Do Oil change places (Jiffy Lube,etc) lie when they say your specific car needs a specific service done?

Was at a jiffy lube and they told me i needed some sort of gasoline flush or something like that to keep the gas intake running smooth.....cost me 60 bucks.....later i was told by several people that i got screwed over...anyone have any idea or had this happen to them?Do Oil change places (Jiffy Lube,etc) lie when they say your specific car needs a specific service done?
they are there to drum up business and some take advantage of people that don't know a lot about cars, always get a second opinion if you feel you don't need something.Do Oil change places (Jiffy Lube,etc) lie when they say your specific car needs a specific service done?
They base their recommendations of manufacturer recommendations... sort of. they go off of the extreme service recommendation for every vehicle.





say for instance you drive a toyota that recommends oil changes at 7500 miles, transmission flush at 50,000 and radiator flush at 100,000. however, if you read the fine print you find that toyota tells you that under extreme service your car should be serviced at 3000, 30,000 and 100,000 respectively. these places will base off of the extreme service recommendation. thus you will get the best service possible...





however, it is the extreme service recommendation so it's not typically necessary (read your owners manual to see if you drive at extreme service).





on the other hand those fuel system cleaners are NOT in your owners manual (nor is the engine flush), there they are going of the makers of the service recommendation and yes, you are being taken for a ride. if you use synthetic oils your engine won't ever need a flush (unless you use a chrysler 2.7L motor and certian toyota's which were notorious for gunking up) and if you use the new shell gas with nitrogen or run a can of injector cleaner through your car periodically the other is of no help either.


if you don't do those things, it can help save you gas, however it won't help save enough gas to pay back the $60.
I wouldn't trust them. I have a strong feeling that they will tell you anything to get you to spend money. This flush they sold you to keep the gas running smooth- I don't believe it costs so much. All gasoline contains some type of fuel system detergent for that. There are many products for that at car parts stores priced at less that $5 to clean the fuel system. If they even applied a fuel cleaner they certainly made an awfully huge profit on it. Your $60 was an education. For proof, go to the dealer for your type car and ask their service manager what kind of fuel system cleaner is needed for your car, and to show you the documentation stating it. Any such document will be produced or it won't exist.
What kind of car, make, mileage, country of origin and engine size. It is ALWAYS a good idea to keep ALL engine sytems clean as showroom. Intake manifolds get carbon build-up. FUel flushing can remove these deposits, as well as deposits on piston tops and valve stems. I believe in Motor flushing and synthetic oils, because they protect better and promote CLEAN engine systems. Injector flushing is good, if they use an actual MACHINE. If they are charging you $60 for throwing a can of stuff in your tank, then that IS a waste. MORE INFO would be NICE!!!
Well, they don't actually lie but they don't tell the whole truth. Problem is, the truth ain't the truth unless it IS the whole truth.





Doesn't hurt to run some injector cleaner through every now and then and changing the fuel filter is not a bad thing either. Trouble is, they recommend it regardless of you actually needing it at that moment as a preventative maintenance.
check your owners manual. There are certain services that are recommended at certain mileages. It should also tell you if you need to use an additive for cleaning injectors. Auto parts stores sell it for around 3 to 5 dollars. Look for a new place to have your oil changed.
that happened to me before I knew better. Apparently they recommend this everyone wether they actually need it or not.