[thepontiacman]

At least let them know there was a problem, so maybe the next person doesn't have to deal with this issue. It may cost someone a engine if this continues.

I recently washed a car for a lady and told her to pop the hood to check to make sure the under hood drain areas were clear of leaves and stuff. I opened the hood and saw a clamp on the overflow jug line. I asked when she last had it in a shop or services, she said a few weeks ago. She took it back and showed the service mgr the clamp tool under her hood. They took the clamp off the line and said that the mechanic that serviced her car was no longer there. Apologized for it being left there. Always good to check behind shops after you have something done. Make sure you don't have leaks and tools under your hood.

Hope her engine is OK. Good thing you changed it and found missing filter.

[sdbob]

My first oil change on my new 2015 GMC 2500 was done by dealer 35 miles away. I opened hood about week later no oil fill cap. So I called service,they said we will get one to you. Ok. Hour later they called we do not have one! Buy one locally and send us the bill! I said I just spent 50k and you cant help me? They were not apologetic. You sell how many GMCs ,biggest dealer in area. I called GM they gave me free Sirius. Then just happen to look down inside fender,there it was. My point I trust my local tire dealer,small private business. They care.... These big businesses hire individuals without any supervision. How all goes well.I would let them know and would want to know the 'guy' that did it. You might get all kinds of excuses. That will show you what they are made of. Tell BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.

[Firedup6975]

I remember one time we took my suv to get inspected and oil change to the dealer. Brought it home, Mike looked under the hood and the old filter was still on the car. We went back, and the new filter was still sitting on the mechanics bench that was working on it. Here he went to lunch, and never put it on.

[455'73inElCamino]

Wife went to oil change place to get oil changed and inspection.

Next day I get pulled over because of no inspection sticker.

I tell the cop I just inspected it at the ___ around the corner. He gives me the ticket anyway. Says that once ticket is written he has to give it to me.

So I go to the oil change place and they said that the "computers" were down so they couldn't do the inspection. They said this happens all the time. But they didn't say a word to my wife and just sent her on here way without an inspection sticker. Fortunately I put all that info into the ."not guilty" plea on the ticket and they let me off.

If they can't do the inspection, they shouldn't be taking the inspection stickers off!

I suspect this must happen a lot!

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by 455'73inElCamino

Wife went to oil change place to get oil changed and inspection.

Next day I get pulled over because of no inspection sticker.

If they can't do the inspection, they shouldn't be taking the inspection stickers off!

I suspect this must happen a lot!

If you had an inspection license you would know that part of the inspection process is to first scrape off the old inspection sticker even if it is only a day old. I have seen guys get busted by the state for not doing that the minute it comes in the shop for an inspection. So in this respect, the shop was in the right.

The shop not telling your wife and issuing a temporary sticker? They were entirely in the wrong on this part.

These oil change places have been around for decades and as simple as the process is, I would not trust a single one. Not even the quick lube places at the dealerships. Most of these places hire people that can barely tie their shoes. That's the fact Jack.

[Fullsize455]

Originally Posted by Elarson

My guess is that the tech took the old filter out and tossed it in the trash, then discovered that they didnt have a new one. With the cartridge, it's easy to just put the cap on and not say anything. You couldn't get away with that with a spin-on filter.

Eric

This is by far the most likely scenario. The average low-paid oil change "tech" doesn't care enough to worry about telling his boss that they're out of filters, so instead they mindlessly just put it back together without one like the dumbass they are.

[Fullsize455]

Originally Posted by Heybuck

I agree with everything you are saying here but the BIG problem is, how do you prove it?? You can't. It will be denied right to the end and who wins then? A lot of angry people.

I would say your first scenario is probably the most likely - he just forgot to fit it in. Maybe the others are possibilities but if they genuinely decided not to put it in, they would be fools. If they really did not have a new one in hand, just put the old one back. Who would know after just a mile or 2 of driving. The new oil will still look new even if it had picked up a bit of old dirty oil as it passes through.

Sure, go and confront them but the only lever 6t7goat has is to tell them that they have lost some business and the word will be continually spread. What we haven't been told is how much time has passed? If it was only a week or so, you just might have a case but 10K miles..... That's going to take a fair old time to rack up those miles so the quick lube place will have no recollection of the situation even if they wanted to remember.

But I still say, the bigger picture is now his daughter will trust her dad to look after things on her car. She will take this as a lesson and not go to the cheapo place for a lube. You do really only ever get what you pay for in the end.

You don't need to prove it. The shop should give the customer the benefit of the doubt on this. How many customers are going to come in telling a story like this just to try to get a free oil change out of them? Balance that with the reality that low paid automotive service workers make stupid decisions all the time, not to mention human error. It's not like the customer is coming in asking for their money back on some huge repair bill.

See, most people just give up way too easily. If this happened to me or someone I know, I'd be demanding the following, and believe me I'd get it: A) reimbursement for the cost of the previous oil change B) a new filter handed to me over the counter C) reimbursement for the cost of an oil analysis of the oil I drained out. I'd do all of this in part to make sure my problem was noted and discussed, so if/when there is a problem with the engine afterward, I'd have some ground to stand on when making a claim against them.

You people that give up so damn easily fail to understand that courts overwhelmingly side with the customer when they take shops fo court over bad work. If you have any kind of reasonable documentation/proof of your problem, you WILL get some form of judgement. Shops know this and if you fight the right way and don't back down, you will get what you ask for or close to it. You are guaranteed to get NOTHING if you do nothing. Simple as that.

I say this as someone who has fought for numerous people on their behalf when they have been screwed by shops. As someone who has to compete every day with the bad reputation that mechanics have, I cannot stand to see people getting screwed, and will not back down when someone has obviously been wronged. I've helped people get money back for BS repairs that either weren't done at all or done wrong, I've had people's cars fixed properly.. I get what I ask for because I know all the ways the game is played and I don't back down. Maybe I just have more fight in me than most, maybe it's because I do it for a living and know how to play the game, maybe it's because I don't just walk back out the door at the first sign of resistance. Whatever it is, I get results. I just shake my head when people say "just let it go". You've got to be kidding me!

[salem1912]

Originally Posted by Fullsize455

This is by far the most likely scenario. The average low-paid oil change "tech" doesn't care enough to worry about telling his boss that they're out of filters, so instead they mindlessly just put it back together without one like the dumbass they are.

Could have been on his cell phone and got distracted. I see young guys all the time yak-yak on their phone has they are putting on lug nuts ,doing tune ups etc. One guy put the nuts on but forget to tighten lucky it never made it out the shop.

[SRR]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-eBtkwk1qI

I'm thinking the "Tech" just forgot to put it back in.

10,000 miles between oil changes? Holy crap.

The filter tool he's using is a crappy one, a good one will fit all the way over those two tabs, Parts stores sell the good one. That square plug on the bottom is a drain.

[David Jones]

I'd probably call. Then, if they didn't offer up an oil change for free, I'd not stop in there any more. If they did, I'd go get my free oil change and THEN I'd not stop in there any more.

I use one of the stamped steel filter tools on my wife's 2012 Highlander and have never had an issue with it......or with remembering to put the new cartridge in after I took the old one out. At 109,500 miles I'm about a week away from giving her car it's 11th oil change.

10,000 mile oil changes ROCK.

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by Fullsize455

You don't need to prove it. The shop should give the customer the benefit of the doubt on this. How many customers are going to come in telling a story like this just to try to get a free oil change out of them? Balance that with the reality that low paid automotive service workers make stupid decisions all the time, not to mention human error. It's not like the customer is coming in asking for their money back on some huge repair bill.

See, most people just give up way too easily. If this happened to me or someone I know, I'd be demanding the following, and believe me I'd get it: A) reimbursement for the cost of the previous oil change B) a new filter handed to me over the counter C) reimbursement for the cost of an oil analysis of the oil I drained out. I'd do all of this in part to make sure my problem was noted and discussed, so if/when there is a problem with the engine afterward, I'd have some ground to stand on when making a claim against them.

You people that give up so damn easily fail to understand that courts overwhelmingly side with the customer when they take shops fo court over bad work. If you have any kind of reasonable documentation/proof of your problem, you WILL get some form of judgement. Shops know this and if you fight the right way and don't back down, you will get what you ask for or close to it. You are guaranteed to get NOTHING if you do nothing. Simple as that.

I say this as someone who has fought for numerous people on their behalf when they have been screwed by shops. As someone who has to compete every day with the bad reputation that mechanics have, I cannot stand to see people getting screwed, and will not back down when someone has obviously been wronged. I've helped people get money back for BS repairs that either weren't done at all or done wrong, I've had people's cars fixed properly.. I get what I ask for because I know all the ways the game is played and I don't back down. Maybe I just have more fight in me than most, maybe it's because I do it for a living and know how to play the game, maybe it's because I don't just walk back out the door at the first sign of resistance. Whatever it is, I get results. I just shake my head when people say "just let it go". You've got to be kidding me!

I agree with much of what you state above and don't agree on one item. In the first line of your post you say "you don't need to prove it". Well if the shop is not willing to take your word for it, then you do have to prove it, or at least present some evidence. That's why I like the rest of your post. I also have worked for a manufacturer, (Chrysler Arbitration Board) and as an expert witness for customers over the years, both sides of the fence. You have to understand, many people out there are just non-confrontational personalities and don't want to pursue what they see as a minor issue. The honest truth is that Toyota, assuming it did at least get new oil and ran 10K miles without a filter will be fine. It is very unlikely any measurable damage could ever be proved. Those tiny filters only filter to 30-40 microns anyway and bypass the majority of the oil during operation due to their small size anyway. Agree it's not a good situation and would make me angry, but actual damage would be hard to prove.
Now IF the owner had a confrontational type of personality and wanted to go after the shop, they could potentially have a winner. As you stated, they would need to document every single step in the process from the time the vehicle went in for the oil change to when the missing filter was discovered. Also an accurate time line and all interaction with the shop after the missing filter was discovered. With all this paperwork and a time line and a non-cooperative shop lined up, then you could take them to court and probably win a small judgement. If I was arbitrating a case like this my recommendation would likely be: 1. Free oil analysis 2. 4 free oil and filter changes 3. If oil analysis showed engine damage from wear metals, possibly a maximum of $1000.00 compensation for the "potential" cost of a used replacement engine down the road. (it is very unlikely an oil analysis would show damage from 10K miles with unfiltered oil). Many old engines like air cooled VW's didn't even have oil filters. Now factor in, all the time and aggravation it would take to put your case together. Time off work, time away from doing other things you need to do, worry, anger. For many, is it worth all that for a couple of oil changes? I have friends who would fight this deal no matter how much time and money it takes. Others would just forget about it and move on. Personal choice.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by 6t7goat

My daughter called ... What would you do?

More than anything , i would be proud of her for keeping in time with the oil change coming due.

A friend of mine is providing cars for 2 of his kids , and they can't keep it straight even with him being the one paying for the oil changes. All they have to do is keep up with when its due and tell him a little in advance. Unbelievable.

Further insult - these "kids" are 40-45 years old.

[poncho-mike]

I have a very simple method for timing oil changes. In my cars, I change the oil at any multiple of 5000 miles. I only use Castrol Edge synthetic or Mobil 1 in my newer cars.

In my 2500 Suburban w/454, I change oil at any multiple of 3000 miles and I use Rotella synthetic blend. The only reason I use 3000 miles as the interval is because I average only 1500 - 2000 miles per year.

[John V.]

I grew up on 3000 mile intervals but long ago realized I was throwing away good oil and money. I let the car computer tell me when to change oil these days. That turns out to be about 9000 miles for the '12 Civic (105,000 miles) and the '04 GP GTP (145,000 miles) when the "Oil Life" calculates to 0%.

I've used synthetic in both since new. Way back when it was Castrol SynTec, then renamed Castrol Edge IIRC, but for several years now it has been Mobil 1.

And if it is too cold out, I wait til spring. I check the oil level before changes to be sure I'm not burning oil. And even at 9000 miles I'm certain the oil and filter are just fine. The car computer is just judging oil life on operating conditions, it has no idea about the condition of the oil, nor does it know the quality of oil I'm using. Mobil 1 says 1 year or 20,000 miles whichever comes first. Since I never pull the dipstick between changes, I figure that might be stretching it a bit too far. But I'm comfortable waiting for 9000 miles even when that exceeds 12 months.

Has worked well for me but your experience may differ. I change my own and would never reuse a filter much less forget to install one! But I was not alarmed that the OP Camry had gone 10,000 miles between changes.

[U47]

Originally Posted by getmygoat

Volvo has the canister type also. Seems ok. Its all about the position, so when unscrewed the oil can run right to the pan.

You mean to tell me there is no drain plug on the canister like 1955-59 Pontiac V-8 so that the job is without a mess!

[Trulyvintage]

Read this ....

https://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...il-filter.html


Jim

[SRR]

I did head gaskets on this car. When I saw this I asked him if he ever changes his oil and he said "Yeah, every time that light comes on" FWIW.

[Pecosbill]

Took my 98 Chevy truck in for State inspection and oil change. Clown that did it removed air filter even though I told him I had changed it recently and laid it across the battery, hitting both terminals. Sparks flew and the mesh on the filter was actually welded to the battery. They had to break it off with pliers. I wasn't amused. Clown couldn't figure out how to fasten down the air cleaner box, so I told him to move out of the way and I did it. Paid my bill and left, vowing to not go back. Parked truck and next morning........yep; dead battery. Not just any battery, but a red top Optima battery, you know, the expensive ones. Had to take battery out and take to Auto Zone where I had to pay a pro-rated charge for a new one. I went back to oil change place and told the manager and the response was, "well, how do I know my guy had anything to do with your battery going bad? It might have just been time for it to go bad anyway." Grrrrrrrrr.

[Chris65LeMans]

The only time I ever went to a "Econo Lube & Tune" -type oil change place, about 15 years ago, I had replaced my air filter myself the night before. The clown pulled it out and waved it in front of me to "prove" how dirty is was, and that I needed another. (It was brand new.)

The last time I was at my local GMC dealer, I saw them doing the "wave the filter theatre" for some customers - I'll need to be wary when I go back there for my truck. (too big for me to do myself.)