My rant/warning

[berettabone]

I own a 2008 Accord that's approaching 200,000 mi. The wife was out running errands and decided to stop at a Valvoline oil change joint in another town near us. We have been there many times without issue. They do the usual check over, top off fluids, etc. We don't purchase any extras; I can do that myself. I always keep fresh cardboard under the car in the garage so I can always see if anything is leaking. I haven't seen anything leaking, just the usual 200,000 mi. stuff, snow, etc. The wife comes home, and I look at the receipt. It says in microscopic type, transmission leak. I immediately go out and look at the dipstick and its bone dry. Now, I have no idea how much fluid, if any, is left. Never knew it was leaking. The wife called them up and asked why she wasn't verbally informed about the leak, or that the dipstick was dry. She got the response, that's why it's on the paperwork. I don't think they even checked the dipstick, otherwise you would THINK that they would say something then. They could sell you some tranny fluid. So, we don't know how long it's been that way, and it's going into the local yokel to get looked at. 3 guys working on the car, 3 guys standing around, and no one could say anything. Pi$$ed off to say the least. Told the wife, pick a number you want to spend, maximum, keeping in mind that the car isn't worth all that much. Could be anything from a hose to an axle seal to a front or rear seal. I hate to send it on down the line and cars are just way too expensive these days. Sent my feelings along to the company. Big deal..............I would say, if you use quick change oil places, be vigilant and keep your eyes on things if you can. She happened/decided to get an oil change on 3 Stooges Day.....................

[tokuno]

I sympathize, and I hope it works out well, but still can't resist copying someone's post from the November thread:
21795

[dao]

I own a 2008 Accord that's approaching 200,000 mi. The wife was out running errands and decided to stop at a Valvoline oil change joint in another town near us. We have been there many times without issue. They do the usual check over, top off fluids, etc. We don't purchase any extras; I can do that myself. I always keep fresh cardboard under the car in the garage so I can always see if anything is leaking. I haven't seen anything leaking, just the usual 200,000 mi. stuff, snow, etc. The wife comes home, and I look at the receipt. It says in microscopic type, transmission leak. I immediately go out and look at the dipstick and its bone dry. Now, I have no idea how much fluid, if any, is left. Never knew it was leaking. The wife called them up and asked why she wasn't verbally informed about the leak, or that the dipstick was dry. She got the response, that's why it's on the paperwork. I don't think they even checked the dipstick, otherwise you would THINK that they would say something then. They could sell you some tranny fluid. So, we don't know how long it's been that way, and it's going into the local yokel to get looked at. 3 guys working on the car, 3 guys standing around, and no one could say anything. Pi$$ed off to say the least. Told the wife, pick a number you want to spend, maximum, keeping in mind that the car isn't worth all that much. Could be anything from a hose to an axle seal to a front or rear seal. I hate to send it on down the line and cars are just way too expensive these days. Sent my feelings along to the company. Big deal..............I would say, if you use quick change oil places, be vigilant and keep your eyes on things if you can. She happened/decided to get an oil change on 3 Stooges Day.....................

If it's still shifting right, top it off and keep an eye on it. The fact that they noted it but didn't say anything, and/or try to sell her some may just have been a blessing in disguise.

[sorcerer]

Not to sound rude but did you follow manufacturer instructions on checking transmission fluid?

[jeepster09]

Oil change shops only hire LOW KNOWLEDGE staff to keep the cost down and profit up. My son took his Jeep to a Valvoline center here and they sold him an air filter. In the process they broke off a sensor wire which cost my son a couple hundred bucks to get diagnosed and fixed. He showed me after the fact and it was obvious that the the wire was broke in process of air filter replacement. I would not use a fast oil change center. Go to an independent shop that you can trust, you will be money ahead in long run. Most oil change shops are stepping stones for staff learning how to work on cars and they lack experience.

[JohnR]

Something's gotta give pretty soon in the grease monkey world. The pay is abysmal, but there's huge demand for the skill. How long can that go on?

[Bawanna]

We have a lube shop in town that's been there for 30 years. Same guy owns it and most of the guys working there have been there a long time. Haven't had any problems so far.
For the most part I think your correct. Most have very young kids working. The shop I mention, the owner works in the pit. He said if there's any issues, that's where it will usually be found. Double checking the plug, grease and rear end.
When he's not down there one of his oldest, longest workers is down there.

[berettabone]

Not to sound rude but did you follow manufacturer instructions on checking transmission fluid? Yes, got it up to temp. Shifted through the gears. Rechecked. Doesn't do you much good when there's no fluid touching the dipstick.

[berettabone]

Update: I got lucky..............Kind of strange but both clamps came loose on the transmission cooler lines/hoses. They said it was down a quart and a half of fluid. That means that there was about 2 quarts still in there. Hopefully, the car will go another 100,000. Happy days for now.

[getsome]

My 2002 Silverado with 250k started leaking oil real bad about 6 months ago so I just add a half quart of Wally World Super Tech 10w30 every other day and get the filter changed every 4 months or so and call it good to go……Last quicky lube oil change shop I went to the employees all looked like a prison bus just let them off, the manager smelled like weed and charged me 15 bucks just to change filters…..Won’t be going back there again…….

Speaking of oil filters, I’ve been using NAPA Gold filters for as long as I can remember because they were a quality product made in USA by Wix filters in Gastonia NC…….This last one looked like a little different box and when I looked closely at the filter it said Made in China big as life so even good old NAPA has sold out to China..…..I took it back for a refund and went to O’Reillys and bought a real Wix for less than NAPA wanted for cheap China junk……..Very disappointed in NAPA…..

[GROTMAN]

Well after having it for 13 years i traded in my jeep wrangler and bought a 2024 crosstrek limited a couple days ago. Going to miss the whole jeep mentality and wave thing. And no more surprise ducks waiting for me.
I really debated about it but with all the electronics etc i decided to get the extended warrenty with it. So that being said all my oil changes etc will be done at the suburu dealership for the forseable future. Peace of mind thing.

[getsome]

My youngest son still lives with us and after graduating Ga. Tech got a good job but it was quite a distance away and his old Nissan wasn’t up to the commute so he bought as his first car a Suburu Crosstrek and loves it……One weekend he was on a camping trip and I noticed the rear tire was low and I could see a nail in it so I decided to pump it up and drive to a tire store to get it patched but when I tried to start it the alarm went off and all these dash warning lights came on like a jet fighter plane, I finally got the alarm to stop but couldn’t get it to shift into reverse, long story short it was because I was using the spare emergency key he left in the drawer and not the one with the magic chip in it so I gave up and jacked it up and took the wheel off so I could take it and get it fixed…..I’m not ready for the 21st century……

[berettabone]

My other car is a 2014 Legacy. Just turned over 47,000 mi. Love that car. Cuts through the snow like butter with the AWD. Managed to find one without all the electronic bologna on it and the larger 3.6 engine. Supposedly, Subaru is the second cheapest car to maintain under the first, Mazda. My wife talked her friend into buying a Subaru last year and she loves it. From what I've heard from several mechanics.....don't ever buy anything with an Ecoboost engine (Ford) or any GMC Acadia or Chevy Equinox. So many issues.

[JohnR]

Subaru and Mazda are quietly becoming the most reliable brands.

[sorcerer]

My 2024 Crosstrec just turned a year old on the 16th. 22,500 miles. Came from a 2016 KIA Sportage. Only repair was a nail puncture on the Crosstrec. My biggest complaint is that I can’t permanently turn off the auto start.

[berettabone]

What I always found interesting is that the 6-star cluster in their logo is supposed to represent the Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters. Translated, Subaru means Pleiades.

[Bawanna]

I have no idea what you just said?

[berettabone]

The Pleiades is a cluster of stars in the constellation Taurus. 7 of the stars in the cluster are visible with the naked eye, called the Seven Sisters. There are actually many other stars in the cluster only seen by telescope and some have never been seen, but they know they are there. Subaru is the Japanese word for Pleiades in English. They only use 6 stars because that represents the 6 companies that came together to form Subaru.

[berettabone]

https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.uUs1NkR8YOVzvF8jfS6-wAHaHa?pid=ImgDet&w=189&h=189&c=7&dpr=1.2

[jeepster09]

My wife still has her 99 Jeep Cherokee. She bought it and it had only 30k on it back in 2001. It now has 158k and still going strong. Back when Jeep was still building them good with the 4.0 engine.

[jeepster09]

I have no idea what you just said?

Here you go....

[JohnR]

My 2024 Crosstrec just turned a year old on the 16th. 22,500 miles. Came from a 2016 KIA Sportage. Only repair was a nail puncture on the Crosstrec. My biggest complaint is that I can’t permanently turn off the auto start.
https://www.autostopeliminator.com/collections/subaru/products/2024-subaru-crosstrek-autostop-eliminator

For my '24 Nissan Frontier, I wedged a piece of plastic in between the button and the bezel that keeps the button pressed. No more auto start/stop.

[dao]

https://www.autostopeliminator.com/collections/subaru/products/2024-subaru-crosstrek-autostop-eliminator

For my '24 Nissan Frontier, I wedged a piece of plastic in between the button and the bezel that keeps the button pressed. No more auto start/stop.

Genius! I have one I should try that on.

[Bawanna]

Guess I'm tech challenged. How does an auto start/stop work? I heard of a remote start which I wouldn't mind getting for my van. Start it up from the house and let it dethaw before I get in.

[JohnR]

Auto start stop, aka A*S*S* is the dumbest car feature ever. I’m pretty sure no car buyer asked for it, ever. But Uncle Sam makes them meet ridiculous standards, so you’ll pay more for the tech features than you’ll save on gas.

[sorcerer]

Yup auto start means the vehicle has to have a much bigger battery and alternator increasing the cost of the vehicle. Most new vehicles have the starter buried generally under the intake manifold that has the fuel rails/ plumbing for the fuel injection system. Some have combined the starter and alternator into one unit making for a very expensive part to replace. The auto makers claim that they built higher quality starters. Ya oook.

[getsome]

Auto start stop, aka A*S*S* is the dumbest car feature ever. I’m pretty sure no car buyer asked for it, ever. But Uncle Sam makes them meet ridiculous standards, so you’ll pay more for the tech features than you’ll save on gas.

Agree 100% that has to be the dumbest idea ever, in stop and go traffic the poor starter is going to be abused and most engine wear is at startup so the few dollars saved in fuel will be spent many times over at the repair shop……If you have a newer car with the ASS feature and you want it done away with the www.autostopeliminator.com is the way to go, won’t void warranty and is an easy install so you won’t have to keep turning the thing off every single time you go somewhere…….

[JohnR]

My plastic wedge is cheaper and easier, but to each his own.

We’re not supposed to care about saving money, only about using less of the Devil’s go-juice. Apparently lithium is Heaven’s mineral of choice.

[Bawanna]

So this auto start/stop thing turns off the engine when you stop and starts it when you want to go every time? Holy bat crap, that's absolutely insane! Something to make sure it doesn't have if I ever buy another car.

[Armybrat]

What I always found interesting is that the 6-star cluster in their logo is supposed to represent the Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters. Translated, Subaru means Pleiades.

I did not realize that (even though astronomy was my hobby during high school days.
Very cool.

[sorcerer]

So this auto start/stop thing turns off the engine when you stop and starts it when you want to go every time? Holy bat crap, that's absolutely insane! Something to make sure it doesn't have if I ever buy another car.
You will be buying used if you want one with out.

[Armybrat]

So this auto start/stop thing turns off the engine when you stop and starts it when you want to go every time? Holy bat crap, that's absolutely insane! Something to make sure it doesn't have if I ever buy another car.

My new Honda Civic hatchack has that detested feature, but there is an override button to press each time I start the car up.
Sometimes I’ll forget to hit the button, then am startled (and PO’d) when the engine turns off at the first stoplight.

[dustnchips]

My 2019 Ford Edge has it but there is an override. The problem is that every time you start the car you have to hit the override button.

[tokuno]

Is that the default mode for a hybrid? I suspect my wife's Sienna (2024 model) always starts in electric, so the engine cycles on and off as-needed, anyway.
I.e. I've never noticed anything weird during traffic stops (although I haven't driven it much - try to avoid it; too complicated).

[Armybrat]

My wife still has her 99 Jeep Cherokee. She bought it and it had only 30k on it back in 2001. It now has 158k and still going strong. Back when Jeep was still building them good with the 4.0 engine.

Mine was a 2000 build.
Drove it 19 years with 96,000 on the clock then gave it to one of my sons. He’s put another 50,000 on that stone age straight 6 without any problems.

[Bawanna]

You will be buying used if you want one with out.

Should be ok, I never owned a brand new car. Do trucks and vans have this obnoxious feature as well?

[lesptr]

Yes.
Hybrids work differently.
Diesel engines, I am not sure.

[berettabone]

A friend of mine has an older Meade 10" Schmidt-Cassegrain scope. Same kind that was used to discover the Hale Bopp comet. I've seen some amazing things over the years through that scope. We have a complete darkness designated town in the north part of the state called Fall Creek. Hobbs Observatory is there. Been there twice. It's not a huge scope but I believe it's a 16" er. The last time I was there, there were about 20 guys that had their scopes set up on the lawn. It was in the month of October, so it was Jupiter night. Everyone had a red light on their scope, so nobody ran into one in the dark. The only time I've seen it darker; I was in a cave, and they turned the lights out for a minute. Everyone was friendly and they all wanted you to look through their scope and see their image. It was educational for sure...............

[JohnR]

A friend of mine has an older Meade 10" Schmidt-Cassegrain scope. Same kind that was used to discover the Hale Bopp comet. I've seen some amazing things over the years through that scope. We have a complete darkness designated town in the north part of the state called Fall Creek. Hobbs Observatory is there. Been there twice. It's not a huge scope but I believe it's a 16" er. The last time I was there, there were about 20 guys that had their scopes set up on the lawn. It was in the month of October, so it was Jupiter night. Everyone had a red light on their scope, so nobody ran into one in the dark. The only time I've seen it darker; I was in a cave, and they turned the lights out for a minute. Everyone was friendly and they all wanted you to look through their scope and see their image. It was educational for sure...............
I would love to do that! The telescopes, not the cave. Unless the chicks in the cave get friendly, then maybe.

[Bawanna]

I went in the Mark Twain caves in Hannibal Missouri, that's Missouri, not misery. It was a tour and way back in there they shut all the lights off. Plumb dark for sure. Guess people from way back went in there and for whatever reason lost their light. Your eyes don't acclimate to it being so dark. Never find their way out. I recall it was a plumb hot day, but it was nice and cool in the cave.

[medezyner]

I would love to do that! The telescopes, not the cave. Unless the chicks in the cave get friendly, then maybe.

Then you definitely would like our last star gazing yard party!

21822

[JohnR]

Then you definitely would like our last star gazing yard party!

21822
Yesssssssss!

[medezyner]

Yesssssssss!

Did you notice she's looking in the wrong direction...nope, not me!

[jeepster09]

Did you notice she's looking in the wrong direction...nope, not me!

Yes, but did you notice she is BLOND.....