Who do you trust to change your oil?

[chris777]

After my oil change fiasco, I am grudgingly coming to the realization, that it is just another thing, that I just cant do anymore.(at least without wasting half or more of a day)So I am grudgingly coming to the conclusion, that I may need to turn it over to the "pros"problem is I am not too keen on certain places (jiffy lube, and walmart for example) doing it, Any recommendations, on places to Go?I got a mailer from the dealer, not only wanting to give me 125% for my vibe, but discounts on service. they even have a $14.95 oil change coupon online, its Valvoline oil with an ac delco filter, so unless I find a better deal, or someone warns me away from it, Ill probably go with it.

[Raven]

You can't beat that price. I used to go to a Pennzoil garage for oil changes before I started doing my own. I don't know if Pennzoil have oil change garages in the States.

[moongdss]

I go to Valvoline Instant Oil Change... I'm super suspicious, so I like that I'm sitting IN my car while they work on it. I can hear them say "oh sh*t!" if they mess up something, rather than wonder if they're hiding any mistakes.So far, I've taken my Vibe and my Altima to them (4 years of service?) and I've never once had a problem. They're very accomodating too. When I tell them to hand torque after a tire rotation, they do. When I tell them I want them at 38 PSI, they do it, no questions or lectures. They do like to scold me for waiting until nearly 5k to change the oil, but I just smile and say "Oh yeah, I got busy." And they always try to sell me a bottle of injector cleaner at a crazy mark-up, but that's what they're supposed to do.Oh and I can pull up anytime and they'll fill my fluids for no charge (never ending washer fluid, FTW!) http://www.vioc.com/Coupon! http://www.valvolinecoupon.com/coupon.pdf

[moongdss]

here's locations near you (not really sure how 'near')http://www.vioclocator.com/res...30120

[Sublimewind]

I don't know about your oil change issues, but I trust nobody... and I mean nobody... What was the issue, why do you feel you cannot do the change yourself?

[bull77]

I want to do them myself, but the dealer added free oil changes in our purchase

[chris777]

I have chronic pain and weakness, and what should have been a 30-60 minute task took all day. Now granted I sucked the ramps under my vibe, and then had to go pick up a crush washer, but still.I have been meaning to do it for a couple of weeks, now, and have either been hurting too bad, or too tired, I am just weighing the time and effort things now take me to do, vs the cost of paying someone else to do it, and paying is looking more economical, but I am with most of you that i don't trust anyone anymore.

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by chris777 »I have chronic pain and weakness, and what should have been a 30-60 minute task took all day. Now granted I sucked the ramps under my vibe, and then had to go pick up a crush washer, but still.I have been meaning to do it for a couple of weeks, now, and have either been hurting too bad, or too tired, I am just weighing the time and effort things now take me to do, vs the cost of paying someone else to do it, and paying is looking more economical, but I am with most of you that i don't trust anyone anymore.Wow man, sorry to hear about that... Never a good situation, in your case, I would at least take it to a dealer..

[jake75]

I stilll have two coupons left on an oil change card from my dealer - $119 for 10 oil changes. It is now up to $189 for 10 oil changes. Still not bad as it now includes 4 months road service after each service.This dealer periodically has a 10 for $10 service special that includes a tire rotation so I have also gone there for tire rotation. Prior to that when I needed a tire rotaton I would go to the Goodyear store near me that routinely has run a coupon for LOF and a tire rotation for about $20. One place I will not go is ANY fast lube. A Jiffy Lube serviced my son's Toyota Celica and shortly thereafter the engine was history due to lackof oil. They said it was not their fault. I couldn't prove it. Cost me $1,300 to put in a junk yard engine. Also I have a probably illogical bias against the local Firestore service centers.

[jimincalif]

I'll admit, I go to JiffyLube for in-between oil changes, have a local shop I go to for major services.Never had a problem w JiffyLube. I do check the oil and watch for leaks afterward.

[prathman]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »One place I will not go is ANY fast lube. A Jiffy Lube serviced my son's Toyota Celica and shortly thereafter the engine was history due to lackof oil. They said it was not their fault. I couldn't prove it. Cost me $1,300 to put in a junk yard engine. Also I have a probably illogical bias against the local Firestore service centers.I don't agree with the late Reagan's politics, but his phrase "trust but verify" makes sense. No matter where I get the oil changed I immediately check the dipstick to see that the oil is new and at the proper level, feel that the filter is on securely, and glance under the car to see that nothing is leaking. Takes only a minute and protects against a careless error that can happen at either a dealership or a 'quick change' place.

[chris777]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »I stilll have two coupons left on an oil change card from my dealer - $119 for 10 oil changes. It is now up to $189 for 10 oil changes. Still not bad as it now includes 4 months road service after each service.Quote, originally posted by jake75 »One place I will not go is ANY fast lube. A Jiffy Lube serviced my son's Toyota Celica and shortly thereafter the engine was history due to lackof oil. They said it was not their fault. I couldn't prove it. Cost me $1,300 to put in a junk yard engine. Also I have a probably illogical bias against the local Firestore service centers.I took an old colt vista to jiffy once, because I was working 6day weeks plus overtime. I hat to explain to the "techs" how to find it, and what to do to change the oil.a week or so later it started to leak, when I finally had time to look at it myself the oxygen sensor was "mysteriously broken"needles to say Inever went there again

[chris777]

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »Wow man, sorry to hear about that... Never a good situation, in your case, I would at least take it to a dealer.. oh its ok, earlier retirement than I would have liked, and who knows maybe someone will figure it out, and I can get back to doing these sorts of things again, its just, one of those things, I think Ill just have to let go of, Its strange that I am not even working, and it seems like I have less time than ever.I did it once, so I at least know I am still capable, but with $15, and even $18(cumulatively like Jake75 mentioned) It has just had me thinking is it really worth half a day, plus hauling the oil to the dump. especially after spending nearly that much on a 5 qt jug of GTX. A friend of mine was ragging me on wasting the time in doing it myself, and considering I have been planning on doing it for like 2 weeks now, and keep putting it off for whatever reason, It just got me thinking, that other than not trusting most places, IF i can get it for under $20-25 It would probably be worth it to me for hassle alone. Now other issues like brake jobs and such may be another matter, back when I was still working I had a honda dealer do the 60 or so k service to "catch up" a civic I bought, and they told me the breaks were bad, I started to wait, then I thought Ehh Ill let them do it. it cost me $300. well i totaled the vehicle a few months later. So my next car was a cr-v they tried to pull that junk with me again, and I said no Ill do it myself, Well the pads were like half worn, but the drums were like 80-90% good, needless to say I was not too thrilled with that dealer. I also had an issue with the alignment that ate a set of Micheline hydro edge in less than 18k with an 80k warranty , both the dealer, and discount tire blamed the other, and me, and I got both to come off some, but I still had to downgrade(which i was scared of them after that anyway) and put more cash in to retire the vehicle, not too long after that I became disabled, and had to cut her loose.But 3 years later I got the Bibe with my back pay so some things do work out.I will say I had this dealer do the pre buy inspection, and they actually called ,me in and showed me directly the wear on the breaks, as that was the only thing that wasn't in new condition. That impressed, I know their body shop while pricey, has just about the best reputation around these parts.Plus They have even been sending me postcards trying to get me to "sell" it to them for 125% kelly Boo book trade value, but Other than a new 09 vibe, an 08 xb, or possibly an 09 fit there really isn't any vehicle currently on the market that entices me to consider parting with the Bibe, and especially if it means I will have to borrow money to pay the difference, No thanks.

[03vibedriver]

I agree with Sublimewind Don't trust anyone to change your oil. If you change it your self you know its done right. I've been burned too many times.

[hskater26]

when i first started driving i took my truck to jiffylube i opened up the hood one day and i found a nice pair of pliers in there.......never again

[Burns1210]

I went to a Jiffy Lube ONE time for a coolant flush on my last car, a Grand Am. The flush went fine, but for some reason the guy decided to check my PCV valve. He pulled up on the elbow connector and swiftly broke it in two. He then grabbed a nice piece of electrical tape to complete the job. When I was watching from the waiting room, I saw him doing something under the hood but couldn't tell exactly what he was doing. Well, I figured out what he had done about a week later when the tape burned off and the engine started sucking air.

[chris777]

Jiffy Lube where they fix it in a JIFF

[stealth]

Quote, originally posted by chris777 » they [the dealer] even have a $14.95 oil change coupon online, its Valvoline oil with an ac delco filter, so unless I find a better deal, or someone warns me away from it, Ill probably go with it.$14.95 is a decent price for an oil change. I would go with the dealer, especially if it's convinent. As others have suggested, I would check to fluid levels & look for leaks no matter who does the service.My last oil change was at Midas when they had a $14.95 special. I have a retired neighbor who changes his own oil & said he would help with the Vibe next time. I don't have the space or the tools to do that task myself.

[VforVIBE]

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »I don't know about your oil change issues, but I trust nobody... and I mean nobody... +1 I do all my own oil changes, it doesn't take long.

[KNINE]

Come on Kelly, don't be that way. IM sent.

[~MRVIBE2006~]

I've taken my Vibe to the dealer for all the service needed. The reason? One, I happen to trust them and two, I have a standing $5 off coupon on my oil changes. I HAVE thought about changing my own oil but my schedule is pretty full (at least it seems to be when I DO need to change it!) and it's just as easy to take it to the dealership and have it done. Just my $.02.

[zionzr2]

the only person I'll trust other than me, Myself and I, would be my father-in-law who taught me many DIY routine maint. obs on my personal vehicles.

[djb383]

Only 3 people I trust to change my oil and filter.....................me, myself and I. I also do my own washes and waxes..................good exercise.

[roadsidemessiah]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 » Also I have a probably illogical bias against the local Firestore service centers.seconded. This one was a local one where I trusted the mechanics, they always treated me well and gave AMAZING discounts as family had been customers for some 10-13 years. You know, full set of tires for practically nothing in the scheme of things. I had them service my 2000 Galant at 60 k. timing, trans, etc. I got my car back and my foot would literally be kicked off the pedal when i'd press down on it. I knew something wasn't right. I dropped it off that same day at about 3 PM and told the mechanic, go test drive it, somethings wrong. He called back at 7 or so, said nothings wrong, no charge, blah, blah, blah. I knew it still wasn't right. but I figured maybe I irritated a pre existing condition. Until one day, when my intake manifold blew. Literally, cracked the intake manifold. The dealer called me later that day (I had a warranty on the car to 80 k or so) and said "who did your timing belt?" I told them Firestone and they said "Don't ever let them do your timing belt again". The timing was lined up, but the belt was (somehow) twisted in to a figure eight to make the timing line up, I didn't get a chance to look at it myself.. He said another few days and I would've been looking for a new engine. After that, I decided tires and alignments were all the were doig (had a lifetime through them)... then, they busted a bolt while they were aligning my car. A bolt that my mechanic friend tells me had absolutely nothing to do with aligning my car. this is why we don't go to firestone anymore.edited to fix quote

[B14CK_H4WK]

i go to Valvoline Instant Oil Change just make sure you check your valve stem caps after they check your tire pressure lol they never put them on tight

[Nelson]

Costco is pretty good.

[ssampier]

I would love to take to the dealer, but they aren't open on Saturdays. Their open hours almost match my work hours exactly (M-F 8 to 5, closed Holidays). I will take it to the local quick oil place; not Jiffy Lube, a mom-and-pop.

[SkyVibe]

This pic is why I don't trust anyone to change oil on my cars. This is my company car at Jiffy Lube. Notice how the guy laid the internal side of the oil cap in the dirt and junk on the hood latch/front support. Of course he puts it back on without wiping it off. The air filter shouldn't be laid clean side down in the crap either...

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[GoodVibErations2004]

Whatever you do, DO NOT go to jiffy lube. They all got closed down in my area for 1: Damaging peoples vehicles,2: scamming people by not replacing filters, and 3: for notoriously not filling with enough oil.

[pljenkins]

Quote, originally posted by GoodVibErations2004 »Whatever you do, DO NOT go to jiffy lube. They all got closed down in my area for 1: Damaging peoples vehicles,2: scamming people by not replacing filters, and 3: for notoriously not filling with enough oil.Hah! Indeed.. Walmart in my area did the same thing... Wife took my car to Walmart for a rotation and while there she got the oil done. 3000 miles later, I crawl under my car to change the oil and lo and behold, there's the orange Fram oil filter I put in 6000 miles ago staring back at me!

[Sublimewind]

Friends, don't let friends, use Fram, friend... lol.. Purolator... One of the best quality, OEM style filters out there

[isaaclud]

whoa now....I've been using FRAM in my vehicles for 16 years.....never noticed any problems relatedto oil life/maintainance....BTW, i change my own oil....BAR NONE....nobody but me friends

[vibolista]

If you don't do you own oil change, then no matter who does it for you, make sure that you check the dip stick right away!!!!My wife took her '95 Transport to Walmart in the winter of 02 for an oil change. She always used synthetic. She drove it home that night and the next morning when she started it up I was in the garage. Sounded like a metal to metal war going on. I ran out and told her to shut it off. Pulled the dip stick, no sign of oil. Added a quart, still no sign. I added the 5 quarts that it should hold. No leaks. So, guess what? They forgot to add any oil after draining it. That was the beginning of the end for a perfectly good 3.8L Van. It slowly started to burn oil. So, never again.

[SeattleJeremy]

I got to the Jiffy Lube down the street because I'm too lazy to do it my self.I do my own Transmission fluid though

[DarkSpork]

Last time I needed an oil change I went ahead and had the tire store do it since I was buying tires and the car would be there anyways (I usually change my own oil). They way overtightened the drain plug and overtightened the oil filter. I don't have air tools so this just made things far more difficult for me than it had to be. I'm changing my own oil from now on, regardless of convenience. Just put Mobil 1 in today (never used it before, but the stuff seems great!).If I had to take it somewhere to get it done I'd probably take it to the local Chevrolet dealership as it is $21 for an oil change there.

[808 Vibes]

I can do my own oil changes, I'm just not allowed to where I live (AOAO rules) though after what happened to me, I'm going to be neurotic about taking it anywhere for anything. I haven't had any problems with the dealer though. Mine isn't open on Saturdays either, and I'm no longer off on Mondays, so I don't know what I'm going to do in a few months!

[pljenkins]

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »Friends, don't let friends, use Fram, friend... lol.. Purolator... One of the best quality, OEM style filters out thereHaha! Cute... Anyway, I've been using the little orange bastiges for the life of the car. Going on 115000 miles, zero engine related defects.Now, the tranny is another story...

[oriden]

if i take it to some one master mechanic is the BEST they actuly take the front end apart and give it a look over before their done. how ever good service costs good money so i do it on my own ususaly. mobl 1 ftw