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Jiffy Lube6363 Tussing Rd, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068(614) 864-8396https://www.jiffylube.com/locations/oh/reynoldsburg/3129Mon - Sat: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PMClosed on Sunday
On Thursday, September 11, 2025, I took my car to Jiffy Lube for an oil change. I got much more than I paid for.
I was the sole customer at Jiffy Lube, so I anticipated prompt service, which pleased me. The first rain cloud on my parade was the troll in the pit.
I suppose he had other things on his mind, but the troll pulled the plug on my transmission instead of the oil pan. A hurried conference with the manager followed, after which I was informed of the error. I laughed it off, because all they have to do is fill the transmission and that's an end to it.
The staff changed the oil, oil filter, and air filter without incident, then filled the engine with oil and refilled the transmission with transmission fluid. I paid up, accepted all offered apologies for the delay, and was on my way home when the trouble started.
My transmission would slip out of gear for a second or two, then slide back in with a car shuddering thud. I put about two miles behind me before I turned around and went back. Again, I'm the only customer.
The manager greeted me and I explained what was going on, and that it was a problem. Moreover, there was no line item on my invoice that explained the transmission fluid change, and there should have been. I had no evidence that they'd actually done any work on the transmission, and if things really went sideways here, I'd need it.
They changed out the transmission fluid again, then asked me to start the car and test the transmission. I asked for an invoice showing the transmission fluid change. They prevaricated. I talked to three different people, asking politely for an invoice and receiving a non-answer each time. After about fifteen minutes of discussion, I finally got my invoice listing the transmission fluid change.
At the manager's request, I started my car and with my foot on the brake and slowly tested all the gear positions, which hadn't happened before. When everything checked out fine, I asked another employee just what had happened. As it turns out, Subaru uses a special transmission fluid in their automatic transmission, and they didn't have any. Reasoning that one fluid is pretty much like any other, they substituted a different brand, and as it turns out that was the wrong thing to do. The pump in the transmission will malfunction if a different transmission fluid is used. On my second transmission fluid change the correct fluid and filling tool were found in the storage room and employed in their primary office, which fixed the problem.
So far, anyway.
I gave my car a test drive, and it seems okay. Jiffy Lube assured me that if there were further problems, they'd tow my car to a Subaru dealership and have it fixed at their expense.
My thought about Jiffy Lube is that it isn't important that the pit troll made a mistake. It happens, and he didn't try to cover it up. What's important is that they didn't try to pass the problem off as nonexistent; they fixed it. That's the important part, and I told them as much.
4 comments:
I dunno Jack… sounds like you had to twist arms to make them put it on paper…
if you can't do the work yourself, I recommend finding a mechanic you trust (took us a while to do that, but having mechanics check out issues you already know about and see if they're honest about it or try to "upsell" you is a good test) and stick with them.
You got lucky. Jiffy lube is a chain and it's only as good as the manager at that particular shop. The fact that they didn't want to put it on paper is a red flag. They can "say" they'll fix it if it causes problems later all they want, but if it's not on paper, don't count on it happening.
And how long is that promise good for? A month? Six months? What if two years from now that pump fails because running the wrong oil for even a short time caused it to wear out faster than normal? You expect them to honor their promise after that long?
My biggest fear is breaking down on the road somewhere far from my tools and/or my mechanic and having to trust some random shop I know nothing about.
When I'm near home, I'll do the work myself or, if it's something I don't have the time or skill to do myself, I have a trusted, known honest, mechanic that I always use.
Yes, those "drive through" oil change places are convenient, but you pay for the convenience by entrusting something that, for most people, constitutes the second largest investment you'll make to some unknown "pit troll" who probably doesn't get paid much more than minimum wage.
I'm much more confident dropping the car off and leaving it for a day with a mechanic I know takes pride in doing good work for a fair price. Costs more in the short term, but worth it in the long run in my opinion.
BTW: In the Hampton Roads VA area, The Accurate Tune (yes, a chain) on Monticello in Norfolk is the place to go. They do tune-ups, brakes, exhaust, and many types of repairs, but they don't do everything. If it's something they can't handle, they'll tell you that right up front and will tell you exactly where to take it to get quality work at a fair price.
The manager is named J.T. and he will treat you right.
Glen: I used an arm lock. They were reluctant, but I out-insisted them. That was a tense moment, and my advantage was that I was parked over the pit and about half of these men don't want the police involved in any way.
Sailor: I live in a condo and don't have the space for automotive work. I've got a good friend who owns a race car and I could have imposed on him, but the fifteen minute oil change is so convenient and easy - at my age and mileage, I should know better.
Thanks for the tip (J.T.) and I'll remember, as I still travel.
Had my oil changed at my regular repair place. Grand total was $49.plus tax.
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