Paid for an oil change today

[otis24]

I can't remember the last oil change I paid someone else to do. Stayed "in town" overnight and the wife had to stop at Wal-Mart before going home. My intention was to change oil in the Impala when I got home. Was doing an Auto-Rx treatment and was at the 3k mark. With -5 temps out and no heated garage, I decided to let Wal-Mart change my oil. The techs seemed competent and courteous. I should be good for another 4-6 weeks.

When did Wal-Mart get away from the $14-$17 oil change? At $30, they are competitive. At least you can choose any conventional/blend that you want, which is nice. There was a discount for using QS oil. I decided to go with Hav 5W/30. Is this just a new marketing strategy by WM?

 

[Colt45ws]

A couple years ago. IIRC in '09 they went to the 30/40/55 change only and deleted the cheaper options.. The $24 change with Quaker State is new as of a couple months ago. Its different than the others as the 30/40/55 includes fluid top-up, air pressure check, vacuum carpets, wash windshield, etc.
The $24 with quick bake is lube/oil/filter only.

 

[SuperDave456]

I cant imagine those temperatures. Much less working on your car in those temps.
I think the high here today was 44 degrees. I'm running havoline 10w30 and my Taurus loves it.

I think I have had my oil changed once at Walmart, but I can't blame you. I'd pay someone else to do it also in those conditions.

Last time I checked all oil changes ran about $30. The only time I have had different is when the place was having a "one day special $20 cash only" sale.
I think the manager was out for the day so they were pocketing all the cash.

 

[otis24]

As much as I go to WM, I really haven't paid too much attention to there oil change prices because I do it myself. I keep a close watch on oil prices and will stock up if there is a sale or if it looks like prices are starting to creep upwards.

 

[daves87rs]

Sounds about right.

 

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: SuperDave456
I cant imagine those temperatures. Much less working on your car in those temps.

You don't know fun until you change a distributor cap and rotor, in an inaccessible location so tight that you can't even wear mechanic's gloves, when it's more than 20-degrees below zero. Oh, and the wind-chill makes it more than 40-degrees below and you're in a blizzard...

P.S.: Changing a fuel pump on an old SB Chevy, while laying on gravel, in sub-zero temps comes in a close second.

 

[The Critic]

My main issue with having oil changes done at quick lube facilities and independent shops is that the services are often incomplete. Quite often, the drain plug crush washer is not replaced at every service, as it should be. The quality of the oil filters is also questionable.

With a dealer, I at least know that the drain plug washer will be replaced, the oil filter is of an acceptable quality and the car's VIN will be entered into the system to check for outstanding campaigns and recalls-- which is also something that will not be done at an independent shop or quick lube. Also, even though the oil change guys at the dealer are often lube techs or C techs, they still see the same cars everyday so they are able to identify common issues with your make/model which is something you may or may not get with an independent shop since your indy tech is not always extremely familiar with your vehicle.

Plus, I've found that independent shops or quick lubes charge as much as, if not more than the dealer. The last oil change for a Honda, I paid $23 at the dealer. On the Mazda it was $35. Both of those prices are less than what the local quick lubes charges.

 

[The motor guy]

Man Id say screw it and let it go another couple thousand miles and wait til march before I let someone else touch my truck. You'll kick yourself the next time around when your under their breaking that drain plug loose with a two foot 1/2'' breaker bar.

 

[ARB1977]

Never again will go back to Walmart to have an oil change. Did fine on changing oil but added way too much PS fluid to our Jetta....of course it was the wrong stuff. Came home and took out what they put in. The only reason they did it was we were living in an apartment at the time.

 

[dparm]

Eh, my old Ford SVT Contour saw 80k worth of Jiffy Lube changes and it still ran just fine by the time it was totaled.

 

[chubbs1]

Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
Man Id say screw it and let it go another couple thousand miles and wait til march before I let someone else touch my truck. You'll kick yourself the next time around when your under their breaking that drain plug loose with a two foot 1/2'' breaker bar.


+1 LOL!! That is the part I hate, but when it is 50 in FL I'm freezing and don't want to do an oil change, so at-5 I'd probably have done the same thing. At least it will be warmer when you are struggling with the breaker bar!

 

[Colt45ws]

It shouldnt take a breaker bar. If it does complain that you want your money back. Policy at TLE is to use a torque wrench set to manufacturer specifications.

 

[otis24]

When I do my next soil change, hopefully it will be warmer. I will also install a Fumoto Valve.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: otis24
When I do my next soil change, hopefully it will be warmer. I will also install a Fumoto Valve.


Ahhh yes, the old soil change

 

[stenerson]

Originally Posted By: otis24
I can't remember the last oil change I paid someone else to do. Stayed "in town" overnight and the wife had to stop at Wal-Mart before going home. My intention was to change oil in the Impala when I got home. Was doing an Auto-Rx treatment and was at the 3k mark. With -5 temps out and no heated garage, I decided to let Wal-Mart change my oil. The techs seemed competent and courteous. I should be good for another 4-6 weeks.

When did Wal-Mart get away from the $14-$17 oil change? At $30, they are competitive. At least you can choose any conventional/blend that you want, which is nice. There was a discount for using QS oil. I decided to go with Hav 5W/30. Is this just a new marketing strategy by WM?


I worked on my wife's spongy brakes today in below zero temps.
If I needed an oil change today I would have paid. brrrr!
Nah! who am I kidding.