Did Your Oil Really Get Changed?

In 2004 my Mom bought a new Toyota Corolla. I change the oil on all our cars. So when it came time for the first oil change on her car I bought the oil and filter and then found I couldn’t remove the filter. It was on tight and it was hard to get a grip on it without a lift.

So I brought my oil (Mobil 1) and filter to a shop where I had a clutch replaced once, and they had done a good job. I told them to tighten the new filter such that it would be snug, and I could remove it myself next time.

Five thousand miles later I’m under the car to do the next oil change. I still can’t remove the filter. So I look and see the original blue filter which came with the car. I use Fram which is orange.

I checked my maintenance log, called the shop and explained the situation. Their response was that it was “not possible”. I countered with the fact I keep records and asked them what they were going to do about the problem.

They asked me to bring the car in and they would “take care of it”. After I got it back you can be sure I double checked. And yes, it was done.

Unless you can verify the work was done, you can never be sure. Does it happen all the time? I don’t know. But I do know that uncertainty is a synonym for risk. And risk costs money.