http://www.imakenews.com/lng/e_artic...0qgn0,b186n0qP

Jim

 

Well written article. Just one more way the high cost of fuel is tanking our economy.

 

I don't agree with the owner who blames oil prices for the demise. I wish no one misfortune however, customer service and know how are very poor at these places.

 

I totally agree with you....the "know-how" in particular. Not to generalize, but I believe in many cases they don't train their employees properly....either that, or they just hire idiots that that don't give a rat's a$$ about the quality of their labour.

 

Imagine what would happen if 100% of American consumers suddenly decided to go with the OEM's recommended oil change inervals for their autos.

I'd wager consumer oil consumption for oil changes would drop 40-50% in a week.

These quick oil change places have built a business over pounding home 3 months or 3000 miles.
If the consumer ever wises up, it could have a mich bigger impact than the reduction in miles driven due to increased gas prices. (and OBTW, I don't see much indication that there has been a drastic drop in the number of miles people are driving.)

 

Just wanted to post a quick expeirience with the j-lube. I had an older honda, didn;t have time to change the oil so i thought what the hell. I'll take it to jiffy lube. 300 miles away it loses all resemblance of oil. took a peek under the car. No drain plug. Huh? They stripped the freakin plug. So long story short i made them pay for the $300 tow and a new $225 moroso pan. And they threw in $100 cash.

 

We have a local oil changing place (no franchise or anything). They always have a parking lot full of cars. People are coming in and out all day long. Now unlike some of these big franchises these guys are trained and the owner is always on site. They do a top notch job. Like said above I think a lot has to do with customer service.

 

I don't care for those oil change places. If I don't do it myself, (Which I do most all the time) I will only go to a auto dealer. My wife's Chevy to the Chevy dealer, my Dodge to the Dodge dealer, my Ford to the Ford dealer. Most dealerships have oil-filter specials. I won't even trust WalMart, & I know many here that have had great service from them.

 

There is an "XPRESS LUBE" by Havoline near me that seems to do a good job. Originally I had my Ford dealer doing all my oil changes on my bought new 2002 F-150. I found out the hard way they semi-stripped the drain plug. Bought a new one and do the oil changes myself when I can. If not, I take it to a trusted shop and provide the oil and filter. I get no break for bringing my own oil and filter but I get great service. It's a "comfort" factor I'm willing to pay for .

Whimsey

 

Back when i was prepareing to get married, the (now wife) and I were shopping in Columbia SC, and since we were xtremely busy and were getting ready to drive to Miami to hop the Big Boat, I elected to have my oil changed at a Qik-Lube place. All went well for about 2 weeks , we drove to Miami and back to SC. Then did a few trips moving into our home, I got in the car , that thursday to take our wedding video to my mom's nieghbor . when i pulled out her drive, i dropped the hammer and heard a thud, and saw a can looking thing fly out from under the car. I coasted to the corner and pulled over, got out and looked under the frt, and the oil filter was missing. Long story short, those idiots put a Ford oil filter on a Pontiac 3.4l Twin dual cam engine. I went and found thier filter , made a phone call and after several threats of legal action they replaced the engine with a new crate motor, because GM did'nt remanafacturer the 3.4l engine. that oil change cost them almost $7000, with the engine , rental car, and lose of use.

 

The 3.4 is a V6 with one cam. The 2.4 is a Twin cam inline 4 cylinder, you must mean that engine.

 

nope the 3.4 is a twin dual cam engine used in the early 90's Lumina z34 and the Gran Prix . it is also known as a 3.4 l LQ1 engine.

 

for my cars, i go rite to ford. $29.99 verses $39.99 from jiffy lube, and i know it is don't properly. doing it my self costs the same as letting ford do it when you figure in time and oil disposal costs, so it is a nobrainer to just let ford do it.

 

With regards to oil disposal costs, my local Merlin Muffler lets me dump my used oil in their used oil tank...for free.
John

 

At least here in CA, the same auto parts stores where you buy the oil take used oil and filters for recycling. I used to take my waste oil to gas stations before these official collection centers. They were always glad to take it, since they were paid for it. This was going back almost 40 years.

Jim