weatherman07
08-11-2014, 10:22 PM
So I thought I'd add my 2¢ regarding my bad experience at a Valvoline oil change shop today.
So I'm due for a change (about 7,500 mi which I think is reasonable). I don't have the time to go to the dealership (and I thought I could spare some coin) by using the Valvoline shop that is 10 minutes from my office.
I got there at about 5:20. I had to wait for about 25 minutes before they even started messing with my car, even though they pulled it right into the bay. I noticed that the muppets couldn't even figure out how to turn off the left turn signal, which they must have inadvertently activated. Needless to say that didn't inspire any confidence in their abilities.
Anyway, about 25 minutes in I noticed them milling around looking quizzically at the car. The manager guy was on the phone. When one of the techs came in to ring someone else out I asked him if there was a problem. He said, "No. But they don't know how to change the oil on your car so they called the help line." WHAAATTTT???? At this point I started freaking out.
He continued, "Yeah but I've done tons of these cars so I know how to do it and I'll go out there and explain it to them. Don't worry, it'll be alright." Don't worry ...... Suuuureeee. I asked him if they had managed to remove the oil and when he said no I promptly rushed into the garage and told them to stop immediately and that I was taking the car. They complied, with only a slight attitude, and I took the car.
Moral of the story: take your car to the dealer or to a KNOWLEDGABLE indie mechanic. These cars have 1.) no dipstick, 2.) an aluminum oil pan, and 3.) possibly a weird oil filter design with gaskets...etc. Not to mention the oil provided by the dealer is of the highest quality. Don't trust your car with the Valvoline meatheads.
So I'm due for a change (about 7,500 mi which I think is reasonable). I don't have the time to go to the dealership (and I thought I could spare some coin) by using the Valvoline shop that is 10 minutes from my office.
I got there at about 5:20. I had to wait for about 25 minutes before they even started messing with my car, even though they pulled it right into the bay. I noticed that the muppets couldn't even figure out how to turn off the left turn signal, which they must have inadvertently activated. Needless to say that didn't inspire any confidence in their abilities.
Anyway, about 25 minutes in I noticed them milling around looking quizzically at the car. The manager guy was on the phone. When one of the techs came in to ring someone else out I asked him if there was a problem. He said, "No. But they don't know how to change the oil on your car so they called the help line." WHAAATTTT???? At this point I started freaking out.
He continued, "Yeah but I've done tons of these cars so I know how to do it and I'll go out there and explain it to them. Don't worry, it'll be alright." Don't worry ...... Suuuureeee. I asked him if they had managed to remove the oil and when he said no I promptly rushed into the garage and told them to stop immediately and that I was taking the car. They complied, with only a slight attitude, and I took the car.
Moral of the story: take your car to the dealer or to a KNOWLEDGABLE indie mechanic. These cars have 1.) no dipstick, 2.) an aluminum oil pan, and 3.) possibly a weird oil filter design with gaskets...etc. Not to mention the oil provided by the dealer is of the highest quality. Don't trust your car with the Valvoline meatheads.