I take mine to Discount Tire...

They will rotate your tires for free. If you ask to have the re-balanced, then they charge you for that. But, if you bought your tires at Discount Tire, the rotations and balances are free.
***************************

As for the oil change, I go to Kwik Car, or somewhere like that- so I can watch them drain my oil, change my filter, and refill it.

Believe it or not, multi-billion dollar grossing Wal-Mart tried to screw me back in 1996. We'd taken the car (1993 Honda Accord) in for an oil change, filled out the paperwork, dropped off the keys, and walked into the area where they key chains, and tires are. We'd been in the store all of three minutes (if that long), when they anounced over the PA system that our car was ready.
I said, "Aw Hell Naw- they didn't change the oil that fast". Surely, they've made a mistake, and called our name incorrectly- we can't be done already.

So, we went back there (no lie, three minutes- five minutes max.). I said are you sure you changed my oil? We've only been here a few minutes... She was like, "Yes- and your car is on the side of the building."

So, we paid, and my wife and I went out to the car. I popped the hood, pulled the stick, and the oil was black. Thinking that might have been residue from the old oil, I dipped and pulled it 3 - 4 more times. Jet black every time.

So, I walked back in the store, and confronted them, with the dirty oil stick, and rag. They still stuck with their story, and soon the Manager came. He tried to tell me some c**k & bull story about that was left over residue, so he came out to show me.

He dipped and pulled the stick 4 - 5 more times, and eventually asked for the keys, took it back in, and changed the oil while I watched. This time, when I pulled the stick, the oil looked like golden honey.

That was the LAST time Wal-Mart ever touched a car I owned.

 

Same here with the oil level. I got 4 "free" changes when I bought my truck. After the second change I decided I would check the oil when I got home. So I let it sit for a little bit and then check, the oil barely made it on the stick. So I called them let them know that they did not put enough oil in it. They said sorry it won't happen again. Then I took it in for the 3rd change and mentioned to them the incident from the last change, they say ok we'll put the correct amount in this time. I didn't pick the truck up until after hours cause I dropped it off for the full day cause of some other work getting done. Guess what happened, it was a quart low again. I call them back the next day to bitch and the service writer that I spoke said it only take 6 quarts. I told them they better check the manual cause with the filter it is 7. Then I started to look through the paper work when I bought the truck and sure enough there is a maintence schedule that the dealer wrote up and it says it only takes 6 quarts...guess some dumbass wrote it wrong. This happened about 1 1/2 years after the 04's came out and I bet everyone that had their oil changed only got 6 quarts. I guess the check engine light doesn't come on until it really low on oil. My Ranger would come on if it was just shy of a quart low.

 

You guys are skeering me to death.

I'm thinking I paid for 51 oil changes and only got about 37 !

HEADS WILL ROLL !!!!
(except the blockheads)

 

Except for those "free" changes when I bought the truck, I will never let anyone change the oil except for myself. I have always changed oil before and will always continue to due so. I would never trust those quick change places. About 10 years ago a lady I knew had her oil changed at one and they did not get the plug tight enough and if fell out. She didn't realize it until it was too late and trashed the engine. She tried to get the place to pay for it but the receipt she signed has small print saying they are not responsible for any damages so she got screwed.

 

We have oil change weekend every three months or so. Me and my kids get together and take care of stuff.

Iv'e been non greased by the greasemonkeys before.

 

I have a great local mechanic, but I work an hour from home. Going to the dealership here near the office was just more convenient. I think I've learned my lesson -- telecommute once every 5k miles!

 

Yep, that same Wal- Mart (Killeen, TX) did that to a soldier of mine. He had an older Accord (Older than a 1993)- one of the ones with the pop up headlights. I can't remember if he said they put too much in, or not enough, but when he got about 3 miles from the store, his engine blew.

He got towed, and went back to Wal-Mart thinking they'd pay for the damages, and they were like, Too bad, so sad, bye-bye...

I foudn this out while telign them about my experience- he was like, "you're lucky! That's how I lost my car!" I guess he didn't have the $$$ for a new engine- then again, what soldier would- especially back in 1996.

 

Uhhh...this wasn't your first clue there might be a problem?

Why on earth would you go back? Is there a total lack of competent mechanical repair facilities in your area?

 

I think it is bull$h|t that we can't trust people to do competent work anymore. I like the exposes that are done on the various service businesses. We should all have little cameras in our vehicles to bust a$$ when the a$$ needs bustin if you know what I mean!