Trusting your RX8 to a shop for an oil change...
 

So, I'm posting up the general question of how much trust (if any) do you put into the small lube shop like Valvoline lube center, or a walmart Lube center for the sole purpose of getting your oil changed?

In my current situation I don't have access to a garage/jackstand/oil pan/etc to change my oil myself (sucks beacuse I love doing it)

I had to take my 8 to a valvoline service center and pay 20 bucks for them to do it, I brought my own oil (Royal Purple 5w20) and did my own filter later that day in the parking lot. One thing that sits in the back of my mind is how much i can trust them to REALLY use the oil *I* give them? and not just keep it for personal use? I mean 4 quarts, thats 30 dollars worth of oil almost.

I also had a bit of distaste from the fact that I told them make sure they fill it up properly to the top fo the "full line", and later i checked it myself and it was a bit over the full line. (which can be bad right?)

With all the driving I do, i have to change my oil every month. Just how BAD would it be to take my 8 to walmart to get the oil changed? (its not by choice as 5 days in the week im in a TINY town in arkansas for work and *ALL* there is, is a walmart.


Any ideas are appreciated,
Jeff

Just had the idea (tell me what you guys think) that if i have to take it to a place like that to get the oil changed, would it be okay to tell them to drain the oil and only put 3 quarts in, drive it out of their bay around the corner and then add the last quart myself?

Would driving 100 feet with only 3 quarts of oil replaced hurt it?

Tell them you want the empties back. That way, they at least have to do some work not to use your oil. My biggest concern is what other problems they may introduce while working on my car (scratches, dings).

In my experience, independent lube shops vary in quality of workmanship. it's a bit of a risk, you just have to go find one and chat up the manager and/or the tech and see if they are a tidy operation. I took my previous vehicle to Xpress Lube here in my hometown and never had problems. the techs were enthusiasts too, and i made them feel comfortable enough to not hesitate to ask me questions if there was something about my car they weren't 100% sure about.

And yes, I've brought in my own oil at times, and they've always used it. they still come out ahead, they take $5 off the bill and the oil they would have normally put in costs at least as much.

thanks for the info... this one shop i went to (Valvoline Express Center) seemed cool... the tech was asking me about my shifter in the 8, (if it was a custom short shifter) and i was telling him its all stock. They drove it into the bay but asked me to drive it out because the 1st guy stalled it on the way in :nono:

Any input on driving it around the corner with only 3 Quarts put into it, so i can *personally* top off the last quart with the proper amount? Just wanna make sure I'm not going to fuck something up by driving 100 feet with only 3 quarts in her.

If you can't do the oil changes yourself, I would suggest that you take it to a dealer to have it done. At least that way, if they screw something up they presumably will be in a position to fix the problem right there. With a quick lube place, you certainly don't want them attempting to correct a problem they've created.

As to your overfilling question, if it was a "bit" over the top mark--like half an inch or so--I don't think it would be a problem.

3 quart is fine, with 3 quarts the dipstick level would just right around the lowest line on the stick

btw, have you considered installing one of them 'easy drain' oil drain plugs (Fram SureDrain, Fumoto drain valve, etc). With one of those things installed, you can change your oil without lifting the car up at all, makes DIY oil changes VERY easy, just need an oil pan, some hand tools, and a flat surface to park the car :D:

As long as you can get the plug off it's reall easy to do it yourself. I just use a jack to lift it just enough to reach the oil pan and to fit a catch under it. You could do it in your driveway in 10 min. if you want.
________
Blonde live

Im really liking what i see what that FRAM sure drain thing... my only question is: they appear to have different sizes, which size fits the RX8 drain plug? they have SD-1 thru SD-5

As soon as i can find out what size, ill get it.

i'm pretty sure Fram's website have a lookup table to find the correct size for the 8

If you don't want to do it yourself (which is the best bet if you want your car treated the BEST), try Oil Can Henry..you are sitting in the car while they do it and they have a camera set up so you can check out what they are doing...

As for the Fram..I set mine up too..however, I forgot what size..I think it was SD-2..like ZoomZoom said, go to their website to check it out..

The local mechanics here that look after our work cars pretty much refused to work on a rotary engine. I asked them to do a oil change at 1,000km, and they agreed as it was a simple task, but asked me if there was anything they needed to know (buy the oil from Mazda). No-one's ever had any problems with them for their own cars (or the work cars), but they just don't seem to want to know about rotary engines. ::shrugs::

I like to stand around and watch. Most of the little oil change shops I've been to don't have a problem with that. As far as the 3 quarts go, it's not a problem. Think about it this way, if you've ever drivin your car to the point of having the little oil pressure light come on, you've probably depleted you're resovoir more than a quart or two.