Comments on: Thanks a Lot Valvoline

By: Thad

Thad — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:54:22 +0000

As far as the oil canister filter element being too tight, it is caused from NOT replacing the rubber O’ring that seals the top cap of the canister to the bottom EVERYTIME the filter is changed. The tool used to remove the upper cap, by Snap-On is an A106 and it is recommended that a 36″ 3/8′ drive extension be used with at least a 12″ 3/8″ ratchet so that installing it will not result in overtightening. If the hex head that the sockets fits on is all gnarled, someone is using a pliers or channel-locks on it and it will very likely crack using such a shade-tree method of removal. Be wary, some oil filter manufacturers do not include this seal with the new oil filter and the $7/hour oil changer won’t know of this problem. Good luck and thanks for reading.

By: Thad

Thad — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:42:09 +0000

Unfortunately, people never read the part of a vehicle’s service interval that differentiates NORMAL duty from SEVERE duty. If you warm up the car for 10 minutes, then leave your driveway which ends at an interstate and cruise at an even speed and your job is right on the interstate requiring only a couple start/stops to reach your parking space in an environment that is always about 60 degrees F then that is NORMAL duty and the interval in 5000 miles. Any conditions beyond these is SEVERE duty and the service interval is 40% sooner. Chances are high that an engine under SEVERE duty conditions where the oil is changed every 5000 miles won’t make it to 100k. Mechanics make more money from people that don’t read their maintenance schedule. I change my oil every 2000 miles since I live in Florida where operating conditions are very harsh and the vehicle has 307k miles on it. Your choice.

By: Curious Cat Investing Blog

Curious Cat Investing Blog — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:07:48 +0000

I wouldn’t bother to try and get them to pay up. I also don’t believe cars need oil as frequently today as they did 30 years ago. Though I believe that is what owners manuals still say.

By: Kristy @ Master Your Card

Kristy @ Master Your Card — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:23:09 +0000

Honestly, I don’t like confrontation unless it’s unavoidable. Not that I have a problem calling someone out when the need arises, it’s just something I’d rather not do if I don’t have to. That being said, since the part was only $15 and not a MAJOR problem, I would have done the same thing as you. There’s no guarantee that Valvoline would have even agreed to fix the problem in the first place, so if you had gone all the way over there only to turn around and go back to Firestone, you would have wasted your time and gotten all worked up over it. I think sometimes you just have to pick your battles and this case was not one I would have fussed over.

By: Hank

Hank — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:31:16 +0000

I would have opted for leaving the old oil filter on just this once. I’m lazy like that. I can’t stand taking my car to the repair shop. So, there is no way that I’m doing it two days in a row!

By: NatalieMac

NatalieMac — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:29:02 +0000

I would have done the same thing you did. I’m estimating it would take at least an hour and a lot of headache to go back to the other place and argue a point. For $15, an hour of my time isn’t worth it.

What *is* worth my time, though is to call them up or shoot off an email letting them know what they did wrong and how it cost them my business.

By: Pinyo

Pinyo — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:38:02 +0000

I hate going to unknown mechanic. I swear that some of them break your parts so that they can show you what needs to be fixed.

Anyway, I would have done the same as you…skipping the hassle.

By: Blaine Moore

Blaine Moore — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:23:32 +0000

I get my oil changed for me rather than doing it myself because I’m not a mechanic and I like having somebody look over my car and let me know of anything I should get worked on before it becomes expensive. I can change my own oil, but I might not notice when the brakes need to be replaced or when a line might be ready to go.

As such, I don’t try to save $5 for an oil change. I bring it to a shop where I trust the guys there and spend the extra money. It puts the money into a local business in my community, it’s convenient, and they’ve always been helpful with what does and doesn’t need to be done maintenance wise.

I let my car tell me when to change the oil, so that’s sometimes 4 to 6 months between oil changes, and I’ll let the experts take a look at the car.