Havoline Xpress Lube

I recently purchased a used Toyota 4Runner 4WD with about 75,000 miles. I stopped by Havoline Xpress Lube Store #1059 at 5202 Cortez Road West, Bradenton, Florida to check the oil levels in the differentials. There are three differentials that require gear oil in a four-​wheel-​drive. They told me that the gear oils were all dirty and need to be changed. They said they knew exactly which oil goes into each differential. I figured, why not go ahead and change it. I was a little surprised that the bill for changing about 5 quarts of gear oil was $ 255 and seemed to take about 15 minutes. However, though I was looking under the front of the car at the technician, I didn’t see the oil being drained, just topped off. When I got home, I checked my manual and found from the invoice that they put the wrong viscosities in the transfer case and rear differential. Also, when I was trying to get the specific names for the oils they used, they were unhelpful and kept reminding me to stay out of their garage. Since this SUV is in such good shape, I wanted to have another mechanic evaluate their work.
A week later I went to Gettel Toyota to have them inspect my oil levels in my diff and transfer case. They said all levels were OK. However, it appeared that the oil was not changed. The mechanic and I looked at the front differential and could see oil around the fill plug, but the bottom drain plug was dry. The bottom plug had old dried crusted dirt around it. If the plug had been removed to drain the differential, then it would have an oil stain similar to the top fill-​plug, but it didn’t. Havoline Xpress Lube had not changed the oil. Both the transfer case plugs looked completely dry too, indicating that he might have checked the fluid level, but didn’t change it. By the way, the service person and mechanic at Gettel, particularly Charles, were extremely helpful and customer oriented.
I contacted Chevron who put me in touch with North Florida Lube who own the shop. I finally discussed the matter with the NFLINC Region Manager. He wanted me to deliver my vehicle to their shop to have my fluids changed under his supervision. I declined that offer. However, I offered to let him inspect my vehicle at a neutral location (not a Havoline Xpress Lube location) where he could see, first hand, that the work was not carried out. He declined. In the end to maintain goodwill, he agreed to, and did, refund my full $ 255.

Well, I went to this speedy oil change place about 3 weeks ago. I used a coupon I found in one of those newspapery coupon books that get dumped all over town, so my oil change was only $ 17.99 plus $ 3 disposal fee. I also bought windshield wipers and they gave me a break on price ($ 4 off) and installed them. They did not, however, fill up my windshield wiper fluid or check the tires as they advertise within the business as part of their overall service with the oil change. They were kind of slammed the day I went, so maybe they were just overworked and distracted. I went back today with my receipt and asked for the windshield wiper fluid to be filled since it had not been filled at the time of the oil change. They filled it with no hassle and went ahead and did a full check including my tires at no charge.
Part of judging a business is not only when stuff goes right, but how they handle something that went wrong. I am happy with the outcome of the re-​visit and I was in and out within 10 minutes with everything taken care of today. Nice crew of guys– I’d go there again for an oil change.

Fast & cheap! That sums it up. Went in for a quick oil change and that’s what I got. They didn’t try to up sell me anything like most places. I was in & out in 15 minutes. Will go back for sure next time.