Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 04:11:20 -0800 From: "Bristlecone" <luciannopsamranv.net> Subject: Quick Oil Changes Outfits
Christopher A. Nowell wrote in message <7vfr7q$jgr2nopsamune.online.uleth.ca>... >Have you had your oil checked/changed lately? I recently had the same >thing happen after getting my oil changed. It turned out that the idiots >who changed my oil knocked my vacuum tube off. Check for loose or cracked >tubing. I've been meaning to post on this subject for a while now, and Christopher's post provides the impetus. My advice is to stay away completely from these 20-min. oil change shops. I've heard too many second-hand stories to trust these people. And my own experiences have been mostly unpleasant. Once they left the oil filler cap on my '84 900S on a bench; I went back to retrieve it when I rolled out of the parking lot with a very serious vacuum leak. I've had oil pan plugs stripped (then they wanted to sell me a new one!), air filter access screws stripped, overfilled crankcases (twice) and tire pressure boosted to 53 psi. And, of course, they tend to be very sloppy with motor oil all over the engine compartment. These really are untrained or poorly-trained kids. They typically look like they're about 17, and I wouldn't bet on IQs much higher than that. They may get it right 95% of the time; but I hate being in that other 5%. When they first came along, I thought these shops were the greatest idea since dental floss. Now I'm back to changing my own oil unless on a long road trip where I don't have access to the equipment. In such a case, I plan ahead, call ahead to a dealership, explain my situation, and ask if they can expedite me if I come in from out of town. I've had very good treatment this way (I think they like being relied upon). But there are important advantages to changing one's own oil anyway. 1. It's cheaper. 2. It gets done right without question. 3. It puts you in touch with your car, giving you an opportunity to examine other stuff as long as you are down there anyway. If you absolutely can't change your own oil, I'd suggest having a dealer or qualified mechanic do it. My $.03. Bristlecone
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
