I usually take my Ranger to Jiffy Lube for oil changes, but I plan to change that after my visit there yesterday. I've got 250,000 miles on my 1995 auto Ranger and the only things I’ve ever had done to it as far as preventative maintenance goes are oil changes every 3,000 miles, new air filter whenever it gets dirty enough and I had a new fuel filter installed around 200,000 miles. That's it. I've never had the radiator flushed or transmission serviced/flushed.

I keep an eye on my fluid levels (radiator fluid, brake fluid, tranny fluid and oil level between oil changes). I've never had to add anything other than some radiator fluid maybe once a year so I never mess with anything. Now back to why I'm never going to Jiffy Lube again. I just had both bulbs replaced in the front headlights when I had it inspected a few months ago. I took the Ranger to Jiffy Lube yesterday and like I always do I stood outside near my truck to make sure they weren't screwing me over.

As soon as they pulled my truck up onto the ramp both front headlights started flashing and the right light died out so they wanted to know if I wanted them to install a new light and I said no. The sales guy then took me through the spin of saying that I needed my transmission serviced, radiator flushed, fuel lines flushed, battery terminals cleaned, a bottle of oil additives to "extend" the life of the oil and last but not least a $15 bottle of gas additives to clean my fuel system.

I said no to everything, but had I said yes then my bill would have come to over $400. I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried folks. On top of all that, they charged me $45 for premium oil instead of the regular oil I usually have them use for $35. They didn't even ask. With that said, what exactly do you guys do for preventative maintenance? BTW, the right headlight suddenly worked again as soon as I drove away.

 

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../02nmgmg3e.pdf

 

I take my truck into a certified mechanic's shop. They change the oil with Mobil 1 that I provide, for about $22.00. They also go over the whole truck looking for stuff that needs fixed, and so far they've always have been spot on, after verifying their report with other mechanics. They don't gouge me unless I let them. For example, they wanted to charge me $125 for a new battery, I found at another shop a similar battery for $75.00 Their rates are a little high so I only let them change the oil because they get me in and out right away.

 

Jiffy Lube is there to make money so of course they are going to "recommend" all kinds of services. All you have to do is say, no.

 

I hate maintenance centers. Last two times I went they reafed the oil drain plug to 900ft lbs and almost stripped out the housing. They also put the oil filter on so damn tight I had to hammer a cheater bar through it just to get if off. Not to mention they rounded off the drain plug. Morons. Looks like they used a crescent wrench to get it off.

Bastards is what they are....money hungry, ignorant bastards.


There is absolutely no reason to put those two items on so effing tight. Oil filter only needs to be hand tight, and the drain plug should just be snug with a wrench.

Thats how I have done it now since then, and for alot cheaper too!!!

 

And if you don't watch em close they'll put in 4 qts of oil instead of 5. The first clue is if they bring your heap out and leave the engine running.

 

Once they put in 5 quarts, while my engine only takes 4, I had to get them to take the extra quart out.

 

yeah i used to work in valvoline, basically our computer would bring up all the recommended services based on the mileage. it keeps trac of everything you get there and at what mileage, so of course if you dont do anything will always say they are due.

I was supposed to tell people everything that they needed to do but often times I would just pick a thing or two and move on. just how they make money. the price of the oil sounds right for what valvoline charged but they shouldnt have upgraded you without asking.

flumixt they would never intentionally put in a quart less, and VERY rarely might short you accidentally. Usually they show you the level anyway, if not its not that hard to just check it yourself.

 

That's their job. Every new customer at my dealer i have to do a 99 point vehicle inspection to (get more from the customer). I get paid hourly not flat rate so ill go through the vehicle if i find any issues for example a bad rear shock ill recommend two rear shocks. some flat rate guys will suggest just one. My brake inspections include a full dismantle and cleaning (not suppose to but that's what i do)

about them upgrading oil is stupid i'd complain. Here at for we offer 2 Brands Motorcraft for gas vehicles and Rotella T 15w 40 for the big boys

 

I change the oil every 5k miles with MaxLife
Both diffs and t-case got changed out 20k miles ago...will probably go another 20k till I change them.
I just replaced the radiator about a year or so ago...so I'll probably just wait a few more years till I flush it out.
Air filter...eh...maybe once a year...more like every other. I don't put many miles on it a year.
Tranny, same as the diffs...probably wait another 20k...which will be about 3 more years.

Edit:
as long as I'm able to change my oil, I'll be doing it myself. no way in hell I'd let a jiffy-lube type of place change the oil out...I'll go extra miles past my OCI than to stop at one of those places.

 

x2!

 

I like the idea of a highly trained certified mechanic giving my truck the once over every six months....that helps keep the truck in tip top shape. They find things I wouldn't dream of.

 

x2...i take my truck to the dealer once a year to have the oil changed/them to look over it...that reminds me...i have to call them tomorrow lol

 

first off all places are like that and second...you never had the rad, brakes,tranny flushed? that is good preventative maintence if you want to keep your truck running for a long time

 

my preventative maintenance? not letting some 17 year old uneducated kid at some Quick Lube come within 100 feet of my stuff. I do all my own maintenance on all my vehicles at the factory recommended intervals. Ever since I started doing my own work I stopped getting dents and scratches in my trucks, bowed fenders (long story) and leaky oil filters and I know exactly what is going in it and if its messed up I only have myself to blame, not some kid making minimum wage that could give two ***** about my truck.

 

hahaha. your killing me man.
I'm x2 on all of this. start doing some of the stuff yourself, you'll feel a ton better about your truck and get a bigger sense of accomplishment IMO. Changing the oil in a ranger ain't all that bad, its probably the easiest oil i've ever changed.

 

try a pt cruiser. easiest ever. (this is assuming you have easy bottomside access)

 

ever changed the oil in a Chrysler Crossfire?
in my Dodge dealer days, we had this one guy that came in about every month, (he put about 5k on this car a month) to get his oil changed. The filter is a cartridge, and a PITA. talk about a $130 oil change.

 

vw beetle. i'd rather eat my hard drive than change one of them.

 

Haven't ever had to do a beetle. but i've always hated VWS anyways. my old man could tell you horror stories about fixing beetles.

 

Wirelessly posted

Subaru flat 4 is a C U Next Tuesday. The filter is in-between the headers no matter how you grab it your getting scolded and same with the drain plug. When you pull the filter the oil gets in the heat shields and smokes

 

we couldn't get the hood open. a buddy had one for his "wedding car" his dad and i were curious what motor was in them. we looked everywhere for the hood release.

i was under my truck the other day and never realized where the oil filter was. looks like a cake walk compared to my dynasty or golf. in case some of you are wondering, the dealer did my oil changes while in warranty. i'll be doing the next one.

 

dont understand why the op's so mad. If you goto a dealership, they too will recommend that you do stuff. Thats how it goes.

btw, id change your coolant if I were you. Its probably too late for the trans.

 

x2

 

I have ALWAYS done all of the oil changes myself on my Rangers-it's such a piece of cake on them, plus I know that it's getting done right. Mobil 1 5W30 every 3000 miles. The wife's Protege, on the other hand, I always take to Valvoline. I did the first oil change on that at 3000 miles, and that was enough for me--absolutley no room to work while lying on your back in the garage. I remember a couple of changes ago, I'm sitting in the car at Valvoline, and I hear the gut in the "pit" just cursing-up a storm about getting at the oil filter. I just laughed and yelled to him "why do you think I bring this to you guys to do?!?" I will however, bring the Ranger in to either Valvoline, my local Midas (which I've been VERY happy with lately) or the dealership for things such as radiator flushes, tranny flushes and brake fluid flushes. I do plan to drop the tranny pan and change out the filter soon, I did my own diff service, changed the hubs, etc. My theory is: If I feel comfortable doing a service of any kind, and i can get to everything lying on my back, I'll do it; if there's any doubt in my mind, it goes to a shop.
As far as the suggested services, that's their job-to try to upsell services-just like any retail establishment.
MikeR