Are "'speedy lube" oil change shops a rip?

[rafterman]

I was due for a change with 7K since my last.

There's like a dozen different places in my immediate vicinity.

But I go to the shop I've been to for probably the last three years.

I do use synthetic oil which of course costs more but this time the shop manager seems like a real hustler and not in a good way.

Do you want a synthetic oil filter, just another $20?

Yeah sure, what the heck.

Your vehicle is due for a fuel system flush, clean $79.95 highly recommended.

Yeah okay.

Washer fluid top up, coolant top up blah blah blah.

20 minutes later I'm on my way $229 lighter in the wallet.

I guess the obvious answer is to just say no but I'm a big believer in routine maintenance to stave off bigger problems.

It seems to me the "house" brand oil and filter used to be like $39.95?

Parting words were "next visit you're due for tranny fluid flush" at like 96K's which if I recollect is $159.

That is routine maintenance that seems very worthwhile to me?

What's the alternative? Tranny shop, the dealership, Can Tire, indy garage?

 

[amaya777]

last month i went to one of them and came home $200 lighter. kind of feels like im getting rip off too
but only they know that, since im not a mechanic i trust what im told, oh well

 

[mikec8inch]

invest in a jack and stand from crappy tire for like a $100 and change it yourself , it's really easy , 4L of oil and filter will cost you $20 , you don't even need a jack and stands if you have a pick-up or SUV.

 

[landscaper]

they are a good deal

AS LONG AS YOU REMEMBER THE KEY PHRASE..... JUST CHANGE THE F****** OIL i have a real mechanic for other things

 

[goalie000]

They ALL try to up sell you. If you do regular changes at 5k there is nothing wrong with the standard oil and filter. Air filters etc should be changed regularly too.

 

[Moraff]

What time line does the manufacturer suggest for your car? I have found that the quick-lube places try to convince you that you need to do it sooner than the manf. reccommends. Which is not totally bad I guess as the more often you do it the less wear on the engine and sundry parts I guess, but it comes at a cost.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

I have changed all my fluids and did all the maintenance on my last 4 cars. My fairly new car (18 months ) just need oil changes till almost the 100k mark. The time it takes you to drive to the oil change place wait to have it done and come back is a minimum of 2 hours. I can change my own synthetic oil in 25-30 minutes. I can do a synthetic oil and filter change for about $20.

 

[WoodPeckr]

last month i went to one of them and came home $200 lighter. kind of feels like im getting rip off too
but only they know that, since im not a mechanic i trust what im told, oh well

You are the 'target' customer they seek.
Soooo easy to rip off...

 

[Incall]

Make it very clear! Just do what I want and no other. In fact don't do a check list for me.

 

[skypilot]

They are a rip off if you are unable to say no. Just change the oil and filter thats it. Say no to the radiator flush, the tranny oil etc which are how they beat you to death. In fact don't go to them if a dealer or any legit garage offers you a no appointment oil change place. The people at the speedy lube are untraned in anything except trying to sell you shit you don't need.
Look on the internet or owners manual and see when you need a radiator flush or a transmission oil change it is pretty close to never.

 

[bver_hunter]

Make it very clear! Just do what I want and no other. In fact don't do a check list for me.

Tell them it's OK as my mechanic will be doing all the other things that need to be done. Remember that the extra $20 is not for "fully synthetic". They also have a fully synthetic one for another $20. Use Mr Lube only for quick oil changes and find some private and reliable mechanic as the main dealers are also a rip-off with how much they are charging per hour. If we use them less probably they will review their rates. They used to charge $ 40 an hour about ten years ago, and now it has more than doubled.

 

[OddSox]

Even if you don't want the hassle of changing your oil (one mistake and it's a mess) you should still be able to replace your own air filter and wipers. All the other stuff (engine flushes etc.) is/are bogus.

 

[DocOdd]

Short answer to the OPs question, yes. Obviously mechanics generally have a bit of a dodgy rep, but the fast oil change places are among the worst (consumer advocacy types have done some stings on fast oil change places, and usually found that most of them try to sell unnecessary services). You want a mechanic who's busy; they don't need to make up extra unnecessary work to do on your car, because they have plenty of other customers. But the rapid oil change places can't keep up their guarantee of being fast if they're too busy overall; people will start getting backed up at peak times. So most of the time they're not really busy. And so not mechanics you want to go to.