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Jiffy Lube or Mr. Goodwrench?

Where Should You Go For Routine Maintenance?

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By Tara Baukus Mello
ConsumerAffairs.com

October 28, 2004
So it's time for an oil change and you're faced with the decision of where to take your car.

It may not be easy to choose. After all, there are lots of different types of shops you can go to for routine maintenance-the dealership, your local garage, a major chain such as Sears Auto or a specialist outsourcer such as Jiffy Lube. Making the decision which type of facility to go to isn't necessarily a slam-dunk. Let's look at your options.

Dealership

If you take your car to a dealership, you are likely to spend the most on your service visit -- sometimes as much as 25 percent more. On the other hand, bear in mind that it's not uncommon for dealers to offer oil change specials for prices that are competitive to the quick-oil-change shops of the world. If you watch the local paper and fliers you can often find coupons to get the work done at about the same price at a dealer as you would at a Jiffy Lube.

Regardless, don't let higher prices stop you. While you might be inclined to avoid the dealer because of the cost, remember the old adage that you get what you pay for. The dealership's mechanics have received extensive training on the specific brands of automobiles that store carries. In general, this extra training should allow them to complete your maintenance more quickly and make them less likely to make a mistake or cause damage to your vehicle.

Also, the money you spend on service at a dealership often buys you "perks" such as comfortable waiting rooms, shuttle services or even free loaner cars. These appealing extras can turn a chore into a more pleasant experience.

The Local Garage

Independent mechanics can vary widely in terms of expertise, price and convenience. My local garage was well equipped to work on my 1995 Chevy and I saved a lot of money taking my car to him. However, that garage had no waiting area (not even a chair) and I needed to get a ride from a friend anytime I brought my car in, which was not always the easiest thing.

Another issue: when I bought a new Volvo S80, my mechanic told me he wouldn't work on it, not even to change the oil. I wasn't surprised. He did not have the resources to purchase the special, brand-specific diagnostic equipment and tools that many newer vehicles require today.

This may sound like it would be an issue only for larger repairs, but sometimes even smaller repairs can be problematic. In my case, the Volvo required a special tool to remove the oil drain plug, which meant that my mechanic couldn't change my oil without damaging the plug.

To combat the expertise problem, some independent mechanics specialize in repairing one or a few vehicle brands. Often these shops have mechanics with a high level of expertise (usually developed at a dealership) and have invested in the special, brand-specific equipment required for these vehicles. Costs at some of these facilities often rival dealership rates, but they are worth looking into, especially if a dealer is not conveniently located to you.

Major Chains

Taking your car into an auto chain, such as Sears Auto or Pep Boys, or to a specialist outsourcer, such as Jiffy Lube, is perhaps the most popular choice. Jiffy Lube alone services 29 million vehicles a year in its 2,200 U.S. and Canadian locations.

Among other reasons, people go to outsourcers and auto chains because they're usually the cheapest route for maintenance or small repairs. Not only that, chains and outsourcers blanket many metropolitan areas and are often conveniently located.

Basic work that is similar on most cars can usually be handled quite nicely -- assuming they have any special, brand-specific tools they need and the technicians are reasonably careful about their work.

Bear in mind, though, that technicians who work at these facilities have the least amount of training in terms of brand-specific issues. Technicians often use a job at this type of facility as a stepping-stone to gain experience prior to moving into a higher-paying position at a local garage or a dealership.

How To Choose

In my opinion, choosing which type of facility to work with is dependent on the type of work you need and what kind of car you have.

Generally speaking, the more expensive your car is, the more likely it is to have features or equipment that require special knowledge or tools. As a result, you'll most likely want to take your car to your dealer or to an independent mechanic that specializes in your vehicle's brand, even for routine maintenance. If you drive a Land Rover, you probably don't want just any mechanic laying hands on its specialized insides.

If your car is a more middle-of-the-road model, such as a Honda Accord or a Ford Explorer, you are just as likely to have your service performed to your satisfaction if you go to a major chain. After all, there are millions and millions of these types of vehicles on the road, and most mechanics know how to work with them.

If you want to play it as safe as possible, my advice is to go to a dealership or independent mechanic that specializes in your brand of vehicle. These shops really do know more about certain types of cars than their peers in other garages. It's somewhat akin to the difference between seeing a general practitioner for a medical problem versus seeing a specialist.

Just the same, there are no guarantees regardless of the type of shop you go to. So always ask friends for recommendations and consult with the Better Business Bureau and sites such as this one to see if a shop you are considering has had complaints.

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