This Happened Today (worth reading)

[Kira]

Hello, I hooked up with my brother to test fit alloy wheels he bought for snow tire use.

When we were done playing I offered to fill his washer bottle.
The hood released OK but needed some jiggling before we got the hood open.

The oil filler cap had wedged into the hood latch's pocket.
He had gone to some meth head, work release felon staffed quickie oil change place which does not give a diddly-do about you or your car.

I reminded him that I have filters and oil at the ready and that the invitation is always open.
Fortunately oil hadn't sprayed all over the place.

I asked him if he thought they used the relatively expensive 5W-20 his Odyssey calls for of some nameless swill from a drum.
I think he got the message. Kira

 

[bubbatime]

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: Kira

The oil filler cap had wedged into the hood latch's pocket.
He had gone to some meth head, work release felon staffed quickie oil change place which does not give a diddly-do about you or your car.



I had an Infiniti dealership do that on my new Q45 once. Didn't lose any oil either. Showed it to the service manager because I check my oil every week. He gave me 5 free oil changes as a way to apologize.

BTW, some of the best mechanics I know are felons. Especially in the motorcycle world.

 

[Falken]

That must of really bothered you. I get just as mad when it is someone elses car as I feel it could have just of well have been me.

Change your own oil or take the bus is what this story tells me.

 

[bepperb]

At least you found the cap!

 

[Darren270]

I must have missed the part that was worth reading.

 

[Red91]

Just for future reference, there are honest quick lubes that do good work. I personally change my own oil, and do such for several others, but the assumption that ALL quick lubes are bad is misinformation. I wouldn't be happy about the misplaced oil cap myself, but is it possible that it was an honest mistake? I understand your displeasure towards the misplaced oil cap, but, in a typical day, where one tech may do upwards of a hundred cars, such a mistake could happen. I come from this angle while also telling you that there is a Valvoline place local to me that doesn't do honest work, and I wouldn't recommend them. Moral of this post is, if you're going to let someone service your car, use discretion as you would with any other service in your life.

 

[aa1986]

Originally Posted By: Darren270
I must have missed the part that was worth reading.


The pic was good.

 

[Lapham3]

There are some good outfits, but too many 'scatter brains'out there to risk drain plugs and lug nuts without checking. I've used those places a few times as more for a quick inspection of the underside of a car I might buy.

 

[SilverSnake]

I don't trust anyone but myself to do oil changes. I have had bad luck with quick change shops and dealerships. The only exception to that is our local BMW shop. They treat you like royalty and do superior work. Never even the slightest problem.

 

[HerrStig]

Hope not too much grit blew in.

 

[Errtt]

Yeah I once took the wife's SUV into a quickie oil change place because I wasn't in shape then to do it myself.
About 3/4 the way home (less than 3 mile drive) I suddenly noticed the engine sounded different. Got home and found the air filter laying caught below, could have lost it on the road. Trying to fish it out, found the washer fluid tank cap too.

 

[CKN]

Bad quickie oil change places.....

Nothing new here.

I guess whats worth reading is in the eye of the beholder!

 

[dlundblad]

What was the drain plug torqued to? Lol.

 

[Merkava_4]

I frown on people who don't change their own oil. They gotta be severely handicapped to get by me.

 

[dothedrew1202]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I frown on people who don't change their own oil. They gotta be severely handicapped to get by me.

not everyone has the capabilities to change their own oil. When I lived in an apartment it was just easier to have the meineke down the road do it. just once though.

 

[Kira]

Hello, To CKN and Darren270: You're right. I was swept up by my anger (with the lube joint as well as my brother who KNOWS I have his supplies ready) and my desire to again sound the alarm over thoughtless quick lube places.

I will count to 100 next time.

Perfection is my goal. Kira

 

[Fordtrucktexan]

Being somewhat in this business, I can tell you that anything done with our two hands is open to mistakes. Even the most vigilant and detail oriented person can leave an oil filter o-ring stuck to an engine (I'm guilty of this on my Saturn), round off a drain plug, or leave an oil cap off a motor.

The best advice I have is to consult with the shop manager about the mistake and gauge his attitude in his response. If he's a bit too calm and tries to blow you off, then your car probably doesn't belong there. If he reacts very seriously and takes a personal interest in the incident, and makes a genuine effort to rememdy the problem, then it's probably a good shop that just made a mistake. Don't measure the shop by them compensating you for your trouble - free oil changes at a bad shop doesn't mean they suddenly care.

 

[CKN]

No problem here. We all have moments......

 

[Gasbuggy]

I've forgotten to put mine back on but I always smell it.