Quick lube real stories...

Last few times in they have put too much oil in. Today I decided to show them the dipstick and where I wanted the oil. I told them 8.7 qt's. They said "we fill it up to here" (pointing to something higher). I said, "no, fill it to here". They said "we fill it to here", I said nope. Fill it to where it is supposed to be, the top line on the stick. They said "ok, if thats what you want". So, ok, we got past that. Pointed out that I forgot to remove the clamp from the oil filler cap (PCA rules) but that their guy could just loosen the hose clamp and then unscrew the filler cap. Next I said M1 0W-40. He said "full synthetic?". I said "ah..yeah, M1 0W-40". Anyone confused? I mean besides these guys.... So, I thought perhaps if I stand outside the bay and make a few phone calls I can act a bit disinterested yet still keep an eye on things. The tech has to call a supervisor to ask some question about the filter. Hmmm. This is all in Spanish of course, not one word in English. Next He goes for the oil, getting quarts. That's funny, they always use the hose from the mystery 50 gallon drum- one of my earlier concerns until several changes ago they showed me the drum labeling. It's just that the drum is downstairs and the tech pulls out one of maybe eight hoses and fills your oil.... So he gets 7 quarts. Not 8, not 9. Ok. He puts them all down on the ground so the label faces away from me. I'm not making any of this up guys. So I stand out there chatting with a buddy-a bit distracted by now, but taking all this in. He puts seven quarts in and makes quite a show of checking the dipstick many times. He makes a final two or three quick but professional dipstick moves and goes back for another quart. Setting it down, label away, he kneels and pours it in checking the dipstick a few more times. Obviously satisfied he goes to put the cap back on. I see him struggling- because the freaking hose clamp is still on!!! Now I walk in to the car. I tell the guy to unscrew the hose clamp and give it to me, then he can put on the oil filler cap. I don't even bother to ask how the hell he got it off before I "wandered" over there. Of course this is a perfect opportunity to see what bottles he has been pouring from. M1 5-30. I tell him you put the wrong oil in. He said "no, this is what we used last time". I said I was afraid of that but either way it's the wrong stuff now. Off he goes for the manager. More English is now spoken and I am told emphatically that they have been using M1 0W-40 despite the fact the tech who clearly recognizes the Speed Yellow 911 says he wasn't. The manager in broken English now tells me- as his guy is over at the shelves scratching his head, "you tell them 0W-40 and they don't listen". Ya. Right. So they say they are out of 0W-40 but if I can drive on it this week they will get a new shipment in soon and drop this 5W-30 and fill it with the 0W-40. I agree to come back and pay when it's done right. Before I leave the tech says he wants to check the level one more time so I say ok and step outside again. that's right, I'm thinking, he only did put in 8 quarts before all this confusion started. So what's the guy do now? He starts the car. He runs it for 10 seconds, jumps out and checks the dipstick again. He decides it needs more. No kidding? It only had 8 in it and the book calls for 8.7. He grabs another quart and I'm thinking he will put a half in or something. Nope. Full quart. 9.0 quarts M1 5W30. Good thing he didn't crank it again and jump out to check it. He could have then put in a few more quarts before it all ended up in the pan. I go here because they have a drivein bay- no lift. Also because they have Mobil 1. I have tried many places but this is the only one with a pit and M1. This may have been the last straw guys. I plan on getting the correct oil there next week and may not ever let a shop do my oil again. I didn't even improve my Spanish at the place.

1 Comment - unproductive I know. If you take your car to morons like these, then you deserve everything you get. I won't even take my Honda to the Jiffy/Express Lubes of the world. They are renowned for messing up everything they touch. Sure you can be cheap on your oil change, but it's not cheap to fix their errors and damage.

I have to concur with oreganet. I wouldn't even consider, not for a millisecond, taking my car for an oil change to one of these outfits. Most of the stories about oil changes at these places are far worse than yours.

Oreganet, why is it you always have an unproductive post? Common theme from you here. I was hoping someone else could have a laugh from my troubles. Possibly troubles many of us have had. Most every one knows if you are trying to do you oil "cheap" as you say- you do it at home. You pay MORE at these places because they do the work and disposal. I expect and many times recieve comments from people who have different opinions than me. I have noticed most of yours are negative and in this case wrong. I WILL do my oil on the CHEAP from now on, at home. And, let me just say, if you are now thinking "well.....what I really meant to say was go to the dealer" or some other backpedaling I am not impressed by much that a dealer does, certainly not for what they ask. Until today I thought how bad can you screw up an oil change? Here's a deal. You make positve posts, pro or con, but positive. Don't just rush in to write something contrary and I will lighten up on you. Take the time to review some of your post responses before you come up with some stinging rebuttle. I really don't need it after today.

<Fetches popcorn>

CTO, it's okay if you don't like my posts - I'm not offended. I tend to be realistic and honest and I know that you typically don't like that. Common sense is something I have and try to bring to my posts. I read your post, slapped my forehead and wondered if it was possible to have Porsche confiscate your 996 for some of the attempts at abuse you post about. I'm not the most mechanically minded and am far from an expert in automotive repair, but I really do wonder about your ignorance sometimes.

I know you are not offended, but you can be offensive. You have made many responses in the same vein to my posts and others here. Usually I just overlook them because too many people act that way in forums. Read your own post. I read your post, slapped my forehead and wondered if it was possible to have Porsche confiscate your 996 for some of the attempts at abuse you post about. I really do wonder about your automotive ignorance sometimes. Oreganet, just make an effort to respond like you were sitting at a table with us. A little civility is all I ask.

I have to say I would never take a decent car to one of those places. I did take my wifes jeep cherokee with 250k miles on the clock but thats it. I think there are 3 ways to do this task 1. take it to the dealer 2. read renntech and do it yourself 3 take it to a good indy 4. I've had a few beers and oreganet's posts have been pretty funny although I can see why you are pissed.....

Ahem, read your post that provoked it. I tend to respond inkind. If I'm curt with you it's usually because of something you've said. I try to be helpful to you (and will continue to help when I can), but in the past you have basically cast aside common sense or evidence that is contrary to your belief, or intentions. In previous posts you have asked for help, then ignored the advice if it's not fitting with what you want to do. I'm cool with that, you can make whatever decisions you're comfortable with, but we're here to present the best information we can when asked and try and guide an intelligent decision. My post above was intended to be flippant, not offensive. I apologize if you took it that way. These kinds of places have a widespread reputation for their errors. Cost has nothing to do with the equation, as you said, do it yourself if you want to save money, but at least have it done in a quality manner - these places wouldn't know quality if it hit them in the face and said "I'm a piece of quality." Thanks p-car - I'm glad you got my point.

Taking your Porsche to a quickie shop is like taking your Rolex to the jewelry counter at WalMart to have the bracelet repaired.....it just does not make sense...... I must say, do you really expect to get good service at that type of place? Do you really think they care what weight oil goes in your car? Do you really think they care about your car? I am not flaming, but go ahead and pay the extra money to get it done right....I scoffed at my 100.00 alignment yesterday at the same place that usually does my cars for 59.00....the guy looked at me and said, hey, it is a Porsche and all four wheels must be done......I thought, well, I have a 50k car, I should know better than to bitch because it costs a little more than my toyota to get fixed.... Tennktm

Oreganet, I don't know how you can wordsmith or take comments out of context any more completely but you are good at it. Hey, I benefit greatly from this forum and respect the members greatly. I was never a big forum guy until not all that long ago. I don't post just to see my post count go up, that kind of stuff. I really get bothered by people who take the time to post negatively. The classic "do a search"response. Why bother with that answer? I like people that help, agree or not but a positive contribution. We all know when we are posting something that is truely helpful versus something designed to take a stab at someone. If your comments were intended to be simply "flippant" than I must be too sensitive. Apology accepted. Lets move on. I'm still hoping someone gets a laugh out of my moronic decision to go to a quick lube :-)

CTO. My posts are always intended to be helpful, even if they are not perceived that way. I will never say do a search. I'll give information and coach. I am not a mean or spiteful person, but I am blunt and honest. I'll say it as I see it and I'll back it up with data. You've read enough of my posts to know that I'm a smart-***, but I will tell you truth, even if you don't like it. Those who know me well tell me they respect that quality. Most even appreciate the humor. ..getting back on topic, I mostly just felt bad for you, as I predicted the story as soon as I started reading the post. The guys working there must have thought it was their birthday when they got to drive the Carrera. I'm just sorry that you hadn't heard of their reputations ahead of your visit. Now move on before Gota911 wants another hug... he's used up his quota this month.

As a quick lube owner I would not recomed taking your 911 to just any place. I service a lot of 911's in my area but thats because they know I know their cars. I have also taught each of my employee's how to properly change and check the oil on the different versions of the 911. Not all quick lube's are full of morons but the vast majority of them do not know how to properly service our beloved automobiles. Chris

Chris, I too was interested in the business. Actually I progressed a good ways in plans but ultimately location, or lack thereof, caused me to back off. This Place is a new facility. I have spoken with the owners. They may need to speak with their guys more like you have but I certainly feel this family owned detail and M1 lube is a cut above. Well, maybe the jury's still out on that one.

+1

CTO, just bring your own oil and filter next time. I certainly never cared if a customer brought them to my shop. It's not like a shop makes any money off an oil change, and I got to keep their used oil to sell for $.25/gal. If you have built a relationship with the shop owners AND they are active/present managers of the shop, then go there, as long as they do what you tell them. I'm sure they enjoy your car being seen there, so I doubt they'll run you off for bringing your own parts. I just put a front sway bar on a friend's new STI. I looked at the no name oil filter with oil dripping off it. "Quick lube for your first oil change," I said? "Yea, but who knows what they put in it," he replied. I retightened his filter and plug... David

All I will say is that these cars are EXTREMELY easy to work on and to trust somebody with your 911 (or anything else) is just asking for trouble. Having a good friend that was a regional manager with Subaru North America he told me of all the horry stories of customers that thought saving a few bucks at jiffy lube, et. al was just fine until they had car troubles and tried to claim warranty work. Over torqued reassembly, draining the wrong fluid (tranny instead of motor oil) just to name a few turned out to be disaters! While the fact that you continued to stay there and let them do whatever to your car and then complain versus avoiding it in the first place just baffles me, but what get's me everytime I re-read your post is "last few times they have put in too much oil". Why would you continue to tolerate such ignorance? The amount of time invested teaching them NEW things about your car and the time invested in going through this process is wasting more time than just doing this yourself at home. I truly hope you have learned from this experience and start changing the oil at home or take it to the dealer or an indy.

That bit really baffled me too. A history of making mistakes when the car was taken there, and then standing there and watching the train wreck happen I just didn't understand. One mistake I forgive - a history of them I do not. I'm not sure I would have been giving them a second chance to screw up my car.

Sorry, I don't get it either.

Never get your Pcar's oil changed at a quickie lube... Unless you bought it at a Ford dealership

I like David's suggestion the best. I used to do this back when I had my first Jaguar (yes, I'm soooo stupid that I actually thought the second one would be better but we won't go there...) and took it to my friendly Shell station (where they naturally would not have the filter). Plus that monster took 12 quarts of oil, and I wasn't going to pay their inflated prices... But I digress. My one and only experience with a quick-lube place was actually a quick-tune place that did my oil change for me (no tune-up). I brought the car home and checked and it was half a quart low. I brought it back. WTF? Their response "well, it takes 5 1/2 quarts but we didn't want to have to open a new can for only a half quart". So I screamed at them and made them put in that half quart. I am *so much* calmer now. OK, so now I've gotta tell my story on my first 911, the 964. I bought it from a guy in Charlotte NC, I live in Cary (near Raleigh). I wanted to use it for a driving school that next weekend in Georgia (Roebling Road)... and the car needed tires. So I called my friend who owns a BMW indy shop in SC and asked if I could ship the tires to him and have him put them on. Fine. So that Friday I got the trailer, drove to Charlotte, bought the car, put it on the trailer, drove to Rock Hill SC, and he put on the tires for me. Hey - while I'm here, if you don't mind, could we change the oil too? He's a nice guy, so he says sure. Another customer of his had to run to the parts store for something, so I gave him $20 and asked him to get me a filter. So we look for the drain plug, drain out the oil, replace the filter, lower the car and start pumping in oil. After about 3 quarts it upchucks all over the floor. My buddy is pissed. We look, and damn if it ain't full. WTF? So I said, "hey, maybe we should read the manual?" Like hell, says he, so he goes off to call a friend. "Anything special on changing the oil on a 911?" he asks. Nope. So I look in the manual. Turns out that the sump drain is different than the crankcase drain, and we've hidden it with the lift pad. So we drain the sump and put in the 11.5 quarts and after 4 hours I'm ready to go. It was quite amusing. Of course, my friend now swears that he will never ever again allow a Porsche to darken the doors of his BMW shop. OK, I can't let this thread go without sharing this story - you Raleigh guys (Dell, etc.) can chime on if you want. Last summer, a guy tried to sue a Jiffy Lube place because they ruined his engine. Turns out they put in antifreeze instead of oil in his crankcase. So he parks his butt out on the road in front of the various JL stores throughout Raleigh with a sign that says "Jiffy Lube ruined my car!". Long story short - it turns out the guy used to work there. What's more, he was the one that did the work! He f**ked up his own car! And expected them to pay for it. They did, just to shut him up. That's the quality of people that these places often get. That's why I do my own oil changes. Michael

I heard about this guy. What an idiot. Almost as good as the garbage guy that is suing his town for a garbage truck hiting his car... he was the one driving the truck that hit his car. WTF ever happened to self-responsibility?!?!

+1. Why would you try to save a few bucks in this manner?

+1... Dealer or Indie.

Not to stir the pot, but I have no problem with oreganet's posts? Perhaps it is because I too grew up in the burbs of Philly? Anyway, I would not taker my car to a fast lube or dealer...strictly my trusted indy (I bring my own oil also).

Thank you. I appreciate your post. I'm not a trouble causer, but I will say it as I see it and back it up with data. Logic and common sense sometimes are not as common as people think and i don't mind sharing.

'After about 3 quarts it upchucks all over the floor.' Similar story... First oil change on my first 911 (a '72) don't know what I was thinking but pulled the drain plugs on it over an oil changing pan and walked in the house to let it drain for an hour or so. Came back to see almost the entire floor covered with used motor oil. I never checked the capacity on the pan, it was six quarts, so I had 5-6 quarts now evenly distributed in my garage. The car looked nice sitting on that glossy surface though What I found most amazing is how talented the concrete guys were that built my house to get the floor that level.

IIRC, oreganet is from Boston originally, correct? Or just likes the Patriots for some reason? I pick mostly in jest but I grew up in Philly and there is indeed a difference "growing up there" and "moving to the burbs" as an adult, especially different if you grew up inside the city [sorry wross...]. Although I will admit that oreganet has a lot of the "blunt, tell it like it is" character that is pervasive in the Philly area. They sure don't tolerate idiots in Philly like they do here in CA!

I've lived in many places - inside and outside the US - including CA (Bay Area), outside Boston and outside Philly. I pride myself on a no BS attitude. Massachusetts is my spiritual home, even though I don't live there anymore. I'm not big on pandering to fluff or weak logic. I try not to be offensive, but if something is just junk, then I'll say it. I can give it and I can take it. If you give it, then you'd better be ready to put some substance behind an opinion. BTW, Philly and Boston have a lot of cultural similarities, even though Boston has fared better in recent years. I'm impressed that you remember that I'm a Pats fan.

If I were to summarize the culmination of my social education from growing up in Philadelphia, *that* would just about do it. I've little tolerance for idiots. Nor do I think people should be tolerant of me when I'm an idiot. Not to go too far off topic but IMHO, it's been the coddling of idiots and sinking to the lowest common denominator of intelligence that has weakened America as a whole. Again, just IMHO, this is where attitudes like: "Why make kids learn more today in high school when we can just lower the standards for graduation???" comes from... Umm, it was the only thing I ever didn't like about your posts! Hey, I'll be back in the area next week for the holidays. I'll look for your white 996 in D-town.

Kindred spirit! Despite the good weather (unseasonably warm) right now, sadly the car is off the road. I'm siting here recovering from surgery and my recently purchased aero kit is sitting waiting to be installed over the holidays... once Dayton from DPS sends me the installation hardware for the sideskirts.

Hmmm...I don't think there's anything funny about letting idiots f@ck with your car, especially a 911. Chalk this one up to shoulda, coulda, but didn't.

You didn't get yours either?! I had to get Dayton to resend the hardware, but unfortunately he sent me an incomplete set (missing 7 u-clips and 10 self-tapping screws). I couldn't wait any longer, so I went to the local dealer for the rest. Be sure to check your set once it arrives. Good luck with the install. No hard feelings, Dayton!

Thanks for the heads-up. I was so annoyed when I realized that the hardware was missing. I can't tell you how many times I searched that box for the stuff. Thankfully I have the full parts list for what should be included with the kit, so at least I know what I'm missing. I had been planning on doing the install over Thanksgiving, but I guess the paintwork took longer than anticipated (which I don't mind as long as it's done right - which it was), so the kit arrived on Wednesday and I'm sitting and waiting impatiently to do the install. Dayton has been great at answering my questions and has promised to send the full hardware set, but I would have preferred that it was in the box when it arrived. Dell and Gota911 already have me pinned to a promise of photos of the before/after and install process.

THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T USE QUICK LUBE PLACES AND ONE MORE REASON

My impression of oreganet is that he likes to push some buttons, but it's usually in good fun and is not meant to be offensive. I feel somewhat bad for you if anything bad happened to your nice looking P-Car, but I have to agree that your trip to a quick lube is pretty careless. That's like someone saying "I put my hand in the garbage disposal to see if the blades were sharp and damn it, I cut my hand!"

... I would phrase it, "I like to challenge the status quo". ...but otherwise I would agree with your assessment. Nice to see the jury is not voting for the death penalty.

Just to pile-on here but I've never really found anything particularly negative about oreganets posts either, but I also don't take it personally when I read something on the internet. :/ But back to the original subject...going to most any quik-lube type place with your car is pretty damned irresponsible. Please keep in mind that this is the quality and nutritional equivalent of 'fast food' in auto service and why you would take any car there worth more than about $800 to get the oil changed is beyond me. But even worse is *why* would you keep doing it and expecting different results? Similar story.....about 20 years ago I had sold my (very reliable, very little maintenance problems) Rx-7 to a guy I went to high-school with, when he saw me about 3 months later he got pissed off and started complaining about stuff that had broken and he'd had repaired but that kept breaking again (master cylinder, clutch cylinder, brakes, etc). I said "wow, I'm sorry but I honestly never had problems with the car...where are you getting the work done?". His answer? "At the local technical school" Me: "Uh...I think I see what the problem is". c'mon....you're living in Conn and driving a 3 year old 911.....splurge on the extra $50 to have a qualified indy or dealership do the work.......or buy some jackstands, wrenches and a bucket to do it yourself.

I own a Mazda dealership on the side and it confounds me why people go to these QuikLube places. We charge (Mazda dictates) $29.95 for an oil change and our Tech's refill washerfluid, check the air filter, spray locks/hinges/whatever with Silicon grease and 90% of the time rinse the car down unless we're busy. Yet a lot of our customers go to QuikLube where they say it's $24.95 and you can't leave the place without a $50 bill! Also, if a customer gets all their service done with us it gives them a better trade-in value because we know where the car's been and it's history of regular maintenance.

Took my '99 C4 996 for its first oil change to Bev. Hills Porsche after reading this post. $325. Does anyone else pay this much?

It's a good DIY. I take my truck to the local Jiffy Lube (mainly because the filter is a PITA to get to) and they are pretty decent, but there is no way my 911 goes to the Jiffy Lube.

Jiffy Lube has overfilled two of my cars - completely randomly selected locations. Never going to trust an 18 year old to change my oil again. (period.)

Once a quick lube place here forgot to tighten the oil cap. On an incline it was obviously too much, it flew off and as a result oil all over my engine bay. It might cost the quick lube place 3 times the amount I paid to buy me a new oil cap and clean the engine bay, for the 'quick and cheap' oil change.

It's way too easy to DIY to let someone who is not worthy touch your car. You'll feel manly, your neighbors will think you're cool, and you'll know exactly what oil was used. Coincidentally, I did mine this afternoon. By the way, even doing it yourself, it's going to cost you $100 for quality oil and a filter.

I wouldn't take my Toyota to a quick lube place either - but I get the idea - if I can DIY - but don't have the lift / ramps - why not go to the local gas station and have them do it ...maybe quicker and cheaper than the local dealer - sure for saving $100 seems to be taking a high risk - but if you can find a good ASE mechanic at the local gas station with a lift that will let you watch while he does the job with your own oil/filter - perhaps that would be a better way to go than the quick lube .....then again... I think I will just go back to the indie - at least he knows what else to check for while the car is on the lift ... so that is worth the extra to me .....

Quotes source post: 8634245

My Indie in San Jose charged $225 including mini inspection (he cleaned the radiators, set the tire press, checked the air/cabin filter, test drive) - local dealer here was $185 (just the oil) or $285 including inspection.