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We’ve probably all used a Quick Lube tent at some point, after all, they are quick and convenient. We’ve all also heard horror stories about some of these places and the consequences of having your car repaired there. Today we’ll go over some of the pros and cons of visiting a Quick Lube, what services you should have done there, and what services to avoid.
First, the Pros.
– Quick and Convenient: There’s no question that these places can get you in and out in a fraction of the time a full-service shop can, in many cases you don’t even have to get out of your car. Also, their locations are plentiful and easy to find.
– Price: This is both a Pro and a Con, although I’ll cover the Pro part here. The price in these places is very good when it comes to things like replacing headlights or other small bulbs and minor things like air filters and cabin air filters (the filter that works for the heating and air conditioning inside the car , not all cars have one).
– State Inspections: More and more of these places are licensed to conduct state inspections now. This can be great. Most full-service stores don’t like to accept so many state inspections, they generally don’t make a lot of money from them, and it takes valuable time for technicians that you could put into a higher-paying job. If you’ve ever had to struggle to find a place to inspect your car before your license plates expire, you can see why having quick lube as an option is a good one.
Here are the cons.
– Up selling: If you’ve ever been to one, you know how aggressive some of these places can be when it comes to selling you additional services. These stores are trying to maintain an average entry price of around $ 100 depending on the store. There is no way around this, it will happen every time you go there. Your best resource is staying informed about what is really needed and what is unnecessary. Once they see that you have an idea of what you’re talking about, they usually back off.
– Price: While some of your items are very well priced, others are going to be on the high side. There is a price to pay for comfort. The oil changes themselves will be well above what you can get from a full service shop. This can be offset by taking advantage of special offers or early bird coupons. Most of your fluid services will be comparable in price to say one type of Firestone or Goodyear repair shop, but keep in mind that in many cases you are paying the same price to have a service performed by a technician with less experience and knowledge. .
– Experience and Knowledge: Let’s be honest, it doesn’t take a lot of automotive experience to get hired at a Jiffy Lube of Valvoline oil change shop. There is nothing wrong with that, everyone should start somewhere and have a chance to gain experience. But this is something to keep in mind when you’re considering having your vehicle’s major components serviced, even if it’s just a fluid change.
Well then, the bottom line. If I just need an oil change and I’m in a hurry, or maybe I have a blown headlight or other small bulb, or I need a state inspection, I have no problem getting my car to a quick lube. However, if I need other major services performed, such as a transmission wash or a coolant wash, I will probably take the time to make an appointment at a full service shop.
* One thing to always remember in any store. They will insist that “The manufacturer recommends x on this mileage” (where x is the service they are trying to sell you). DO NOT create this without verifying it yourself. Look at your owner’s manual, if it doesn’t tell you to do it then you don’t need it. More on this in an article on what I like to call “Wallet Flushes.”