Oil change shops in Seattle

[paulri]

A loved one is going to live in Seattle, Washington, and will have to get oil changes at shops (DIY is not an option here). I can't do oil changes on the car any more, I live 1000 miles away. I'm not sure at all, what to recommend.

I have read all the horror stories about quick lube places. Are there any good ones in the Seattle area? I suppose a dealer would be a safe bet, although the last several trips I took to a dealer for oil changes took 90 mins per oil change. Also, I'd prefer that she not get hit with a lot of upselling (young female driver).

Any recommendations?

 

[Japanese]

I suppose a dealer would be a safe bet...

I thought so too. The young guys at quick lube shops don't seem very trust worthy, put aside stories with people who left those shops with a dry sump.

Visit her every time her oil is due and do an oil change at her location.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Does any Walmart near her have a TLE/Auto Care center do oil changes? That would be the best bet to avoid upselling, as they are limited in the services they do, so nothing to upsell

 

[paulri]

When I've taken my vehicles to a local Walmart TLE to get a battery, its been a good 3 hours. My concern is that long waits might mean car maintenance isn't done in a timely fashion. But you are making a good point about little to upsell.

Does any Walmart near her have a TLE/Auto Care center do oil changes? That would be the best bet to avoid upselling, as they are limited in the services they do, so nothing to upsell

 

[Hirev]

The Renton Valvoline instant oil change has good reviews.

https://store.vioc.com/wa/renton/15...gle&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=localsearch

 

[jkittlesen]

The horror story I have heard is about living in Seattle.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Perhaps find a decent independent shop near her. They will get to know the car. Or the dealership.

 

[paulri]

A good idea. After reading some reviews of the VOIC linked to above, I'm thinking it might be best simply to go to a trusted mechanic and pay a bit more than quick lube places will charge. It would be worth it to me. I'm ok with a dealer in terms of trusting them to get it right--its just that I'd rather her not get a hard sell on lots of additional work that might not actually need to be done, esp. at dealer prices.

Perhaps find a decent independent shop near her. They will get to know the car. Or the dealership.

 

[OM617YOTA]

Find a trusted independent shop. Consider the extra cost and time invested well worth it.

I wouldn't let Valvoline Instant Oil Change do the oil in my lawnmower, and my mower is battery electric.

 

[Dave Hess]

A loved one is going to live in Seattle, Washington, and will have to get oil changes at shops (DIY is not an option here). I can't do oil changes on the car any more, I live 1000 miles away. I'm not sure at all, what to recommend.

I have read all the horror stories about quick lube places. Are there any good ones in the Seattle area? I suppose a dealer would be a safe bet, although the last several trips I took to a dealer for oil changes took 90 mins per oil change. Also, I'd prefer that she not get hit with a lot of upselling (young female driver).

Any recommendations?

There’s a few members in the Seattle area.
Maybe they can do the oil change for a reasonable fee…. ?

 

[Reloader59]

I heard they do good oil changes in the CHAZ area...

 

[facility1]

find a small repair shop, and bring your own oil and filter, they are usually low cost labor like 25-30 dollars ,at least around here ,wis.

 

[Japanese]

find a small repair shop, and bring your own oil and filter, they are usually low cost labor like 25-30 dollars ,at least around here ,wis.

That's what I did before started DIY oil changes.

 

[CarLuver]

Seattle is pretty big. Can you narrow the general area?

 

[paulri]

Probably a 20-30 min drive around University of Washington campus in Seattle. That's where I'd expect her to live. She hasn't moved in yet, but I like to plan ahead.

Seattle is pretty big. Can you narrow the general area?

 

[CarLuver]

what kind of car? uw i know well

 

[Prison_Mike]

When I've taken my vehicles to a local Walmart TLE to get a battery, its been a good 3 hours. My concern is that long waits might mean car maintenance isn't done in a timely fashion. But you are making a good point about little to upsell.

I mean, depending on the car I can see 3 hours for a battery replacement lol

 

[DCDG]

A loved one is going to live in Seattle, Washington, and will have to get oil changes at shops (DIY is not an option here). I can't do oil changes on the car any more, I live 1000 miles away. I'm not sure at all, what to recommend.

I have read all the horror stories about quick lube places. Are there any good ones in the Seattle area? I suppose a dealer would be a safe bet, although the last several trips I took to a dealer for oil changes took 90 mins per oil change. Also, I'd prefer that she not get hit with a lot of upselling (young female driver).

Any recommendations?

For a warranty issue due to poor workmanship or whatever the situation be the dealer although higher prices you’ll get the warranty assurance. I rather deal with my local dealership than fight with an angry underpaid valvoline manager and the chains of their corporate insurance policy.

 

[tired]

The young guys at quick lube shops don't seem very trust worthy

Unfortunately most dealers I know have a separate set of quick lube techs that do all the oil changes. You're not getting a Toyota master diagnostic technician doing your oil change. They're doing the big jobs. The dealers and the quick lube spots are all drawing from the same pool of applicants, and they're all generally going to be similar.

To the OP, I'd find a good local independent mechanic. I'd ask around here. Enough members live in the Seattle area. @f355spider might be able to offer advice and recommend somebody. Not a bad idea to have a relationship so if/when something bigger comes up, she already knows where to go. In addition to oil changes, she'll need other things like coolant, brakes, etc. too.

 

[CKN]

For a warranty issue due to poor workmanship or whatever the situation be the dealer although higher prices you’ll get the warranty assurance. I rather deal with my local dealership than fight with an angry underpaid valvoline manager and the chains of their corporate insurance policy.

I have had dozens of oil changes at dealers-across the country with zero issues.