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Why go there twice? (Reply to this comment)
by Saxguy
Aren't there any gas stations near you that will do the oil change for $15? Where I live, it costs $10 plus tax at Firestone.
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Jul 31 '00
5:46 pm PDT
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Hm (Reply to this comment)
by Jello77
you seem like a sucker for expensive service. After the 4.99 filter, I would have been out of there. Nice review
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Jul 31 '00
5:48 pm PDT
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You should see (Reply to this comment)
by Wolfhound
The screw ups that come out of those quik change joints. Wrong fliuds, crossthreaded plugs, Oil plugs falling out, And my favrote grease in the brake bleeders, I could go on all day. Remmber these guys are not mechanics. There making alittle over minimum and get yelled at if they slow down to do a jop right. Stick with the dealer or do it yourself.
Jerry
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Jul 31 '00
6:01 pm PDT
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Thanks Christian (Reply to this comment)
by KendraMakani
for car mechanic illiterates like myself.. this is definitely helpful advice! I don't think I"ll be going to Jiffy Lube next time my car needs an oil change. :)
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Jul 31 '00
7:16 pm PDT
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Wow! (Reply to this comment)
by teddiec
I need a man like you! (and someone to work on my car, too...)
Teasing!
Great job
Ellen
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Jul 31 '00
7:20 pm PDT
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I feel your pain... (Reply to this comment)
by Ak8s
The bozos at our local Jiffy Lube overfilled my truck with oil which caused the main seal to burst. I will NEVER use them again. They refused to accept blame as well. I wasn't leaking oil before I went in yet, began leaking oil as soon as I left. (I noticed a huge puddle under the truck at my next stop) I thought they forgot to put the plug in...but nope...they just overfilled it. Jiffy Lube sucks IMNSHO.
Angie
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Jul 31 '00
7:35 pm PDT
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Marketing Hype (Reply to this comment)
by cchan006
Jiffy Lube has been hitting the airwaves (radio) with massive ad blitz. They better deliver the service to match the hype, or risk backlash!
Synthetic oils (especially Mobil 1, which is one of the best) can be changed at cycles twice the length of regular oils (6000~10,000 miles). However, if your car is new, make sure it's covered by warranty. Many engine builders recommend *against* synthetics for the first few thousand miles, especially during break-in.
I've heard too many scary stories (similar to Wolfhound's) about quick lube joints - I don't use them except during emergencies.
It's very cool that you showed us how to change oil at the beginning of the article, to encourage people away from Jiffy Lube. Good job!
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Aug 01 '00
9:28 pm PDT
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sad but true (Reply to this comment)
by BrianCam
I've had similar experiences w/ Jiffy Lube. I also noticed that they try to sell everyone who goes there some kind of extra service, replace light bulbs, rotate tires etc.
I just go to the dealer now. The waiting room is nicer and the customers are a few notches above Jiffy Lube customers
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Aug 02 '00
10:48 pm PDT
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Geez.. (Reply to this comment)
by KingGirl
You are an Advisor in the Auto section and you don't even change your own oil?! ;) Just teasing!
When my friend and I were 16 we took her car in to get the oil changed and they wanted her to buy windshield washer fluid, tried to tell her it was low. They thought, "hmm, two teenage girls! Easy mark!" Little did they know we JUST filled it before we pulled out of her driveway! Jerks!
Great review, (even if you take your car in to get its oil changed!) ;)
Dana
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Aug 04 '00
7:36 pm PDT
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Re: Why go there twice? (Reply to this comment)
by vachipep
Probably... but I'm too busy and too lazy to try to find them. Plus, I'm in outside sales, and anytime that I have to go all day without my car, is a day that adds up to lost sales. I'd rather take my car someplace where I can be in and out within a half hour.
But, then again, JL's crappy service is not worth the convenience.
Thanks,
Christian
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Aug 06 '00
6:36 am PDT
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Re: Hm (Reply to this comment)
by vachipep
Yep, I guess I'm a sucker. Actually, I knew I was getting screwed, but it was just easier to go to JL, get it over with and worry about going to the dealer next time.
BTW... UPDATE: it has only been 300 miles since my last oil change, and my car is giving me a warning light to change my oil soon. Grrrh! That senser is supposed to tell me when my oil is getting worn. I don't know... I guess I'll call the dealership and ask why I would be getting this light... who knows... maybe they didn't do the oil change afterall?
Christian
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Aug 06 '00
6:40 am PDT
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Re: You should see (Reply to this comment)
by vachipep
Thanks Jerry! It's amazing that these places can charge twice as much as a typical service station, and yet they provide half the service!
Christian
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Aug 06 '00
6:42 am PDT
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Re: Thanks Christian (Reply to this comment)
by vachipep
Thanks Kendra!
Well, if my experience can help just one person steer clear of JL, then I've done my job.
:)
Christian
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Aug 06 '00
6:43 am PDT
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Re: Wow! (Reply to this comment)
by vachipep
I would wish myself on NOBODY! But, thanks anyway. :)
Christian
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Aug 06 '00
6:44 am PDT
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Re: I feel your pain... (Reply to this comment)
by vachipep
Yes you do! That's a horrible experience. Have you thought about writing about your experiences?
I hope that repair didn't cost you too much? I hope you reported them to the Better Business Burea.
Christian
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Aug 06 '00
6:46 am PDT
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Re: Marketing Hype (Reply to this comment)
by vachipep
Jeez, if they would re-direct those advertising dollars into training their people, maybe they'd get repeat business. I know they won't be getting mine.
Anyway, thanks to a tip from a friend, I added something to the section on changing your own oil. It seems that it's a good idea to dip the end of your oil filter in the old oil. I guess it provides a tighter seal?
Christian
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Aug 06 '00
6:49 am PDT
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Re: sad but true (Reply to this comment)
by vachipep
It's ridiculous how they try to upsell you. My car only had 7,000 miles on it when they tried to get me to replace my air-filter. I've got to check on this... but I don't think that's called for until 15-20K?
I've also heard that they often try to get people to replace their wiper blades and change their coolent at more frequent intervals than necessary.
Christian
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Aug 06 '00
6:51 am PDT
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Re: Geez.. (Reply to this comment)
by vachipep
Windshield fluid? That's ridiculous... most places will fill it for no extra charge. Besides, it costs about a dollar to get a gallon.
Thanks for your comment... you're probably right... I made a stupid mistake for an auto advisor... just goes to show the Ep needs to pick their advisors more carefully :p
I know you're kidding.
Thanks,
Christian
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Aug 06 '00
6:54 am PDT
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Very well written.... (Reply to this comment)
by three_ster
This is one of the most thorough epinions I have seen to date. You give a great name to the site by providing personal experience and your own thoughts! Keep it up!
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Aug 12 '00
9:31 pm PDT
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Perhaps they should use Vaseline... (Reply to this comment)
by driver4t5
...excellent review, but stop being such a weenie and change yer own damn oil...
- driver4t5
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Aug 14 '00
12:55 pm PDT
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hugs (Reply to this comment)
by fuzzy_elvis
those jerks conned me itno buying a air filter to!
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Aug 22 '00
2:06 pm PDT
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Re: hugs (Reply to this comment)
by vachipep
They are famous for getting people to change their air-filter, coolent, and wiper-blades at intervals which are much more frequent than necessary. It must be in their training manual. Unfortunately, their training manual doesn't teach them how to do a decent oil-change.
Christian
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Aug 24 '00
2:42 pm PDT
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A Few More DIY Oil Change Tips (Reply to this comment)
by joebien
Hi!
As an older '50's - '60's "gearhead" I thought I might add a few time proven tips to your already very good DIY oil change instructions:
Dipping the new filter in the old oil to improve the seal is the right idea but a sort of crude method. Instead, just put a few drops of the NEW oil on the rubber gasket at the end of the filter, rubbing it on with your fingers. Remember, you are trying to get rid of that old oil, not put it back :)
You might find that some gorilla at a place like Jiffy Lube has over-tightened your filter, making it impossible to remove. To solve this problem, and make any filter removal a snap, get a filter cap wrench at your local auto parts chain store. While purchasing your filter, find the cap wrench which perfectly fits your filter and get it for 4 bucks. It works with your standard socket wrench and you will never want to use one of those knuckle-busting self-adjusting filter wrenches again :)
When the job is done and while you are picking up your toys in the driveway, let the car run and warm up for 5-10 minutes. Take a peak underneath for leaks and take a glance at your oil pressure gauge or light. If something is wrong, it will likely show up right away. This simple step once revealed an inferior quality bursting oil filter on one of my older BMW's.
Have fun, save money, and stay away from Jiffy Lube!
Joe
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Aug 28 '00
9:09 am PDT
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Re: A Few More DIY Oil Change Tips (Reply to this comment)
by vachipep
Thanks Joe.
You've given some sound advice here. It sort of reminds me of the time when I was 18 and changed my own oil. I forgot to re-plug the oil pan. I started my car and was about to drive off when I noticed that my driveway was covered with motor-oil. Boy, was that a mess! I had to go out and get a bunch of kitty-liter to absorb the oil. Then I destroyed a broom while I swept up the oily cat-litter. That took me about 2 hours to clean up.
Yes, I will avoid jiffy lube in the future. In fact, I'm due for my 9,000 mile, so I'm gonna head directly to the Saturn dealer. Since I live in an apartment complex, I'm not allowed to do car repairs here.
Thanks,
Christian
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Aug 28 '00
11:22 am PDT
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Wow. (Reply to this comment)
by achoo
$60 for an oil change that you could have had done just as quickly by a local service station... and you went back for more?
Then, next time they tell you to go get your own oil filter, and you DO?
I don't want to be mean or anything, but somebody ought to slap you! You define the word optimist!
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Aug 30 '00
10:39 pm PDT
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Re: A Few More DIY Oil Change Tips (Reply to this comment)
by AVaddict
Ol Joe is dead on, new oil and just a drop of it, spread it with your finger. Another key that will DRAMATICALLY improve the efficiency of your filter is filling it with the new oil before you put it on. Why? Simple. When you put on your filter dry you lose a portion of its filtering ability, sometimes by as much as 30%, due to trapped air. This is not to say that the filter doesn't work, the efficacy is just reduced. By filling it you wet all the fibres to begin with thus allowing the air to be more eeasily pushed out. Just thought I'd share. Great review!
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Sep 13 '00
9:37 am PDT
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Well Written (Reply to this comment)
by petemans79
Your story sounds all too familiar to me. But if your dealership makes you leave your vehicle all day long just to get 15 minutes of work done, maybe you should consider another dealer.
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Sep 27 '00
9:52 pm PDT
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And about that air filter... (Reply to this comment)
by BSmith24
I generally used to use Jiffy lube because the nearest Honda dealership is in another state...and each time I would sit in the waiting room, and some high-school aged "technician" would come out with what was reported to be my air filter...showing me that it was not yet time to replace it. Imagine my shock when my personal mechanic (the one who takes care of "little" things like new headlights...etc) pulled the air filter out of my Honda and it looks nothing like the one that Jiffy Lube has been showing me for the past 18,000 miles...they have been handing me a very clean rectangular one, while my car takes a large round one that is quite difficult to get to. Needless to say, my air filter was the filthiest I had ever seen...and its replacement created a noticeable difference in my cars performance. Ahh, a lot of rambling the point of which is, that I agree with you--Jiffy lube is BAD!
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Oct 15 '00
10:27 pm PDT
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Jiffy Lube fiasco (Reply to this comment)
by mystic2001
I've used Jiffy Lube many times and I agree with all the comments about them selling 'little' add-on services to ratchet up the total. However, the visit this past saturday was a very costly fiasco. On this visit I OK'd a fuel filter change - My mistake. After 30 minutes I got suspicious that things were taking too long. When I asked, they told me they were working on the fuel filter and would be done soon. About 10 minutes later I went out myself to check and found that no one was working on my truck. When I asked about that, I was told that they needed a special wrench and the manager went to Pep Boys to get it. I was slightly PO'd that no one had bothered to tell me this since, as I told them, if I knew I would have to wait I would have said to skip the fuel filter. The manager was gone for nearly an hour. When he returned, he went to work on my truck without bothering to speak to me. I went out and attempted to ask him what was going on. He was very curt - nearly rude - in telling me that he had to get a special wrench and would be done soon. I went back to the waiting room and waited for another 15 minutes. After going back out to check up, I found him under my truck on the phone with people from another Jiffy Lube store. As I was watching, I saw him repeatedly jam a screwdriver into the fuel line where it connects to the fuel filter. I could then visually see the damage he was doing so I immediately ran down under the floor where he was and demanded an explanation. This time he told me that the fuel line clamps were not gripping the fuel filter properly and therefore not holding it in place. He also told me that the people from the other store were on their way to take a look at it. At this point I was very PO'd and let him know it. I was particularly upset that he was not talking to me to keep me informed about what was happening. I did the best I could to contain my anger and decided to wait on the other people. After another 45 minutes, the two guys from the other store showed up. It only took 5 minutes for them to tell me that the damage could not be fixed and the entire fuel line would have to be replaced. They also explained how the clamps had somehow been bent preventing them from now working. After having seen the other idiot with the screwdriver, I had no doubt how it was bent. I ordered them not to touch my truck again and I called a tow truck to drag it out of the Jiffy Lube bay. I spoke to the mechanic at the dealership this morning. It looks like at least $700 dollars in damage + $50 to tow + $100 car rental. This just happened, so I guess my next fight will now be with corporate Jiffy Lube in trying to get them to pay for what they f**ked up. One thing is absolutely sure - I'll never use Jiffy Lube again.
Just say NO to Jiffy Lube!!!
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Oct 30 '00
9:36 am PST
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Nickel and dime... (Reply to this comment)
by jpeter
I agree with your comments on how Jiffy lube tries to up sell you on everything. Generally speaking I recieve at least one coupon every other week (plus my grocery store fequent shopper card has a discount tied to it) for a $19.99 oil change. My saturn dealer charges $30.00+ for there service. I can understand useing the dealership for serice while you car is uner warranty then switching to a trusted mechanic for the rest. Best advice i give is to take advantage of these "specials" from Jiffy Lube and watch your own owners manual for recomended servcie on other items. That being said i can also say i have spend $250.00+ at Jiffy Lube for services that i should have gone elsewhere and saved $$$.
jpeter
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Mar 21 '01
11:54 am PST
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