Guess where I won't be taking my car again

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Stelth

Joined
Feb 24, 2011
Messages
2,122
Location
California
A local shop had a Grand Reopening and was selling oil changes for $10. I can't do it myself for that kind of money, so I went in and asked what oil and filter they were using. Chevron 5w30 and Purolator filters, I was told. Good deal, eh? So I had the oil changed in the Geo, and sent my son down there to get his oil changed because Lord knows how long it's been.

So I changed the oil on the Geo today, since it's been about 5000 miles, and it had a Microgard filter on it. Looked at my son's car, and it's got a G77 filter.

I've got nothing really against Microgard (Fram) filters, but he told me Purolator. And the only thing I know about G77 is that they're made in China. So now I don't really know what oil he put in it.

As a promotional "loss leader" type deal, it sure didn't work on me.
 
His excuse is probably that the filter was "made by Purolator" so it's a Purolator to him.
 
Does this supprise anyone? Just like most stealerships they probably buy the cheapest 10w30 oil they can find... I know of many dealers that use 10w30 one size fits all cheap is the best for profit thinking... They can fool most but not all and word gets out fast
 
Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
Does this supprise anyone? Just like most stealerships they probably buy the cheapest 10w30 oil they can find... I know of many dealers that use 10w30 one size fits all cheap is the best for profit thinking... They can fool most but not all and word gets out fast


Is 10w30 actually cheapest? I remember Johnny saying that all grades of conventional were the same price in bulk.
 
They still put in new, clean oil in an acceptable grade and a new, clean filter. You got 5000 miles out of it for $10. You guys made out just fine. I don't see what the problem is.
 
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
They still put in new, clean oil in an acceptable grade and a new, clean filter. You got 5000 miles out of it for $10. You guys made out just fine. I don't see what the problem is.



Probably White bottles with black letters that say; MOTOR OIL and in fine,fine print on the back; "made in China"
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
They still put in new, clean oil in an acceptable grade and a new, clean filter. You got 5000 miles out of it for $10. You guys made out just fine. I don't see what the problem is.


You don't? OK, I'll tell you. They told me that they were going to do a specific thing, and they did something different. My point is that if they used a different filter than they said they were going to, how do I know what oil they put in? I'm assuming it was major brand multigrade oil, but there's no way for me to know. That's the problem. If I were to go there for a repair, how would I know if they're going to do things the way they tell me they're going to do them? The answer is, I wouldn't.

You can't swing a dead cat around here without hitting a mechanic shop. There's no reason for me to choose this one.
 
If you haven't drained his (or yours) oil, have it tested. Tell Blackstone it's "unknown" but "possibly" Chevron 5w30 and see what they come up with.....based on the active/live additives/TBN and the "oil thickness" during testing, they should be able to draw a conclusion of what kind of oil this was.....if not, they should at least be able to tell you if if truely is a 5w30.....but ofcourse, other elements can cause oil to thin out.....so you'd have to take the results with a grain of salt.

But eh, at least you'd know how well that oil held up for those 5k....



But yea, I'm on the same train of thought, he likely said they would use "Purolator" filters, because perhaps the filters they install onto their serviced vehicles are supplied/shipped/distributed BY Purolator, only with another "generic" name on it....
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Stelth
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
They still put in new, clean oil in an acceptable grade and a new, clean filter. You got 5000 miles out of it for $10. You guys made out just fine. I don't see what the problem is.


You don't? OK, I'll tell you. They told me that they were going to do a specific thing, and they did something different. My point is that if they used a different filter than they said they were going to, how do I know what oil they put in? I'm assuming it was major brand multigrade oil, but there's no way for me to know. That's the problem. If I were to go there for a repair, how would I know if they're going to do things the way they tell me they're going to do them? The answer is, I wouldn't.

You can't swing a dead cat around here without hitting a mechanic shop. There's no reason for me to choose this one.

99% of the people who came in for the $10 OC did it for just that- because it was $10.
you get what you pay for; I wouldn't of expected that they would be putting a premium filter on there and neither should you have, regardless of what they told you.
and who told you that/ the service writer? he has no clue what the stock room orders! nor does the tech know or care the brand of filter he installs!
the only one who cars is you, so if you care that deeply about and agonize over filter choice that much then you should always do it yourself.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
Does this supprise anyone? Just like most stealerships they probably buy the cheapest 10w30 oil they can find... I know of many dealers that use 10w30 one size fits all cheap is the best for profit thinking... They can fool most but not all and word gets out fast


Is 10w30 actually cheapest? I remember Johnny saying that all grades of conventional were the same price in bulk.


I work for an oil distributor and can tell you that there are indeed price differences between the different weights of oils. They usually only amount to a few dollars per 55 gallon drum, though. 10w30 is almost always slightly cheaper.
 
LOL complaining about a $10 oil change? It was a loss leader special to get people in the door of course they are going to use whatever is cheapest.

If you wanted a better oil and filter you should have done it yourself or paid another shop $30-$40 for better stuff.
 
Originally Posted By: mongo161
If something sounds too good to be true.......Buyer Beware!!!


Bingo. Usually when I read the words for that price I couldn't have done the job myself. Odds are the shop can't either, and they look to cut corners or search for other work. $10 oil changes are a loss leader, no one is in business to lose money.
 
It's a Geo!!!! Im surprised those things even have an oil filter! What engine are they using now? An Intek 24?!?!
 
Ex- Oreilly employee here (don't hold that against me). Depending on how old that filter is, it could be a Purolator. Oreillys changed vendors to Fram while I was at the tail end of employment - I believe winter/spring of 2010 was when it changed. If you see a darker Maroon colored box, they could be Purolotor filters. The newer shipments of Frams came in a brighter Red box.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
2AZFE and Valvoline R&P story/results so far
Replies
6
Views
531
svtrit
IcarusLSC
Mom wants me to start doing maintenance/oil changes on her car (2017 Kia Forte 2.0L)
2 3
Replies
46
Views
2K
Carlostrece
Carlostrece
Cheapest version Supertech
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
Carlostrece
S
Help me "over think" this as many of us here like to do - Mixing 0W-20 with 15W-50 to achieve close to 5W-30
Replies
18
Views
2K
JimPghPA
N
Back down this road again: 0w-20 Civic 2.0 NA highway commuter car
2
Replies
33
Views
1K
Glenda W.
Back
Top Bottom