Jiffy Lube

Bogart

New Member
Got an oil change yesterday. When they come in to show me my air filter, etc. I just tell them 'I have all my other service done at the dealer' to end that conversation. Yesterday was a new one though. They recommended a $90 'engine flush' because I went beyond the 3,000 mi recommendation on my oil change. This ignores the fact that my owner's manual recommends oil changes at every 7,500 mi and the 3,000 mi thing is basically a marketing ploy. I've also noticed that none of their service recommendations align with what the owner's manual recommends. Just change the oil and get me back on the road.
 

itsbob

I bowl overhand
I use pure synthetic, which Mercedes and others state an oil change every 50K miles, and they still give me a hard time when I go over the 3K..

And I hate an overlube, the sheets stick together.. everything is slimy..
 

Otter

Nothing to see here
Bogart said:
Got an oil change yesterday. When they come in to show me my air filter, etc. I just tell them 'I have all my other service done at the dealer' to end that conversation. Yesterday was a new one though. They recommended a $90 'engine flush' because I went beyond the 3,000 mi recommendation on my oil change. This ignores the fact that my owner's manual recommends oil changes at every 7,500 mi and the 3,000 mi thing is basically a marketing ploy. I've also noticed that none of their service recommendations align with what the owner's manual recommends. Just change the oil and get me back on the road.

I always find that irritating, I go to Valvoline in PF and they always want to flush the transmission. They are just trying to do their job(make money) and I am happy with those guys, always friendly, quick and act like they do have a brain. Thanks for the reminder, I need to change the oil in my vehicles this weekend.
 

itsbob

I bowl overhand
otter said:
I always find that irritating, I go to Valvoline in PF and they always want to flush the transmission. They are just trying to do their job(make money) and I am happy with those guys, always friendly, quick and act like they do have a brain. Thanks for the reminder, I need to change the oil in my vehicles this weekend.
I just started going there myself, and really am impressed with their service, and their attitude.. You can wait in your car if you want. AND they tell you what you r Service schedule suggests, but in a nice non-pressuring kind of way.. I have to get up there and have them do my differentials..
 

Oz

You're all F'in Mad...
Change your own air filter. Easy job (normally) and much cheaper than paying a shop to do it. You can easily save 50% on the filter alone, then add their 10 minutes of labor at $65/hour to your savings. A late model Honda Accord has a $35 air filter, so you can easily hang on to a $20 bill by replacing it yourself.

Transmission Flush, and Power Steering Flush is a good idea every 2 years if you keep your cars longer than about 4-5 years.

Brake Fluid Flush *should* be done annually. Brake Fluid accumulates moisture, so replacing the brake fluid will extend the life of the metal and rubber brake components.

Extended 50,000 mile oil changes? Buyer beware! Your oil filter definitely will not filter for 50,000 miles. Ideally, you wouldn't run a filter much more than 5K. After that, a significant portion of the oil is simply bypassed through the filter, and not "filtered."

An engine flush to a late model car can actually be dangerous. Basically, they circulate kerosene through the engine for 2-3 minutes, and then drain it out with your oil. With the low tolerances of a late model engine, if there's sludge in there, I'd rather it stay put than dislodged and circulating throughout. If you don't have an oil flow problem, it's basically a waste. Real surprised that a quart of kerosene and 5 extra minutes costs $90.
 

Chasey_Lane

Salt Life
Bogart said:
I've also noticed that none of their service recommendations align with what the owner's manual recommends.
They're probably just going off "typical/usual" vehicles. If you want tailored service, visit the dealer. :yay:
 

BigSlam123b

Only happy When It Rains
I use Precision Tune in California. Ever since they were bought out about 2 years ago, the service has been excellent. They don't overcharge, only take appointments so no waiting, and they don't reccomend any services unless they are positive you need it. Dennis and the guys there are a great and honest team.


I used Jiffy Lube only once and I decided to test them. They state that they check and fill all fluids, including wiper fluid. I went in there with no wiper fluid, and the warning light flashing. They didn't bother checking that, much less filling it. Yet they decided I needed all new filters and 2 sensors. They said I could do one of the sensors myself but they would have to do the other. The one I could do cost about $20 and the one they had to do cost $300, according to them. Needless to say, i told them change the oil and let me out of here. I also told them about my little test and they were a bit embarrassed.
 
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itsbob

I bowl overhand
Oz said:
Extended 50,000 mile oil changes? Buyer beware! Your oil filter definitely will not filter for 50,000 miles. Ideally, you wouldn't run a filter much more than 5K. After that, a significant portion of the oil is simply bypassed through the filter, and not "filtered."

.
Well, Mercedes had a problem with this.. their owners manuals didn't specify SYNTHETIC oil (althought they did specify weight and brand which WAS synthetic) and dipsh!ts were putting normal engine oil in them and trying to go the 50K.. engines started to sieze. Same dumbazzes sued and won..
 

jazz lady

~*~ Rara Avis ~*~
PREMO Member
elaine said:
I used Jiffy Lube once. They over-lubed.
That's better than my last experience. They "forgot" to put transmission fluid back in the truck after flushing it. It only went about 20 miles. :dork:
 

Oz

You're all F'in Mad...
itsbob said:
Well, Mercedes had a problem with this.. their owners manuals didn't specify SYNTHETIC oil (althought they did specify weight and brand which WAS synthetic) and dipsh!ts were putting normal engine oil in them and trying to go the 50K.. engines started to sieze. Same dumbazzes sued and won..

M-B has big liabilities from that system which I believe was in their cars right around Y2K. The system for alerting owners to change the oil was faulty in detecting the oil properties if I remember correctly.

An oil change is so cheap - even with a full synthetic, I'd rather just change it frequently and regularly than to leave all of the contaminents circulating around my engine. I do my own oil changes in the 3-5K range with a name-brand full synthetic.
 
I am back to doing my own oil changes now that I have my barn to do them in. $30.00 for the full synthetic Castrol and filter + 10 minutes every 5K miles. Comes out cheaper than taking it to WalMart in La Plata for a dino-oil change every 3K.
 

itsbob

I bowl overhand
huntr1 said:
I am back to doing my own oil changes now that I have my barn to do them in. $30.00 for the full synthetic Castrol and filter + 10 minutes every 5K miles. Comes out cheaper than taking it to WalMart in La Plata for a dino-oil change every 3K.
What do you do with the used oil?? Used to do my own, then disposing of the oil became such a pain in the butt I stopped.
 
itsbob said:
What do you do with the used oil?? Used to do my own, then disposing of the oil became such a pain in the butt I stopped.
There is recycling available at the transfer stations.
 

AC/DC

Lord, I apologize.
huntr1 said:
There is recycling available at the transfer stations.


:yeahthat:

I do my own every 3-5K miles........a LOT cheaper, faster and you know the job is done right. :yay::yay:
 
AC/DC said:
:yeahthat:

I do my own every 3-5K miles........a LOT cheaper, faster and you know the job is done right. :yay::yay:
I understand the 'doing your own oil and filter' change thingy but what about lubing...:confused:
 

AC/DC

Lord, I apologize.
kwillia said:
I understand the 'doing your own oil and filter' change thingy but what about lubing...:confused:

<img src="http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/grease_gun.jpg">
 

Cletus_Vandam

New Member
I do my own. Fram filter with Royal Purple syn. oil.

Buy the filters from Wal-Mart and get the oil on-line. Takes 15 minutes of work and I know that I have the correct grade, weight, amount etc. I also know that I put the plug back in the pan and didn't strip it (all the horror stories I heard from people who go to these lube shops).

As for disposal of the oil, any of the waste stations (at least in St. Mary's) have reclaimation centers that accept waste oil, waste anti-freeze, etc. When I lived in Waldorf, you could visit local service stations and leave an old milk jug full of waste oil and they would dispose of it for you. Not sure if there are any of those types of friendly stations around anymore though...
 

Oz

You're all F'in Mad...
kwillia said:
I understand the 'doing your own oil and filter' change thingy but what about lubing...:confused:

Since there aren't grease fittings on cars anymore, I always just spill a little bit in the cracks around the opening.
 
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