Where does your oil change oil come from? (rhetorical)

[Samuel2003]

EDITED/CHANGED:

Hey Guys,

IF you get your oil changed at a place other than a large chain or dealer (also not guaranteed 100%!), don't just assume you're getting the proper oil and/or parts (filter, washer, etc). Double check the work to the best of your ability. Some places may intentionally or unintentionally use the wrong type of oil and/or not replace parts.

[humanoid]

Don - first I've heard of that .

[krygny]

Once!

I checked the oil when I got home and it looked like 90W gear oil, I $#!+ you not. I immediately changed the oil again myself. Oh yeah, I had to destroy the drain plug with a vice-grip and a ball-peen hammer because of how it was torqued on (and I was torqued off).

I only went there for convenience. My car needed and oil change and I just wasn't in the mood to do it myself. I figured, what's the worst thing that could happen? So, the story above doesn't surprise me a bit. In fact, I always just assumed that kind of thing goes on. I mean, they sell reconditioned parts as new, right?

[Titans Fan]

Scary!, Can you tell if you have "bad" oil by checking the dipstick? I'm assuming that bad oil would look darker (or dirty) on the dipstick, but I don't know if it always would.

[humanoid]

Originally posted by Titans Fan
Scary!, Can you tell if you have "bad" oil by checking the dipstick? I'm assuming that bad oil would look darker (or dirty) on the dipstick, but I don't know if it always would.

Not all the time. You will still have some left over oil in the pan and that oil will get mixed with the new oil and will show up a little brown on the dip stick. I think the only way to check it (if you don't change the oil yourself) is to pull the dipstick yourself before they start the car up after they get it down from the lift.

[krygny]

Originally posted by Titans Fan
Scary!, Can you tell if you have "bad" oil by checking the dipstick? I'm assuming that bad oil would look darker (or dirty) on the dipstick, but I don't know if it always would.

Usually, immediately after an oil change, the oil is so light you can hardly see it on the dip stick. This didn't look right. Then, when I drained it, it was thick and blue-ish - just like gear oil.

Here's another anecdote:
I knew someone once who had to hang around small-claims court one day waiting for his case to come up (he was suing someone). While he was waiting, half the cases that came through the court were people suing Jiffy Lube for blown engines and other damage. I wouldn't let those mouth-breathers take out my garbage, let alone change the oil in my Pilot.

[Rapid Rob]

Jiffy Lube, Quicky Lube, etc. BAD. They like to get you in there for a $20.00 oil change, then tell you your other filters & fluids need changing. They pay very little for the crap they put in your car. Oh, & your trans. needs a flush, too.
I come behind these guys every day & see first hand what they do to a perfectly fine car.
Same goes for the "brake" specialists. When I hear squeaky brakes I think, another one "Midasized". We've had more than one person come in to repace their "lifetime" brakes.
Find a good independant or dealer, word of mouth.

[humanoid]

Don - why did you edit? Told us some top secret stuff you weren't supposed to?

[Samuel2003]

Originally posted by humanoid
Don - why did you edit? Told us some top secret stuff you weren't supposed to?

Kinda/sorta. The cases are still ongoing and, upon reflection, I think the less details the better.

It's "funny" that during the briefing, another guy stood up and said that it had also happened to him. I appreciate Krygny sharing his experience with us.

This issue never affected me because I either changed my own oil or I had the dealership handle it (especially when I was working at one). Reading about some recent threads about oils and oil changing prompted me to post what many of us probably already knew but maybe didn't think about that often.

Just another item to throw on the existing pile of automotive service scams...

For those of us with lesser mechanical aptitude or inclination, a few steps off the top of my head that you can take to decrease the chances of being victimized:
1. Do your own work (if you have the expertise, time, and energy)
2. Have your work done by a larger and/or more reputable shop (or a smaller one that has earned your trust)
3. Provide your own parts and ask for the empties or old parts back (mark your old parts before going in)
4. Watch them perform the service (often not an option)
5. Read the fine print on paperwork, especially with regards to guarantees or liabilities/responsibilites, keep all your paperwork/receipts

I hope some of the other members will add what I've forgotten to mention...