In this thread last year I related my experiences with the Kwik Kar in Lewisville related to them telling me I needed to change my power steering fluid because it was turning dark and thick.

http://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2567002

Well, my car was recently in the shop for a repair and I had them perform some maintenance and I thought while they were at it they could change the PS fluid...after ~160K miles it's probably justified.

But I forgot to tell the repair shop to change the oil.

So this weekend I stop by the Kwik Kar in Coppell to get the oil changed (I stopped going to Lewisville due to the consisten pitch for additional services that I always thought were questionable, and Coppell HAD been better about that in the past).

But, this time, I was told that my PS fluid needed changing because it was yellow and runny! I just politely declined the service, while trying not to laugh, and made a mental note to not trust them for anything beyond the basic oil change. What an absolute rip off/scam...

Stop going to quick lube places. You're prob getting bulk, recycled oil too.

There's a Jiffy Lube I take my wife's vehicle to for an oil change since I don't feel like messing with it (I change my own since I can go full synthetic for less than they charge for conventional) and am tired of the constant upselling these guys try to do. I took it in for an oil change a couple of Sundays ago and they told me that the wipers needed to be replaced (umm...no. I had replaced them that Thursday since we were going to Austin and it was forecasted to rain). They also try to talk me out of every 5,000 miles and say "we're not responsible for engine damage cause by going over 3,000 miles." Uhhh...ok...

Stay away from Jiffy Lube, Kwik Kar, etc. Less headaches.

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Stay away from Jiffy Lube, Kwik Kar, etc. Less headaches.

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I change my own oil in our vehicles, but if someone is going to avoud all quick change places, what other options are out there for someone who doesn't do their own?

Independent service station/mechanic?
Dealership (which requires selling a body part or a child to fund on a regular basis)?

I would recommend finding a trusted independent mechanic that specializes in your vehicle. Oil changes are like a visit to the doctor then. They'll change the oil, sure, but also check the car out. They see lots of them and have a good idea what it should run, feel, look, etc like, and will hopefully catch little things that a non-specialize might miss.

robert

My mechanic changes my oil for $14. I bring the oil and filter. They let me know if there are any other issues. Win-win.

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I would recommend finding a trusted independent mechanic that specializes in your vehicle. Oil changes are like a visit to the doctor then. They'll change the oil, sure, but also check the car out. They see lots of them and have a good idea what it should run, feel, look, etc like, and will hopefully catch little things that a non-specialize might miss.

robert

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THIS. I found a trusted mechanic and I let him change the oil in our domestic cars. he also checks out the car and recommends anything else needed. Since he is honest, there is rarely something else needed.

I'm aware of that. The scare tactics they try to use are ridiculous.

I let the dealer change my oil.

Somewhat positive story...

I have a local Firestone next to my house, and it is a family owned franchise before the Firestone stores started popping up everywhere.

I take my work truck there on the Wheels Maintenance Program and any store can completely take advantage of this if they really want to. NTB in Cinco pushed every up-sale imaginable. Local Firestone opted not to replace the engine air filter, and hold off on brakes as "they're not quite done yet".

So there are good places. You just have to hunt for them.