Oil changing morons...

[IanGT99]

I know this may not be the right section for this, but I know a lot of people will read it here. It has to do with my CAI.

Ok, so I went to AmeriLube today to get my oil changed. I hate going over there, but they're quick and their prices are good. They always hire the most pompous @$$es they can find to work there. You'd think that for working with cars 5 days a week, the guys there would know a couple things....you would think wrong.

The one guy got under the car and started the oil change. The other guy raised the hood and started going through his routine. After looking at the engine for a minute, he raised up and looked a bit puzzled. He walked around to my window and asked, "where's your air filter at?" I sort of laughed and said, "I have a cold air intake...it's a cone filter in the fenderwell on the end of that shiny tube." He said, "what's a cold air intake?" Now, come on....what person that has anything to do with cars doesn't know what that is? Then he asked me, "ohh....ummm...ok, so do you want me to check your filter for you?" As if his previous statement wasn't dumb enough, he had to go and ask me that one. I was just like, "you can't get to it and it's a filter that's good for 50k miles." He walked away scratching his head. He looked at the Civic CAI tube, then back up at me, shrugged his shoulders and went back to aimlessly pressing random buttons on the computer. He messed up my reciept and the sticker that tells me when I should have another oil change, too.

Needless to say, it was a rather odd experience. I doubt I will be going back there now because I don't trust them putting their hands on any part of my car. I don't even think they should handle a butter knife because they'd find a way to cut themselves. And to think people like that actually procreate... lol

[jaketuff]

Hey, it was in West Virginia after all right???!!!

j/k :D Typical oil gun honcho thinking he was Carroll Shelby because he figured he knew more about your car than you...
All the oil change guys are so shocked that I have an SC in there that they stutter and get all nervous when they talk to me about what is what with the car. Most realize what the KN is not to be changed when they see the stickers.

JOUT

[bszopi]

I just find it funny that you people do things to your car, but you can't change your oil yourself....

[peeps]

Originally posted by bszopi
I just find it funny that you people do things to your car, but you can't change your oil yourself.... Maybe he was in a hurry.
Maybe he doesn't like doing it himself.
Maybe he doen't have a good place to do an oil change (apt complex, hilly streets, or driveway)
Maybe he took it somewhere just to spite you.

What does it matter really? Why make a condescending post when you have no idea of the circumstances? I know how to change oil, but my car and gf's car have seen the oil change shop before, either for convenience, a damn good coupon price, or pure fact that I hated changing the oil on her 4 cylinder. Does that mean I shouldn't mod my car?

[bszopi]

Maybe I was just being sarcastic... And maybe it does mean you shouldn't mod your car. Maybe I posted just to see how many people I could upset by saying that. Or maybe its because I think there are alot of people on here that like to talk alot of smack and actually don't know a damn thing about their car.

[The Old Guy]

Originally posted by bszopi
Maybe I was just being sarcastic... And maybe it does mean you shouldn't mod your car. Maybe I posted just to see how many people I could upset by saying that. Or maybe its because I think there are alot of people on here that like to talk alot of smack and actually don't know a damn thing about their car.

....and maybe I'm just too damn old to be crawling around under there when the local garage has a lift. :)

I was surprised at a kid at the local shop when he said he'd pulled the headlight to check if it was in need of cleaning though.

[2Dambad]

The one time I had mine done at a quick lube place (I was 1K miles from home with no tools to do it myself) the guy told me I needed a new air filter and actually brought a dirty paper filter in "from my car". Told me it needed to be replaced or I could damage the engine. Funny thing was, I have a Cone filter behind a heat shield in the car, no paper. I asked him very nicely to show me where he got that filter out of my car, he tried to explain it to me. I told him to just shut up, take me and that filter to my car and show me where it came from. After talking to the manager and getting in the shop area, they realized they had the wrong car, I didnt need an air filter. They didnt even get the right size, I think they just kept a dirty one their to show people. Crooks.

[Jagey]

changing oil is a filthy, filthy job.

[mr_eh]

i used to help change the oil on my dads cars, but the thing is now they fine you for throwing away the used oil, its a very hefty fine, so for 15 bucks its worth it to run down the block and let them change the oil...

[GroovyGT]

Disposal of the oil is the only reason I haven't been changing my own oil, but I just found out there's a place here on base I can take my old oil and get rid of it for free, so I'll be doing my own oil changes until the winter.
So, is it ok if I mod my car now? :)

[Cnix16]

they told me that if i wasnt running synthetic then i should just throw away my CAI becasue i wasnt getting any performance gain out of it...Well i knew that i was and then the guy started talking about carbon build up in my Throttle body, lets just say im stupid and im stuck with synthetic oil now

[bszopi]

On the subject of oil disposal, many auto parts stores will dispose of the oil for you. All you have to do is ask. I have found that over half of the stores here (in a decently small town) will recycle the oil for you.

One reason I don't like having someone else do it has already been mentioned: there are shops out there that try to take advantage of people. Some people may realize this, while there are so many others that don't. Of course, those that don't usually aren't mechanically inclined enough to do their own work. But another reason for doing your own oil (and it doesn't just apply to oil) is it gets you familiar with your car. What better way to learn about your car than working on it? Most of the people that know alot about these car on here know so much because they work on their cars regularly. And for some items of regular maintenance, why not do it yourself to save some money so you can spend it on something else later down the road.

I dunno, maybe I've just been working on cars too long to think differently....

[jaketuff]

Changing oil is a filthy job as said. It costs very little to get it changed for you. In fact my time is worth more than the 45 minutes playing underneath the car and disposing of the oil. It is a job usually done some barely-made-it-thru-high-school hump at these Expressway places, but hey they need to work too. And you are really a sucker if you get worked over by these guys for an air filter etc...:rolleyes:

It pays to know your car. Think about all the CEOs, scientists, and certified geniuses that get taken by these guys at the oil change places because they know very little about their vehicles. Aaaah, feels good when I smash their con jobs.

And besides, what about BMW Owners, with their service plan I suppose they should still change the oil themselves if they want to get the latest DINAN bolt-ons?:D

.02
OUT

[Jagey]

Originally posted by jaketuff
Changing oil is a filthy job as said. It costs very little to get it changed for you. In fact my time is worth more than the 45 minutes playing underneath the car and disposing of the oil. It is a job usually done some barely-made-it-thru-high-school hump at these Expressway places, but hey they need to work too. And you are really a sucker if you get worked over by these guys for an air filter etc...:rolleyes:

It pays to know your car. Think about all the CEOs, scientists, and certified geniuses that get taken by these guys at the oil change places because they know very little about their vehicles. Aaaah, feels good when I smash their con jobs.

And besides, what about BMW Owners, with their service plan I suppose they should still change the oil themselves if they want to get the latest DINAN bolt-ons?:D

.02
OUT

I agree man. Changing oil is a filthy job, and I don't have time to waste on a stupid 20 dollar job.

[bszopi]

Geez... you guys must all be desk jockeys or something. Its starting to sound like you are whining about getting a little dirty. God forbid you have to break out the soap after spending some time working on the car.

And as far as the comment goes about you don't have time... Hmm, I guess I must be managing my time too well or something. I mean, working 45hrs a week, taking 17 hrs of college per semester, building a house and having a girlfreind, yet I still somehow find time to do it.

[Jagey]

Originally posted by bszopi
Geez... you guys must all be desk jockeys or something. Its starting to sound like you are whining about getting a little dirty. God forbid you have to break out the soap after spending some time working on the car.

And as far as the comment goes about you don't have time... Hmm, I guess I must be managing my time too well or something. I mean, working 45hrs a week, taking 17 hrs of college per semester, building a house and having a girlfreind, yet I still somehow find time to do it.

Well you speak your own opinion, because you car is relatively high on your priority list. Some of us, like me, keep the car right at the bottom of the priority list, where a hunk of metal on wheels belongs.

[jaketuff]

Originally posted by Jagey
Well you speak your own opinion, because you car is relatively high on your priority list. Some of us, like me, keep the car right at the bottom of the priority list, where a hunk of metal on wheels belongs.

We all see where my car is on my list of priorities... :D

I will get dirty if it is going to save me $$$. Not if it is going to save me $10-20 and cost me 45 min of life. I am a desk jockey in a sense, but working 60 hrs a week is my norm, so that leave plenty of time to spend the time to change the oil once every 3 mo's... and I manage to get quite dirty.:D

to each their own tho... this is just a classic
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_****ingcontest.gif

JOUT

[IanGT99]

Whew, didn't know this would cause such a discussion!! lol I just like getting it changed at those exress places because they are exactly that....express. It takes them no longer than 10 minutes to do it. I CAN change my own oil. I used to do it on my '92 Cavalier (God, I loved that car!) every 3k miles. Now with the GA, it's a little harder to get under the car because it sits so much lower to the ground. I have to go through the hassle of moving my sub box, getting my spare tire out of the way, getting the jack, jacking the car up, and then worrying about the car falling on me. I don't have a lift in my garage (who the hell does???) nor do I have jack stands.
I just find it's a LOT easier to take it over there. If I wait for 3500 miles, they send a $4 off coupon, then I just take my own oil over there. My dad has worked for Quaker State for 35 years, and I get the oil for free. I worked down there for two summers and I can get anything I want from there. Oil is basically just oil. All that synthetic, high performance, high mileage, or any title like that is pretty much crap. The difference between regular 5W-30 and the high performance 5W-30 is one little additive. Regular has 6 of them, and the HP has 7. Doesn't make much if any difference.
All in total, it costs me $13 for oil and filter changing, $0 for oil, a ten minute drive, and the anguish of putting up with the morons over there.
I know my car. I'm very proud to say that, and that I can do pretty much any maintainance work it requires. Everyone should know what their car does and does not need...especially before going to an express oil changing place where most of them WILL try to scam you into buying things you don't need. KNOW YOUR CAR!!!

[SweetAlero99]

haha my first job was at a valvoline instant oil change. ill never take my car to on of those places after workin at one.

boy the stories i could tell... haha

[bszopi]

Originally posted by Jagey
a hunk of metal on wheels

Why are you on an enthusiasts site if you don't have any respect for your car?

[Marksman]

Originally posted by IanGT99
... nor do I have jack stands.

PLEASE DEAR GOD do NOT work under your car without jackstands or ramps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Far to many people are killed because their jack gives out on them and the car crushes them. Take a look over at gaownersclub.com and read their story.
You never said you did work without them, but I wanted to make sure of that. Please do not!
-Marksman

[SweetAlero99]

^^^ so tru

[IanGT99]

No way, man....I'd never do that. After getting my GT, I was going to change the oil myself. After jacking the car up and seeing how tight of a squeeze it was going to be and realizing the danger in it, I just didn't do it. One of my friend's uncles had a jack break and his car fell on him. It was a very small car, but it still did some damage. He had some broken ribs and whatnot...

[bszopi]

No offense to anyone, but do people actually use a stock jack to jack up a vehicle at their home? Hell, I don't even like to use it on the side of the road, let alone when doing maintenance. I'd recommend going to Sears or even any auto parts store (hell, even walmart) and picking up a regular 4-wheel 2-ton (or higher) jack. They are cheap, they can be thrown in a closet out of the way, and they are a heck of a lot safer (and easier) than the stock jack.

[Ghostrider]

A nice two ton+ floor jack is a good thing to have. Especially if you do a lot of work on your vehicles. But even with this please use jack stands. Also there is a little skill to using a floor jack. Jacking up a car in the wrong place will damage your vehicle. I've changed my own oil before and I've taken it to my dealership to have it changed also. It was in there for warrenty work anyways. If you have time to change your oil. Great. If you don't or you don't want to. Great. Who really cares? :) I personally do not believe you gain any skill from doing it.

[SOCKS99SE]

one other reason to go to an oil change place is the documentation. you go in to jiffy lube/valvoline/grease monkey/oil can man, etc. they give you an invoice dated, miles and VIN. so now on this car you spent tens of thousands on the engine dies at say.... 35,999 miles and a day short of the warranty expiring and the dealer tries to tell you that you didnt change oil enough and they wont warranty it, you shove a handfull of recipts in their face and say F-U replace it!!! :boogie:

I work for G.E. fleet services and on occasion have to fax oil change records to a dealer or call a driver asking them to track down some invoices for LOF's they have paid for and we did not see. the dealer can deny an engine warranty if you cant show the oil has been changed regularly. (I.E. pulls the drain plug and it looks like tar) in other words its a good way to CYA

[BLACK99GT/ROB]

I used to change my oil myself all the time but stopped and started taking it to Jiffy Lube.After the last oil change I just recently had done I intend to start doing it myself once again.The cost has went up and I figure I will save the $37 and do it myself,yes that's right $37.

[Ghostrider]

$37?!?!?!..It cost me $25 at my dealership. Oil, filter, and chassis lube.

[bszopi]

I agree with the jackstands. I never get under my car unless its up on jacks. And it looks so good up on jacks... As far as warranty, I've owned my car for over 8 years, so the warranty is way past over.

http://www.60degreev6.com/hlperf/Current%20Vehicle/Beretta/Performance/3400%20Manifold%20Swap/Image17.jpg

I'm bored so I decided to add another pic...

http://www.60degreev6.com/hlperf/Current%20Vehicle/Beretta/Performance/ECM%20Stuff/Image29.jpg

[BLACK99GT/ROB]

At JiffyLube they have 2 prices for their oil changes,at least the one in my area.It costs $26.99 for their so called cheapy oil change and $31.99 for the "premium" oil change.When I say premium ,oils like Penzoil.I guess they charge more because they the clean windows, vaccum interior,check tire pressure,check fluids,etc.They are supposed to do this stuff but that doesn't mean they always do it.Still not worth the money to have them to do it .

[peeps]

Originally posted by Ghostrider
$37?!?!?!..It cost me $25 at my dealership. Oil, filter, and chassis lube. Well, you paid $25 for just oil and filter cuz our chassis doesn't have any lube fittings. They are all sealed bushings, so no chassis lube.....

[peeps]

Originally posted by BLACK99GT/ROB
At JiffyLube they have 2 prices for their oil changes,at least the one in my area.It costs $26.99 for their so called cheapy oil change and $31.99 for the "premium" oil change.When I say premium ,oils like Penzoil.I guess they charge more because they the clean windows, vaccum interior,check tire pressure,check fluids,etc.They are supposed to do this stuff but that doesn't mean they always do it.Still not worth the money to have them to do it . Penzoil is NOT premium oil......
Hell, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone that even says it is decent oil.....

[Ghostrider]

Originally posted by peeps
Well, you paid $25 for just oil and filter cuz our chassis doesn't have any lube fittings. They are all sealed bushings, so no chassis lube.....

Hmmm...Their sign said oil, filter, and lube. Of course this is just a generic sign for all cars. I have not really check this car completely out yet. Just got it a few months ago. I've dug around the engine and what not. I have not checked out under the car yet. Except for just a passing glance. I'll just have to poke my head under there.

[Molson]

ya, I use a needle greaser to do my tie rod ends.

[IanGT99]

Originally posted by peeps
Penzoil is NOT premium oil......
Hell, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone that even says it is decent oil.....

I would agree...my dad works for Quaker State. Pennzoil bought them out a few years ago. Since then, I've hated Pennzoil in more ways than one. Their oil sucks hardcore. I've tried a LOT of different kinds of oil in my car (Mobil, Pennzoil, Valvoline, QS, Castrol...blah, blah, blah). I'm not just saying this because it's my dad's company, but I seriously have found that Quaker State gave me the best performance and lasts the longest. Like I said before, oil is oil. There's not much if any difference between them, but Pennzoil really does suck for some reason. :confused: