Jiffy Lube vs Dealership

SkillzandDrillz · Apr 13, 2018

Guys,

My 4 yr maintenance plan with Dodge has just expired. It was a good deal. 4 times a year, oil change and tire rotation etc. I paid up front 4 years ago and it worked out about $25 a service.

Now that it's expired, should I continue with the dealership and see what offers they have for maintenance or is jiffy lube and/or other places ok?

Dodge was good, but it always took so long (2 hours) for service due to how busy they always were. Not a deal breaker but still..

Thoughts..what do you do?

Skippy426 · Apr 13, 2018

I change my own oil, may have told Jiffy lube their markup on synthetic is a joke.

My local Jiffy lubes want $100 for a full synthetic oil change. I can do it for $45 or $50 myself... I get everyone needs to make money but they are ridiculous.

They also charge extra for anything over 5qts of oil. My local ones charge $7 for their conventional, and even more for full synthetic.

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tgbraley · Apr 13, 2018

Personally, I would not let Jiffy Lube anywhere near my vehicle, even if It was free.
I have not only heard the stories of their incompetence, but also witnessed one, and experienced one as well.
Plus, I have the MaxCare lifetime, so I have the dealer do the oil/filter and other fluids when it's time. Can't deny a claim for lack of maintenance when they have the documentation themselves.

jfire72 · Apr 13, 2018

tgbraley said:
I have not only heard the stories of their incompetence, but also witnessed one, and experienced one as well.

^^This!

A lot of those places are there just to get you out as fast as they can. While that sounds great, they are going too fast in many cases. I've had my share of problems with places like that too. Haven't been back to one in almost 13 years, don't care if they are cheaper and faster.

The dealership charges me about $75 or so for my R/T with full synthetic. As a bonus I get to check out the new inventory while I wait LOL! Luckily for me, the wait usually isn't too bad, maybe an hour most of the time.

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Chase300 · Apr 13, 2018

Maybe try your local Wal-mart or Costco?
I have neighbors who talk positive about both...shop while the car oil is changed.

BTW, my local dealer uses HS kids for oil changes and I've had a couple bad experiences with them...over-filled, aftermarket oil filter used, damaged oil plug requiring replacement...so in my case Jiffy Lube can't be worse than my dealer, but I went back to changing oil myself.

Roy · Apr 13, 2018

If you are happy with your dealer, I would continue using them. Find coupons and the price can be brought down a bit. Maybe ask for a loaner next time? I topped in JL the other day for one of my cars because we have a fleet account for work. They kept trying to upsell me on all kinds of shit and then charge me $5 to top off the radiator. I haven't been back since.

I have been to 5 different dodge dealers to find one that I actually liked. Seems my local Toyota and VW dealers really appreciate their customers compared to FCA.

tomk · Apr 13, 2018

Avoid places like jiffy lube. Personal experience.

Dealer hasn't been trouble free either, though

Best is a local shop that you have some relationship with. I'm working on that now for my rigs.. i'm getting tired of changing my own oil.

jfire72 · Apr 13, 2018

tomk said:
i'm getting tired of changing my own oil.

This is the only reason why I take mine in. Also hated taking the used oil across town and dumping it in their recycling thing. Would have a cocoon around the oil container of towels and the like. Then I would drive like a 110 year old to make sure it wouldn't slide and tip over. Almost everytime I would somehow manage to get oil on myself when I was pouring it out. Yeah... don't miss any of that LOL!

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Red Ram · Apr 13, 2018

jfire72 said:
^^This!

A lot of those places are there just to get you out as fast as they can. While that sounds great, they are going too fast in many cases. I've had my share of problems with places like that too. Haven't been back to one in almost 13 years, don't care if they are cheaper and faster.

The dealership charges me about $75 or so for my R/T with full synthetic. As a bonus I get to check out the new inventory while I wait LOL! Luckily for me, the wait usually isn't too bad, maybe an hour most of the time.

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My Dodge dealership charges me about the same for full synthetic FCA approved Penzoil and OEM filter plus I always ask for the same mechanic who I know personally. I'm in an out in less than an hour plus they have a very comfortable waiting room with free coffee, snacks and cable TV.

Dadditruck · Apr 13, 2018

Like so many here have said, I change my own oil, but I am getting tired of that also. The only good thing about changing the oil on the truck is that I don't need jacks or jack stands to do it. I can slide right under there and still have more than enough room to do anything as compared to my PT Cruiser, Saturn, or daughter's Fusion, as to where I have to get out the jack and jackstands just to see under the car! I realize that over the years I may have put on some weight but not THAT much weight! I couldn't crawl under those cars if you lubed me up! LOL. Also as far as Jiffy-Lube goes, people tell me all the time, " If your that concerned then just check their work afterwards". I look at them and say "Really?" So I have to get out the jack,, jackstands,( if it's one of the cars) sockets, change clothes, crawl under the car or truck with the wrench and check both the plug and the filter. Do you realize I am 90% into changing my own oil at that point? They look at me and say " Yeah, didn't think about it that way." Well I did!

MikeD1 · Apr 13, 2018

I used to do my own, but it's just too much hassle without having a lift & then there is the old oil disposal issue.

As others pointed out, the dealer is about the same price (especially if you coupon hunt) as the Quick-lube places. The only hassle is having to make an appointment & wait a bit longer for the car, tho many large dealers have the 30 minute fast lane thing. Then there is the added peace of mind knowing your routine maintenance has been documented & they can never claim you failed to keep it up, used the wrong filter etc.

GreenD · Apr 13, 2018

tgbraley said:
Can't deny a claim for lack of maintenance when they have the documentation themselves.

I agree, and that's why I took my Tahoe to the Chevy dealer, take my D to the Dodge dealer, they can never claim negligence. With an appointment they get me out in 45-50 minutes, really have a good service department. I also think in the case of a trade it can count in your favor when they see the maintenance, when I traded my Tahoe the dealer said "wow, you maintained the crap out of that vehicle".

SkillzandDrillz · Apr 13, 2018

Great responses guys, Thanks.

Think I will stick with the dealer and look for coupons/talk them into a good deal.

The wait for dealer to do it is worth it vs doing it myself and risking the Jiffylube nightmares.

Humy · Apr 13, 2018

tgbraley said:
I have the MaxCare lifetime, so I have the dealer do the oil/filter and other fluids when it's time. Can't deny a claim for lack of maintenance when they have the documentation themselves.

Same reason I go to dealership and I get the $25 oil change. Not sure why you guys are getting synthetic oil. Stay away from 5 minute lube places, they can't even tighten the drain plug properly.

Skippy426 · Apr 13, 2018

Humy said:
Same reason I go to dealership and I get the $25 oil change. Not sure why you guys are getting synthetic oil. Stay away from 5 minute lube places, they can't even tighten the drain plug properly.

Synthetic protects better, keeps everything cleaner, and lasts longer. I'm not taking a conventional oil anywhere past 3000 miles. It's all around a better oil. Especially since I don't exactly drive mine nicely.

For $7 more per 5qt jug, I'll take double the mileage. It's like whiskey, conventional is like Jim Beam, it's pretty good, but it's no Makers Mark or my personal favorite Wild Turkey American Honey.

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tgbraley · Apr 13, 2018

As far as the relationship with the dealer, most of the service writers and the service advisor know me by name. I have no concerns over blocking the exit lane in the service bay while I inspect their work, and they know it. I'll open the hood, check for spills, check the oil level and condition, look under for dripping oil, check the engine bay for forgotten tools or caps left off or loose. I inspect the interior for dirt, grease, fingerprints, or damage.
Once I established this "relationship" with them, there have been no issues. So now, sometimes I'll inspect, sometimes not. They never know ahead of time.
And on the cost....I'm old enough and not as flexible as I once was, so I'd rather not have to get oil all over me, the driveway, and the underside of the vehicle. It's worth the time and money to have someone do it for me; and then there's the documentation as well.
I applaud those of you who do your own maintenance. If I had the flexibility, time, patience, and tools, I probably might as well.

Thanks!

jfire72 · Apr 13, 2018

Skippy426 said:
Synthetic protects better, keeps everything cleaner, and lasts longer. I'm not taking a conventional oil anywhere past 3000 miles. It's all around a better oil. Especially since I don't exactly drive mine nicely.

For $7 more per 5qt jug, I'll take double the mileage. It's like whiskey, conventional is like Jim Beam, it's pretty good, but it's no Makers Mark or my personal favorite Wild Turkey American Honey.

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^^What he said.

It also keeps your engine lubricated when it's not running. Helps protect the engine better, especially at start up, and runs better at higher temps. Synthetic can easily last 2000-3000 miles longer or more before changing it out than conventional.

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MotorMolarDoc · Apr 14, 2018

Piling on with the others about staying AWAY from Jiffy Lube and their ilk. I learned my lesson 15 years ago when I traded speed and convenience for competence by frequenting a JL. After several years of enduring their incessent upsell pressure for just about anything and everything, I got a referral from a friend to a local shop. The first time with the new shop servicing my car, the owner-mechanic called me into the service bay to show me the underside of the car. The steering gear and suspension was covered in globs of old, dirty grease wherever a lube point was. He said he was in the process of cleaning it off so he could see the zirc fittings to attach the grease gun, when he noted that the zirc was actually broken off! Apparently the JL monkeys just jabbed the grease nozzle forcefully into the general area of the fitting and pumped away, then moved onto the next one. A further inspection showed several other zirc's were also fractured off the same way. The new mechanic carefully used 'easy out's' to back out the broken fittings and install new ones. Fortunately, the front end components handn't failed in the meantime. I have the factory MaxCare warranty on my '14 R/T, and my back and shoulders can no longer take self-service changes, so I use the dealer for my Durango. The same local small shop does my other 3 vehicles, including our two classics, Lucille and Ethel. Well worth the extra time and money.

PatentlyPhil · Apr 16, 2018

I use a Fumoto quick-drain valve, and oil changes take ~10 minutes without any mess. Use a bag to catch the old oil filter, drain the oil into a container, and fill up top. Drop the oil off at Walmart when I pick up the next jug of oil.

I snap photos of my receipts for my records.

Your warranty can’t be voided because you don’t take it to the dealer for maintenance.

tgbraley · Apr 16, 2018

PatentlyPhil said:
I use a Fumoto quick-drain valve, and oil changes take ~10 minutes without any mess. Use a bag to catch the old oil filter, drain the oil into a container, and fill up top. Drop the oil off at Walmart when I pick up the next jug of oil.

I snap photos of my receipts for my records.

Your warranty can’t be voided because you don’t take it to the dealer for maintenance.

While that is true, and they would have to prove the oil was not changed to deny a claim; having the dealer (or other reputable shop) do the maintenance avoids all the " Yea, so someone bought a jug of oil" when you present your sales receipt to prove you changed the oil.

Jiffy Lube vs Dealership

SkillzandDrillz

Skippy426

tgbraley

jfire72

Chase300

Roy

tomk

jfire72

Red Ram

Dadditruck

MikeD1

GreenD

SkillzandDrillz

Humy

Skippy426

tgbraley

jfire72

MotorMolarDoc

PatentlyPhil

tgbraley

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