We understand why you might buy socks at Walmart. We even understand why you might buy food there, god help you. What’s the worst that can happen? Salmonella peanut butter? Cold feet? A Walmart oil change, however, is something that gives us pause. Reader Jason writes:
The employees and their manager spent most the time spraying each other with air hoses and windshield fluid. 3 hours later, after seeing other folks come and go, we were told our vehicles were ready. We paid and left quickly, trying to avoid any other confrontation that would delay us even more. Flash forward to last week, my wife told me that her check engine light came on while going to work and the same on the way home.
We have to admit we didn’t know there was such a thing as a Walmart oil change before this letter.
Walmart’s website claims that the most basic oil change package costs $18.88. For that price Walmart’s technicians will:
•Add up to five quarts of oil
• Install new oil filter
• Lubricate chassis (when applicable)
First of all, we hope they meant “change” rather than “add,” but we’re willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. The real question is whether it’s a good idea to cut costs when it comes to your car. From Jason’s email:
I’m no mechanic by any sense of the word, so I was pretty clueless as to what was wrong. I called the local mechanic and made an appointment for today. I get a call from my wife, said that she spoke with the mechanic, fearing the worst, I braced myself for a huge repair bill. The mechanic said that when the oil was changed, oil was spilled all over the engine compartment, after the tech at Wal-Mart realized their mistake they washed the compartment with water, allowing water to seep into the engine where the spark plugs are housed, thus causing the engine sputtering. Our bill ended up being $80.00, not too bad I guess. Should’ve been nothing. Damn you Wal-Mart!
Was it worth the savings? We say the best way to save money on an oil change is to learn to do it yourself. If your lease won’t let you, borrow a friend’s driveway. Cars are fun! If you don’t like getting dirty, consider the fact that car repairs are expensive. Find a qualified person and give them your business. Save 10 bucks on Cheerios or toothpaste, instead. —MEGHANN MARCO
Jason writes:
My wife and I made our first mistake by going to our local Wal-Mart (Kansas City, Missouri) convieniently located among the sprawl near our apartment. We needed to have the oil changed on our cars. I would’ve done it myself, but our lease prevents us from doing any kind of car maintenance in the parking lot. So one fine Saturday afternoon a week or two ago we drove to the automotive side of the building, parked our cars, and went inside. Once inside, we decided on what oil change “package” we wanted. Trying to save a little money, we went with the basic package. I inquired about the wait time and was told about a half hour. While I was sitting in the waiting room I had a good view of the garage bay. The place was a dirty, messy, clusterfuck. The employees and their manager spent most the time spraying each other with air hoses and windshield fluid. 3 hours later, after seeing other folks come and go, we were told our vehicles were ready. We paid and left quickly, trying to avoid any other confrontation that would delay us even more. Flash forward to last week, my wife told me that her check engine light came on while going to work and the same on the way home. She said that it sputtered while accelerating. I’m no mechanic by any sense of the word, so I was pretty clueless as to what was wrong. I called the local mechanic and made an appointment for today. I get a call from my wife, said that she spoke with the mechanic, fearing the worst, I braced myself for a huge repair bill. The mechanic said that when the oil was changed, oil was spilled all over the engine compartment, after the tech at Wal-Mart realized their mistake they washed the compartment with water, allowing water to seep into the engine where the spark plugs are housed, thus causing the engine sputtering. Our bill ended up being $80.00, not too bad I guess. Should’ve been nothing. Damn you Wal-Mart!
Walmart Lube,.Oil & Tire
(Photo: Brave New FIlms)
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I have used Walmart on numerous occasions in the past for oil changes and replacement tires, and while at times the less than stellar customer service has gotten to me, i’ve never had an issue with their work on the car. As long as you don’t show up at 5:15 when everyone just got off work, they are typically fairly swift. The price is right, and they don’t continuously try and up-sell you like Jiffylube and the like. While I always changed the oil in my Audi (synthetic Mobil 1 only), I typically used Walmart for my wifes Lumina sedan. The people that say they don’t “trust” Walmart to do the work, what reason do you have to trust Jiffy Lube, or any other 15 minute oil change shop? I mean, lets be real here, if you’re getting your oil changed anywhere other than a dealer, or an independent mechanic, you’re in most cases looking to save some cash. I’d venture to guess that if jendomme were to take his Mercedes to the dealer for an oil change, they would either be very swift about it, or offer a loaner. Yes, they are going to charge an arm and a leg, but thats the service you get when you pay for it. And i’m not entirely conviced that I consider an oil change “work on my car”. They aren’t doing any sort of major mechanical work on it, and why is everyone afraid of a “16 year old” doing the work? A trained monkey could change oil. I suppose I am a bit biased because I truely am a big fan of Walmart. I think the company takes a lot of flack that is undeserved. THey employ alot of people, and while the benefits may not be the same that a professional would get at a big company, they are benefits none the less. Most of the employees there are uneducated (no college) and probably aren’t terribly motivated to excel in life. What do they expect?
Explanation for everything I suppose.
So your company will give you a $100K car but won’t pay for your executive MBA?
You’re setting off my bullshit detector in a big way pal. Keep frontin’ like you’re something though. It’s amusing at least.
I worked with a guy who once took his car to Walmart for an oil change. On his way home, at about 60 MPH, the hood of his car flew up and shattered his windshield. This was because the people who changed his oil couldn’t latch the hood down. I guess the hood was a little tricky to close, but they should have told him that they had trouble closing it before he left. He went back to Walmart, irate of course, and they said that they couldn’t do anything about it because the damage was too much for them to pay for. Apparently, they have a limitation on how much they will pay out for a major fuck up like that. Now the poor bastard is stuck with a shattered windshield and a bent-to-shit hood that won’t close anymore at all.
Who in there right mind would take their car to Walmart for an oil change? That’s asking for disaster.
Maybe he meant Electronic MBA, like University of Phoenix? But why would you brag about that?
I’ve never had problems w/ oil changes at Wal-Marts, but I’ve only gotten oil changed there 5 times or so over the last 12 years. It really depends on the store, just like it does w/ any quick oil change.
I just change my own oil since it’s so easy and I can control what oil is put in much easier.
I’m a mechanic and the best advice I can give is don’t go to a large chain for your car service.
Canadian Tire [aka. Crappy Tire]
Walmart
Mr Lube
Take the time to find a good mechanic that you trust. If you don’t know of any then ask a friend who they take their car to.
Dealerships tend to do good work though also charge by far the most for service, but if you can’t find a good mechanic are worth the extra charge for the minor stuff like oil changes.
In regards to oil, here are the basic facts
1. Synthetic oils are superior than regular oil.
2. Synthetics cost ALOT more
3. MOST cars don’t really benefit much from synthetics.
If your owners manual does not require sythetic oil don’t bother using it, its a waste of your money SAME goes for buying a higher grade of fuel when all you need is regular 87 octane.
I stopped going to Valvoline when they started upselling to death. Nevermind their employees are just kids sometimes.
I just head down to my trusty mechanic and have them do it. It costs me $29, but I know its being looked over by an actual ASE certified mechanic.
I previously worked for Walmart for nearly four years (in 4 different stores). I still love Walmart and am a Walmart apostle, but I do not recommend using the TLE (Tire Lube Express). I have witnessed the receiving end of numerous phone calls from irate customers in need of repairs after mistakes were made by the TLE at Walmart.
To a store manager, the TLE is a huge liability, but the corporate office dictates whether or not you get one. In my experience, the TLE reduces the stores profitability, and in doing so, reduces the bonus the stores (and employees) get at the end of the year.
So please, save yourself and the poor Walmart employees money and get your oil changed elsewhere.
I’m a blue collar consumerist. I change my own
oil in my VW Jetta and have used Wal-Mart lube service on occasion for my ’97 Ford Aerostar (the manvan designed like NASA’s Shuttle).
Never had a problem with Wal-Mart’s service – always has been a fast, friendly and convenient service not to mention a lot of fun. Fun you say? Yes, fun – because while you wait for your auto to be finished up you can wander the isles of Wal-Mart to find those hidden gems awaiting in each isle.
Would you like a new iPod nano case for .99 on clearance – they got it, need a some pots or pans to try new culinary creations? They got that too, for $2. Sweet store, great service and a wonderful place to purchase bulk synthetic oil at a great price.
Your choice, go to a quick lube other than Wal-Mart and purchase the $50 filter which really doen’t need replacing. While your at it why not spend another $50 on some wiper blades, and don’t forget the $6 turn signal bulb which you aren’t even sure there was a problem with.
Good Luck
Johnny Page writes:
“Your Walmart Oil change story reminded me of a similar one that occurred to my parents. I’ve never thought to let you guys know till I saw that one!
My parents had a similarly horrible experience at Walmart last year here in South Edmonton Common, Edmonton, AB. They took their car into get an oil change, and left it there to do other errands. When they got there, the clerk at the desk could not ‘find’ their car and got all nervous. After about 15 minutes of ‘checking the lot’ the clerk gave in and said one of the mechanics had taken their car to go pick up a friend who’s car had broken down! My parents immediately got the manager involved, and the manager seemed to be taking the appropriate actions, and when the tech came back ~10 minutes later he wasen’t even apologetic about stealing their car to get his friend, he seemed to think he had the right to! My parents, being the nice pushovers they are, and seeing it as someone helping someone else and no harm was done other than ~20 minutes of time let it go. Walmart even made them pay for the oil change! The manager said he would call them back with a resolution, but none ever came.
I told my parents they should have called the cops and reported their car stolen as soon as they heard that, and demanded to talk to the regional manager asap and raised all holy stink. The tech is lucky it wasen’t me who’s car he stole, or he would be in jail right now, and walmart would have had some serious questions to answer.
Moral of the story, get 2 ramps and do it your self for $15
unbelievable.”
I have used Wal-Mart many times for oil changes in Southern California and I have had no problems. I opt to have them put in brand name oil. The do inspect the rest of the car because they properly flagged wipers that needed replacement. The service area is very clean and visible through a large window in the waiting area. Clearly mistakes can happen, though. I would advise all consumers to check their own oil dipstick after the service to ensure that the pan is full and that the oil has a clear clean look. Also look for any unexpected oil drips under the car. This is a good approach no matter who you use to change your oil.
Never get your oil changed at Wal-mart my mom did once and she had the check engine light come on the very next day. Me I like to help put are small town shop they change the oil,check the tires,and fill up all fluids for 20 bucks. Another thing is they don’t try to replace stuff that dosen’t need replacing like air filters something almost every place will try to upsell.
My fondest memory of going to Wal-Mart for any kind of automotive service was in 2004, when they refused to change the oil in my 93′ Nissan 240SX because they claimed “the engine bay is too dirty”. I’m not shitting you. That was the best excuse they could come up with.
Needless to say, I’ve been changing the oil myself for the last three years.
I’ve been changing my own oil for about 10 years … roughly as long as I’ve been allowed to drive. I had some real bad problems with those 10 minute oil change places and walmart. It’s just easier to know it was done correctly when you do it yourself.
Why is it that it is almost impossible ot hire anyone to do anything now and get it done right?
I dont have time to change my own oil!
I drive an 06 Accord VP, and pretty much just take it to the dealer. Honda now has a quick change system at the dealer, and they charge about $25-30 for the service. They seem to always be dilligent and some even wash your car. I have been very happy with that.
Oh yeah, they havent ever tried to upsell, but the car doesnt have over 26k yet.
wow – pretty nasty for a consumerist thread….
That being said – I’m not surprised at all with Walmart’s service – its on par with what you get when you pay minimum wage, and don’t put forth the effort to train your employees.
Wal-Mart: BANNED!!…still.
Wal-Mart changed my oil this weekend. They were wonderful, just as they had been for many years. I’m sure it’s just like any other business…it all depends on the workers. The last time my wife had her oil changed (not Wal-Mart…some name brand place that costs a pretty penny (only because she had other work being done, and thought she might as well change the oil also, as it’s due)) it was overfilled by over a quart, and she never knew. Wal-Mart was nice enough this time to tell us about it, note it on the paperwork, sign it, and give us the Tire & Lube manager’s name and permission for the previous shop to call them to confirm what they had found. Now, she is going to call the other shop today and see what they say.
As long as Wal-Mart here has good staff, I will continue to go there. It’s a much friendlier experience than these “We’re better than Wal-Mart” mom and pop shops we have (They are so bitter that they almost drive customers away. I’ve heard from good sources that one of them in town has gone as far as firing an employee or two for their good praise of Wal-Mart).
I have a relative who is a manager at a Wal-Mart (in KC even). Apparently, they do pay a lot in damages from bad oil changes. Probably the only new thing about this story is they actually did do the oil change this time.
I think I’ll add to the Anti-Wal-mart oil change woes here.
We USED to get our oil changed at Wal-mart (notice the fine use of emphasis)
Once they stripped the oil pan drain bolt on our Astro Van, but in their defense, they did repair it (in a timely 5 hour fashion)
Then they scratched our car’s hood, down to the metal. No apology, no restitution, only a stiff denial.
@jendomme: Stop being an asshole or I will ban you. This is your only warning.
I don’t shop Wal Mart for socks, and I would never shop there for food, their produce is very low quality. More importantly I don’t believe Wal Mart considers factors beyond the cost of the produce, such as do the source farms they purchase from practice good pesticide procedures, and are there chemical residue on the produce.
However, I get my oil changed at Wal Mart all the time.
Every 3,000 miles I have them change the oil with full synthetic. They pull the oil from their shelves, have always been quick and professional, and the cost has been around $32 about half of what other oil change places charge.
I have been very happy with their oil change service.
I’m just going to say here that my college g/f’s rotten mother killed a year-old GMC S.U.V. when she ignored the “Service Engine!!11!” light long enough for the engine to croak due to lack of oil. I think my jubilent reaction upon hearing this totally believable tale of complete idiocy (The information wasn’t volunteered, oh no; I had to ask, “Hey! You guys got rid of the new GMC already?”) contributed to the break up (LULZ!!!) soon thereafter…
What a buffet of comments. As a former WalMart supplier, I chose to quit shopping there years ago. Their business practices are appalling. Their cheap oil change service is done with recycled oil, which is more prone to create sludge. Anytime you take your car to have an oil change, always insist on oil from a unopened container, never from their bulk tank.
The original post does mot mention a particular car but there are at least a few which could have developed the issue he had due to the use of water on particular areas of the engine.
@latemodel:
They’re putting USED OIL in people’s cars?! I smell a class-action.
@velocipenguin:
Recycled oil. As in, filtered and reused.
I’m not sure why there’s so much WalMart hate on this site. I’ve been shopping at WalMart stores for years and have never experienced stupid employees, disorganized shelves, or messy bathrooms. I’m not sure if WalMart Canada has different policies than American WalMart stores, but any one I’ve shopped in up here has been a very respectable retailer.
That being said – why get your oil changed at WalMart? That’s like getting booze at Toys R’ Us.
@velocipenguin:
It goes through a process of filtration because oil does not go bad, it just accumulates impurities which can be filtered out. It’s actually a very-applauded process in environmental responsibility.
In defense of Walmart and its associates, here’s my 2 cent bit.
To all of you who criticize and give all kinds of undeserved flack, lighten up!.
I’ve been working there for 15 years and yes, I will admit that we make mistakes (who doesn’t?). But a lot, and a mean a whole lot of people tend to blame Walmart for something that happens to break due to normal tear and wear, especially 10 to 5 year-old vehicles.
NO we do not hire 16 year-old boys. It’s Federal Labor Law.
Also, I had a penny for every time that I heard a customer say “This is the last time I shop at Walmart, I am telling everybody I know about the terrible experience I lived there and you are not getting any of my business, ever”, I would be rich, very rich. And I want to say to all that people, that they are not doing a good job on it, because we, at Walmart can’t keep up with so much traffic, both in the regular store and the Automotive Department.
I also have to thank all of our regulars, our loyal customers, who trust their vehicles to us every time the need for an oil change or new tires, or a battery need, arises. Thank You!
@ jendomme
I’m a woman and I know how to change a tire, and oil, having had to do so many times on my parents’ cars.
My mother drove an SUV and she neither a redneck, latino, or a southerner. For the record, we’re Asian.
Stop generalizing everything and maybe (just maybe) people wouldn’t hate you so much.
Holy schnikes…
My ex (I am a male, she a female) was amazing with cars. I have trouble figuring out how to change the air filter, but that woman changed the thermostat, brakes, alternator, spark plugs, and always changed our oil and other assorted maintanence.
As far as women knowing about cars… if experiance is the true test, than I would have to say that men have no business under the hood of any automobile. Give me an equation or a software problem any day, and I’ll rock out. Astrophysics or literary analysis? I got you covered. Muffler replacement? Sorry… no vagina here.
I’ve been using Wal-Mart brand ©oil for years in my ’99 Jeep Wrangler. It’s called Super Tech. I doubt it’s recycled oil but if it is, it hasn’t hurt my engine at all. As long as that bottle of oil has that stamp on the label ,(ASE approved or something), then it’s all right by me.
I also use the Super Tech oil filters they sell. I read that Walmart buys their oil from otherwise reputable Oil dealers and just re-labels them with their own SuperTech label. Whomever they can get the best deal is who they buy from. (Quaker State comes to mind). Filters from Fram?
Anyway, being from the South and college educated, I appreciate the comments regarding rednecks. Here is a news flash, rednecks are everywhere and not just the south, and you know it!
Just my 2 cents, When the Walmart by me opened up a few years ago, i took my Forerunner for an oil change. Got it back and the protective sheild was missing a bolt. I brought it to their attention and the missing metric bolt was replaced with a standard american thread along with an oil stain on my tan colored floor mat. I’ll never go back there !
It goes through a process of filtration because oil does not go bad, it just accumulates impurities which can be filtered out.
Motor oil also contains a very sophisticated additive package – chemicals and compounds which protect the metal surfaces in your engine from corrosion and acidity. As motor oil ages – especially on short stop-and-go trips – it accumulates moisture, which reacts with the oil to create acids in the oil. These additive packages help to combat this breakdown.
I will never use recycled oil. Having worked in a refinery, I know that: 1. ‘Recycled’ products are an excuse to let the quality control of a particular process go to hell and 2. The additive package cannot be adequately restored to a recycled motor oil product. It’s better to recycle it into a heavier product (bearing grease, for example) and avoid using it in an IC engine, period.
My 285,000 mile 1996 Infiniti G20 says: “Use Mobil 1 every 7000 miles with a new filter, and do it yourself to make sure the job’s done right.”
It goes through a process of filtration because oil does not go bad, it just accumulates impurities which can be filtered out.
Sorry, one more thing to add to this horrifically inaccurate statement:
Motor oil degrades from the first start of your engine after an oil change. Motor oil consists of long molecular chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms. If you paid attention in chemistry class, you know that compound like this can be reduced or changed by applying energy. Two ways motor oil breaks down are by the heat and physical energy applied constantly to these long chain hydrocarbons while the engine is running.
Just like a mace is used to tenderize meat by breaking the connective tissue, oil is broken down by the shearing and pressure of the metal parts of an engine. Heat plays a role by cooking the oil and changing it’s composition, bit by bit.
Heat and physical energy gradually changes engine oil from a product that protects parts by maintaining a thin film of oil while keeping impurities in suspension to a soupy mass that allows engine parts to physically touch each other, and which ‘cooks’ onto engine parts, creating sludge.
That’s why you should change your oil regularly and with good (expensive, synthetic) oil – not just to carry contaminants out of the engine (that’s why you should change the oil filter every time, too) but because the additive package and the oil itself both decompose on a molecular level over time due to the heat and physical energy released in an internal combustion engine.
@jendomme: WTF?
Seriously.
@Miggell1:
Also, I had a penny for every time that I heard a customer say “This is the last time I shop at Walmart, I am telling everybody I know about the terrible experience I lived there and you are not getting any of my business, ever”, I would be rich, very rich.
A WalMart employee that seems satisfied when his service is so bad that customers vow to never return. He did not address the issue of recycled oil being put in customers cars. Recycled or re-refined oil does meet the requirements for new cars and customers are suing because auto service companies used the wrong oil in their cars and the dealers denied warranty claims.
First of all, no fan of Wal-Mart here, but if you pick your location wisely you can get a decent oil change without too much trouble at Wal-Mart. True, changing oil isn’t really mechanical work but it’s surprising what can go wrong: boogering up the threads putting on the filter so that eventually it leaks; not tightening the drain plug , etc. But Wal-Mart is the same as every other speedy change service, aside from the bad reputation they continue to generate and likely the sheer volume of work they do. Yes, it is best to change your own or develop a relationship with a local mechanic who you can trust. But, you may be lucky enough to find a decent Wal-Mart to do the work. I’ve done the synthetic oil change there many times, walked with the guy to the floor to pick out my weight and let them do the work. They’ve yet to fail me, though I do yearn to have a place to do it myself. Bottom line: Wal-Mart is about the same as all the other speedy places But keep in mind the context of the sheer quantity and the animosity against them.
But these stories that keep popping up have to be challenged. I’m sorry, washing the engine compartment with water and it getting into the spark plugs is a big old pant load of crap. Sometimes engines need to be cleaned, sometimes called steam cleaning. You buy a can of engine de-gunker for a few bucks. You cover a few electrical (electric being key) parts, spray it on, wait a bit, then hose it off with a high pressure hose — filled with WATER. I’ve done this for decades, even without covering things. Cleaning the engine is a great idea, as it lets you see potential troubles – leaks – in the engine compartment and on the engine generally. You spray that gunk off with a high pressure hose, like at the car wash, and away you go.
Ask yourself how many thousands, perhaps millions, of people are cleaning their engine compartments — with water — and it’s not getting into the spark plugs. Then consider this: You put the spark plug in there, tighten it down to spec and guess what it does? It’s supposed to resist the combined pressure created in the combustion chamber below into which it sparks – it’s a lot of pressure. That would mean exhaust gases do not leak out, nor oil or anything else for that matter. So, how, if these substances can’t get out with all that pressure … how can water just seep in there. It can’t. More? An engine block gets quite hot. Most water will evaporate in minutes from its surface; weeks and it should be dry as toast.
This idea that they got water on there and it seeped into the plugs is just chicanery from one end or the other. It defies logic and experience.
How about the: “The hood flew up and cracked the windshield” story. That one seems suspect as well. Hoods have two stage stops. You’ll notice when you pull the handle to open the hood, it goes up one click but will not fully release until you manually go up and squeeze/pull to release it. This safety measure has been on cars for eons. If the hood is not fully closed, it usually catches the first stop so that it might buffet at speed but would not fly up. And if it didn’t, it should appear obvious that the hood is up. But, let’s say it hadn’t clicked at either point and the driver for some reason could not tell. A hood will not fly up and crack a windshield. It is on hinges that are designed specifically to prevent this. Many hoods/bonnets are replete with springs that also slow any progression toward the glass. I just don’t buy this. If the hood was as loose as suggested, it would be bouncing and buffeting about long before 60mph was hit.
Look, Wal-Mart has many problems and oil changes are certainly one. Be as with much of life, mileage may vary. Some Wal-Marts have decent service departments too. The only real safe bet is a local mechanic with whom you have a personal relationship and trust or you do it yourself.
But the lies, the urban mythology that’s developing, has to stop so that the real stories can get out and be believed.
Let’s be honest, it’s the luck of the draw at these places. They see hundreds of customers, they are paid crap and the level of expertise is not going to compare to an ASE mechanic — though some of my locals are training for certification. You can avoid the hassle and skip them. But don’t make up stories about it. It sounds to me like the mechanic that came up with the “water seeped into the spark plugs” story was playing this poor guy.
The latest article about Walmart on the Consumerist made me think about the last run-in we had with Walmart and oil changes. About a week or so after having my fiancee’s car’s oil changed at a Walmart, we noticed that there was a grayish film creeping up the front of her hood.
I’ve read all the comments, many amusing stories, alot of fake tall-tales. My sister has a 98′ dodge stratus, now I don’t trust dodge or any american car except chevy (don’t jump at my head for that judgement). I laugh at jendomme’s statement on women, but I also know that some women can very well take care of themselves and work on their cars with no penis hovering over them or doing it for them, my sister and previous said car are like rob zombie to metal music. she knows it inside out, backwards, side-ways, its practically her child. she does everything to it herself, she brought it to Mieneke once (big mistake), they completely screwed her over by over charging her for a oil changing to 60 bucks, she told my dad and he complained, and since then she read up on her car/cars and got down and dirty with her car and I wouldn’t doubt she can become a mechanic now.
I had been having my oil changed into a VG30E engine (Nissan Maxima) at Wal-Mart for years and noticing over about eighteen months (about seven changes), that occasionally the engine would start with the cam-shaft oil-starved. We checked the entire engine, seals, oil pressure, senders, (but nothing deep like chemical analysis of the oil) and were confounded–the engine was starving with new oil, no leaks. The engine is a very high mileage engine (167000+), but VG30Es are extremely well designed engines which when treated respectfully will cheerfully run for decades and well over 200000 miles. We and another mechanic replaced the oil with Pennzoil 10W40 crude-based (not synthethic), and all oil starvation symptoms after the first post-change startup immediately and consistently disappeared. We had been changing with 10W40 at Wal-Mart on a 3000-mile schedule and oil levels were consistently correct throughout this period and the oil seemed of normal consistency. But we still can’t figure out why Wal-Mart-serviced Pennzoil 10W40 starved the camshaft on startup when our Pennzoil 10W40 non-Wal-Mart-service oil didn’t. Other engine parameters have remained consistent throughout. Anyway, the engine doesn’t show starvation symptoms now.
Listen…I work at Wal-Mart TLE, and I have to say, every place is different and considering the millions of people that go to the TLE these few “horror stories” will not make me sleep less.
I’d like to let everyone know, that at least at my Wal-Mart, if someone were to come in with sludge in their engine, we would tell them we will not do the oil change…I don’t care if Wal-Mart was the last one on record for their oil change, someone else obviously got ahold of that car since.
I am a single mother, a wal-mart employee, and was raised by a mechanic, and since I can’t change my oil at my house (lease doesn’t allow it) I will gladly take it to wal-mart, and not just because I know the people there, because I know at least to people at my wal-mart are well trained.
As for the stereotypes…I guess I blow them all away by being a female who is also ASE certified. Good luck to everyone, maybe if you go down to your wal-mart and see how things are going on other people’s cars you can judge for yourself…I know how to use my own brain, I don’t listen to what other people have to say about a place, I go check it out for myself first!
I’ve been having on-and-off oil changes at Wal*Mart for the past 8 years, across three vehicles in that time span. Never once have I had any issue with the changes other than time waited to have it done. I’m usually standing at the window watching them do it when my car shows “In Bay…” on the barcode readers.
I have changed my own oil in the past, but living in an apartment now and in a city that doesn’t allow it on their streets, I can’t do that anymore. I’ve also moved in the last year, so I haven’t found a mechanic I trust. I usually end up checking the car the moment it’s done so I can dispute whatever they’ve done while I’m still there. Personally, I find that not complaining is just as bad and wussy as complaining to a consumer-driven web site. Sure, you’re preventing others from doing things, but you’re just a small percentage of those that report and prevent. What about the rest of us that have thus far been fortunate not to have problems with big corporate Wal*Mart. I really only go because after car payments, rent, insurance, credit cards, student loans, groceries and utilities, I only have about $20 I can spend on my car. And Wal*Mart is the only place in the Bay Area that will feasibly do my change for $20. I once had a place estimate the oil change to my previous Honda Civic at $75. I never paid more that $25 for my first car, a 1998 Mercury Tracer. And, I don’t want to pay $60 or more for an oil change at the Mazda Dealership. I no more trust them than I do Wal*Mart.
But, I do understand that everything is a business. And my further question, does anyone know if that 17,000-mile synthetic is any good? I drive a lot and it would just be great if I could have a long-lasting oil in my car other than having to change it every 6000 miles (owner’s manual recommended).
I have a chevy Lumina that I have been very happy for and never had problems with until I took it to walmart. Now I can’t even drive my car and it sounds like someone is under the hood knocking the crap out of it with and hammer. When I went to see what was wrong I found out that they had used the wrong oil in the first place and that it was over filled at that. I called them about the problem and what I was told was that they were not able to do anything about the problem and that it was the miles that I had on the car. Well when I opened up my engine I had my lifters go out and that the real problem was not in the car but that the car had to much oil and that they had not got all the old oil out. Plues to top it off I’m still working on it. I don’t think that anyone should go to walmart to get there oil changed nor do I think I should have to be the one paying for what they messed up. My question is, is there anything that I can do to get my money back???
i went there, and they left my oil cap off.Oil blew all over my belts, and motor.I had to replace the belts, and alternator, oil cap , and get my motor pressure washed to the tune of about 300 dollars.But after threatining to sue they paid for it and gave me more oil..dont go to walmart!!!!!!!!!
I recently had my oil changed at walmart and when I got home saw that I was leaking oil all over the driveway. I took it to another mechanic (knowing the Walmart must have done something wrong) and they told me that Walmart had stripped the plug into my oil pan and sent 3 bolt into my oil pan trying to fix the bothced problem. They also informed me to fix it will set me back 500.00. I took the evidence to the manager of walmart and they gave me a number to call the insurance agency. Of course after 3 weeks of “investigation” they denied my claim because I took it to another place to fix the problem. incompetant assholes!
@Kathy Constantine: You got robbed. Drain plugs strip frequently and every auto parts store has replacements (just a bit larger) intended to fix that. About $5.
You’ll find incompetance everywhere–not just Walmart.
BTW their basic oil change is up to $30 now. No longer any reason to get the job done there.
A few years ago, I took my Plymouth into a Wal-Mart Supercenter, Springdale, Arkansas (A few miles from their world headquarters) for a standard oil-change.
About a 30 minutes later, I heard an announcement for me to return to the automotive service area. The clerk informed me that they were unable to perform an oil change on my car.
The reason?
The drain plug on my car was too wide for their socket. Rather than informing them of the normal procedure of changing the socket, I thanked them and left. That was the last time I ever entered that area again.
At least those with an ultra-low mental capacity have a place to work
Well they pay us shit wages and hire about any moron. I’ve only been at my TLE for 2 months and do more than at least 5 of the 7 guys that have been there for a number of years. Even the manager doesnt do more then watch the rest of us do work aka shitty leader. Thank God this is only a stepping stone for me. I will tell you this, you bring it to the TLE where i work(2023) and i wont let that kinda crap happen.