Walmart for oil change?

[Sequoiasoon]

Walmart oil change done. My son made an appointment for early afternoon as he was in that area for church and something else. He got to Walmart early and they had him done in about 45 minutes. They had him grab a fresh bottle of Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 off the shelf. He spoke to counter person and the technician who was going to do it. He gave them the filter with date/miles already written on it. New FilterMag so old one could stay on filter and an oil sample bottle. He got the filter and oil sample back in a Ziploc he gave them (still messy, at least inside. He put that in a better plastic container with cover and cleaned it up at home. Oil level good in the parking lot before he left. MM reset and changed to 4k/6 months.

They gave him the rest of 5qt jug back also, about 1/2 quart left in it which he'll add to his bottle in back of his car as he just topped off with 1/2 recently. He said no missing bolts that he could see looking underneath. The belly pan is like a fiber board type material.

Credit for filter since he brought it, tip to technician for the extra effort, total $80 done. I told him I'll give him 20% off that when he's home and we do his or he can cut the grass or other help.

 

[lilspenny]

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 used oil analysis. 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.

Some of those places get very few new crush washers monthly and the oil filters they use are beyond cheap... like $3. I understand your concerns.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Unfortunately, their stuck between a rock and a hard place. No place to change oil is quite the problem. I would trust Walmart, as long as they bring a new crush washer and filter. Walmart stocks the oil which is great, and $57 dollars is not terribly expensive. They have to hang on to the receipts, like you said, for warranty purposes.

 

[D60]

Nothing wrong with $3 jobber filters. It's really more about build style/quality and manufacturer.

What do mobile mechanics charge for an oil change? This seems like a promising way to find a one-man show who will install what you provide and let you watch.

 

[14Accent]

Walmart oil change done. My son made an appointment for early afternoon as he was in that area for church and something else. He got to Walmart early and they had him done in about 45 minutes. They had him grab a fresh bottle of Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 off the shelf. He spoke to counter person and the technician who was going to do it. He gave them the filter with date/miles already written on it. New FilterMag so old one could stay on filter and an oil sample bottle. He got the filter and oil sample back in a Ziploc he gave them (still messy, at least inside. He put that in a better plastic container with cover and cleaned it up at home. Oil level good in the parking lot before he left. MM reset and changed to 4k/6 months.

They gave him the rest of 5qt jug back also, about 1/2 quart left in it which he'll add to his bottle in back of his car as he just topped off with 1/2 recently. He said no missing bolts that he could see looking underneath. The belly pan is like a fiber board type material.

Credit for filter since he brought it, tip to technician for the extra effort, total $80 done. I told him I'll give him 20% off that when he's home and we do his or he can cut the grass or other help.

I'm surprised the tech's took a tip. I've tried each of the 3 times I've had tires installed and they refuse, stating company policy and that they'll get in trouble if they accept. I just ended up asking the tech which truck was his, he pointed it out and I stuck the tip in his center console.

 

[Doc8404]

My local Independent uses full synthetic oil and charges 69.99 up to five quarts. And the comprehensive inspection they do is unbelievable including videos and photos. Of course they want you to then spend another $1000-$2000 to repair things that could take a couple hundred bucks, I politely decline and move on.

 

[Donald]

I wonder how many people change oil in the Walmart parking lot? I have seen what looks like people living in RV in Walmart parking lots. All part of "the people of Walmart.

I typically change my clothes after I am done with an oil change before taking the vehicle on a test drive. I get dirt from driveway on my clothes from lying on my back and sliding under my vehicle. Basically want to keep the vehicle seats clean. Not sure how it would go changing my clothes in Walmart parking lot. But guess I would just be another "the people of Walmart".

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I wonder how many people change oil in the Walmart parking lot? I have seen what looks like people living in RV in Walmart parking lots. All part of "the people of Walmart.

I typically change my clothes after I am done with an oil change before taking the vehicle on a test drive. I get dirt from driveway on my clothes from lying on my back and sliding under my vehicle. Basically want to keep the vehicle seats clean. Not sure how it would go changing my clothes in Walmart parking lot. But guess I would just be another "the people of Walmart".

I use a big of piece of cardboard to lay on. Also captures and small drips (or larger ones). A regular large garbage bag or 2 can cover the whole seat or even keep an old one from dealer. My older work on car clothes are more crappy on front than back as gut gets in the way and I hold stuff against me.

I do all my cleanup including hand washing before even taking it off the ramps. People of Walmart / Walmartians are always a unique group.

 

[ATex7239]

The oil change in the parking lot of a business is odd to me. I guess property rights are secondary to oil change needs to some. I mean what if somebody pulled into your driveway started doing an oil change without asking. How ridiculous would that be.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

The oil change in the parking lot of a business is odd to me. I guess property rights are secondary to oil change needs to some. I mean what if somebody pulled into your driveway started doing an oil change without asking. How ridiculous would that be.

This is BITOG. We would probably go help, check what oil and filter he was using. Tell him he could have made better choices. Then discuss OCI's and a couple other things. We'd keep his old filter, cut it open and post in the thread.

 

[carl2591]

My last truck was a 2003 ford f-250 7.3L diesel.. as a 2wd it was a bit lower to the ground so I would some of the 1ft sections of deck board we used under stabilizer for RV. I set them up 3 high like a ramp and drive the front up on that.. I had a fumoto valve and was keeping emptires but that is a pain... I have 15 qt pan and after I put the new oil in will pour the old oil back in the container and depening on the closest store hit a autozone, orilleys, etc adn drop off the oil for recycle. I ususally buy oil / filters at walmart..

my new truck a 2017 ram 3500 110K is a 4x4 with a bit taller tires so easier to slide under adn will be getting fumoto valve for the 2nd oil change.. It nice to go 10K vs 5 and 3 gallon vs 15 on the 7.3:..

 

[Donald]

My last truck was a 2003 ford f-250 7.3L diesel.. as a 2wd it was a bit lower to the ground so I would some of the 1ft sections of deck board we used under stabilizer for RV. I set them up 3 high like a ramp and drive the front up on that.. I had a fumoto valve and was keeping emptires but that is a pain... I have 15 qt pan and after I put the new oil in will pour the old oil back in the container and depening on the closest store hit a autozone, orilleys, etc adn drop off the oil for recycle. I ususally buy oil / filters at walmart..

my new truck a 2017 ram 3500 110K is a 4x4 with a bit taller tires so easier to slide under adn will be getting fumoto valve for the 2nd oil change.. It nice to go 10K vs 5 and 3 gallon vs 15 on the 7.3:..

Go for a Valvomax.

 

[GaryMX5]

Our local Walmart has the standard menu list of 3 or 4 oil change options to choose from but will also let you pick out any oil and filter combo they have on their shelves. They will install those at the shelf price plus a standard labor charge. Not a bad deal if you don't like any of their menu options. I used them years ago without issue. Now that I'm retired oil changes are more or less an enjoyable job which I actually look forward to doing.

 

[SstrongBadD]

my friends parents have a 16 year old lincoln. Never followed any online advice on were to go. Got most of the services from jiffy lube types places. They have over 250k with zero issues. There was a fix for around 3k at150k. they have a 5 ml dollar house and still drive this old ass car. The more i read online, i think its ********, and fairy tales.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

my friends parents have a 16 year old lincoln. Never followed any online advice on were to go. Got most of the services from jiffy lube types places. They have over 250k with zero issues. There was a fix for around 3k at150k. they have a 5 ml dollar house and still drive this old ass car. The more i read online, i think its ********, and fairy tales.

Its NOT Rocket Science... Drain plug out, let it drain, Drain plug back in, new filter and new oil... It blows my mind how something so simple can go SO wrong but it can and does for many including me.

As long as a lube tech simple does his job one should be able to go 250K+ with zero issues as I think ALL oil change places in 2026 all use good oil.

I have had oil change mishaps at both quick lube places and at new car dealership service departments.

As an outsider who has never worked in the auto oil change industry I have wondered or assumed some new car dealership service departments may not put his best of the best ASE certified mechanic on oil change duty? I wonder?

I have also wondered "IF" I was a young inspiring new mechanic and good at my oil change trade, would Walmart or a quick lube be the kinda place I would choose to work?

As someone who has done many a oil change myself but because of age and bad knees I prefer to now have my oil changed at a dealership. I try to use places who I can get a read on what kinda guy is actually doing the oil change and I try and use the places who I feel hire the better oil techs.

I will say I have been impressed with my local Honda auto dealer. When I get a oil change / service the tech will text / email me a video inspection as im sitting in his lobby with a walk around under the car showing anything and everything both good and bad including a quick shot of his drain plug install and will state he used a new washer to showing the new oil filter he used to a quick video shot of the bottles of OEM Honda transmission fluid he used in the transmission fluid change and will show the condition of air and cabin filters.

The tech always narrates his videos and the tech always sounds sold and Professional.

I get video proof of the job he did and I like that. So far my Honda service has been spot on! Not the least expensive but just last week I received a Honda Dealer Honda OEM Synthetic oil and filter change via a Honda tech, tire rotation and multi point inspection, battery test a video report sent to my phone showing measured tire tread, measured brake pad size, CV boot inspection, cabin and engine air filter removed, inspected and video showing inspection ALL for UNDER $100

Yes, one could and many do use Walmart, Quick Lube, but why? I guess price and time as we do have "Stay in your car for a 10 minute oil change" places in my area but I choose a 45 minute OEM dealer service as the Honda OEM oil filter alone is worth the price of admission for me.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Its NOT Rocket Science... Drain plug out, let it drain, Drain plug back in, new filter and new oil... It blows my mind how something so simple can go SO wrong but it can and does for many including me.

As long as a lube tech simple does his job one should be able to go 250K+ with zero issues as I think ALL oil change places in 2026 all use good oil.

I have had oil change mishaps at both quick lube places and at new car dealership service departments.

As an outsider who has never worked in the auto oil change industry I have wondered or assumed some new car dealership service departments may not put his best of the best ASE certified mechanic on oil change duty? I wonder?

I have also wondered "IF" I was a young inspiring new mechanic and good at my oil change trade, would Walmart or a quick lube be the kinda place I would choose to work?

As someone who has done many a oil change myself but because of age and bad knees I prefer to now have my oil changed at a dealership. I try to use places who I can get a read on what kinda guy is actually doing the oil change and I try and use the places who I feel hire the better oil techs.

I will say I have been impressed with my local Honda auto dealer. When I get a oil change / service the tech will text / email me a video inspection as im sitting in his lobby with a walk around under the car showing anything and everything both good and bad including a quick shot of his drain plug install and will state he used a new washer to showing the new oil filter he used to a quick video shot of the bottles of OEM Honda transmission fluid he used in the transmission fluid change and will show the condition of air and cabin filters.

The tech always narrates his videos and the tech always sounds sold and Professional.

I get video proof of the job he did and I like that. So far my Honda service has been spot on! Not the least expensive but just last week I received a Honda Dealer Honda OEM Synthetic oil and filter change via a Honda tech, tire rotation and multi point inspection, battery test a video report sent to my phone showing measured tire tread, measured brake pad size, CV boot inspection, cabin and engine air filter removed, inspected and video showing inspection ALL for UNDER $100

Yes, one could and many do use Walmart, Quick Lube, but why? I guess price and time as we do have "Stay in your car for a 10 minute oil change" places in my area but I choose a 45 minute OEM dealer service as the Honda OEM oil filter alone is worth the price of admission for me.

The part for me was knowing the Hyundai motor issues, we want to stay on Valvoline Restore and Protect for the Tucson. Some places will use it if you bring it but you don't really get any discount. Walmart uses it and has the Valvoline Restore and Protect oil change as an option. If I can't do it for them or he doesn't find a shop close that he thinks he can trust, Walmart it is. Other vehicles may provide other options and prices in future.

My shop up here I know would use whatever I gave them unless it's total garbage and they would explain why. They have used what I gave them for multiple things and just mark on receipt "use customer supplied fluids" and then they normally write what that was.

 

[spk2000]

One thing I don't like is they don't pull the drain plug. That can be a positive in that they won't cross thread or forget it. They vacuum it out change filter and add new oil. Low risk to screw it up.

 

[Donald]

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 used oil analysis. 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.

You do not have to use an OEM filter to keep up with warranty. Just a filter that meets vehicle manufacturers specs. If a manufacturer requires you use their filter it must be provided at no cost.

A Walmart oil change is better than no oil change. Millions of people get their oil changed at Walmart and JiffyLube. Sure an Indy shop is better. But the quick oil change places will do an adequate job.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

You do not have to use an OEM filter to keep up with warranty. Just a filter that meets vehicle manufacturers specs. If a manufacturer requires you use their filter it must be provided at no cost.

A Walmart oil change is better than no oil change. Millions of people get their oil changed at Walmart and JiffyLube. Sure an Indy shop is better. But the quick oil change places will do an adequate job.

Very true on the OEM filter. Just for simplicity through warranty the OEM doesn't cost anymore. Hyundai/Kia build quality of the Mann+Hummel seems pretty good on all the ones I cut open. The receipts have her name/date on it to match closely with our other records. Premium Guard had warning messages on their website not to use them on Hyundai/Kia due to pressure issues. We all know the story with multiple other filter brands and latest quality concerns.

 

[R18Civic]

I worked at Walmart. Depending on how many inexperienced techs you have it could be a good thing or bad thing.