Valvoline Instant Oil Change

Reviews

• JM

  Joseph Morrison

  Jul 3, 2026
  5.0
  I’ve always taken my cars to Valvoline Instant Oil Change. I was at the Genesee Ave location in San Diego and Max helped me out. I had an oil change and they fixed my burned out headlight bulb. It was a hard to reach location, but they had multiple people helping me out to make sure it was done. Everyone is friendly, knowledgeable, and says “We’ll take care of it.”
• HW

  Hannah Wood

  Jun 30, 2026
  5.0
  Always incredible, quick, super friendly, and most importantly - convenient! I like the old system better ngl, them checking lights and such ahead of time leads to a lot of double checking to make sure it got done. I really appreciate that they take the time to explain things to me, especially when I need something done other than the oil change. They suggest which ones to prioritize if you're not able to take care of everything right away. 12/10 every time I come here.
• GC

  Gina Cacchioli

  Jun 25, 2026
  2.0
  Here are polished versions of both reviews that clearly describe your experience while keeping the tone credible and professional. **Pep Boys (5 Stars)** I had an excellent experience at Pep Boys thanks to Paul. After getting an oil change and other services at Valvoline, my car developed a strong burning smell whenever I used the vents. I went back to Valvoline, but despite multiple employees looking at it, they either said they couldn't smell anything or told me there was nothing they could do and suggested I go to Pep Boys. I brought my car to Pep Boys and was prepared to pay for a diagnostic. Within minutes, Paul found the problem. The cap for one of the fluids had been left off, causing fluid to leak and burn in the engine bay, which was creating the smell. He took the time to show me exactly what was wrong, encouraged me to take pictures for documentation, and even spoke with the employees at Valvoline to explain what he had found. Paul was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about helping me. He diagnosed in minutes what another shop had failed to find after I returned with concerns. I really appreciate his honesty and outstanding customer service. If you need your car looked at, I highly recommend asking for Paul at Pep Boys. **Valvoline (1 Star)** I will not be returning to Valvoline after this experience. I had an oil change along with a transmission fluid service and radiator fluid replacement. After the service, my car developed a strong burning smell every time I turned on the vents. I brought it back to the same location because I was concerned something wasn't right. Several employees told me they couldn't smell anything. One employee mentioned he noticed a smell when he first opened the hood, but no one followed up on it. They gave my car only a quick look, told me they couldn't do anything, and sent me to Pep Boys. At Pep Boys, Paul diagnosed the issue within minutes. The cap for one of the fluids had been left off during the service, allowing fluid to leak and burn inside the engine bay, which caused the smell. He showed me exactly what happened and encouraged me to document everything. When I returned to Valvoline, they cleaned up the spilled fluid, but I still had to wait about an hour. They refunded the transmission service and the Pep Boys diagnostic fee, which I appreciated, but they never accepted responsibility for the mistake. They let me drive the vehicle with leaking fluid, failed to properly inspect their own work when I returned with concerns, and not once did anyone apologize. Mistakes can happen, but what matters is how a business responds. Unfortunately, the lack of accountability, poor follow-up, and dismissive customer service left me with no confidence in returning.
• SD

  Sarah Daigle

  Jun 25, 2026
  5.0
  Shout out to Jayden, Jason, and Shaquille. It's been a really challenging couple years health wise, and with that - car maintenence has fallen by the wayside. They helped me get everything that I needed, and Jayden helped me pull up a coupon (I left the one I got in the mail at home). I appreciated this so much, he didn't need to help with this but he proactively did. Thank you, Jayden and Team! Also.... Everyone working here sounds like they are having so much fun. Lots of banter and laughing. It was adorable. They are a well oiled machine working together to get folks in and out quickly . I'll keep coming back to thos location moving forward.
• NP

  Naomi Pyle

  Jun 25, 2026
  1.0
  Felt like I was scammed after they sent me the woman to explain that I "really needed these items" then to go home and tell my car smart family and they were like you were screwed. Every single person, mechanic, i talked to said the same thing. I needed the money!!! Instead my car blinkers wernt checked i needed an oil change in between services because they apparently didnt do a good job. For the record. Ive gone to this place for a year. Husband trained me on exactly everything to say so when this lady was like yeah you need these things I thought it was real! My husband has been deployed a year while I battled major health issues. So I dont appreciate being taken advantage of bc im a woman and didnt have a man in my car this time.

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