Instant Oil Change.

[Red_Alert]

Learned today that Valvoline quicky lube joints use non-standard size oil filters to cut costs.

Had my last two oil changes done there because I was in a hurry and going out of town. Today I decided to change it myself so I went to Kmart and bought the 5 quart container of synthetic and a Purolator filter.

When I drained the oil and went to take the old filter off I noticed it looked small so I compared it to the Purolator and sure enough it's about half the size. I'm thinking the filter # reference card in Kmart's wrong so I google the oil filter brands and cross reference #'s for my pick-up. Sure enough I had purchased the right one. Searching a bit further I learned not only is valvoline saving money on materials that make up the filter, they are saving money because the smaller filter holds about 1/2 quart less oil.

The smaller filter also dirties faster than a standard one.

The Purolator went on just fine, but I was freakin' for a few minutes.

 

[Red_Alert]

I don't know if other instant oil change places do this as well. I just know Valvoline is doing it.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

I was in a Valvoline once and I heard them calling off to each other... "5 quarts in bay one"... well, I'm the only fucking guy in there, and I know for a fact my car takes 6.5. So I politely told the guy my car needs 6.5, and he starts arguing. He tells me his computer is always right, there's no way this car takes 6.5, so I take out my manual and show the guy. He tells me the manual is WRONG. I told him I'll push my car home if I have to, but I'm not paying unless I get 6.5. He was bitchy about it, but he put in 6.5 quarts... I used to USUALLY change my own oil, now I ALWAYS change my own oil.

 

[JuiceTheGator]

Cheap fuckers. That's quite the pisser. But it's such a convenience! I might buy a filter next time and take it in there. I hope they don't use recycled oil too!

 

[ckhokie]

Why are you guys taking your car to get the oil changed?

I change my oil in 20 minutes and I'm sure cheaper than taking it to a place that may pull shady shit like this

 

[NativeWebfoot]

My wife insists on taking hers to the deadership and I'm ok with that, knowing they'll use the right filter & oil. I've always done my own oil changes in the past ever since my first car. Last time it was due, we were in a hurry to go somewhere and my wife convinced me to stop at a Walmart for a quick oil change. Once was enough. I'll go back to doing it myself and knowing exactly what filter and oil I prefer. Also the old saying applies - If you want the job done right, do it yourself.

 

[MrMoJoRisin63]

My wife insists on taking hers to the deadership and I'm ok with that, knowing they'll use the right filter & oil. I've always done my own oil changes in the past ever since my first car. Last time it was due, we were in a hurry to go somewhere and my wife convinced me to stop at a Walmart for a quick oil change. Once was enough. I'll go back to doing it myself and knowing exactly what filter and oil I prefer. Also the old saying applies - If you want the job done right, do it yourself.

There is a problem with DO IT YOURSELF. most cars post 2011 run full synthetic some manufacturers are refusing warranty work if you can show where all changes were done with full synthetic oil. They are demanding it be done at the dealership or a " Reputable " shop.

 

[NativeWebfoot]

You're right about the warranty issue. My 2008 isn't on warranty and none of my other past cars had warranties either. I hadn't thought of that when I replied earlier. Can you make the shops put your choice of filter and oil in?

 

[MrMoJoRisin63]

You're right about the warranty issue. My 2008 isn't on warranty and none of my other past cars had warranties either. I hadn't thought of that when I replied earlier. Can you make the shops put your choice of filter and oil in?

We have a place here that will let you bring in your own oil and filter. I like to run Castol and I prefer micron filters. I guess you just have to ask.

 

[outofyourmind]

This is so weird. Last week I was underneath my truck checking something completely different, and I glanced up and noticed the oil filter looked really small. Didn't think much of it, and haven't thought about it until this thread. I had it changed at Sears when I had some tire work done. I'll bet those bastards did the same shit you guys are talking about.

No wonder Sears is going out of business.
I'll be checking it out today. Thank goodness it's only been about a 1000 miles since the oil change.
Great thread and heads up on this.

 

[ckhokie]

There is a problem with DO IT YOURSELF. most cars post 2011 run full synthetic some manufacturers are refusing warranty work if you can show where all changes were done with full synthetic oil. They are demanding it be done at the dealership or a " Reputable " shop.

I keep a folder of the receipts for everything car-related. I can pull the receipts of me buying synthetic oil if it ever got to that point.

 

[HammerDown]

I take oil changes very seriously. Here's what I do:

I dedicate a whole day and get my vehicles all over to the overflow parking of my commercial property. I have two sets of ramps (cheap Wal-Mart style). I let two cars at a time drain. And I let them drain for HOURS, til every drop of dirty oil is out. Then I use OEM-specified full synthetic oil and primo filters.

I check the oil at 15k miles and usually let it go another 5k.

I went to a quick-change place once back in the late 90s and enjoyed the convenience of sitting in the air conditioned lobby while they changed my oil. What I didn't appreciate was them using cheap-ass oil and filters and leaving about half a quart of oil in the pan before they plugged it and refilled. Never again!

Do your own changes and do 'em right.

 

[MrMoJoRisin63]

I keep a folder of the receipts for everything car-related. I can pull the receipts of me buying synthetic oil if it ever got to that point.

Good luck if anything happens

I take oil changes very seriously. Here's what I do:

I dedicate a whole day and get my vehicles all over to the overflow parking of my commercial property. I have two sets of ramps (cheap Wal-Mart style). I let two cars at a time drain. And I let them drain for HOURS, til every drop of dirty oil is out. Then I use OEM-specified full synthetic oil and primo filters.

I check the oil at 15k miles and usually let it go another 5k.

I went to a quick-change place once back in the late 90s and enjoyed the convenience of sitting in the air conditioned lobby while they changed my oil. What I didn't appreciate was them using cheap-ass oil and filters and leaving about half a quart of oil in the pan before they plugged it and refilled. Never again!

Do your own changes and do 'em right.

You can do that when you buy used and are not under warranty

 

[ckhokie]

HD you go 20k? I use Mobil 1 synthetic every time and still change it ever 6k miles or so. I am paranoid about sludge issues I guess.

 

[jonvi]

Learned today that Valvoline quicky lube joints use non-standard size oil filters to cut costs.

Had my last two oil changes done there because I was in a hurry and going out of town. Today I decided to change it myself so I went to Kmart and bought the 5 quart container of synthetic and a Purolator filter.

When I drained the oil and went to take the old filter off I noticed it looked small so I compared it to the Purolator and sure enough it's about half the size. I'm thinking the filter # reference card in Kmart's wrong so I google the oil filter brands and cross reference #'s for my pick-up. Sure enough I had purchased the right one. Searching a bit further I learned not only is valvoline saving money on materials that make up the filter, they are saving money because the smaller filter holds about 1/2 quart less oil.

The smaller filter also dirties faster than a standard one.

The Purolator went on just fine, but I was freakin' for a few minutes.

I love the way we can get shit out on the web and let hundereds....thousands know immediately.

Thanks for the post. And I say bullshit to Valvoline.

 

[MrMoJoRisin63]

HD you go 20k? I use Mobil 1 synthetic every time and still change it ever 6k miles or so. I am paranoid about sludge issues I guess.

Most cars now a day have an oil life indicator sytem. The car tells you how much life you have left in the oil. It's a nice feature.

 

[NativeWebfoot]

Most cars now a day have an oil life indicator sytem. The car tells you how much life you have left in the oil. It's a nice feature.

I NEVER trust an onboard computer sensor to tell me anything. My wife's Kia Soul tells her she's getting nearly 50 MPG half the time. YEAH, right !!! She won't just use the trip meter and see how many miles she goes on how many gallons. How many people drive with "idiot lights" on for years because of a bad electrical connection? As far as frequency of oil changes goes, the synthetics are supposed to allow you to go longer between changes, but you pay so much more for the oil and filter, that you could just run a good conventional oil w/ good filter and change it more often for the same amount of money. I personally use Castrol, Valvoline, or Quaker State conv oil w/ a Fram filter and change it every 5K miles. I used to work in the maintenance dept at SuperShuttle as parts purchaser for a year before switching to driver. I saw those Dodge 318ci vans go 1,500,000 miles because they were so well maintained. Conventional oil and filter every 3K miles, all fluids, belts, hoses, brake shoes & pads changed frequently. In '94 or'95, I drove one of the '92s that had over 650K on the odometer and it ran like new.

 

[Runeman]

I hope there isn't anyone on here that thinks the quick lube places are going to use the best oil and filters for a $30 dollar oil change? Change it yourself is best and easiest. If not able to do that, take it to your local dealership or to a mechanic YOU CAN TRUST. I have seen some shows that actually film these folks not changing the filter at all, using cheap oil and trying to upcharge the customers by claiming there are problems with the vehicle. Just happened to my bookkeeper this week. She has a 2010 Camry with 28K and the tire place told her she needed new tires because her tires were dry-rotted. Those tires looked like they had another 28K in them and looked just fine. Lot's of bums out there.

 

[Cobrabit]

Would always change the oil in my Mustangs myself. Didn't hurt that my family owns a trucking company with a pit to drive over so I'm not laying on my back.

Now I take my Altima to the dealership mainly because they give a lifetime warranty if they do the servicing.

Never would use the quick lube places because the vast majority are dumbasses and ripoffs. I've had to accompany many of my female friends back to the places after they did something wrong. One bought a civic with "performance exhaust" (don't get me started on ricers) and took it into a quick lube for a change and inspection. They told her it had an exhaust leak and that was the reason her exhaust sounded like that. They were going to give her a "deal" on a new muffler and piping. They took the entire catback system off and sold it to another customer later that day. I threatened to involve legal action unless she received the exact system back and additional compensation for ripping her off. Plus a call to the BBB and word of mouth got the guy fired.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Is DIY Oil Changes Worth it?

I changed my oil for years...now they have places you can take the old oil for recycling for free, etc. but I found by the time I purchased the oil/filter, did the change and got rid of the old oil...I was only saving about $8 to $10 bucks...in a years time barely enough savings to fund a round of golf.

I do ask to see the parts going on and coming off my car on any kind of service.