Where do you change your oil?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by TBlank72, Jan 9, 2022.

  1. TBlank72

    TBlank72 Bobtail Member

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    I was wondering where good shops are to get your oil changed on the road. I’m tired of rolling the dice at these truck stops where the techs have that confused look on their face when they see that they are supposed to do a PM on an engine that was born before they were. I’ve had plenty of issues at Loves, TA/Petros. Waiting 6-12hours, techs can’t find oil drain plug, cross threading one thing or another, not know how to prime the fuel system, not greasing anything they can’t easy reach.

    I figured there might be a thread already, but my search just turned up topics about how often and what type of oil, etc, etc.

    I’m fine throwing away a few bucks on extra oil changes. I run 10k mile intervals on oil and 5k between greasing front end suspension and steering components. Engine is a Cat 6NZ currently at 1.9 million miles. Ideally, I’m looking for places that have folks that know what they are doing, mainly do oil changes, not major repair work, or at least have express bays for oil/pm jobs if they also do repair work.

    I run OTR so I don’t really know where I’ll end up when I want to change the oil. I’ve had good experiences with a few places:

    1. Kilgore Truck Tire Center (Fleet Lube) in Kilgore, TX
    2. Speedco in Troy, IL
    3. Speedco in Effingham, IL
    4. Boss Shop in N Platte, NE
    5. Loves in Abilene, KS

    Pretty much everywhere else I’ve been has, at a minimum, had a very long wait and occasionally the techs try to destroy the truck.

    Do y’all have any shops you like to use that are quick and have knowledgeable people that take pride in their work?
     
    jamespmack, bumper Jack and D.Tibbitt Thank this.
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  3. BackwoodsGA

    BackwoodsGA Road Train Member

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  4. TBlank72

    TBlank72 Bobtail Member

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    Texas
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    Which one?
     
  5. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Backyard. Never take the truck to the shop for regular maintrnance.
     
  6. TBlank72

    TBlank72 Bobtail Member

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    I’m thinking that’s the best option.
     
  7. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    Have ya tried Wingfoot locations? For a chain place, they're kind of under the radar in my view. It ain't too many big companies that use them I don't think. I'd also try Pilot Truck Care....well Southern Tire Mart bought them out but they can still do PMs. I was always high on Southern Tire Mart before the merger. If you're in Illinois, try the Marshall, IL location. There are really good people working there, and the longest I've had to wait to get work done there is maybe an hour. Our company does have an account there, but I look at them kind of like Wingfoot too, a little under the radar. Most people are going to look at TAs, Petros, Love's, and Speedcos first. Me personally, I'll go to the 4 aforementioned if my options are limited. When I worked for smaller companies, the owners would tell me to try to find local shops. Sometimes that's a crap shoot too, as they may try to nickel and dime you to death. Where ya traveling?
     
    bumper Jack Thanks this.
  8. TBlank72

    TBlank72 Bobtail Member

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    I’m going to look into wingfoot. I’ve never seen them before.

    I’m all over except for Cali. I try to stay between TX, WY, OH, and GA most of the time. Haven’t found anyone paying enough for me to run up in the north east in a good while. I run north west several times a year when the weather is good and money is right.
     
    jamespmack Thanks this.
  9. ProfessionalNoticer

    ProfessionalNoticer Road Train Member

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    If you're determined to use a shop you can easily search in the areas you plan to stop along your route and call around until you find a place you like.

    Personally, I think it's a waste of time and money getting it done on the road. Nobody will do it the way you want, it'll be over priced and it'll never be as convenient for you as opposed to doing it yourself at your own yard at your convenience, not theirs.
     
  10. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    OK cool, there's Wingfoot at the J just northeast of Columbus on 71, exit 140 if I'm not mistaken, I think Sunbury. I want to say there's one in Dalton, GA at the Pilot. My mind is fuzzy about the locations, but give them a shot and see how they are. Some of them aren't at the truck stops though. You have some locations that are further in town and you may have to drop your trailer somewhere for a bit, but I wouldn't do that in the 2 cities that come to mind lol
     
  11. JonJon78

    JonJon78 Road Train Member

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    Five star Truck Wash/Oil change in York, NE is good and quick. Located across the road from the Petro T/S.

    Joes Truck Lube in Effingham, IL across from the Petro T/S is good.
     
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