got an oil change today and it was not pleasent

[adsm08]

you're absolutely right about that-the local repair shop runs into stuff all the time that can't be done without the speciallised equip,and it's a four day trek to the closest dealership.P.I.T.A......everyone here should stick to 90's cars

I have learned that the hard way. I have worked in Ford dealers for about 4 years now. Working on Fords is easy, but people frequently bring in cars that aren't Fords, and then we are usually in the same spot that the chain shops are.

That is why I am doing my best to stay out of the chain shops now that i'm looking for a job again.

 

[xr75er]

Years ago when I was between careers I worked at a jiffy lube, I had the back ground to do the job. But even with my experience the manager was a KID that shumooezed his way to management after he left the oil drain plug loose and the car sized up. But my experience with the chain stores has overall been good. Sorry you had a bad time, My .02

 

[ozziemo27]

This is why I would never pay anybody to do simple jobs such as an oil change, gear fluid or tranny fluid, that anybody can do with basic tools, lol.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Geeze, cut the guy some SLACK. MAYBE he was new. You CANNOT base your opinions on a place just by the performance of one person. The only thing this proves is:

1. The training program needs probed.

2. The guy might not been familiar with your vehicle.

IMO, around here the "lube shops" are hurting very badly, since the economic downturn, the only time I see them busy is on Sunday Afternoons. I seriously feel for those guys, as Lube Shops WILL be the future, it is essential that they train the technicians.

In fact if I were you, do that Valvoline Lube center a favor, GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO MAKE IT RIGHT. Report the issue with the branch so it does not happen in the future.... and good thing you knew where the drain plug was, with dipstickless engines, who knows.

I'm sorry but if your getting hired on to a Lube place you should probably be able to identify the drain plug atleast... (Hint: bottom most bolt on the engine...) Filling the oil and finding the filter can be a pain though I will admit I have done a good 500 or so oil changes in the last few years and I still have a hard time finding the filters on some cars and stuff....

The only example I have is we hired a guy because he was the bosses neighbor, He said he knew how to do tires but... I can lift a vehicle, remove the cores, unbolt the tires and have 3 dismounted and mounted before he even gets the tire on the machine (the lifting and unbolting are only counted cause he never does it EVER!) also note this isn't a week after he was hired.... nope its been 3 months and he is almost slower then when he first started...

 

[Twizzler09]

The only example I have is we hired a guy because he was the bosses neighbor, He said he knew how to do tires but... I can lift a vehicle, remove the cores, unbolt the tires and have 3 dismounted and mounted before he even gets the tire on the machine (the lifting and unbolting are only counted cause he never does it EVER!) also note this isn't a week after he was hired.... nope its been 3 months and he is almost slower then when he first started...

Thats crazy... the only time I've ever seen that happen before is when my old Boss' kid started working at the shop.... I could mount/balance 4 tires and give the vehicle a complete inspection before the kid could even get the first tire mounted....

I *was* the fastest guy in the shop though, record for 4 tires Mount/Balance/Inspect was 19 minutes, from the time the vehicle rolled into the stall till the time it rolled out the stall.

 

[r1hatman]

I'm sorry but if your getting hired on to a Lube place you should probably be able to identify the drain plug at least... (Hint: bottom most bolt on the engine...) Filling the oil and finding the filter can be a pain though I will admit I have done a good 500 or so oil changes in the last few years and I still have a hard time finding the filters on some cars and stuff....

The only example I have is we hired a guy because he was the bosses neighbor, He said he knew how to do tires but... I can lift a vehicle, remove the cores, unbolt the tires and have 3 dismounted and mounted before he even gets the tire on the machine (the lifting and unbolting are only counted cause he never does it EVER!) also note this isn't a week after he was hired.... nope its been 3 months and he is almost slower then when he first started...

X2

I tried once more against my better judgment to go to Pep Boys, what a screw up. Took them an hour to change my oil and then the cross threaded my filter and got oil all over the motor, needless to say I got it for free but i am just now getting all the oil off from it. Jackasses! I did it the other day in 20 minutes taking my sweet time, and no oil anywhere except inside the motor where it belongs and no cross threaded filter all for around $27 with synthetic and a air filter too! It's just easier to do yourself and know it's done right! Our Castorol Express Lubes always did a good job, but hell, they went up to like $30.00 for a basic oil change! No offense but I can get a oil change kit on sale by watching the fliers for around 20- 25 bucks!

 

[goodie85]

I *was* the fastest guy in the shop though, record for 4 tires Mount/Balance/Inspect was 19 minutes, from the time the vehicle rolled into the stall till the time it rolled out the stall.

for our race cars we have our tire change machine and i can get 4 done in 22 minutes you got me beat by 3 minutes lol

 

[goodie85]

X2

I tried once more against my better judgment to go to Pep Boys, what a screw up. Took them an hour to change my oil and then the cross threaded my filter and got oil all over the motor, needless to say I got it for free but i am just now getting all the oil off from it. Jackasses! I did it the other day in 20 minutes taking my sweet time, and no oil anywhere except inside the motor where it belongs and no cross threaded filter all for around $27 with synthetic and a air filter too! It's just easier to do yourself and know it's done right! Our Castorol Express Lubes always did a good job, but hell, they went up to like $30.00 for a basic oil change! No offense but I can get a oil change kit on sale by watching the fliers for around 20- 25 bucks!

yea valvoline also was trying to con me into buying a air filter for 30 bucks i was like what the hell no way

 

[LearjetMinako]

The guy was probably new and did not know a wide varitey of makes and models. I use to work in a lube and tire shop before. After being there for so long and quickly learning trouble shoot problems. I was the guy they went to fix problems. But sadly, that has ended when the contract went to Firestone. Firestone may be able to do more on cars, but they worthless when it comes down to customer service. When I see one mech working on multiple cars lined at the garage door, something's wrong. It is not good to be working on multiple vehicles with customers waiting on them. A simple 4 tire change should be 1 hour, not more than 2 hours.

 

[adsm08]

for our race cars we have our tire change machine and i can get 4 done in 22 minutes you got me beat by 3 minutes lol

I did an explorer solo in 15 once.

 

[bmonee5]

we have a oil can henry's in our town that gouge's people too. First off its like 39.99 for an oil change that takes them 5 minutes. Then they always say that your tranny fluid is dark and you need it changed/flushed, and thats like 79.99. Then in my girlfriends car she had a license plate light out and they offered to change it out for like 10 bucks....really, a light bulb for 10 bucks? I understand that people need to learn but i don't want to be the guinea pig for some guy who doesn't know where the oil drain plug is, if he doesn't know where it is then maybe he shouldn't be working at a oil changing shop.

 

[adsm08]

we have a oil can henry's in our town that gouge's people too. First off its like 39.99 for an oil change that takes them 5 minutes. Then they always say that your tranny fluid is dark and you need it changed/flushed, and thats like 79.99. Then in my girlfriends car she had a license plate light out and they offered to change it out for like 10 bucks....really, a light bulb for 10 bucks? I understand that people need to learn but i don't want to be the guinea pig for some guy who doesn't know where the oil drain plug is, if he doesn't know where it is then maybe he shouldn't be working at a oil changing shop.

I charged my g/f's sister $20 to replace a bulb on the clock once. The bulb itself was $15.

 

[OilPatch197]

I hate to break it to you, but as the cars become more complex and proprietary with the scan tool functions, dealerships will be the future. Lube shops are simply ill equipped to diagnose or service many current electronic systems.

No, I expect Government to stop this scam, it's called the "Right to Repair".

http://www.righttorepair.org/

Please sign the petition.

The Right to Repair Act protects motoring consumers from a growing and potentially hazardous vehicle repair monopoly by requiring that car companies provide full access at a reasonable cost to all service information, tools, computer codes and safety-related bulletins needed to repair motor vehicles, thus leveling the competitive playing field between dealerships and independent repair shops.

The legislation further provides car companies with strong protections for their trade secrets, only requiring them to make available the same diagnostic and repair information they provide their franchised dealers.“By introducing right to repair legislation, Sens. Boxer and Brownback have taken important action to ensure that American car owners will continue to have access to a competitive auto repair marketplace, thus ensuring that repair costs don’t price vehicle ownership above the heads of many Americans,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).

Although these computer systems provide benefits to consumers through improved fuel efficiency, comfort and safety, they also provide increasing opportunities for car companies to deny access to car owners and the repair shops where they normally obtain service for their vehicle.“The Right to Repair Act is all about consumer choice, ensuring consumers have the right to choose where and by whom they have their vehicles repaired,”

 

[TheTopher]

got an oil change today and it was not pleasant

So basically the shop lubed up and did some unpleasant things, eh?

 

[adsm08]

No, I expect Government to stop this scam, it's called the "Right to Repair".

http://www.righttorepair.org/

Please sign the petition.

I wasn't saying that the companies aren't sharing the information needed to make repairs.

I'm saying that as things become more complex guys working in general shops won't be able to remember all the details needed to effectively work on every brand of car, and so either they will have to specialize in a particular brand, which in a flat rate environment is untenable and best, or they will end up providing inferior service, which is something that we are already seeing.