A driver has slammed a quick oil change company after a bad experience – many others claim the shop caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to their cars.
One person said that when she opened the hood of her car, smoke was coming from her oil tank.
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Another person said the company forgot to refill their engine with oil after draining it.
The common thread between these and many other customers is that they all had their cars serviced at Take 5.
Take 5 is an express oil change chain that allows drivers to stay in their cars during the service.
However, for many motorists facing thousands of dollars in engine damage, the company has become more of a nuisance than a help.
After his first experience at Take 5 in Florida, a customer was immediately turned off.
“I never trusted them. I went there once and didn’t know what oil to put in my car and where the oil filter was,” wrote one Facebook user under a post by CBS affiliate WJAX.
Another commentator blamed the quick oil change as the cause of the damage.
“That’s why I don’t go to those companies that do quick oil changes. Take your time,” they said.
Another user claimed: “I took my car there last year and they broke a small pipe, it cost me $300.”
“REALLY BAD”
Other customers have spoken out and sharply criticized Take 5.
Robin Portfield took her Volvo to a Take 5 in Atlanta, Georgia, and thought everything was fine when she left the service area.
However, while driving, her car started making an angry noise.
“It was like bam, bam, ban, really bad,” she told ABC affiliate WSB-TV in June.
How often should you change your oil?
According to experts, the exact number depends on a number of factors, including:
- Age of the vehicle. Older vehicles usually require an oil change sooner than newer vehicles because the engine oil they use does not last as long as new oil. In addition, the gaps between moving parts are usually larger than in a new engine.
- Oil type. Synthetic oil tends to last much longer between oil changes compared to synthetic oil or a synthetic blend.
- Driving conditions. People who live in dusty areas or regions with extreme weather conditions that require a lot of driving or stop-and-go traffic should change their oil sooner than normal to maintain lubrication of moving parts.
- Cars that transport heavy loads, such as regularly towing a trailer, place strain on the engine.
Older vehicles typically need their oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. More modern vehicles can go between 5,000 and 7,500 miles between oil changes, especially because modern oil contains more efficient lubricants and additives. Some vehicles that use synthetic oil may only need an oil change every 15,000 miles.
It is important that you read your owner’s manual to determine the exact weight and interval your car requires.
Source: AAA
She pulled out the dipstick and was shocked that Take 5 employees had forgotten the most important step.
“The only thing on it was a little black piece at the end,” she recalled.
Portfield immediately called Take 5 and was told to pour a quart of oil back into the engine.
When she returned her car for inspection, she received bad news.
“She said, ‘You put oil in the car, it will void the warranty and there’s nothing we can do for you,'” she said.
Her car has now been towed to a repair shop and she has been waiting for repairs for six months.
Not only did Portfield lose her means of transportation, the whole ordeal also cost her her job.
“I couldn’t go to work,” she complained.
She claims the company has shirked responsibility for the damage and will not pay her repair bill.
“NOT A GOOD SIGN”
Another customer was shocked to see an oil pressure warning light come on after driving off a Take 5 in North Carolina.
Ben Brown immediately stopped his 2021 Jeep Gladiator to look under the hood.
“I opened the oil reservoir and smoke came out,” Brown told WSB-TV.
“Not a good sign.”
For this reason, I don’t use companies that do oil changes quickly. Take your time.
Facebook users
He took his Jeep to a repair shop and was quoted $13,000 for a new engine.
Brown had his car towed to the shop and learned that his engine needed to be replaced due to another problem.
“They concluded that the oil filter was defective,” he said.
“There is obviously a seal that holds the oil filter. It’s broken.”
Brown has also tried to get Take 5 to pay his repair bill, but he continues to be “rebuffed” by the company.
“UTLEST IMPORTANCE”
Take 5 responded to WJAX’s request for comment.
“Customer satisfaction and quality service are of utmost importance to Take 5,” they wrote.
“Our oil changes comply with vehicle manufacturers’ warranties and help extend the life of the engine. Our services are guaranteed for 30 days or 1,000 miles, provided the customer complies with the warranty terms.
“Even in cases where warranties have expired or been voided by a customer, we make every effort to achieve a satisfactory outcome as our goal is to provide a pleasant and convenient experience for all of our customers.”
The US Sun has asked Take 5 for comment.
