I learned a little about quickie oil change places here in the north where I live. I would imagine it is the same everywhere.
Let me start by reporting that I have a favored mechanic I have gone to for 30 years. We are friends now, and socialize. Yet I have strayed a couple times to get a quickie oil change at a national place.
One time I went to the " premiere" quickie place in town, the one recommended by "knowledgeable" tire shops who I trust for tires. The premiere oil change guys told me I should be careful about going to Walmart. I said I have never been to Walmart for oil change. He showed me the oil filter he just took from my car. It was from Walmart. It wasn't the national brand touted by the other quickie place.
The other quickie place used that instead of the products they advertise. I don't know whether Walmart filters are good or bad. I just know I did not get what I paid for. I went back to the place when I stopped next door for coffee one time and the manager was enraged I would say that, even after I told him I saw the filter myself as it came from my engine.
Last week, I returned for my oil change to my friend. He looked through a book and went digging for the oil. I asked him at this point why his price is higher than the quickie places. (I had to confess.) He explained that the quickies did not use the proper synthetic oil the manufacturer recommends, and that using the wrong oil could possibly void my warranty. He shook his head and said, "I thought you would know better. You get what you pay for."
It really wasn't price for me, it was the quickie convenience.
Whether these places voided my warranty or not is moot; it has run out.
What sticks with me is that neither quickie place offered me the higher priced synthetic oil my car required. It's not a fancy car. It's only a Jeep.
Ask your dealer what oil the manufacturer requires, then ask your oil change place what they will be using.
And you know, I do have a latent distrust of places that have a man in the pit under a car drain the oil, and a man stick a hose in the top of the car and refill it. I can't see the draining, nor can I see the oil going in. Such a cynic I am.
|