Jiffylube, EZlube etc........

Are these oil changing stations a benefit or a scam? Anyone else dislike these places.
Yesterday I paid $42 to change the oil in my truck. Seemed a little high for an oil change. I used to do my own oil changes but I just got lazy on disposing of the used oil. The real kicker is that they go into stuff like you need filters changed, this and that changed. It's annoying especially because this being a new truck at it's first oil change. I remember that they would try to pull the shit with my old Ford truck too. I read the Ford Maintenance manual in the truck and these fockers would try and impose their schedule on Fuel filters and stuff like that. Even their reminder sticker they put on your windshield says come back at 3000 miles when my truck manual says 5000. I'm really beginning to reconsider doing my own oil changes again. I could get it done at about half the cost at home and a couple trip to the auto parts store.
Oh BTW there was a college aged girl there being worked over for filters and belts and all kids of shit. They just kept throwing at her "NECESSARY" changes right then and there. I almost wanted to approach her and ask her if she knew how often they needed changing and so forth. They were clearely taking asvantage of her.

I don't know about Jiffylube, et al, but I went to get my tires ballanced the other day and was told, "they have "excesive" wear and should be replaced."
hmmmm
OK junior, what makes you think they have excesive wear??
"Right here sir, the tread depth is minimal", of course he knows this because he ran his hands over the tires, did not use a tread depth guage and he's the tire expert, I'm just the idiot car owner.
Hey, isn't there a rule of thumb about using a penny to gauge tread depth??
"Yep"
Hang on, I've got one here in the ash tray.
So I proceed to get old Abe out and he sinks between the tread block up to about his nose on the coin.
Yeah, I don't think the tires are worn, just balance them, OK???
The little focker was pissed he wasn't going to get me for a new set of Michelens, I'll never go back to Discount Tire again.

We had an incident here around Thanksgiving at Oil Can Henries where the customer claimed a drain plug was not put in and well...........bad things happened.
It pissed the couple off so much they made huge signs saying what a bad business it was and walked up and down the sidewalk in front of the shop. Made the front page.
The management would not honor the claim because they follow a strict checklist and they put the plug back.
I don't know how it finally ended though.

Some manufacturer maintenance schedules are not the best for "real world" conditions. For example, I can remember when GM never made mention in any owners manual or service publication about changing fuel filters. Makes for more fuel pump replacements. I started out in a lube place, and I can tell you that these kids are indoctrinated with a certain way of thinking about automotive repair. We had a replacement interval for Oxygen sensors. Now that's BS! We also had quotas for every X number of tunes, they expected to see Y number of upsells. Plus you get some unscrupulous types who will do anything for their comission and you get ripped off. By the way, those guys are everywhere. The best thing is to find a trustworthy shop (by word of mouth) and use them.

Are these oil changing stations a benefit or a scam? Anyone else dislike these places.
Yesterday I paid $42 to change the oil in my truck. Seemed a little high for an oil change. I used to do my own oil changes but I just got lazy on disposing of the used oil. The real kicker is that they go into stuff like you need filters changed, this and that changed. It's annoying especially because this being a new truck at it's first oil change. I remember that they would try to pull the shit with my old Ford truck too. I read the Ford Maintenance manual in the truck and these fockers would try and impose their schedule on Fuel filters and stuff like that. Even their reminder sticker they put on your windshield says come back at 3000 miles when my truck manual says 5000. I'm really beginning to reconsider doing my own oil changes again. I could get it done at about half the cost at home and a couple trip to the auto parts store.
Oh BTW there was a college aged girl there being worked over for filters and belts and all kids of shit. They just kept throwing at her "NECESSARY" changes right then and there. I almost wanted to approach her and ask her if she knew how often they needed changing and so forth. They were clearely taking asvantage of her.
42 bucks seems very high. 2 days ago I got my oil changed at the Chevy dealer and it was $21.95.
Unless you guys in CA have a big disposal fee. :confused:

I won't go to either....you couldn't believe how many horror stories I hear....Never actually changing the oil, forgetting to put on the oil filter or drain plug. Engine's end up seizing. I would rather do it myself. The city will give you free jug's for your oil and pick them up free as well.

Some manufacturer maintenance schedules are not the best for "real world" conditions. For example, I can remember when GM never made mention in any owners manual or service publication about changing fuel filters. Makes for more fuel pump replacements. I started out in a lube place, and I can tell you that these kids are indoctrinated with a certain way of thinking about automotive repair. We had a replacement interval for Oxygen sensors. Now that's BS! We also had quotas for every X number of tunes, they expected to see Y number of upsells. Plus you get some unscrupulous types who will do anything for their comission and you get ripped off. By the way, those guys are everywhere. The best thing is to find a trustworthy shop (by word of mouth) and use them.
Speaking of commisions, Brake Masters has a sign stating they do not work on them. I bring my work van there for oil changes and have never had a problem. The van is a 95 with 140,000 miles and is a perfect candidate for an upsell on other things it may need but they never do.

Thieves........and stupid ones......
My niece just got a new engine installed in her Expedition because the "lubrication specialist" at Jiffy Lube forgot to put oil back in the car....
Also a few years ago I bought a little 4 cyl Ford Ranger to drive to work...I bought it with the 5 speed trans locked up...took the trans out and brought it to a guy to have rebuilt ....and we got to talking ...he told me if it were not for places like that he would not have near as much business as he does....The Ranger 5 speed manual trans uses ATF for its lubricating oil...the internal passages are tiny.....and regular oil ...or gear oil is too thick....and the trannys burn up in no time..they put the wrong stuff in all the time......Avoid those places like the plague...

I like Jiffy Lube. They rotate the air in my tires for me every month with my gas cap replacement. :)

I go to the easy lube off of weir canyon. They've done all my gassers and now my deisel. It's easier to let them do it. They've done well so far!!! Except for tring to sell me every time on K&N's and diff. fluid exchanges. They must make money on pushing that crap. So now I'll go skeet shooting on a Sat. morning instead of changing oil.

I won't go to either....you couldn't believe how many horror stories I hear....Never actually changing the oil, forgetting to put on the oil filter or drain plug. Engine's end up seizing. I would rather do it myself. The city will give you free jug's for your oil and pick them up free as well.
I always sit there next to the truck in the bays. I never walk away from the truck while they are changing the oil for those very reasons. On my last truck they had a hard time producing the used fuel filter they removed once. The little dickhead advisor struck me as shady so I asked him to let me see the fuel filter they removed. He took forever to bring it out. I had no proof they actually replaced so I crawled under the truck to see they actually did it. He struck me as that bad. I'll never go back to that place.

Thieves........and stupid ones......
My niece just got a new engine installed in her Expedition because the "lubrication specialist" at Jiffy Lube forgot to put oil back in the car....
Also a few years ago I bought a little 4 cyl Ford Ranger to drive to work...I bought it with the 5 speed trans locked up...took the trans out and brought it to a guy to have rebuilt ....and we got to talking ...he told me if it were not for places like that he would not have near as much business as he does....The Ranger 5 speed manual trans uses ATF for its lubricating oil...the internal passages are tiny.....and regular oil ...or gear oil is too thick....and the trannys burn up in no time..they put the wrong stuff in all the time......Avoid those places like the plague...
What's a little hard not to question is the knowledge of those guys working there. I don't know what kind of training they may go through but god damn they are young. I can't help but oversee everything they are doing to my truck. LIke you mentioned, I don't want to have to reaplce a major drivetrain component because of these guys.

Of course you can do it yourself for half the price. But will you do it for all my rigs for just YOUR cost of materials and zero labor? I didn't think so. :rolleyes:

I go to a Valvoline place and have had no issues what so ever. Never have they tryed to sell me something. If I tell them not to worry about checking the airfilter or something, the kid just says "ok" with a smile. They will ask if I want the fliuds filled if needed(as in wiper fluid, brake fluid ect),If I let them they don't charge me. If I don't they will make a note on the invoice and tell me what needs toped off. They will even check tire pressure and set it to what I want it to be.

from what I've seen and surveyed on most quick service items the local "lube shop" charges more than any dealer I've run or worked at... It is just the perception that you are saving money at J-lube or Express lube vs the dealer.
And as mentioned, the training at some of them may leave a little to be desired :wink:

Of course you can do it yourself for half the price. But will you do it for all my rigs for just YOUR cost of materials and zero labor? I didn't think so. :rolleyes:
Of course not dude. What I'm saying is that they are very pushy there. And $42 for an oil change seems kind of high. I don't remember paying that much on my old truck. The only difference is that there is maybe another quart of oil from my new truck to the old one. THAT is the point. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Of course not dude. What I'm saying is that they are very pushy there. And $42 for an oil change seems kind of high. I don't remember paying that much on my old truck. The only difference is that there is maybe another quart of oil from my new truck to the old one. THAT is the point. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
your new truck is not a diesel is it? The oil the diesel uses is A LOT more $$$

your new truck is not a diesel is it? The oil the diesel uses is A LOT more $$$
No it's a 6 liter HD.
And the oil they used was not a synthetic either. So that was not part of the cost amounting to so much.

What I'm saying is that they are very pushy there.
I can't speak for jiffy lube as I don't do business there...however from a dealer perspective keep in mind that maintenance awareness is our job. I won't twist your arm or tell you you MUST do something, but I will definitely bring to your attention what you should consider based on mileage, and fluid conditions. Honestly, we are the azzhole either way. If I try to sell you a service, I'm "taking advantage" of you, if I don't recommend a service and you go down the road and have a problem I'm the azzhole for not telling you you needed it.

No it's a 6 liter HD.
And the oil they used was not a synthetic either. So that was not part of the cost amounting to so much.
yup, dealer would have saved you money :cool:

Took my F150 into A lube place by my brothers house in MI a couple years ago because it was past due and I still had to drive 500 miles back home. Guy comes walking in with a square air filter that looks like it was dragged down a dirt road for a hurded miles or so, and says, "This is your air filter. It's really dirty and your engine isn't getting the proper airflow. I can change it out for $24.95." My air filter is cone shaped and it was about a week old at the time. Also I think $24.95 is outragous for an air filter. I ask him to show me where he got it from, and he says he made a mistake and it must have been from the Dodge Caravan that was in the other bay. I call BS and tell him to show me how that filter fits the Caravan. It doesn't. At this point I start raising holy hell in the waiting room. I threatned to call the home office, and the police to report fraud. I wasn't really that mad, actually I thought it was kind of funny, but I half expect that kind of crap from those places, and I wanted to see him sweat a little bit and maybe he'll think twice before he does it again. Also I was thinking maybe I'll get a free oil change out of the deal. I guess being I'm six three and 240lbs, the kid thought I was going to kick his ass or something. Kid gets real scared, says "The manager Terry made makes us do it...and he does it all the time. Then turns to the manager, and says, "Terry, you're a F**kin ashole and I hope you go to jail for this shit. Then he yells into the waiting room "This place is big F**king ripoff and they scam everybody... don't let them work on your car." Then he grabs his toolbox throws it in his S-10 and does a big burnout out of the parking lot, while the manager is standing behind the counter looking dumbfounded and guilty. I wound up having a long talk with the manager who claims no wrong doing, but is very apologetic. Says the kid was lying but he wants no hard feelings blah, blah, blah. I don't know if the kid was lying or not but I walked out with a free Mobile 1 oil change, free radiator flush, and a couple of free new wiper blades. I watched them do it all very closely. The lady with the Caravan got a free oil change too. My wife thought I was mean to the guy, but as scared as he acted when I threatned to call the cops and have the kid testify, I'm sure he was ripping people off right and left.

What's a little hard not to question is the knowledge of those guys working there. I don't know what kind of training they may go through but god damn they are young. I can't help but oversee everything they are doing to my truck. LIke you mentioned, I don't want to have to reaplce a major drivetrain component because of these guys.
I hear that, I just dont think them places care to much. They just want to get you out and the next in....Only place I take my truck is a goodyear in Los Alamitos. I know the guys well and we take all our vehicles there. Most of the time he will change my oil free since the dodge always needs major maintnance... :mad: Really good guys though...and great pricing

I can't speak for jiffy lube as I don't do business there...however from a dealer perspective keep in mind that maintenance awareness is our job. I won't twist your arm or tell you you MUST do something, but I will definitely bring to your attention what you should consider based on mileage, and fluid conditions. Honestly, we are the azzhole either way. If I try to sell you a service, I'm "taking advantage" of you, if I don't recommend a service and you go down the road and have a problem I'm the azzhole for not telling you you needed it.
Yeah bro but my truck just broke 5000 miles. I don't need an air filter changed. Know what I mean. The comparison I was making was the "JIFFY LUBE" maint specs over the manufacturers spec. Their's is more frequent hence you needing to spend more money via their specs.

Took my F150 into A lube place .....cops and have the kid testify, I'm sure he was ripping people off right and left.
Love it! I worked with a guy that translated for the spanish speaking peeps, he told a customer that the manager was ripping him off (not at the store I worked at). They customer nearly killed the manager :D:D

I can't speak for jiffy lube as I don't do business there...however from a dealer perspective keep in mind that maintenance awareness is our job. I won't twist your arm or tell you you MUST do something, but I will definitely bring to your attention what you should consider based on mileage, and fluid conditions. Honestly, we are the azzhole either way. If I try to sell you a service, I'm "taking advantage" of you, if I don't recommend a service and you go down the road and have a problem I'm the azzhole for not telling you you needed it.
you dont get many guys on the dealer level who will do this. honesty is a big thing and most of the dealers out there are far from that.

Had the same thing happen to me, after I just changed my air filter. Guy brings a blue air filter out that looks like it got dropped in used oil and says I need a new oil filter. I use Fram. I got a free oil change, after talking to the manager.
How could he think he could get away with that?
Never will go back.
Hobby
Took my F150 into A lube place by my brothers house in MI a couple years ago because it was past due and I still had to drive 500 miles back home. Guy comes walking in with a square air filter that looks like it was dragged down a dirt road for a hurded miles or so, and says, "This is your air filter. It's really dirty and your engine isn't getting the proper airflow. I can change it out for $24.95." My air filter is cone shaped and it was about a week old at the time. Also I think $24.95 is outragous for an air filter. I ask him to show me where he got it from, and he says he made a mistake and it must have been from the Dodge Caravan that was in the other bay. I call BS and tell him to show me how that filter fits the Caravan. It doesn't. At this point I start raising holy hell in the waiting room. I threatned to call the home office, and the police to report fraud. I wasn't really that mad, actually I thought it was kind of funny, but I half expect that kind of crap from those places, and I wanted to see him sweat a little bit and maybe he'll think twice before he does it again. Also I was thinking maybe I'll get a free oil change out of the deal. I guess being I'm six three and 240lbs, the kid thought I was going to kick his ass or something. Kid gets real scared, says "The manager Terry made makes us do it...and he does it all the time. Then turns to the manager, and says, "Terry, you're a F**kin ashole and I hope you go to jail for this shit. Then he yells into the waiting room "This place is big F**king ripoff and they scam everybody... don't let them work on your car." Then he grabs his toolbox throws it in his S-10 and does a big burnout out of the parking lot, while the manager is standing behind the counter looking dumbfounded and guilty. I wound up having a long talk with the manager who claims no wrong doing, but is very apologetic. Says the kid was lying but he wants no hard feelings blah, blah, blah. I don't know if the kid was lying or not but I walked out with a free Mobile 1 oil change, free radiator flush, and a couple of free new wiper blades. I watched them do it all very closely. The lady with the Caravan got a free oil change too. My wife thought I was mean to the guy, but as scared as he acted when I threatned to call the cops and have the kid testify, I'm sure he was ripping people off right and left.

your focken joking
I didnt know we were suppose to change the oil

your focken joking
I didnt know we were suppose to change the oil
Only when you start hearing the knocking. :crossx:

Had the same thing happen to me, after I just changed my air filter. Guy brings a blue air filter out that looks like it got dropped in used oil and says I need a new oil filter. I use Fram. I got a free oil change, after talking to the manager.
How could he think he could get away with that?
Never will go back.
Hobby
awww the good old...... this is your filter and we recommend you change it.......

your new truck is not a diesel is it? The oil the diesel uses is A LOT more $$$
And a lot more quantity of oil..........
These threads crack me up, and they say dealers rip you off :rolleyes:

I used to use those places, but knew they would hit me with the upsell. I always had a little fun with guys when they tried. I now have a mechanic that I have do the routine oil changes. He charges more, but it is worth it. He has done a bunch of stuff for free and saved me a bunch of money in the long run. He doesn't like to charge me for the oil on my Jag because it uses synthetic and cost $$$. He asks me to buy it before hand so he won't have to charge me for it, but I make him charge me for it! Makes him want to do more stuff for free.
The place is A&M automotive in Elsinore. And BTW - he is looking for a new shop manager, and he said automotive experience is not that important for this position. Those of you looking, call me and I will connect you directly with him. I don't what he is looking to pay, you can ask him yourself.

awww the good old...... this is your filter and we recommend you change it.......
Sounds like you have used that one yourself huh? You ass hole. :cool: :crossx:

And a lot more quantity of oil..........
These threads crack me up, and they say dealers rip you off :rolleyes:
gotta love those dealers :wink:

Sounds like you have used that one yourself huh? You ass hole. :cool: :crossx:
nope............i sold autoparts big difference........................

I don't know about Jiffylube, et al, but I went to get my tires ballanced the other day and was told, "they have "excesive" wear and should be replaced."
hmmmm
OK junior, what makes you think they have excesive wear??
"Right here sir, the tread depth is minimal", of course he knows this because he ran his hands over the tires, did not use a tread depth guage and he's the tire expert, I'm just the idiot car owner.
Hey, isn't there a rule of thumb about using a penny to gauge tread depth??
"Yep"
Hang on, I've got one here in the ash tray.
So I proceed to get old Abe out and he sinks between the tread block up to about his nose on the coin.
Yeah, I don't think the tires are worn, just balance them, OK???
The little focker was pissed he wasn't going to get me for a new set of Michelens, I'll never go back to Discount Tire again.
Glad I'm not the only one who got that line of BS from Discount Tire! I had front tires on my Escort that were somewhat worn on the outside edge due to misalignment (Thanks Ford for not having a left adjustable toe on the left rear). I told the guy I wanted them rotated to the back where they'll wear better until I get the adjustable arm installed. He gave me the same BS about replacing the tires. I just did the rotation at home, and won't go back to Discount either.

Glad I'm not the only one who got that line of BS from Discount Tire! I had front tires on my Escort that were somewhat worn on the outside edge due to misalignment (Thanks Ford for not having a left adjustable toe on the left rear). I told the guy I wanted them rotated to the back where they'll wear better until I get the adjustable arm installed. He gave me the same BS about replacing the tires. I just did the rotation at home, and won't go back to Discount either.
You just reminded me of what happened to my buddy and American Tire in Corona (they are part of Discount Tire). He has an NSX with 20's on the back and 19's on the front. A fairly bad ass ride. He had blisters on one of the rear tires, and the guys at American Tire refused to put his tires back on and wouldn't get any replacement tires for atleast 2 days. My buddy called around and found a set of tires at a competitors. The American Tire guys said the only way they would let his car leave is with new tires. He called me and didn't know what to do. I told him to call the cops, which he did, and they put his old tires back on. The cops were so pissed that they put my buddy on the phone with the D.A. The way they used to hook people there is by offering free tire repair, and then not letting the client leave without a new tire(s). I have no idea if that location is still in business.

I don't know about Jiffylube, et al, but I went to get my tires ballanced the other day and was told, "they have "excesive" wear and should be replaced."
hmmmm
OK junior, what makes you think they have excesive wear??
"Right here sir, the tread depth is minimal", of course he knows this because he ran his hands over the tires, did not use a tread depth guage and he's the tire expert, I'm just the idiot car owner.
Hey, isn't there a rule of thumb about using a penny to gauge tread depth??
"Yep"
Hang on, I've got one here in the ash tray.
So I proceed to get old Abe out and he sinks between the tread block up to about his nose on the coin.
Yeah, I don't think the tires are worn, just balance them, OK???
The little focker was pissed he wasn't going to get me for a new set of Michelens, I'll never go back to Discount Tire again.
So what's the penny trick? I always just looked at the relative distance between the tread and the "wear bars"
RD

Old School for sure. If my brain remembers there is about a 2/32" gap between Lincolns head and the edge of most pennys. Thats supposedly the minimum tread depth on a tire. Putting the penny in the tread gives you a idea what kinda tread depth you have left. :)

I have a repair shop in northern ca. I have a very loyal customer base because I only tell the customer what he or she should have repaired. It is up to the customer to have repairs done. Sometimes it may seen to people that we are trying to rip you off, but if this is a new vehicle to the customer we advise somethings be replaced if they look to be old.Some of the things are fuel filter,pcv valve,air filter,check tune-up parts, now this may seem like just trying to up sale parts.But if this a new vehicle to customer these things could effect fuel milage-power. What i tell people all the time when I am out and about,is that you should find a independent repair shop and get to know the service adviser.Once he gets to know you he will more likely to help with minor repairs that a chain must charge you for, such as changing light bulbs,installing wiper blades,refilling washer fluid,this is some of the things we do for free.I aslo tell customers you get what you pay for,you want a mechanic who makes $8.75hr working on vehicle or a technicion who has been trained to perform task at hand? Sorry about rant. big joe

I have had two run ins with Jiffylube. My wife took are Dodge in for a oil change. They called and said it needed a air filter. She told them no thanks my husband will change it. Then they said it needed a tranny filter. She also said my husband will change it. She leaves the car and tells them she will pick it up later.
Two hours later she shows up to get it. She gets in and it will not turn over. You hit the key and nothing. She goes in and they tell her "well it ran fine when we parked it" So she calls me. I go there to find one of the fog lights broken. Glass is on the ground where they hit a snow pile. Im sure because they pushed it out into the parking lot.
They wanted us to take it to a garage across the street.
So we towed it my shop. I put it up on ramps. One of the wires from the starter had been removed....... :crossx: :crossx: :crossx:
The other was my Dads 01 Chevy 496 . We were on a trip. He calls me on the CB to say he has no oil pressue. We ended up crawling under the truck to find the oil filter falling off. We had to tighten it by hand and limp it to a exit to get more oil. :220v: :220v: :220v:
NEED I SAY IT?????????? **** JIFFY LUBE!!!!!!