Walmart for oil change?

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Jan 12, 2008
Messages
2,578
Location
Long Island, NY
My son is in an apartment complex in VA. He doesn’t recall anything about not being able to work on vehicles but doesn’t want to create issues either. Most of the spots are sloped towards drains so being level is also an issue and he doesn’t have ramps. His wife’s ’21 Tucson is on a 3k / 6 month maintenance minder setting from the very short trips she was doing here in NY and past UOA’s. Her job is now 14 miles / 20 minutes from the apartment and they use it for other drives around and trips so it should better with the fuel dilution issues she had. I’d like to change the MM to 4k, maybe 5k but still 6 months if UOA shows OK. The trips and travels they have done and have planned will put her at about 7k / 7 months before I can get to it again at the holidays.

I cringe at having him take it anywhere commercial for OC but life is what it is. I worked the pit at Jiffy Lube for extra cash when young. Most of the guys I worked with were OK and actually did care some. The cars we got from other places with stripped plugs etc were scary. These days who knows. I called multiple places by him, some that didn’t even answer phones so they are off the list. Some I called didn’t get great reviews in general but at least answered. He’s asking the people at his job where they go if they don’t do it themselves to try and get some recommendations, also in case of other future needed maintenance. Many car care places I searched close to him were questionable from reviews but I think that sadly is everywhere these days. The Tucson is on Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 and I want them to keep using that knowing the Hyundai motor/ring issues. The couple shops that seemed possibly OK, including Valvoline Express / Instant don’t carry Valvoline Restore and Protect. They said they would put it in if he brought it as well as filter. They would only charge labor of $53 so he would be $100 total for OCI bringing his own stuff.

Walmart 15 miles from him has and uses Valvoline Restore and Protect. Service guy I spoke to said if he brings his filter choice they will use that or they can use their stock which I think is Purolators. They said with his filter, their oil and labor, $57 total. He will have 2 factory Hyundai/Kia filters later today. They also said no issues with giving him back old filter (with Filtermag on it) and pulling a sample while draining so I can send it in. He also will have a spare Filtermag to have them install with the new filter so they can leave one on the old for me to cut open and check.

I don’t think Walmart is a bad choice for him, change would be documented with receipts and I think car-fax also. At least while under factory warranty I plan to have them keep it on factory filter which is Mann&Hummel from Korea. No clue on actual efficiency but seem well built from the ones I cut open so far and nothing dealer could complain about if issues.
 
I almost never have my oil changed, but I recently had to have my F150 changed at Walmart as a gorilla with powertools must have installed the previous oil filter. Everything was okay with the Walmart change as I provided my own oil and filter, but I was surprised to learn that my Walmart (and they said this was now company policy--I don't know) did not pull the drain plug. They used an evacuation pump to pull out the old oil through the dipstick tube. They said their experiences with plastic drain pans and plugs made them go to the policy. Don't know if this matters to you, but in case it does, I'd ask first and see if this is the case at your Walmart.
 
I have no idea who to trust with something as important as oil, but maybe a small independent garage who relies on reputation.

Remember the old days when if you ever had something that you weren’t satisfied with, out came a free oil change coupon. It’s not a highly regarded job and Willy nilly. Now costs have escalated…
 
In my town Walmart is the place to go if you need an oil change or tires. Although I have never used them myself everyone who I have talked to that did was happy. And it's much cheaper than the local dealerships.
 
I have a friend that has had good experiences with Walmart OCs.... I would use them myself if there were no other options...I think the odds are good it will go well. After seeing posts here and many YouTube videos I would never darken the door of an oil change chain... It never hurts to check their work afterwards...oil level, leaks...cap back on etc..
 
Trust no one except yourself. Recently, I removed my Toyota filter housing that I previously torque to specification at 25 Newton-Meter. Maybe it actually at 26 N-M and it was a bear to get off.
 
There is probably no clear cut answer for your question since the quality of the work will be contingent upon the specific technician who actually performs the oil change. This variable is likely to change each time they take the Tucson in for an oil change, whether at WalMart, VIOC, Jiffy Lube or a Hyundai dealership. Many individuals frown upon having any auto maintenance performed at a WalMart Auto Care Center simply because WalMart is perceived to be a "low end" retailer; hence, the assumption that their workmanship cannot be good. I have a contrary take on that perspective and would not hesitate to use WalMart for tire service or oil changes for the following reasons:

-The technicians who perform tire and oil changes at WalMart are full time adult employees with training. Many oil change technicians at dealerships are young apprentice trainees with limited training. The only time I have had an oil pan drain plug cross-threaded and stripped was during a complementary oil change at a Honda dealership where the 19 y.o. technician also "forgot" to change the oil filter and overfilled the oil sump.

-The WalMart Auto Center employees are not incentivized to oversell unnecessary services like engine/transmission/fuel system flushes. They only provide limited services/repairs and the majority are oil changes and tire replacements. This means they have lots of repetitive experience in performing oil changes on various makes and models.

-WalMart Auto Care Centers are currently set up with distribution racks containing Valvoline oil in 5 gallon boxes for efficient operation. The customer can usually observe the work being performed as long as they do not enter the service bay area.

-Our local WalMart Auto Care Center accepts appointments for oil changes so you can shop while the work is being performed. However, that does not necessarily guarantee that they will complete the oil change within the next hour if they are busy or shorthanded that day.
 
Maybe look for an independent shop to do it. I definitely would not use a chain place especially having first hand experience working there and I’m in Virginia too. I don’t know about Walmart but stay far away from Jiffy Lube and Valvoline. Take5 maybe ok I’ve heard good things about them.
 
I would do the walmart thing if I ever could not change the oil myself. My brother had his oil changed at a walmart auto center for about 20+ years. Never had a problem. My sister usually takes vehicle to the dealer. The one time she took it to a supposedly good independent shop to do oil change they just had the drain plug almost finger tight. She caught it in time after it leaked oil on her near spotless garage floor.
 
My son is in an apartment complex in VA. He doesn’t recall anything about not being able to work on vehicles but doesn’t want to create issues either. Most of the spots are sloped towards drains so being level is also an issue and he doesn’t have ramps. His wife’s ’21 Tucson is on a 3k / 6 month maintenance minder setting from the very short trips she was doing here in NY and past UOA’s. Her job is now 14 miles / 20 minutes from the apartment and they use it for other drives around and trips so it should better with the fuel dilution issues she had. I’d like to change the MM to 4k, maybe 5k but still 6 months if UOA shows OK. The trips and travels they have done and have planned will put her at about 7k / 7 months before I can get to it again at the holidays.

I cringe at having him take it anywhere commercial for OC but life is what it is. I worked the pit at Jiffy Lube for extra cash when young. Most of the guys I worked with were OK and actually did care some. The cars we got from other places with stripped plugs etc were scary. These days who knows. I called multiple places by him, some that didn’t even answer phones so they are off the list. Some I called didn’t get great reviews in general but at least answered. He’s asking the people at his job where they go if they don’t do it themselves to try and get some recommendations, also in case of other future needed maintenance. Many car care places I searched close to him were questionable from reviews but I think that sadly is everywhere these days. The Tucson is on Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 and I want them to keep using that knowing the Hyundai motor/ring issues. The couple shops that seemed possibly OK, including Valvoline Express / Instant don’t carry Valvoline Restore and Protect. They said they would put it in if he brought it as well as filter. They would only charge labor of $53 so he would be $100 total for OCI bringing his own stuff.

Walmart 15 miles from him has and uses Valvoline Restore and Protect. Service guy I spoke to said if he brings his filter choice they will use that or they can use their stock which I think is Purolators. They said with his filter, their oil and labor, $57 total. He will have 2 factory Hyundai/Kia filters later today. They also said no issues with giving him back old filter (with Filtermag on it) and pulling a sample while draining so I can send it in. He also will have a spare Filtermag to have them install with the new filter so they can leave one on the old for me to cut open and check.

I don’t think Walmart is a bad choice for him, change would be documented with receipts and I think car-fax also. At least while under factory warranty I plan to have them keep it on factory filter which is Mann&Hummel from Korea. No clue on actual efficiency but seem well built from the ones I cut open so far and nothing dealer could complain about if issues.
use the dealership
 
How old are these kids that they can't figure out where to get an oil change?
Everybody here gets your question, but remember, there are many who are mechanically disinclined.
Also remember that numerous dire outcomes are part of automotive 'advice packages' they grew up hearing.

Ever do an oil change for/with someone who shows up with a Crescent wrench and a roll of paper towels...and nothing else?
 
If that Tucson has the NU 2.0 engine, no more than a 4K interval. Is it using oil?

I have shared my 2019 Tucson story here before, bought it used during COVID (very limited choices in 2021.) Had 36K on it. Was blowing oil by the rings already. Not bad, but definitely was. Wife drove it almost 2 years and then we sold it. Bought her a 2024 CX-5.
 
My son is in an apartment complex in VA. He doesn’t recall anything about not being able to work on vehicles but doesn’t want to create issues either. Most of the spots are sloped towards drains so being level is also an issue and he doesn’t have ramps. His wife’s ’21 Tucson is on a 3k / 6 month maintenance minder setting from the very short trips she was doing here in NY and past UOA’s. Her job is now 14 miles / 20 minutes from the apartment and they use it for other drives around and trips so it should better with the fuel dilution issues she had. I’d like to change the MM to 4k, maybe 5k but still 6 months if UOA shows OK. The trips and travels they have done and have planned will put her at about 7k / 7 months before I can get to it again at the holidays.

I cringe at having him take it anywhere commercial for OC but life is what it is. I worked the pit at Jiffy Lube for extra cash when young. Most of the guys I worked with were OK and actually did care some. The cars we got from other places with stripped plugs etc were scary. These days who knows. I called multiple places by him, some that didn’t even answer phones so they are off the list. Some I called didn’t get great reviews in general but at least answered. He’s asking the people at his job where they go if they don’t do it themselves to try and get some recommendations, also in case of other future needed maintenance. Many car care places I searched close to him were questionable from reviews but I think that sadly is everywhere these days. The Tucson is on Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 and I want them to keep using that knowing the Hyundai motor/ring issues. The couple shops that seemed possibly OK, including Valvoline Express / Instant don’t carry Valvoline Restore and Protect. They said they would put it in if he brought it as well as filter. They would only charge labor of $53 so he would be $100 total for OCI bringing his own stuff.

Walmart 15 miles from him has and uses Valvoline Restore and Protect. Service guy I spoke to said if he brings his filter choice they will use that or they can use their stock which I think is Purolators. They said with his filter, their oil and labor, $57 total. He will have 2 factory Hyundai/Kia filters later today. They also said no issues with giving him back old filter (with Filtermag on it) and pulling a sample while draining so I can send it in. He also will have a spare Filtermag to have them install with the new filter so they can leave one on the old for me to cut open and check.

I don’t think Walmart is a bad choice for him, change would be documented with receipts and I think car-fax also. At least while under factory warranty I plan to have them keep it on factory filter which is Mann&Hummel from Korea. No clue on actual efficiency but seem well built from the ones I cut open so far and nothing dealer could complain about if issues.
Walmart 15 miles from him has and uses Valvoline Restore and Protect
highly doubt that's their bulk oil, if one is willing to pay the upcharge for restore and protect.
Service guy I spoke to said if he brings his filter choice they will use that or they can use their stock which I think is Purolators
last i knew walmart tire and oil centers were using fram core's. could also be purolator. probably depends on locations and availability.
 
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