45 miles away and they charge $30.

 

[Hermann]

Iffy Lube and when they try to upsell you act like you have a hearing problem.

 

[beanoil]

I doubt the iffy lube filter is a Purolator, if it is there house line. But the house filter by Champion Labs is good enough, and Saturns being the users they are, I vote Iffy.

 

[The_Jeff]

Jiffy lube. It will be amusing and you'll come back with a story to tell. If they try to upsell you on a PCV valve tell them if you can't get it for 42 cents you just don't want it.

The only fun thing about the chevy dealer is making the tech curse the location of your filter.

 

[AuthorEditor]

Jiffy Lube, especially if you can watch them do the work and you have some trust that they are OK. In my experience with quick lubes, some are terrible and some are OK. Even at quick lubes there are folks that take pride in doing a good job--I suspect it has a lot to do with the attitude of the boss of that particular spot. My local WalMart has such a crew and they do good work, but the Jiffy Lube is not so good. It isn't rocket science after all. How about a Sears or an independent garage? I've found the latter to be the best of all, and some of them run oil change specials that are just as good as Jiffy Lube.

 

[addyguy]

Jiffy Lube...not worth a 20-mile drive for essentially the same thing.

Also, Jiffy Lube will be drive-through service, done in 15-20 mins.....you might be waiting a while at a dealer.

Let us know how it goes!

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: beanoil
I doubt the iffy lube filter is a Purolator, if it is there house line. But the house filter by Champion Labs is good enough, and Saturns being the users they are, I vote Iffy.

They use Performax filters, which are supposed to be Purolator.

The Chevy dealer uses ACDelco, not Saturn OE. Also, the dealer gives the car a quick inspection, which is quite beneficial in identifying issues that I may not have noticed.

 

[The Critic]

So I just thought about it a bit more. Everyone and their mom is going to be at JIffy Lube if it's 1/2 price for only 2 hours. Stuff is bound to go wrong; busy quick lubes with n00b techs in a super hurry is a very scary thought.

 

[addyguy]

Didn't realize it was a 'flash sale'....

Yeah, maybe go somehwere where they will take a bit longer, but not rush it.

I mean, you change oil every 4-6 months (I think), so driving 20 miles isn't a big deal, if you have a bit of time.

What about the dealer that did your last service, with the Kendall GT-1?

 

[The Critic]

 

[addyguy]

Cool pic - 'live' action shots!