Bad experience at Mr. Lube (Question about changing own oil)

stinkynuts · Jan 16, 2019

I recently had a very negative experience at Mr. Lube.

The technician had an extremely shitty attitude towards me. He did not offer me a newspaper or a drink as required by protocol. He did none of the services such as check tire pressure, oil hinges, etc... He asked me several times to do a rear differential fluid change and a coolant change. He quoted me $400 for this, on top of the $150 for the oil change.

I asked another one of the employees (who again pressured me to do the services) to make sure my winsdshield fluid was topped off. He said he would, but never even told the other guy to or did it himself. All they care about is getting as much money from you as possible. When I left, there was not even a thank you, and he had a very condescending attitude. Maybe because I didn't do the services.

I left very angry. I vowed never to go to one of these places again, and I will change my own oil finally, after 25 years of driving.

I looked up Youtube videos, and it seems fairly easy. I'm actually looking forward to it, and am very excited.

My main concern is that the car will fall on top of me and kill me. Seriously. I don't trust jack stands. I have heard of ramps that you put under your car, and am thinking of buying them for $100. Is is much safer?

Any thoughts and advice about changing your own oil would be appreciated. I guess that once I life the car up, I can change all the fluids: brake, coolant, rear differential, transmission, etc. |All for the cost of the fluids. Saves hundreds.

kugel2 · Jan 16, 2019

stinkynuts said:
I recently had a very negative experience at Mr. Lube.

The technician had an extremely shitty attitude towards me. He did not offer me a newspaper or a drink as required by protocol. He did none of the services such as check tire pressure, oil hinges, etc... He asked me several times to do a rear differential fluid change and a coolant change. He quoted me $400 for this, on top of the $150 for the oil change.

I asked another one of the employees (who again pressured me to do the services) to make sure my winsdshield fluid was topped off. He said he would, but never even told the other guy to or did it himself. All they care about is getting as much money from you as possible. When I left, there was not even a thank you, and he had a very condescending attitude. Maybe because I didn't do the services.

I left very angry. I vowed never to go to one of these places again, and I will change my own oil finally, after 25 years of driving.

I looked up Youtube videos, and it seems fairly easy. I'm actually looking forward to it, and am very excited.

My main concern is that the car will fall on top of me and kill me. Seriously. I don't trust jack stands. I have heard of ramps that you put under your car, and am thinking of buying them for $100. Is is much safer?

Any thoughts and advice about changing your own oil would be appreciated. I guess that once I life the car up, I can change all the fluids: brake, coolant, rear differential, transmission, etc. |All for the cost of the fluids. Saves hundreds.

I'm sorry what? $150 for an oil change? Doing full synthetic on a big block engine? That's ridiculous. The newspaper and drink thing is just petty, get over that. Call the dealer for your car, and ask what they charge for an oil change. Ramps are great if they support the proper weight, and as long as you don't drive off them when you try to get up.

"I guess that once I life the car up, I can change all the fluids: brake, coolant, rear differential, transmission, etc." Changing coolant, brake and tranny fluids aren't just a matter of drain and refill, there is much more to it, like bleeding air pockets, trans flushing, etc.....

Velvets · Jan 16, 2019

It’s a business. Their job is to upsell. All you have to do is say no.

Perhaps you came off to them as rude too. Customer service is also their job but everyone can have a bad day.

I’ve never paid $150 for an oil change even with full synthetic

stinkynuts · Jan 16, 2019

Velvets said:
It’s a business. Their job is to upsell. All you have to do is say no.

Perhaps you came off to them as rude too. Customer service is also their job but everyone can have a bad day.

I’ve never paid $150 for an oil change even with full synthetic

No, I don't think I had a bad attitude. But I recently changed my car from a Mazda to a BMW. They may think that I have an attitude beacause of that, and also more money.

OnTheWayOut · Jan 16, 2019

Do you live near a Costco? $50 or so for full synthetic oil change. About the same cost as buying the oil and filter to do it yourself. Plan to go off-peak tire seasons as they would rather sell tires than oil changes.

Ramps are safer than jack stands IMO. You're right, it's not really that hard to do it yourself. Problem with DIY is you need to dump the old oil in the bottle and take it for disposal. It is not hard but can be a bit messy if you are not experienced, you WILL spill some oil or miss the drain pan, especially changing the oil filter. Get nitrile gloves - sold at Costco or any auto parts place among others. Make sure the engine is fully warmed up (which also means the oil will be very hot).

Best of luck.

richaceg · Jan 17, 2019

stinkynuts said:
No, I don't think I had a bad attitude. But I recently changed my car from a Mazda to a BMW. They may think that I have an attitude beacause of that, and also more money.

Only dealership offer newspaper and coffee...and it's self serve most of the time...don't expect anyone else to do the same. It seems that from the start because you didn't get what you expect was bad from the start. These shops see lots of cars everyday so don't think your BMW is something that would make them piss and moan...why didn't you take your car to the BMW dealership?

stinkynuts · Jan 17, 2019

slurp said:
Do you live near a Costco? $50 or so for full synthetic oil change. About the same cost as buying the oil and filter to do it yourself. Plan to go off-peak tire seasons as they would rather sell tires than oil changes.

Ramps are safer than jack stands IMO. You're right, it's not really that hard to do it yourself. Problem with DIY is you need to dump the old oil in the bottle and take it for disposal. It is not hard but can be a bit messy if you are not experienced, you WILL spill some oil or miss the drain pan, especially changing the oil filter. Get nitrile gloves - sold at Costco or any auto parts place among others. Make sure the engine is fully warmed up (which also means the oil will be very hot).

Best of luck.

Great advice, thank you. I don't have a Costco membership, though. Looking forward to doing it on my own.

kugel2 · Jan 17, 2019

stinkynuts said:
No, I don't think I had a bad attitude. But I recently changed my car from a Mazda to a BMW. They may think that I have an attitude beacause of that, and also more money.

Why would you not take it to BMW for service. You are driving a "premium" car. Is it a matter of cheaping out on the service? If you ever go to resell or trade that car, and your service history is from random cheapo places, what do you think that does to the value of your car? Billy at Canadian tire did your brakes, with Motomaster parts?? Oh, and if these quickie service places screw up, good luck dealing with them.

bver_hunter · Jan 17, 2019

I have had a really lousy experience at Mr Lube as well. After an oil change the inside of my car roof was stained with oily fingers. It was reported to the supervisor who came along and cleaned it. Was not a very good job, but that was not it. When my car was parked on my drive, I noticed a pool of oil under the car. Had to take it back to have the nut tightened. So, I have stopped using them.

stinkynuts · Jan 17, 2019

kugel2 said:
Why would you not take it to BMW for service. You are driving a "premium" car. Is it a matter of cheaping out on the service? If you ever go to resell or trade that car, and your service history is from random cheapo places, what do you think that does to the value of your car? Billy at Canadian tire did your brakes, with Motomaster parts?? Oh, and if these quickie service places screw up, good luck dealing with them.

Basically anytime you do anything at a BMW dealership, you get charged an arm and a leg. I would rather "cheap out" to save money for escorts.

shack · Jan 17, 2019

stinkynuts said:
I recently had a very negative experience at Mr. Lube.

The technician had an extremely shitty attitude towards me. He did not offer me a newspaper or a drink as required by protocol. He did none of the services such as check tire pressure, oil hinges, etc... He asked me several times to do a rear differential fluid change and a coolant change. He quoted me $400 for this, on top of the $150 for the oil change.

I think that you should troll them.

stinkynuts · Jan 17, 2019

shack said:
I think that you should troll them.

Any suggestions on how?

shack · Jan 17, 2019

stinkynuts said:
Any suggestions on how?

I was wondering about it myself. For sure not as easy as trolling a scamming escort.

I was thinking wait until they open the oil can and then tell them that you want the other kind instead. Or tell them that you want the works done and when it's on the hoist and they are just about to start, tell them that you have a family emergency and have to go.

Like I said, trolling the escort is easier.

hamermill · Jan 17, 2019

You deserve what you got for going to Stupid Lube.

james t kirk · Jan 17, 2019

I use Jack stands all the time when changing oil.

I have a really good floor Jack to raise the car, I put Jack stands under the sills of the car, I lower the car onto the Jack stands, AND then I put the Jack under the suspension of the side I'm working under and just kiss the suspension with the pan of the floor Jack as a backup.

I drain the oil into a pan, then pour the pan into a large home Depot pail complete with lid where I store the waste oil.

When the pail is full I take it to the city of Toronto Disco Road transfer station and drop it off at the household hazardous waste disposal facility where the city will take it for free.

malata · Jan 17, 2019

shack said:
I was wondering about it myself. For sure not as easy as trolling a scamming escort.

I was thinking wait until they open the oil can and then tell them that you want the other kind instead. Or tell them that you want the works done and when it's on the hoist and they are just about to start, tell them that you have a family emergency and have to go.

Like I said, trolling the escort is easier.

hmmm...something smells fishy here

Ceiling Cat · Jan 17, 2019

RE: Non engine oil fluids. Modern cars use premium synthetic fluids and do not need to be changed as often as fluids that was used years ago. Some fluids do not need to be changed for 160,000 kms. Cars use iridium spark plugs that last 160,000 kms.
I have been changing my own oil since my first car at 16 years old. If you buy a good jack and jack stands you should be safe. To add better stability I jack the car up and place the jack stands under the car then ease the jack down on the stands but do not take it out from under the car and let it give more stability with a third point holding the car up. Always put on your rear brakes when jacking up a car. I am not familiar with all BMW engines but my oil filter is on top not under the engine like most cars. This makes it very easy to change. I use the jack and jack stands on the link bellow, but you can get a good stand at Canadian Tire. You get what you pay for, so don't cheap out.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-daytona-professional-steel-floor-jack-super-duty-63183.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-steel-jack-stands-69597.html

I do special oil changes. A week before I actually do a complete oil changes I remove the used synthetic oil and replace it with regular oil and run that for a week for a engine cleaning. Then when I am ready to do the full oil and filter change I drain out the rinse oil ( which looks like tea now ) and change the filter and put in synthetic oil. The oil is so clear ( especially if you use Quaker State that it is hard to see it on the dip stick ) My BMW came with scheduled maintenance and oil changes, so I just do the oil change before I take it in a week later for the full filter and oil change. If you buy regular and synthetic oil when it is on special ( I buy 4-5 jugs ) you can do the double oil changes yourself for about $50 ( Camry ) Add about $30 for the BMW filter.

* You will need a hex socket set, a socket ratchet and a oil filter cap remover specific to your BMW model. If you do not have a oil filter cap remover you can use a universal oil filter strap wrench if you place a rag over the oil filter cap.

rhuarc29 · Jan 17, 2019

stinkynuts said:
He did not offer me a newspaper or a drink as required by protocol.

lol Required by protocol.
Yeah, that's definitely in the mechanic handbook. :biggrin1:

Prehistoric · Jan 17, 2019

stinkynuts said:
Basically anytime you do anything at a BMW dealership, you get charged an arm and a leg. I would rather "cheap out" to save money for escorts.

I just did oil change in BUDD's BMW Oakville. $169.79
For extra 19.79 you get: unlimited coffee/cookies, newspapers, massage chairs, private TV screens, hot sexy managers wearing high hills and mini (summer time only offer!)
Nevermind OEM oil and filters.

So, why go to Mr. Lube at all?

danmand · Jan 17, 2019

I used to change oil myself.

Now that cars only need oil change every 15,000 km, I have found an easier way: I let the dealership do the maintenance and trade in the car at 3 years before the warranty runs out.

No batteries, no tires, no brakes.

Bad experience at Mr. Lube (Question about changing own oil)

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