I purchased my car with around 152,000 miles and regularly maintained it with oil changes every 3,000 miles at Walmart, where I typically paid about $60 per service. I continued this maintenance schedule until the vehicle reached approximately 183,000 miles without experiencing any major engine issues.
During my last service, Walmart did not have the correct oil filter, so I went to Grease Monkey instead. Even after applying a coupon, I was charged over $80. The staff informed me that they were using a higher-quality oil and that I could drive up to 5,000 miles before the next oil change.
Trusting that recommendation, I drove about 4,500 miles. After that, I noticed engine noises and occasional stalling. When I returned for an inspection, I was told that the engine oil was extremely low and that my vehicle was burning oil. I was then informed that I should be checking and topping off the oil every 1,000 miles.
My disappointment is that this important information was not explained to me during the original service. If I had been advised to monitor the oil level regularly because of the vehicle’s age and mileage, I would have checked . Better communication and guidance could have helped prevent the problems I experienced. I hope Grease Monkey provides clearer recommendations to customers with high-mileage vehicles in the future.