Cheapo-place oil changes?

Question

I'm sure ever town has them, the cheap oil-change places. In my town it's called "Precision Lube", and who knows what brand oil the put in my car.

In your experience, is motor oil pretty much the same?, or should I have reason to worry if they are putting the cheapest stuff they can find into my car?

Answer 1

I use Castrol oil, Fram filter, and I change my own. You'll save in the long run and depending on the vehicle you may not even need a jack/stands. Buy yourself a repair manual for you're make/model, they can be really informative even if you don't plan on doing any repairs yourself. It'll tell you how much oil to use, etc.

Answer 2

No, motor oil is not the same. I recommend using Mobil One SuperSyn. It's not that expensive if you buy it at Walmart(although it is more expensive than regular motor oils). But, like the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. I buy the best Fram filter I can there, too. Then, I take it to my Chevy dealership Quick Lube and they will change my oil and filter, using my stuff, plus lube my truck, check fluids and tire pressure, give me a readout of anything that might be going bad or need service, all for $19 and I don't have to lift a thing except my coffee cup for the 1/2 hour or so that it takes. Now, THAT's being a guy...

By the way, most Jiffy Lubes and the rest, use guys that I wouldn't let mow my lawn let alone work on my car. Many years ago, after experiencing a damaged oil pressure sensor, which they wouldn't own up to, I wouldn't ever let those guys near my vehicles again.

Answer 3

I don't trust any of the quickie places. Have known a few people who had their cars really messed up because they put oil in the brake fluid etc. As to brands of oil, you'll get all kinds of answers as everyone has their own preferences and biases. Consumers Reports did a test with a NYC taxi fleet a few years ago. Started with new engines and ran every brand including synthetics. With each brand they did oil and filter changes from 3,000 mile intervals out to 6,000 mile intervals. At 80,000 miles they tore the engines down and weighed the bearings on gram scales to see how much wear had occured. Their findings was that there was no significant difference from the cheapest generic to the most expensive big name brand synthetic or in the change interval. Their only recommendation was use oil with the SAE seal that says it meets standards for use in gas engines and change at the intervals the manufacturer recommends, so you don't void your warranty. Hope this helps. Oh and the last time Consumers tested oil filters Fram came out on top with Lee being a distant second.

Answer 4

the type of oil has a lot to do with how your car runs... cheaper oil is very bad.

what oil does is lubricate your engine and with cheap oil it does not do this as much as it is supposed to. it robs horsepower and fuel milage.so when you change it make sure your using the right type of oil like a full sythetic by quaker state.

and with the air filter, fram is a very bad air filter it is a paper filter just imagine breathing through a thick piece of paper your whole life esspecially hard when your running the same idea with your car.

next time do it yourself all you do is unscrew the drain plug let the old oil drain out put it back on. take the oil filter off put the new one on and add the oil and your done its that easy.

Answer 5

I saw a story on 20-20 on a jiffy lube - they "needed" some maintenance done- they marked the caps and the items that would normally be replaced and they pick the car back up, and guess what? - same stuff on there & the manager would not talk to the camera! Sometimes, I just find it easier to get it changed over at Walmart or somewhere more public, jiffy lube's pretty well-known, I guess we all just take our chances.

Answer 6

its usually bulk oil you will see the big tanker truck delivering it once in awhile . Our local oil distributor uses citgo oil for most of the Lube Pro, Jiffy Lubes in illinois and iowa. I race cars so I always use Schaeffers Micron Moly synthetic. Made from corn oils its green and very slick. doesnt sludge up easy. i overheated my 70 camaro with 502 alum head big block .temp was over 280 I drove the car with no fan belt for over 10 miles. no internal damage. no warping of the heads I was impressed after that. I wont switch oils now.

Answer 7

I wouldnt put cheap oil in my car, the cheap stuff dosent have the additives that the good stuff has.

Answer 8

your a guy do you not feel bad for having someone work on your car...let alone changing the oil for you. you need the best oil in order for it to run up to its best.

Answer 9

Just make sure it's not Pennzoil or Quaker State.

And not a fram filter.

Answer 10

do your own...it's simple.....use quaker state.............do a search