How long should one wait to go to Jiffy Lube with a new car of a new generation model?

Okay dude.

 

I dunno if its different down there but a master tech here is just someone trained on a specific brand lol.

So a master tech is really only useful if you have that make.
I heard master tech and though of it as master electrician. Which here means nothing for actual trade knowledge haha. You just need your masters to start your own company. Most of the masters test is on OHSA and other business type bullshit. Like how long maternity leave is etc. Next to nothing to do with the actual trade. Which is why I always laugh at the morons I work with that get it and think it makes them abetter electrician.

Figured you needed a master tech to open a shop.

 

I know there isn't a lube tech ASE cert and that is my point. Yes ASE is just a resume booster but is also a a degree of competence and commitment to being an automotive tech, just like any other cert. There are ASE master techs at dealerships(my friend is one, they may not be doing an oil change but they do work at dealerships).

I digress TLDR; Work on your own truck

 

Where there is a will there is a way.

Most horror stories involving businesses come from employees that work there. That should be included in the training

 

Not arguing quick lube chains are shady.

Just saying the whole “XXXX lube techs are brainless losers!” sentiments are laughable. You get what you pay for, and they’re paying minimum wage with no experience needed to change oil. Oil changes are basic, fucking basic. If you can air up a tire, you can change oil. If you can’t change oil, you’re obviously less capable than all those stoned high school drop outs making $2.50 an oil change (4 cars per hour).

Safer to pay a professional.

 

Agreed

 

Like the old saying goes: "No one cares more about your own car than you".

When I watched the YouTube posted earlier, I realized there are several points of potential failure/fuck-up that I wouldn't trust too many people doing. Even something simple with many steps can be easily screwed up by someone that wouldn't give a poop.

 

That's good to know. What's a good reliable and accurate brand of torque wrench that you all recommend? I see cheap one's around or off brands, but I don't want to cheap out on something important like that.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

maybe theres a TW member in your area that can help you, for some beer and pizza, once you've done it once its like riding a bike

 

Neva, I usually change my own but my health kinda sucks right now. The idea of doing it kills me as much as the idea of taking it to the dealer

 

I'm in Virginia so my drive would be a long one. Thanks for the offer though.

It's good to know that it can be somewhat inexact though. Better to have an inexpensive torque wrench than no torque wrench. I'll check out the local Harbor Freight.

 

Yeah...alot of trees and the change of seasons is great. Virginia beach is alot of fun as well. There's always something to go do and see in this state.

 

10 years ago (and the last time at Wallfart) Helen Keller couldnt have stripped my drain plug any worse

 

Seriously? Buy a lottery ticket cuz you're a very lucky man.

Had a friend of mine get his oil changed at Jiffy Lube, drove back to our house in college. We noticed some oil leaking under the hood and when we lifted it, the assholes still had the oil cap SITTING ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. Did not screw the cap on. Oil had blown all around the engine bay/under the hood/belts/etc. on the drive back home. Have some pics somewhere, it looked like the engine threw up. On top of that, they didn't give a shit.

At any rate, at that point I chose to change all fluids in every vehicle Ive owned.

Bottomline: its the most important piece of maintenance you can perform to any vehicle. Get it right.

 

A couple years ago, for work I bought a used Snap On TQR series 3/4” drive, it torques up to 600 ft lbs. Off the tool truck it was $850+ on eBay I won it for $250. The TQ series is great. It has a thumb screw adjuster on the side instead of a micrometer style adjuster. I’ll likely buy a used Snap On TQ series 3/8” in the future.

Most recently I needed a flex head 1/2” drive. So a bought a Gearwrench brand (KDT 85087) for $120 on sale at Napa. It has a range of 25-250 Ft.-Lbs. We use KDT/ Gearwrench torque wrenches at work. I personally think they are good bang for your buck. Call me old school but I don’t trust the fancy electronic torque wrenches that vibrate or beep.

 

Never. Not even to air up your tires! The sooner you take it to them the sooner it will be F'd up. DIY or let your Toyota dealer do it - they have coupon deals all the time.

 

How long before bots are performing the service at dealerships and franchise shops?

 

Just DIY. Not that hard. Get the oil, filter, and a few tools/supplies and your ready. I do all of mine. It's done right and I enjoy doing it. If you're ever in the central part of VA let me know. I can help you on the first one.

 

I encourage you to try it yourself OP. Nothing like the feeling of accomplishment of working on your own truck. I also benefit of having a pretty good/trusted mom and pop shop down the road from me when I don't have the time to do it myself.

 

Oh they're already here dude.

Bought my wife's Pilot from a dealership. Sales guy was definitely plastic and coin-operated.