I should know better...

[basslover1]

True, or you get what probably happened in the OP's case, where one low-paid teenager put the plug back in by hand, the other low-paid teenager saw that the plug was in and refilled the car, and they both assumed the other guy must have tightened it since the car was now being driven out of the bay by a third low-paid teenager.

Actually, what makes it more aggravating was that the person that did it was an older guy (mid 40s) and is related to the owner I believe. I do recall that when I pulled in, he just got back from picking up lunch, my guess was that he was pissed he had to do a car before he could eat and got lazy.


And I generally do all my own maintenance, brakes, oil changes, etc etc. However, this time I just couldn't fit it in the schedule, I guess next time I'll have to try harder to fit it in.

 

[Bull Dog]

I own a Civic Hybrid (1st gen) and I wouldn't trust any of the quick lube places...ever. This is mainly because,
1. Changing the oil requires removing 8 bumper clips and the under body aero panel located under the engine bay.
2. When I first bought the car its oil had been changed by a "quick lube" place and they put 5W-30 in. The car explicitly asks for 0W-20 oil with 5W-20 as a backup.

 

[BUTCH1]

The people who insists on doing work themselves and that everybody else should do the same fail to realize one thing, not everybody has the knowledge, patience and tools to perform the task.

I did my own oil change for the first time, ever last week. The task itself was easy because I have the right tools. But I still had to go buy a oil filter wrench adapter and socket piece for my ratchet, a funnel and oil pan, plus the engine oil and oil filter. I doubt even one of my friends have all those tools.

Same thing with changing car battery. I made a thread about it a few months back. It's quick and easy for me, but the friend whom I helped was freaking the fuck out because she's so used to going to a car mechanic who does everything for her and giving her advice that, when I suggested an alternative and cheaper option, she didn't believe me until I went ahead and did the job and assure her that everything's cool. Fucking people... this is why I don't do shit for people anymore.

With that said, I will be doing all my regular maintenance from now on, because I enjoy doing those things myself. I'll leave the tire rotation up to Costco since I bought the tires from them and they come with life time free rotation.

Usually an oil change only requires the most basic type of tools, a socket set and possibly an oil filter wrench (or ratchet adapter), if your friends don't have these types of basic tools they are probably better off having someone else do it. Just show then how to periodically check the oil, I find most women don't even know how to do that.. :|

 

[Vetterin]

You do realize that some people gain experience and move onward and upward, right? Some technicians start out in that type of a setting, and when they move on, they have that much more experience than the guy who replaced him at the quick lube place.

Not saying that they're good, but they've got experience.

Unless they are ASE Certified and it's something I just can't do myself, they are NOT touching my cars.

 

[Vetterin]

Exactly right. It's a two-layer deal that crushes upon tightening. I still replace the solid washers Honda and Toyota use. Overkill? Maybe a little but it's such a minor cost might as well.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

They also use those layered washers on Subaru's. When I had my Legacy wagon, as long as I didn't over tighten the plug I would use the same same washer for 2 changes and then replace it.