Oil change experience

[MichaelB]

Took my car in for an oil change, an autoshop I've been to once before. I pulled into the bay and it turned out to be a separate business in one long building, a Mobile1 oil change. No problem, I figured, give it a try.

They have conventional, super, and super1 oil. Cost for service is $29, $39, and $69 respectively. I asked for super. Then they tried the hard sell, but with tactics I had not seen before in a consumer retail environment.

He said "Super1 is the recommended oil for your car make and model". I said "no thanks, super is fine".
He then said " No, you don't understand. Super will damage your engine". I said "no thanks, super is fine".
Followed by "This shop won't accept liability for engine damage if you use super". I said " I don't understand the problem. I don't need super1, super is fine. Just forget it. Pull the car out. I'll go somewhere else.
The guy starts yelling, says "I'm just trying to explain why you're choosing the wrong oil but you won't let me talk". "We can't pull your car out because the mechanic already drained the oil, you'll have to pay anyway". I said "then just use super like I asked"
He said something I didn't catch but someone else did (I could tell by the laugh) and then typed a bunch of stuff into the computer terminal, looked at me and said "you have to sign a liability waiver. This shop won't be responsible if you ruin your engine". I signed (a big "X"), they changed the oil.

To top things off they overinflated my tires. They were at the recommended 33 psi when I pulled in that morning (tires were replaced 1 week ago and the car has an auto tire pressure monitor). They added air anyway, increased the pressure to 45 psi. Just a parting gift so I would remember them, I guess.

I understand exaggeration and sales techniques designed to push consumers toward pricier choices, but this is outright lying, followed by yelling. For a $30 upsell. I can't believe Mobil is pushing this - it must be the franchise owner. No plans on complaining to Mobil, as this guy will be out of business this time next year.

[Peter]

Some cars do require full synthetic oil. Don't know if that's what super1 is. But there might be a good reason for the upsell.

Peter

[MasterBlaster]

Not knowing more, if your car runs hot it just may cook the conventional motor oil, and form sludge and hence cause damage. Specifically if the sludge blocks flow of fresh oil in the engine problems will occur. The synthetic versions won't do that.

If your car truly requires synthetic motor oil why wouldn't you want to use it ?

Or was it just a scam ?

What kind of car do you drive ?

[ChadR]

I'm guessing your were getting scammed but as other said some cars are equiped with full synthetic oil from the factory and require it. Corvette's are one example.

[REWahoo]

I'd take a look at the owner's manual to see what type oil is specified - and that's what I would use.

[Telly]

I cringe when I hear stories like this. I do everything myself and avoid these problems. I think I have to, whether I want to or not, as the few times I have let places do something, I was unhappy and they were either incompetent, or crooks.
Eventually, someday... I will be too old to do what needs to be done, and then I think I should just be walked out to a nice pasture, and shot.

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telly Eventually, someday... I will be too old to do what needs to be done, and then I think I should just be walked out to a nice pasture, and shot.

You want the conventional, super or super1 bullet?

[Telly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo You want the conventional, super or super1 bullet?

Oh geeze, it probably would be like that, wouldn't it? Then they'd miss, and say they'll have to charge me for that. Then I'll realize that they're using a pellet gun, 'cuz they broke the other one...

I tell ya, if ya want something done right, ya hav ta do it yourself!

[MichaelB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo I'd take a look at the owner's manual to see what type oil is specified - and that's what I would use.

That's what I did.

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB That's what I did.

No wonder you were pissed...

[MasterBlaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChadR I'm guessing your were getting scammed but as other said some cars are equiped with full synthetic oil from the factory and require it. Corvette's are one example.

It's not just high end cars like a Corvette. Some recent VW's use synthetic oil for example.

[MichaelB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Some cars do require full synthetic oil. Don't know if that's what super1 is. But there might be a good reason for the upsell. Peter

The car does not need synthetic. Just the right viscosity. Which it got.

[packrat44]

I avoid that kind of problem by changing my own oil (and perform all other mechanical work myself). My diesel truck requires a specialty oil and at 12 quarts an oil change it can get expensive in a shop.

[nwsteve]

Being the skeptic I am and that these low lifes over inflated your tires, I at least would very closely inspect to ensure the oil level is correct, and drain plug and filter are properly tightened.
Depending on what you find, I might even be tempted to go and have whatever they did replaced.
Nwsteve

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telly I cringe when I hear stories like this. I do everything myself and avoid these problems. I think I have to, whether I want to or not, as the few times I have let places do something, I was unhappy and they were either incompetent, or crooks. Eventually, someday... I will be too old to do what needs to be done, and then I think I should just be walked out to a nice pasture, and shot.

Someday the Internet will be big enough that anything can happen.

When that day comes we'll read a post from someone who took their car in for an oil change and had a happy, satisfying experience, culminating in a gift certificate for a free oil change.

When I can no longer change my own oil it'll probably be time to turn in my own car keys. Or else when one of my descendants asks "Grandpa, what exactly is this car 'key' you keep talking about?"

Over the last 55 years the U.S. Navy has managed to finally create a submarine nuclear reactor that may never need refueling for the life of the hull. You would think that the world's auto industry could invent an internal combustion engine that never needs an oil change.

[ls99]

Oh yeah.
One of the oil change mills favorite trick is to overtighten the drain plug. Thus partially stripping the threads. The tire over inflation is not a rel bad problem, but unless you know what you are doing, it makes for a fidgety steering response. Great for gas mileage though.
Also check the differential drain plug. The specialists at these places tend forget to put them back.

[rescueme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords You would think that the world's auto industry could invent an internal combustion engine that never needs an oil change.

Mine dosen't - it just leaks out the bottom, along with what the engine burns ...

Don't even worry about the filter, since the oil is rarely recirculated...

Add another quart every so often, and don't worry about ever taking it to JiffyLube.

[Free To Canoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB Took my car in for an oil change, an autoshop I've been to once before. I pulled into the bay and it turned out to be a separate business in one long building, a Mobile1 oil change. No problem, I figured, give it a try. They have conventional, super, and super1 oil. Cost for service is $29, $39, and $69 respectively. I asked for super. Then they tried the hard sell, but with tactics I had not seen before in a consumer retail environment. He said "Super1 is the recommended oil for your car make and model". I said "no thanks, super is fine". He then said " No, you don't understand. Super will damage your engine". I said "no thanks, super is fine". Followed by "This shop won't accept liability for engine damage if you use super". I said " I don't understand the problem. I don't need super1, super is fine. Just forget it. Pull the car out. I'll go somewhere else. The guy starts yelling, says "I'm just trying to explain why you're choosing the wrong oil but you won't let me talk". "We can't pull your car out because the mechanic already drained the oil, you'll have to pay anyway". I said "then just use super like I asked" He said something I didn't catch but someone else did (I could tell by the laugh) and then typed a bunch of stuff into the computer terminal, looked at me and said "you have to sign a liability waiver. This shop won't be responsible if you ruin your engine". I signed (a big "X"), they changed the oil. To top things off they overinflated my tires. They were at the recommended 33 psi when I pulled in that morning (tires were replaced 1 week ago and the car has an auto tire pressure monitor). They added air anyway, increased the pressure to 45 psi. Just a parting gift so I would remember them, I guess. I understand exaggeration and sales techniques designed to push consumers toward pricier choices, but this is outright lying, followed by yelling. For a $30 upsell. I can't believe Mobil is pushing this - it must be the franchise owner. No plans on complaining to Mobil, as this guy will be out of business this time next year.

When they ask it or think it:

You're not economicly disadvantaged so why do you still change your own oil?
See above.

[travelover]

Ironically I took DW's Taurus in yesterday for an oil change. Kid started telling me that I needed Mobil 1 oil as it was now the recommended oil by the manufacturer. I told him to just put in regular Dino oil and that yes, I was sure I knew what I was doing.

Bad enough that they get $32 for a simple oil change, but then they want to upsell me to an $89 job, plus a $1.50 environmental fee, when I know darn well they sell the waste oil.

[Moemg]

I took my car in last year for an oil change at Quick Lube . They pressured me to get a engine flush otherwise my engine was going to die . I said No and they would not stop with the harassment . I tried to leave but same scene . By the time I left I was majorly pis-ed . I looked up engine flushes and they can destroy older engines . I had a eleven year old Toyota at that time . I emailed the company and complained about the harassment . Apology , a coupon for a free oil change & an engine flush ( which I never used ).I have heard so many complaints about this kind of treatment . They must work on commission .