The Not So Good Old Days

In today's environmentally conscious society, changing your own oil has become somewhat more challenging that it may have been in the past. In the 70's we used to save our used motor oil in 5 gallon drums and when they were full, we sold the oil to a recycler.   As time progressed the recyclers found that they didn't have to pay for used oil and now charge for disposal.

In the past few years, curb-side and drop-off recycling of used motor oil has become a standard in populated areas. The restrictions on these services are many and time consuming. In our area, curb-side pickup of used motor oil is available if the oil is placed into one gallon plastic milk containers and if the cap is taped on. This sounds good until you try to empty an old style drain pan into a funnel atop a milk container.   This can be rather messy.  Since I firmly believe in the proper disposal of used motor oil, I set my used oil containers out on appropriate date. I was disappointed to find later that the garbage truck had knocked over and squished the milk containers. Covering my driveway with the used motor oil that I had carefully packaged for disposal. This was not my idea of recycling.

Turning to other methods of disposable, I made attempts to drop off used motor oil at local transfer stations on the approved dates and times. For me, it was a hit and miss situation. Sometimes I would miss the date or the station was full and not taking anymore oil that day.  In frustration, I threw in the towel and resigned myself to having my oil changes done for me.

A New Trend

With the growing need to properly dispose of used motor oil, "Lube" Stations have been popping up everywhere to take the hassle out of oil changes.  In theory, this is a great way to go. The advantages are in the many areas covered in the basic service.  Most of these "Lube" stations offer checking and topping off of all fluids.  This is a task seldom performed by most home mechanics...unfortunately, the lube stations seldom get it right.

There is a real need for owners to know what is being offered in these services and to verify they are getting what they pay for. The Classic Vehicle Owner especially needs to be aware of the requirements of his/her vehicle when having this type of service performed.  Lets look at some of the services offered by most of the top "Lube" stations. Most offer the following services:

• *Change Oil with up to 5 quarts of top quality motor oil
  Install New Oil Filter
  Check Wiper Blades
  Vacuum Interior floors
  Wash Exterior Windows
  Check Brake Fluid   
• 
  * Lubricate Chassis
  Check and Fill Transmission/Transaxle fluid
  Check & Fill Differential Fluid
  Check & Fill Power Steering Fluid
  Check & Fill Windshield Washer Fluid
  Check & Fill Battery Water
  Inflate Tires to Proper Pressure

1954 Chevrolet Truck

Each of the lube stations we visited had a listing of lube points for every vehicle back about 20 years. Needless to say 1954 was not in their system. So, I informed them of all the lube points. The '54 3100 has 18 chassis lube points. Only one station got all of them the first time. Repeat visits were the same, only the one station would get all 18 points after being informed of their locations.

The oil change was just as interesting. Only one station knew that the 235 used straight grade, non-detergent motor oil.  The add-on oil filter was too much for most to figure out.  The add-on filter uses a standard Fram PH8A spin-on filter.  Even with information printed on the side of the filter, services techs were still scratching their heads over what filter to use. None of the stations were prepared to service the oil bath air filter.

Most of the stations had trouble with finding all the service points. The battery is under the floorboard, as well as the brake master cylinder. One station did ask where these points were, the others just skipped over these areas.

When my wife had the truck serviced, only the oil and filter were changed.  Lube points and other service areas went untouched.

1969 Ford F-100 Truck

The F-100 fared much better in the information area.  Every station had the lube points for this truck. Only one station got the lube points on the U-joints in the driveline.  Over-all service was good at most of the stations. The 360 engine was equipped with an aftermarket oil cooler and only one station found it and added additional oil to provide a level oil stick.  All of the rest finished service with the dipstick showing down half a quart.  Each topped off the oil on request.  One station only provided 4 quarts of oil in their advertised price. Watch for this, each additional quart was $2.39.

I was offered an air filter at each station, along with a myriad of other suggested services from all the stations. The air filter was bad and needed changing, but the cost ranged between $7.99 to $12 for a new air filter.  I picked up a Pennzoil air filter at a local parts store on the way home for $3.59.  So, watch the add-ons.  I did have the wiper blades changed at one station for $7.99. The blades were name brand and since I don't like changing wiper blades, I felt it was a good value for me.

1986 Lincoln Town Car

Service on the Lincoln presented some unique points of interest. Only one station would get all the fluids every time. I had to point out missed service points at all but two stations. I had the transmission fluid changed at one station and on the next oil change the same station recommend that it be changed again. I was told that the fluid was very dirty and the filter was plugged. How anyone can tell the filter condition by looking at the dipstick eludes me. Two of the stations missed the chassis lube on the initial visit.   For some reason this happened when my wife took the car in for service.

1991 Ford Crown Victoria LTD

This vehicle came up short in the service area most often.  It is the newest, so one would think it would be a lot easier to have service work performed on it.  This was not the case.  Equipped with grease able upper control arm bushings, not one of the stations would lube this point on their own. After pointing the service area out, only two stations would complete the task.  After showing a third station the missed point, they refused to service the point because the wheels had to be turned for them to access the zerk fittings. Needless to say, I did not return to that station again.  I continually found the 5.8 V8 was getting only 4 to 5 Quarts of oil from all stations. Equipped with a factory oil cooler, every station came up short on the oil level after service.  You would think they would check the stick, wouldn't you? One station had my wife sign for the extra oil, stating that they had never seen an engine that took more than 4 quarts.

One station changed the serpentine fan belt on the initial visit and suggested it be changed at every visit afterward.  Every station but one, suggested the transmission fluid be changed even though the fluid on the stick was clear.  I did ask why it needing changing at each visit and was told it was dark and smelled bad.

What We Learned

With all of these scenarios in mind, several lessons or rules for service can be established. The first rule is to know what type of service your vehicle needs and when it needs it. Next, you should track the maintenance performed yourself. Most of all, any service work should be checked to verify that the work has been performed. Ask for the old parts back before work starts. This is a signal to the service personnel that you are going to review the work performed. Always check your oil level before leaving the station. Don't fall into the trap of purchasing high priced parts and services you can do yourself for less. Have the station personnel back up their suggested service extras with solid reasoning.

We were fortunate to find a station that performed well each and every time we had we went in for service. It is now the only station we use. We still keep an eye on the service, but we feel more comfortable with the quality of their service than any of the other stations we visited. We hope this information helps you with your next service.

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