Blog > The Difference Between Service at a Dealership and a Quick Lube

The Difference Between Service at a Dealership and a Quick Lube

Time and budget are a concern for most of us, so it is natural that we are going to look for the easiest deal, and that goes for everything from groceries to oil changes. But cheap and quick are not always the best, even when it seems like there should be no difference. While we can buy the same pair of shoes at a different place and get a better deal, a cheap oil change might save you a few dollars at the time, but can cost you more in the long run.

A vehicle is an expensive purchase and you want to take care of it and prevent break downs and expensive repairs. Things like oil changes and The Works Service are an important part of that. But getting your vehicle oil changed at a quick lube can come with some serious disadvantages that can lead to serious problems.

Friendly well trained technicians

A vehicle is an expensive purchase and you want to take care of it and prevent break downs and expensive repairs. Things like oil changes are an important part of that. But getting your vehicle oil changed at a quick lube can come with some serious disadvantages that can lead to serious problems.

When you go to a quick lube shop in Nanaimo for a cheap oil change you might save a few bucks, but the savings come from staff who have very little training in lube tech services, lower wages, and cheaper parts that are not certified and can cause serious problems.

So, you have to ask yourself, is a quick oil change worth it and what is the difference between going to a certified shop like Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln vs going to a quick lube for an oil change?

Difference #1 Cost of Service

The belief about the actual cost of getting your oil changed at our dealership.

Many assume that it costs way more money to get your oil changed at a dealership. While we have seen this in some dealerships, Steve Marshall Ford is competitively priced with all our services, including oil changes.

Sure there are some deals or coupons out there on oil changes, but you need to remember that the reason that these places can afford to have these prices come at a cost having poorer quality parts installed by staff that often do not have a lot of training.

Difference #2 Vehicle Report Card

We don’t just change your oil and oil filter.

We fill out a vehicle report card inspecting components like wiper blades, battery, lights and windshield, belts, hoses and mounts, the brake system, steering and suspension components, exhaust system and transmission drive axel.  We also check all fluid conditions and levels, and top them up if needed.

We do this to look for any potential problems that if caught ahead of time can keep you from a break down or very costly repair down the road.

Difference #3 Certified Automotive Technicians

Qualified lube techs.

Our Lube techs are first year apprentice mechanics or on their way to joining the program. They are surrounded by certified automotive technicians who are there to mentor them, help them spot potential problems, and ensure quality work. A lube tech can easily spot something that does not look right and get the help of a journeyman tech to identify the problem.  This can really save you in the long run as being warned that you have a hose that is worn and likely to break soon is far less expensive and troublesome to repair than a hose that breaks on you while you are driving.  

In a lube shop, they are often not certified lube techs or apprentice mechanics and may have little to no automotive experience or training. So, they may not be able to recognize the start of a problem. Also, as seemingly simple as an oil change may seem, there are steps that if not done properly that can cause an oil filter to leak or create other problems for your vehicle.

Difference #4 Certified Original Equipment

We only use certified parts.

“The biggest problem we see.” Trevor Shigeoka, Shop Foreman, tells us, “Is when aftermarket (non OEM) oil filters are used. The internal filter components break down and then travel through your engine and this can cause very serious and very expensive problems. Even worse, on newer vehicles the warranty can be voided if damage comes from having used parts that are not certified.”

Aside from not having properly trained and qualified staff, one of the way quick lubes shops keep their costs low is by using non-certified aftermarket parts.

Difference #5 Rotating Tires & Inspections

We also inspect your brakes, front end, and rotate your tires.

Aside from the vehicle report card going over your fluid levels and the condition, we also rotate and check your tires and make sure your tread depth is OK. Rotating your tires is ever so important to your fuel economy, tire life and, most importantly, the handling and control of your vehicle. When we rotate your tires, we use this time to also inspect your tie rods, ball joints and brakes.

Difference #6 Honesty

We don’t try to sell you stuff you don’t need.

Many lube shop employees make commissions on the sale of things like lube flush, transmission flush and air filters. If you do not need it, we do not recommend it.

The Biggest Difference

These are the significant differences that make a fast oil change not really worth it. Besides, the idea that dealerships charge more for oil changes isn’t always true. At Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln we make sure that we are fairly and competitively priced with all our services, including oil changes.

In reality, the only thing you might give up is a little convenience, but you gain the additional peace of mind of having a trusted dealership, a trained technician, using specialty equipment and software working on your vehicle.

We even give your car a wash and vacuum.

Let’s get you booked in for some regular maintenance with The Works!