Pros and Cons of Quick Lube Shops
We’ve probably all used a quick lube shop at some point, after all, they’re 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 of all, the professionals.
– Fast and Convenient: There is no question that these places can be in and out in a fraction of the time that 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.
– Pricing: This is both a Pro and a Con, however I will cover the Pro part here. The price at these places is very, 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 of the car, not all cars have one).
– State Inspections: More and more of these places are licensed to do State Inspections now. This can be a great thing. Most full-service shops don’t like accepting so many state inspections, they generally don’t make much money from them, and it eats up valuable technician time that could be spent on a higher-paying job. If you’ve ever had to struggle to find a place to get your car inspected before your plates expire, you can see why Quick Lube is a good thing to have as an option.
Next, the cons.
– Upselling: If you’ve ever been to one, you know how aggressive some of these places can be when it comes to upselling you additional services. These stores are trying to maintain an average ticket 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 to stay 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.
– Prices: While some of your items are very well priced, others will be high. There is a price to pay for convenience. Your oil changes themselves will be far in excess of what you can get at a full service shop. This can be offset by taking advantage of early booking coupons or special offers. Most of their fluid services will be comparable in price to a Firestone or Goodyear repair shop, but keep in mind that in many cases you are paying the same price to have it done by a less experienced and knowledgeable technician.
– 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 the opportunity to gain experience. But this is something to consider when you’re thinking about letting them repair major components in your vehicle, even if it’s just a fluid change.
OK, so, in short. 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 in for a quick lube. However, if I need some other major service, like a transmission or coolant flush, I’d probably take the time to schedule an appointment at a full-service shop.
*A thing to always remember in any store. They will insist that “The manufacturer recommends x at this mileage” (x being whatever service they are trying to sell you). DO NOT believe this without verifying it yourself. Look at your owner’s manual, if he doesn’t tell you to, then he doesn’t need it. More on this in an article on what I like to call “Wallet Flushes”.