Does anyone have experience with bringing their RX8 to jiffy lube? If so, what brand of oil do they use? I hope they know at least to use 5w20.

If i bring my car to the dealer, how long do they typically take for an oil change and are they willing to give you a loaner? I read somewhere in this forum that they only would give a loaner for service that takes more than a day? Is this true?

thanks!

if i remember correctly jiffy lube is pretty exclusive about using penzoil products. and i don't see why they wouldn't have 5w20, but then again, who knows =p it may depend on your location though.

Jiffy Lube down here used their stock 10-30 unless you asked AND PAID for some other oil. You could choose from a lot of brands.

I know you can get Castrol at a higher price. I found 5W-20W at my local Walmart store. I am still debating on whether or not to change it my self. I don't like the oil filter spot. looks like you will dribble oil all over the engine. I wouldn't take it to Jiffy lube. I had the try and tell me my Honda Accord only took 3 3/4 qt of oil. The stupid manager was mad at me for insisting that he put the other 1/4 qt in. I think he had a partial qt around and just used it. They had to open a new one to fill it up. He even pull the dip stick showing a 1/4 low and said it was full. Lost a customer for life.

Beware of Jiffy Lube- they failed to replace a seal after an oil change on my Accord once causing a leak which could easily have destroyed the engine. In 4 years of ownership the only time I had to add oil to the car was after the Jiffy Lube fiasco.

I have other friends who have worse Jiffy Lube stories to tell.

If you use them, I would make sure they use the correct oil and filter and replacement seal, check your oil after the job and look for leaks also.

Loaner car policies are generally determined by each dealer. I would be VERY surprised if any Mazda dealer would give you a loner car for an oil change. Most dealers, however, will give you a ride to work or home. My local Jaguar, Lexus and Infiniti dealers do not give loaner cars for oil changes. The Jaguar dealer wouldn't even give a loaner car for scheduled service (which is why my other car is now a Lexus).

I've never had the dealer change oil on any of the Mazda's I've owned but I do use them for other cars. The Lexus, Infiniti and Jaguar dealers all take about an hour and a half. But that was with an appointment and included a car wash.

The RX-8's oil is actually pretty easy to change. The oil filter and the drain are both easily accessable (compared to a Miata!). The only thing I don't like is the upside down filter, but with a few rags and punching a hole in the filter, it's not too bad. Since it used the same filter as a Miata, I may try to adapt one of the oil filter relocation kits made for the Miata.

-Dave

Counsumer Affairs page on Jiffy Lube. (http://www.consumeraffairs.org/automotive/jiffy_lube.htm)

I've always gotten a loaner car even just for an oil change on my old car at the bmw dealer. so i was curious to find out if mazda does the same. when you go for an oil change at the dealer , they atleast check pressure on your tire and check the other fluids in the car too right?

Think about it. Sure, you just think it's an oil change - it's simple, right? But then think about the kind of individual who would choose to work at a Jiffy Lube - somebody who probably couldn't get a job elsewhere, right? I mean, it's not like they do anything particularly technically challenging. If they wanted to be a mechanic, they wouldn't work at Jiffy Lube. So why would you take your rotary engine car, which in and of itself is a very rare machine found on the road, to a company whose only expertise is changing oil for the typical 1980s automobile? You just have to expect that whatever they do will be the incorrect procedure when they change your oil. They most likely won't put in a worthy oil filter, they'll have a hell of a time removing the original one, they'll stumble over how to remove it, they won't screw in the drain pan nut tight enough, they'll probably put in 20W-50, and then won't take responsibilty for anything that happens afterwards.

Just take it to the dealer and pay twice as much for an oil change. At least if they screw it up you'll have more of a chance of getting them to be responsible for anything that goes wrong.

What you guys think about Pep Boys? Would they do a good job?

NEVER GO TO JIFFY LUBE!! I took my 91 MR2 turbo in several times and they couldn't figure out where the engine is, every time! Worse of all, they don't tighten the drain bolt. I would look at it after they're done and I would see oil dripping down. That's how bad they are.. I would go there only if there was a cute chick sitting in their office waiting for her car.. Great way to pick up chicks! :p

jiffy lube = IFFY lube

Originally posted by JaChTsai
What you guys think about Pep Boys? Would they do a good job?

pepboys is not a good idea
I love all the parts they carry but they overcharge on service

Just got my oil changed last week for free at the dealer. They only took about 30 minutes and did a checklist of things and topped other fluids too. I noticed that he drained the oil out for some time before going after that filter.

Jiffy Lube = The Hands of the Devil

To save $8 on an oil change on a car that just cost $30k seems ridiculous. Either change it yourself, or bring it to a reputable company.

I agree with all of you -- I would avoid the quickie places like the plague. Anymore, dealers are usually pretty competitive with oil change prices. Long ago, I decided anything I can't or don't want to do myself will only be done by the dealer. I would also be comfortable with a trusted independent technician.

Also, bringing a brand new car in its first year run to a place like Jiffy Lube is just stupid. They have no expereince with the car at all. And the fact that the RX8 is SOOOO dependent on oil (since it uses it moreso than a piston engine), I would never go to a place like this so I can get it for $17.95.

From all these stories, I will not go to Jiffy Lube. Should I change the oil mayself?

How many people do it?

I simply don't have the time to 'wait' at a dealer for the oil change. I am @ 979 miles.... I still have a little time to decide.

Has anyone posted a 'HOWTO' on 8 oil chaning?

Originally posted by Slice
From all these stories, I will not go to Jiffy Lube. Should I change the oil mayself?

How many people do it?

I simply don't have the time to 'wait' at a dealer for the oil change. I am @ 979 miles.... I still have a little time to decide.

Has anyone posted a 'HOWTO' on 8 oil chaning?

try this

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12455&highlight=oil+change

Originally posted by Slice
I simply don't have the time to 'wait' at a dealer for the oil change.
I hear you there. I waited at my dealership during my lunch hour the other day for my 5K service (changed the oil at 2500 myself). After an hour, the car was still sitting in the parking lot. I was very annoyed at wasting a whole hour just so some kid could park my car for me. I think I'll just do it myself again, but it's a waste of my free service. Anyone have any details on the other aspects of the 5K service? I.e., what type of grease to use and on what (door hinges, etc.)?

Just do it yourself you lazy bastard. haha

I don't get it - how much would Jiffy Lube charge for an oil change? Don't forget that you will probably have to pay extra for the correct oil and filter.

My Mazda dealership charges $16 per oil change (including correct oil and filter) and every other oil change is free (a lot better than the $90 I paid for my Lexii and $35 I pay for my Acura). So I would be averaging $8 per oil change every 3750 miles with the correct materials and done by a Mazda technician.

Is Jiffy Lube really that much cheaper to make it worthwhile?


As far as loaner cars go I am sure every dealership is different, but mine required me to book ahead and then allowed it only if the job should take over 90 mins (quoted oil change at 30-45 mins).

The dealers around here that I've used have all given me a ride in their courtesy van to work. Its better than waiting. That said, I do it myself now, I don't trust them to touch anything on my car anymore (FD). Maybe (fingers crossed) they're better with the 8, since they actually sell them. Maybe.

jds

Luckily they have plenty of lube there.. You're gonna need when they bend you over and...

RotaryStalker

Mazda dealership charges $16 per oil change (including correct oil and filter) and every other oil change is free

wow only $16 and free every other time? how'd you get that deal? I think the dealers around my area charges $45 everytime for regular oil change.

I thought all Mazda dealerships charged this for oil-changes. I didn't even haggle, I just asked how much it cost and the sales manager said "$16 a time and BTW here is a book with free oil-change vouchers every 7500 miles".

I would be shocked if Mazda could charge $45 just for an oil change (more than Acura or Infinfiti charge). They must include some other work (inspect and top up other fluids, maybe rotate tires etc).

Originally posted by Jump120MPH
Just do it yourself you lazy bastard. haha
You miss the point. I have this free service now, so I'd like to use it. Just like I plan on using the $500 debit card. Honestly, though, I don't know if I'll be able to bring myself to the point of being able to sit around the frikin dealership again. So, I'll probably just do it all myself, and Mazda just saved some money off of me.

So far I've always changed my own oil.. well, except once in the middle of the winter. Anyway... its easy and reletively hard to break anything so I feel it's safe to do yourself. Plus, it lets you get a bit of a hands on feel for your car. With free service on the 8 I'll be taking it to the dealer. I think I'll actually miss changing my own oil.

-JiM

my oil change as mazda was 25 bucks
maybe I need to move to houston for 16

Originally posted by mikeb
my oil change as mazda was 25 bucks
maybe I need to move to houston for 16

Yes, Houston is great..... Almost everything is cheap here for some reason.

Having lived in Houston for almost two years I would happily pay $50 for an oil change and move back to the NE. They have mosquitos the size of hummingbirds here, coupled with hurricanes and torrential storms/flooding every month or two.

here in NJ the mosquitos can be quite bad too. no hurricanes but we get some flooding oh and then there's that white stuff. we got a ton of it last winter and it didnt melt for weeks.

The reason Houston is cheap is because of the humidity and mosquitos! (and love bugs, and June bugs) No one wants to live there! This is not intended to be an insult; I am qualified to comment on this matter as I have lived most of my life in Houston.

Cheers

I was looking at the Maint. Schedule and it recommends oil changes every 7,500 miles (or 6 months). It seems that everyone on the forum changes their oil every 3,000. I did this on all my prevous piston motors. Is 7,500 acceptable? or should I continue with the 3,000 mile changes?

During the factory warranty period I would stay with the OEM oil filter whether the oil is changed by yourself, the dealer or Jiffy lube. No cheapo Purolator or Fram filters that may or may not have a pop-off valve inside. If the motor blows, a non-OEM filter can be suspect and void the warranty. The Genuine Mazda filter is pretty good quality.

I took my Honda Civic to a Jiffy (or Express) Lube place and they left off a gasket. I noticed oil on my garage floor. I took it back the next day and they corrected it. The kicker was when I took my wife's car in later that same week, and they did it again on hers! They either had newbies working there, or they enjoy lawsuits. I doubt I'll use one of these places for my RX-8.

The Subaru dealership here gives free lifetime oil, lube and filter if regular maintence is done at the dealership. or at least they did a while back when I was looking at the WRX.

Don't go to those chains!

My Pontiac/ Mazda dealer around the corner did oil changes on the (Pontiac) Firebird for $25 and now they give me coupons for RX-8 oil changes for $30. I trade the F'bird in but still get quarterly letters to service my Firebird .. and have its oil changed for $25.

I guess changing oil on a Mazda is more difficult? I should try to use the GM coupon instead of the Mazda coupon :-)

The dealer offers me a ride and washes my car with every oil change.

In contrast a short horror story when I went to one of those chains ("Precision Tune"). Got an oil change on my old 626 for $14 and they usually find those things that urgently need fixing, that's how they make money.. 'cause the $14 does barely cover their cost.

Once 2 days after an oil change the car acted up.. I check under the hood and find that the oil cap was missing (!). The oil had come out and soiled the whole engine. I needed to have the engine washed and then in a shop replace all kinds of damaged rubber parts, hoses etc.

That oil change cost me $350 alltogether.

The Mazda dealer i went to only charge $19.95 for oil change. This is even cheaper the Jiffy. So I saw no reason not to go to dealer.

jiffy lube is cool i paid $31.99 for 4qt of Penn 5-30. i provided the genuine Mazda filter. (the JL guys could not find the x-ref for the right Fram)

Jiffy Lube sucks ass!

Jiffy Lube and Uncle Ed's are incompetent.

Might as well take your car to the chimps at the zoo for an oil change.

Right off my invoices:

Brown's Alexandria Mazda: Oil Change=$36.42 (tax included) (free coffee, walmart TV sitting on TV stand in waiting room, plastic furniture in waiting room, free shuttle to Metro station). Service was excellent.

Lindsay Lexus of Alexandria: Oil Change=$55.20 (tax included) (free donuts, free coffee, free hot chocolate, flat screen plasma TV in waiting lounge, free car wash, leather furniture in waiting lounge, free shuttle to Metro station or will reimburse your cab fare from the metro station back to the service shop if you don't want to wait for the shuttle when returning!) Service was excellent.

I'm wary of quick oil change facilities. At one place they broke the air filter housing by not removing it correctly...and I drove my truck 3000 miles in which the intake air was not getting filtered. Another quick change place left the oil cap resting on the air cleaner. I may get the dealer to do the first oil change as I have heard so much about that factory-tightened filter...and then will do it myself or probably the dealer.

WOW!!! Major thread resurrection!!!! Fitting that the last post was on Halloween 2003!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHHA!!!

As to the thread topic. Change your own oil!!!! I changed my own oil in wayyyyyy less than 10 minutes just last night! 9 minutes and I even had to add an oil return fitting from the greddy kit!!! (admittedly someone else poured the oil and the car was already on the jack stands. Why why why would you have someone else change your oil FOR $$$$$???? Its so easy!.

Just take it to the dealer and pay twice as much for an oil change. At least if they screw it up you'll have more of a chance of getting them to be responsible for anything that goes wrong.Twice as much? The local Jiffy Lube here wanted $31.00, even when I brought my own oil and filter.

Since the subject has come up again -

I'd used Jiffy Lube twice before - the first two times there was a good crew in there - lots of loving care for my car and gave a nice discount.

Third time was a whole new crew of misfits.

Monkey #1 up top peeled my engine cover off sideways. He's lucky he didn't rip the gromets off the back of it because I almost had hold of his throat by the time it came off.

Monkey #2 in the pit wanted to take off the whole front skid plate to access the oil drain. I *did* get to him before he found his 10mm socket. I was really close to just bailing and changing the oil someplace else, but he started the oil draining.

Monkey #3 charged me full price.

I say find an independent shop with ASE certified mechanics. The shop I use for other maintenance only charges $15. I just gave Jiffy Lube a try because 1) they have a pit instead of lifts and 2) they're 15 miles closer to where I do my Monday errands when I want my oil changed.

Too bad. Jiffy Lube is now banned for life in my family.