Went to a Quick Lube Place ... Ugh ...

[SwampSurvivor]

Friend's 05 Accord was due for an oil change. I did a few things on his previous Santa Fe and was going to to most of the small things on the Accord (brakes, oil changes, etc)

When I looked at the oil cap, I found some sludge in the VC. I decided I wouldn't be touching it - if any of that sludge let lose and plugged the oil pickup, it'd be my fault. The car also has some piston slap when cold ... which worries me. Figured we'd take it to Valvoline Instant Oil Change.

Anyway , have to say it was pretty convenient. You just drive in (don't even get out of the car). They try to sell you an air filter, cabin air filter, injector service, ATF service, coolant service ... etc ...

Thought for sure we were going to wear the starter out on the car. They had me start it and shut it off 10 times!

Ended up paying $42.99 for 4.5 quarts of 5w-20 nextgen and whatever cheap filter they pulled off the shelf. FWIW - I can get a MC filter and 5quarts of M1 snythetic for $25 at the local wal mart.

Before I started doing my own oil changes, I always had the Taurus serviced at the dealer. Oil changes were $21.00 for MC syn blend and MC oil filter.

Didn't realize how expensive it was to have this done at a quick lube place!

Syn Blend would have been $55
Synthetic would have been $70

If this is how expensive it is to get oil changes done on vehicles that can't be serviced at a special rate at a dealer ... I think I'll continue doing it myself!

I have entertained the thought of getting the Focus serviced at the dealer.

They treated us well, but my gripe is the prices they charge. I understand they are in business to make money - but do people realize the extreme profit margins on this stuff?

 

[earlyre]

tell me about it! i was a loyal VIOC customer from 99-2010, going in every 3000mi/6 mo, switched to maxlife @75k on old car, used durablend on this one( records indicated prev. owner had always used a blend )... until i just decided to DIY. then came here, never looked back.
now i also do my buddy's oil changes to a) know it's getting done, b) keep him from spending wayyy to much.

 

[Donald]

Its not the cost necessarily. But people who may do a [censored] job. Possibly cheat you. Dubious quality filters.

A quick oil place damaged the MAF in a Volvo trying to get the air filter housing apart to possibly sell me a air filter. That cost me $450.

Do I trust them to always use unopened containers of synthetic oil when thats what I pay for. Hard to tell once its in.

Oil filter is of dubious quality even if you pay for synthetic oil.

I am of the belief that one should not be opening up the air filter housing just to check it. And if you do then vacuum the area. My Cummins has a test button you press to check for a clogged filter. All vehicles should have one.

On several of my daughters vehicles, the drain plug was super tight after going to a quick oil place. Once I broke a socket.

They do not use a new washer. I assume that would be one advantage at a dealer. Decent filter and new washer.

 

[The_Jeff]

I interviewed for a job at a Monro muffler. They did a valvoline OC with wheel rotation for $10! Actually $14 after all the fees. They had genuine valvoline semi syn and max life in 5 gallon pails.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Good point. Before I knew what was happening , they were showing me the air filter. It's not an easy task to get to on the Accord ... I didn't (nor did the car owner) ask them to do that. They also pulled out the cabin air filter.

They are good - In the time it took one person to pull apart the air filter housing and the cabin air filter, they had a new person there with another set ready to go.

I may end up doing the next oil change on this car ... not sure.

There's certainly no personal touch on these services.

 

[bullwinkle]

The VIOCs here have quality that's all over the place, the one that does the company E-250 is pretty good, and they use a Valvoline branded filter that looks a lot like a Puro Classic or QS/ProLine, but I've been to other VIOCs that can't handle getting an air cleaner assembly back together correctly, and don't bother checking rear axle lube or greasing grease fittings. They are expensive for using bulk oil, too-but they're also not using a cheap OC as a "loss leader" to get you into the dealer & rip you off in other ways, either.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
I interviewed for a job at a Monro muffler. They did a valvoline OC with wheel rotation for $10! Actually $14 after all the fees. They had genuine valvoline semi syn and max life in 5 gallon pails.


Yes, the old "loss leader" routine. Where you pay $10 for all that work that costs $75 at a great indy, and they upsell you on all kinds of other things you may, or may not, need. When that 'lifetime' warranty on the rear brakes comes around because they didn't do a good job and one side wore out too quickly, you'll be hit up again for all the services they hit you up with the first time.
It works, or they wouldn't stay in business. I also realize that not all Monro's/Firestone's/Midas's are in it to shake down a customer; there are honest chain locations also.

 

[Hyde244]

You're absolutely right - the prices are obscene at many quick lube locations, Jiffy and Valvoline alike.

The critical element however is that the average consumer doesn't know these prices are ridiculous. We are talking about drivers who most likely have never released the latch to open their hood. So in this case, "ignorance is bliss." If someone doesn't know that they are being overcharged for an oil change, then frankly everything is well at the end of the day.

The only place I would ever recommend doing an oil change is at a Ford dealership. Tire rotation, MC syn blend, and MC filter - often for around $25. It is a very reasonable price for a professional garage, and something my family has done with 5 vehicles for the last 6 years.

 

[DinoOil]

Unless I haven't the tools, space, or convenience to do something on my vehicles, I NEVER let anybody touch or work on them. Too many hacks out there turning wrenches, and what most shops and stealerships charge can be astronomical.

Knowledge is power is freedom!!!

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: Donald
My Cummins has a test button you press to check for a clogged filter. All vehicles should have one.


Nice idea, but impossible. Gasoline engines don't move enough air at idle to register on one of those (diesels are un-throttled). About the best you could do on a gas engine is a resettable gizmo that would hold the maximum pressure differential across the filter, so you'd reset it, go do an WOT blast up an on-ramp, then drive back to the garage to pop the hood and see if the air filter tester was showing in the red zone.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: Hyde244
You're absolutely right - the prices are obscene at many quick lube locations, Jiffy and Valvoline alike.

The critical element however is that the average consumer doesn't know these prices are ridiculous. We are talking about drivers who most likely have never released the latch to open their hood. So in this case, "ignorance is bliss." If someone doesn't know that they are being overcharged for an oil change, then frankly everything is well at the end of the day.

The only place I would ever recommend doing an oil change is at a Ford dealership. Tire rotation, MC syn blend, and MC filter - often for around $25. It is a very reasonable price for a professional garage, and something my family has done with 5 vehicles for the last 6 years.


Yup - Used to go to a Ford dealer for oil changes. Other things like brakes, trans flush, I'd do myself.

Not really sure why I always had the dealer do the oil changes and I did everything else myself. Hmm

 

[HTSS_TR]

Synthetic oil change at $70 isn't bad, MB dealers usually charge around $200-250 for an oil change of 8-8.5 quarts plus some visual inspection.

 

[AlienBug]

$20 profit is obscene? Wow.

 

[KitaCam]

A Toyo dealer here will change your oil/filter, with YOUR OIL AND FILTER, for $20+ shop charges/tax...not a bad deal at all...esp. when you can get 5qts + K&N filter for $12 after rebate from AAP/PP).

 

[typ901]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Synthetic oil change at $70 isn't bad, MB dealers usually charge around $200-250 for an oil change of 8-8.5 quarts plus some visual inspection.


The $70 is 5qts. and in-house branded oil filter. I stopped going to Jiffy Lube when 4.5qts of PP and Pennzoil filter cost me $55. That was 10 years ago, and oil was much cheaper!

 

[LineArrayNut]

Here's my rant:

Got $149.99 coupon that said uses genuine Hyundai specific fluid AT trans flush at Gray Epperson Dealer in Cleveland TN. Called service and described car, engine, trans, required fluid (SPH-IV) and MADE HER VERIFY that the 1) price was good as described/needed/stated on coupon 2) had requisite fluid on hand.
Drove 1 hr to shop. They put BG flush in old fluid. Came to me and said that the real fluid would cost well over twice the coupon cost. Coupon only covered bulk fluid of unspecified provenance. Refused to tell me what bulk fluid speced at or manufacturer. As the bg flush was already in they said they would tell Hyundai that I was out of warranty if I drove off. Was about to punch the [censored] but just decided to bend over and take it. $360.82 out the door. sph-iv was $19.16/qt

 

[michaelluscher]

I am all for DIY, and do so on my fleet.
How much does your ford dealer charge?
Fords standard 5qt semi-syn and a MC filter is IMO $37
There "works" package is $29.99 after 10$ MIR

 

[michaelluscher]

You did call Hyundai/Kia right?

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: LineArrayNut
Here's my rant:

Got $149.99 coupon that said uses genuine Hyundai specific fluid AT trans flush at Gray Epperson Dealer in Cleveland TN. Called service and described car, engine, trans, required fluid (SPH-IV) and MADE HER VERIFY that the 1) price was good as described/needed/stated on coupon 2) had requisite fluid on hand.
Drove 1 hr to shop. They put BG flush in old fluid. Came to me and said that the real fluid would cost well over twice the coupon cost. Coupon only covered bulk fluid of unspecified provenance. Refused to tell me what bulk fluid speced at or manufacturer. As the bg flush was already in they said they would tell Hyundai that I was out of warranty if I drove off. Was about to punch the [censored] but just decided to bend over and take it. $360.82 out the door. sph-iv was $19.16/qt


Wow! If that were me I'd charge back the old credit card and at least make them fight for their dinner.

Thanks for naming names!!!

 

[Hyde244]

Originally Posted By: Miller88


Yup - Used to go to a Ford dealer for oil changes. Other things like brakes, trans flush, I'd do myself.

Not really sure why I always had the dealer do the oil changes and I did everything else myself. Hmm


Around here, MC Syn Blend 5w20 and MC Filter cost just over $20, giving you a $5 savings over the Ford dealership oil change. However, when you add in the time it takes to change the oil, rotate all of your tires, and allowing a professional mechanic look over your car; it is a rather good deal.