Highway 242

Stopped in for an oil change ahead of a long drive because I was concerned I might have an oil leak. If it hadn’t been for the tropical storm, I’d have gone to my regular mechanic, but needs must. I specifically asked them to measure how much oil they drained so I could log it. I have a high-mileage Land Rover, and tracking oil consumption is part of how I keep tabs on it. Getting on the same page with the attendant took considerably more effort than it should have. He initially insisted my vehicle had a dipstick. It doesn’t. Eventually he understood what I was asking, but apparently didn’t communicate it to the rest of the team, because they started dumping the old oil before measuring it. I happened to be watching from a distance and got a rough idea of the amount myself. When I asked afterward, I was given an equally rough number. Not ideal, particularly since this was the specific reason I’d asked them to measure it in the first place. But what really made the experience bizarre was the customer service. While trying to explain why I was being particular about the oil measurement, I joked (albeit seriously) that these are the kinds of things you do to keep a high-mileage Land Rover alive. The attendant stopped, looked at me and the vehicle, went through several rather dramatic facial expressions, and loudly replied, “Yeah, these aren’t for me.” I laughed and said, “Well, I didn’t buy it for you.” I half expected that to turn into the usual good-natured Toyota-vs-Land-Rover type of car conversation. Instead, he launched into a lengthy monologue about the various Nissan models he approved of and liked, while repeatedly looking at both me and my vehicle with what I can only describe as disgust and disdain. It went on long enough to become genuinely uncomfortable. I don’t care whether the person changing my oil likes Land Rovers. But openly expressing contempt for a customer’s vehicle… while servicing that vehicle, after already failing to follow the customer’s specific request… is an astonishingly obnoxious way to interact with someone paying you. I’ve used Valvoline at other locations and usually the experience is almost comically impressive: part military unit, part NASCAR pit crew, with everyone calling things out, coordinating and moving with efficiency and precision. This was very much not that. I’m sure the oil change itself is fine. But my concern wasn’t taken seriously, my specific request wasn’t followed, and I got to spend the rest of the visit listening to an employee explain, at length, how little he thought of my vehicle. Lovely. Unfortunately, the experience earns this location my first one-star review.

Didn’t honor online oil change coupon or try to help. Jay super rude and acted annoyed. Won’t be coming back here.