Valvoline instant OC

[Camprunner]

How is Valvoline Instant Oil Change? Are they reasonable price wise for an oil change? Do they do good work?

Recently my father took his Ford Escape to Jiffy Lube since the local Ford dealer was a two week wait for an oil change and I think Jiffy took advantage of my dad charging him $100.00 for a synthetic blend oil and filter change and to put air in the tires! And that's all they did!

 

[Donald]

From your car's perspective the quick oil change places are fine. But watch for an up-sell. Their business model is build around $75 in revenue per vehicle.

Now a true BITOG will never go.

Some indy places will change your oil quickly while you wait if you get there when they open. They get oil changes and inspections out of the way and then do the real mechanic work.

 

[Virtus_Probi]

The Valvoline change spot by me is VERY expensive and it doesn't have the room to do tire rotations...I asked if they could take the car outside for that the last time I went and they said they just plain would not do it. Think I spent something like $75 on a semisynth change there maybe 5 years ago, only went there because I was in a hurry, they were about 2 miles from my work, and there was no line when I drove by it. The Midas across the street probably would have been $35-40 for the same service, but I probably would have needed an appointment.

 

[SeaJay]

I've been going to my Valvoline place for years. The price is a bit higher than some of the other discount places.

They know what they have done and only mention some of the other services that have not been done for a while. Once I asked for a coolant flush and fluid change when my vehicle was 3 years old. They said not to do it as the fluid from the manufacturer was 5 year stuff. It is not much of an upsell type of a place, at least the place I go to.

 

[oil_film_movies]

It all depends on how much control the local owner of the franchise has vs. how many limitations are imposed by the parent company.
Each is probably indepedent for the most part. One VIOC place can be run terribly and like a con-game (i.e., your Jiffy example) or they can be a great deal with quality work.

An example of pretty tight control from the franchise people is Wendy's burgers. You walk into a Wendy's anywhere, and you shouldn't have a different experience. Even then it kind of depends on the marijuana-soaked people behind the counter!

bad case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BsdPZ6mn9o

 

[beanoil]

VIOC, or as better known VIOMG!, will be fine, but you gotta keep the monkeys under control there. Even with repeated "NO" on air filter, wiper blades, and synthetic upgrades, the monkey shut my hood and proceeded to remove a wiper blade. Had to stop him again.
93.00 for a semi syn change is no value to anyone except those that can't do it.
Dealer charges 149.95 for a 23 point inspection and synthetic change with rotation. Crazy prices for less than an hour's work.

 

[oil_film_movies]

... or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBpMe36GoW0 is a dealership scam expose'.

 

[BJD78]

I usually do all of my own basic vehicle maintenance, but a few years ago I was rushed and undergoing chiropractic and acupuncture for severe neck pain and migraines and had a few months where I just did not have the health to be doing it. Sonata was pushing the limit on OC mileage probably close to 8K, so took it to Shell, Told them I just wanted a oil change nothing more,Of course they wanted to upsell to premium oil and semi or synthetic and I said I just ant the regular OC with the standard Shell regular oil and filter. They suggested that I let them do some other things like change out my wiper blades and change the cabin air. I told them again NO. Apparently they are really under pressure to upsell everyone who walks in. I was not rude but I was very firm and it certainly agitated the manager. I don't think he was used to people telling him "NO". I never went back to them. Also perhaps 20 years ago a Jiffy lube cross threaded the oil drain plug on my 94 Camry, I took it back the next day and they denied it. I went to corporate and they sent me a coupon book for a couple of Free oil changes. "seriously?? like giving out a couple of free oil changes is going to get this customer back? IMO there are better options than the quick lube joints.

 

[Chris142]

Like any business it depends on who's doing the work. If you get a retired mechanic that's working there to keep busy he will most likely do well. If you get some stoner that was flipping burgers last Friday he may leave your plug loose.

 

[plf]

Hearing those prices for an oil change hurts me. I get some people don’t want to be bothered doing their own oil or just can’t for some reasons . I know how to do very little when it comes to cars but glad I learned to do brake pads, oil changes and replace filters. That adds a lot of savings especially if you have more than one car in your household

 

[oil_film_movies]

There has to be a way to make sure the Shop you're using knows you know your stuff.
Maybe mention the specs (and HTHS, for pete's sake, lol) you want.
Tell them a GroupIII-II blend with moly and dexos1 Gen2 is what you're looking for.
Tell them the bypass valve psi of the oil filter you want.

---OK--- maybe you might cause the young tech to have a brain aneurysm, or you'll at least get a blank look.

Possibly mention what your Owner's Manual says to do, to assert that you know what the manufacturer says.
For the up-selling con-artists, this sends a message that you cannot be fooled.
They look for easy targets by appearances.

 

[camrydriver111]

It depends on the individual location and the people working there. I liked my local place, the price was very cheap, you see them do it, and you can chose from a few different oils.

Originally Posted By: plf
Hearing those prices for an oil change hurts me. I get some people don’t want to be bothered doing their own oil or just can’t for some reasons . I know how to do very little when it comes to cars but glad I learned to do brake pads, oil changes and replace filters. That adds a lot of savings especially if you have more than one car in your household


I have to disagree. In one of the videos posted they were talking about up-selling, because there is no money in oil changes. Oil change is the cheapest service you can get.

I can save maybe $20 (Corolla) or $50 (BMW) by doing it myself. Then I have to buy the oil, make sure the car is warmed up, clean the garage, jack up the car, not spill any of the old oil, dispose of it afterwards, etc. For many people it's absolutely worth it to pay.

For other services where the labor and parts markup adds up you save a lot more money. Doing one brake job or valve cover gasket yourself can save you as much money as doing 5 to 10 oil changes.

 

[plf]

Originally Posted By: camrydriver111
I think it depends on the individual place. I liked my local place, the price was very cheap, you see them do it, and you can chose from a few different oils.

Originally Posted By: plf
Hearing those prices for an oil change hurts me. I get some people don’t want to be bothered doing their own oil or just can’t for some reasons . I know how to do very little when it comes to cars but glad I learned to do brake pads, oil changes and replace filters. That adds a lot of savings especially if you have more than one car in your household


I have to disagree. In one of the videos posted they were talking about up-selling, because there is no money in oil changes. Oil change is the cheapest service you can get.

I can save maybe $20 (Corolla) or $50 (BMW) by doing it myself. Then I have to buy the oil, make sure the car is warmed up, clean the garage, jack up the car, not spill any of the old oil, dispose of it afterwards, etc. For many people it's absolutely worth it to pay.

For other services where the labor and parts markup adds up you save a lot more money. Doing one brake job or valve cover gasket yourself can save you as much money as doing 5 to 10 oil changes.


True for me it’s not always about the money , find enjoyment in doing certain jobs myself. No different than mowing my own lawn instead of having someone else do it

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: Camprunner
.... Recently my father took his Ford Escape to Jiffy Lube since the local Ford dealer was a two week wait for an oil change and I think Jiffy took advantage of my dad charging him $100.00 for a synthetic blend oil and filter change and to put air in the tires! And that's all they did!

Wow, talk about adding insult to injury. Two week wait at the dealer for O&F change, ridiculous. $100 for synblend and I'll bet a cheap jobber filter at JL, whacked. That said, they'll get what they can as long as the customer lets them.

Don't know anything about VIOC. I'd imagine they have standard company practices, and like most places, better or worse depending on management and employees experience.

Perhaps find a new dealer, and bring own oil and filter. Or find an indy, and do the same.

 

[mclasser]

Many years ago, I used to take my old Elantra to Merchant's Tire and Auto for the $19.99 LOF & tire rotation special (Valvoline conventional was the oil they used). I went to several branches and never had issues with upselling, stripped out drain plug, etc. I think MT, NTB and Tire Kingdom are all sister companies.

And LOL@ a 2 week wait for an oil change. I agree about finding a good indy shop.

 

[PimTac]

Originally Posted By: plf
Originally Posted By: camrydriver111
I think it depends on the individual place. I liked my local place, the price was very cheap, you see them do it, and you can chose from a few different oils.

Originally Posted By: plf
Hearing those prices for an oil change hurts me. I get some people don’t want to be bothered doing their own oil or just can’t for some reasons . I know how to do very little when it comes to cars but glad I learned to do brake pads, oil changes and replace filters. That adds a lot of savings especially if you have more than one car in your household


I have to disagree. In one of the videos posted they were talking about up-selling, because there is no money in oil changes. Oil change is the cheapest service you can get.

I can save maybe $20 (Corolla) or $50 (BMW) by doing it myself. Then I have to buy the oil, make sure the car is warmed up, clean the garage, jack up the car, not spill any of the old oil, dispose of it afterwards, etc. For many people it's absolutely worth it to pay.

For other services where the labor and parts markup adds up you save a lot more money. Doing one brake job or valve cover gasket yourself can save you as much money as doing 5 to 10 oil changes.


True for me it’s not always about the money , find enjoyment in doing certain jobs myself. No different than mowing my own lawn instead of having someone else do it





Exactly. Doing it yourself ensures that the job was done right and you know exactly what is in your crankcase. In addition, it’s a good time to give your vehicle a good look over. Lights, tires, fluid top off, etc. You will find issues in the early stages rather than something breaking and costing you more money in the long haul.

 

[bullwinkle]

Originally Posted By: oil_film_movies
There has to be a way to make sure the Shop you're using knows you know your stuff.
Maybe mention the specs (and HTHS, for pete's sake, lol) you want.
Tell them a GroupIII-II blend with moly and dexos1 Gen2 is what you're looking for.
Tell them the bypass valve psi of the oil filter you want.

---OK--- maybe you might cause the young tech to have a brain aneurysm, or you'll at least get a blank look.

Possibly mention what your Owner's Manual says to do, to assert that you know what the manufacturer says.
For the up-selling con-artists, this sends a message that you cannot be fooled.
They look for easy targets by appearances.
I agree, I can't convince t he idiots who work at the VIOC that does my leased company van that Valvoline 5w20 conventional is now a synthetic blend-even AFTER SHOWING THEM THE PDS! I just gave up & let them put MaxLife in the danged thing, not worth the effort. $75 for an oil change I could do myself for under $12!!

 

[Dyusik]

At the one near me they don't know their [censored] from a hole in the ground.
Can you do a transmission full exchange?
Maybe...[leaves, comes back]...yes pull in.
*I get 3 drain and fills. (effin 2qt pan)* Never checked the fluid level properly.
I didn't argue, just payed and left and left a positively negative review on google maps. Valvoline got back with "lets make it right" response.
What? have those monkeys pretend to work on my car again? no thanks.
Just another iffy lube. Really, if you can't (won't) do your own oil change, I'm sure there is a neighbor, or family, or someone that will do it for you. Correctly.

 

[road_rascal]

This is why I have an established relationship (close to 20 years) with an independent shop that's about a mile from my work. Most of my co-workers go there. I have yet to hear about a 'fast one' being pulled.