If JL stocks different grades of oil, why are they incapable of
understanding that VW engines don't like 10W30?  I gave up on JL years
ago even though my cars weren't anything special simply because I got
sick of listening to the lifters clatter.  This is not an issue specific
to one location either, I am stubborn and kept going back and insisting
on 10W40 or 15W50 and kept getting the wrong stuff.  The convenience of
a quick, no-appointment oil change is nice, but ONLY IF THEY DO IT RIGHT!

The last straw was when they filled my windshield washer bottle with
water.  In December.  Right before I left to visit my family in PA for
Christmas.  Never went back after that.

Basically, my advice is, if you care about your car, you will not go to
Jiffy Lube under any circumstances.  I don't think I've ever had a GOOD
experience there; simply technicians trying to upsell me with overpriced
air filters ("your air filter is dirty" even though I know they didn't
check it as it's under the AFM/fuel distributor,) wiper blades, etc. and
pointing out that the oil pan gasket on my 240K mile beater is weeping a
little oil.  I've also had to remind them to check the gear oil in the
transaxle, even though it's on their checklist (at one point in time, I
had a leaking output shaft seal that didn't go away with a new seal, and
I didn't have time to change out the transaxle for a couple months.)
The best I've had is a "not too bad" experience, but now that I have my
own garage I don't have any use for 'em.  My FLAPS takes my drain oil,
too, and a DIY oil change with Rotella and a Wix filter costs less than
a JL oil change.

A good, trusted mechanic can't be beat, JL is for people who like
wasting money.  If you're not going to do it yourself, suck it up, make
an appointment, wait a couple hours (or better yet, find one near work
and drop it off in the morning.)

nate

pretty sure they also own iffy lube...

Your guess would be wrong. As someone who has actually worked at a JL
(needed money while in school and they were hiring) I can say that the
bulk is NOT all the same grade. Yes it is cheaper, because they are
OWNED by an oil company and the franchises get a discount off wholesale
prices as well. The normal stock is Shell 5W30, 10W30, 15W50 Rotella,
Dexron II and ATF. They also stock bulk synthetic in 5W30 and 10W30.

The reason the bottles are more money is real easy. Personal preference.
Some people don't like Shell oil and prefer Pennzoil. They are also
convinced that the bulk oil HAS to be garbage so they buy the Pennzoil,
thinking it is better.
Royal Dutch / Shell (SOPUS) owns Quaker State and Pennzoil.

Either the bulk stuff is all one grade--and cheap to boot--or else
they're charging $15 for the privilege of your being able to watch it
come out of the sealed, name-brand bottles.

My guess is the former.

The bulk oil is the same as what's in the bottles.  I have actually
delivered the stuff into the tanks.  The good Lube places will have all
the grades, i.e. 0-30, 5-30, 10-30, 10-40 or whatever.  The bad places
just order 10-30 and put it in every car, but they are usually auto
shops, not lube places.  In my opinion, they charge way too much anymore
for an oil change and many use the cheapest oil filters to boot.

If Pennzoil is the optional "upgrade" oil, then what crap is in the bulk
tank?  I bet they are just milking the customer even more with that line.

dan

I am on the road often enough where I need to get my oil changed at
Jiffy Lube or other convenient type of oil change place. Is there any
quality or performance difference between the bulk oil they use or the
optional bottled oil (penzoil) that they offer for $10-$15 more?
I have heard many horror stories regarding Jiffy Lube, although I
guess I am lucky with 220K on my Honda Accord. Taking my car to the
dealer just for an oil change on the road seems ridiculous. Just
wondeingr what others look for in an oil-change place to insure
quality work (those who fear Jiffy Lube) when they can't do it
themselves.
Thanks