Jiffy Lube, etc. good enough for fluid changes?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 361
Likes: 55
From: Los Angeles CA
Jiffy Lube, etc. good enough for fluid changes?
First, it should be clear that I am no mechanic. My question to those of you who have sympathy for fellas like me is this:
To flush and replace the rear differential, transmission, brake fluid and coolant in my new old C5, is it necessary that I go to the expense of time and money to go above and beyond the ASE certified and "warrantied" services offered at the national chain shops in a big city like LA? I can get the three services done for much less money, I can bring AC Delco fluids and filter with me, and save a bunch of time.
thank you
To flush and replace the rear differential, transmission, brake fluid and coolant in my new old C5, is it necessary that I go to the expense of time and money to go above and beyond the ASE certified and "warrantied" services offered at the national chain shops in a big city like LA? I can get the three services done for much less money, I can bring AC Delco fluids and filter with me, and save a bunch of time.
thank you
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 15,055
Likes: 1,613
From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
For transmission fluid, coolant and differential fluid, I wouldn't take my Toyota to a quick lube place much less the Vette. An certified mechanic who I know and trust does those. The oil on the Vette gets changed by a guy who mostly works on top end cars.
If you go to a quick lube place be sure they know how to elevate a C5 before they cause damage.
If you go to a quick lube place be sure they know how to elevate a C5 before they cause damage.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 361
Likes: 55
From: Los Angeles CA
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,763
Likes: 3,281
From: Phoenix area, AZ
First, it should be clear that I am no mechanic. My question to those of you who have sympathy for fellas like me is this:
To flush and replace the rear differential, transmission, brake fluid and coolant in my new old C5, is it necessary that I go to the expense of time and money to go above and beyond the ASE certified and "warrantied" services offered at the national chain shops in a big city like LA? I can get the three services done for much less money, I can bring AC Delco fluids and filter with me, and save a bunch of time.
thank you
To flush and replace the rear differential, transmission, brake fluid and coolant in my new old C5, is it necessary that I go to the expense of time and money to go above and beyond the ASE certified and "warrantied" services offered at the national chain shops in a big city like LA? I can get the three services done for much less money, I can bring AC Delco fluids and filter with me, and save a bunch of time.
thank you
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,119
Likes: 672
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
How about doing yourself a favor . . .
Go to Wal-Mart, get 7 quarts of your choice of synthetic motor oil and a top shelf filter and stop at a Chevy Dealership, or call ahead. $19.95 and they top off you other fluids too. Make sure you want to do this on a continuing basis. Some dealerships have a "preferred customer" programs. Last time I was in, I got half was home when I noticed I had a new set of wiper blades. But it wasn't mentioned or charged for.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Over the last 3 years, our shop has installed 4 replacement engines because of Jiffy Lube f-ups. Two were due to stripped threads on the oil pan drain and another was from a filter that was not tightened, and another from a rubber gasket on the filter not coming off with the old filter and their guy didn't apparently check for that.
The manager of that store at least made sure their customers didn't pay for an engine, but there is no excuse for that sort of stuff happening in the first place.
We have also seen A/C systems being overcharged, auto trans being overfilled and in one case we found a trans filter that was original when the J-Lube customer was charged for a filter when a trans flush was done.
Maybe taking an old beater car to these places during a snowstorm may be OK, but no way would I take either of my Corvettes or my truck there. At our shop, we just have the typical lifts to do oil changes, but we only charge about $5 more for a LOF service and it also includes a full safety inspection.
The manager of that store at least made sure their customers didn't pay for an engine, but there is no excuse for that sort of stuff happening in the first place.
We have also seen A/C systems being overcharged, auto trans being overfilled and in one case we found a trans filter that was original when the J-Lube customer was charged for a filter when a trans flush was done.
Maybe taking an old beater car to these places during a snowstorm may be OK, but no way would I take either of my Corvettes or my truck there. At our shop, we just have the typical lifts to do oil changes, but we only charge about $5 more for a LOF service and it also includes a full safety inspection.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 803
Likes: 42
From: Destin Florida
It really depends on the ownership/management at most "fastlube" places. Jiffy Lube gets mentioned most because they have around 1400 locations nation wide. I am sure there are some well run ones with well trained techs and of course ones not so good. I manage a Express Oil Change & service center in Destin Fl. We have 205 locations to date and we are in the top twenty stores year in and out. We see every high end Porsche, Audi, Mercedes etc. out there, lots of well to do people live and visit here lol. We have very low turnover and our oil bay techs receive constant training. Our mechanical department has two ASE master techs. If you want to use any fast lube place just see how they are rated on google, Yelp etc. There are some great places that know how to service your car and do it correctly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
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From: Wisconsin
I would use Jiffy Lube in the past for my pickup until once they forgot to replace the fill plug in the rear end. Luckily I saw the trail when I got home. I called them and he told me my plug was sitting on the bench. He apologized and told me they were training in a new guy. Never again.
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I would not let a quick lube place change any of the fluids on my C5. I may pay a bit more, but I take mine to a shop I know has the expertise to work on it and will do it right the first time. Fortunately I have a good local dealership that I trust with my car and they have always been very fair to me on charges.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 803
Likes: 42
From: Destin Florida
I would not let a quick lube place change any of the fluids on my C5. I may pay a bit more, but I take mine to a shop I know has the expertise to work on it and will do it right the first time. Fortunately I have a good local dealership that I trust with my car and they have always been very fair to me on charges.
. But I have been in the repair and maintenance business for 16 years. I have two ASE master techs that work for me. One from a big volume Chevy dealer one from a mid size BMW dealer. In A LOT of these dealerships its not the A+ tech guys that change oil, coolant, trans or diff fluids. Yep its the new guys that are just getting started. So if you have a place where you know the individual that works on YOUR personal vehicle every time that's awesome. If anyone thinks that dealerships never have a claim because of a mistake on a car I guess that's the reason none of them carry garage liability insurance like other shops do huh? Not trying to start a pissing match 
Its just not always cut and dried.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Used a Super Lube in my home town for Years......knew the guys in the pit....they knew my vehicles and always knew exactly what I wanted when I drove up.....that being said. When they changed management......moved some staff around......and I haven't been back.
Doing it all myself now.......
If you have a beater....take it first and see what everone is like and what kind of service you get......build a relationship with them and then if, it all is legit....take the vette.
Doing it all myself now.......
If you have a beater....take it first and see what everone is like and what kind of service you get......build a relationship with them and then if, it all is legit....take the vette.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 361
Likes: 55
From: Los Angeles CA
It really depends on the ownership/management at most "fastlube" places. Jiffy Lube gets mentioned most because they have around 1400 locations nation wide. I am sure there are some well run ones with well trained techs and of course ones not so good. I manage a Express Oil Change & service center in Destin Fl. We have 205 locations to date and we are in the top twenty stores year in and out. We see every high end Porsche, Audi, Mercedes etc. out there, lots of well to do people live and visit here lol. We have very low turnover and our oil bay techs receive constant training. Our mechanical department has two ASE master techs. If you want to use any fast lube place just see how they are rated on google, Yelp etc. There are some great places that know how to service your car and do it correctly.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 22
From: Portland OR
I use Jiffy Lube for my oil change.I have gotten to know the guys that work there and they all seem competent to me.I drive in and sit in my vet while they change the oil and filter with my oil and filter.They top of the fluids and I pay them $20.00 for their labor.The rest is to be done in a pro shop.
Fred
Fred