DIY oil change vs. Quick lube

[alansweinstein]

I took my company owned vehicles to various discount oil change shops for years. I made it a point to talk to the employees (out of curiosity) to confirm my observations. They are minimum wage screw- ups who can't keep a job and don't care about you or your vehicle. At one privately owned oil change business I noticed the owner of the business was always in the "pit" draining the oil and replacing the filters. When I asked him why he did all the "dirty" work, he looked at me like I was stupid and responded; when the hired help did it he had to replace too many engines.

I also feel much better when I can regularly inspect the underside of my vehicle for leaks etc. At oil change time I also rotate tires, inspect brake pads, lube caliper pins and do other routine maintenance/inspection. I actually enjoy working on my vehicle and feel it is a part of the driving/ownership experience.

In short I value my vehicle, depend on its reliability and will avoid allowing people who don't from working on it.

[Ourfarm09]

Nice judgmental crowd on this thread. ^^^^

At least these "screw ups" are out there trying to earn a living instead of living off of hand outs.

[rollinhonda]

There are excellent shops around with very competent mechanics. I know of two off the bat I would probably trust with my car more than myself when it comes to more involved repairs.
Like anything, there's good and bad out there. And more good than bad. But it does not always make sense to use a competent mechanic for things you can do yourself more conveniently or economically. It is no reflection on the 'good' mechanic if you go that route. He will certainly be making a good living on more involved jobs not to mention those who are not into DIY for even the most basic maintenance.

[cccbock]

Our local fast lube chain (shall remain nameless) routinely hires a large number of untrained people, ex jailbirds, and high school dropouts. The turnover is astronomical. They have "managers" and "techs" not mechanics. They do not ever touch my truck. And no I'm not judgemental...at age 19 my son worked for them for over a year. At 6 months, they offered him the store manager's job for which he was completely untrained and unqualified.

I do all my own wrenching on 6 vehicles, 2 of which are Hondas. If you must have someone else change your oil, I recommend the dealer. If you have no Honda or Acura dealer close by, use a shop that the owner actually turns wrenches, or at the very least sits in the front office. Avoid national chains unless you personally know the people that work there.

My $0.02

[loginfailed]

The main problems in my opinion:

• You have no idea what oil and filter is being used
• You have no idea if they are actually doing the work correctly/completely
• You have no idea what training they have

Ask questions. If you like the answers and you trust the shop then go for it.

[speedlever]

I have personally had a local dealership leave off the oil filler cap after an oil change (not Honda). I have a friend who took his Camry into a quick-change shop for an oil change over lunch. When he drove his vehicle away after the service, he made it about two miles down the road before the oil light came on and his engine was destroyed. They put the wrong filter on.

Stuff happens.

So I do my own routine maintenance. If I screw up, I know who to blame. I also know the work is done properly and meticulously.

[cdepuydt]

Personally, I would bring my vehicle to a quick lube place, only because I know the owner of a couple of them. He hires the best people he can, trains them right, and the little amount of turnover he has is proof he treats his people right.

With that being said, I doubt very much if I would bring my vehicle to just any quick lube place. I have had bad experiences, have heard more than one horror story, and I get tired of them trying to up-sell you on every service they provide. A while back, my wife went in for an oil change, that was supposed to cost around $16 with a coupon, and ended up driving away after paying over $100. They changed out air and cabin filters that were only a couple of months old, replaced wipers that didn't need replacing, and did a radiator fill and flush that didn't need to be done.

I guess I can't fault the guys at the lube place, because my wife just kept saying, "OK"..."Yeah"..."Sure"...on everything they suggested. I guess that is how they make their money; by providing service, on things that don't need to be serviced, for people who don't know any better.

When I need an oil change I either do it myself or take it to the dealership when I don't have time to do it myself. I drive around 15k a year and change my oil twice a year. For the $20-$25 more the dealership charges (more than the quickie lube places), IMHO it's worth it.

[Parsec]

Wow, so many opinions and horror stories. I suppose I'll just do it myself since it doesn't take long and I can properly check for leaks, etc. Thanks for all the stories.

[Jimmyglendale]

Originally Posted by Parsec

Wow, so many opinions and horror stories. I suppose I'll just do it myself since it doesn't take long and I can properly check for leaks, etc. Thanks for all the stories.

just turn the valve on my fumoto valve and let the oil drain into a jug, if i change the filter every other oil change it is super easy to do. just thinking about the filter every other change?

[speedlever]

My anal nature will not allow the oil filter to be changed every-other-oil-change.