Consumer Beware - Serious Negligence and No Accountability I normally don't leave reviews, but what happened to me at this Valvoline location needs to be shared as a public service announcement. I brought my new vehicle here for one of its first oil changes. Less than two weeks later, while driving with my two children in the backseat, my dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree--my power steering failed, my radio shut off, my headlights went out, and my entire car slowly died in the middle of traffic. It was terrifying. The next day I replaced my battery, but the car still didn't feel right. After having it checked at Advance Auto, I was told my alternator was no longer functioning, which likely caused the battery to die. I had my car towed to the dealership because this type of failure is highly unusual for a new vehicle. The dealership's inspection revealed oil all over my serpentine belt and alternator, which caused the alternator to fail. Thankfully, my extended warranty covered most of the repairs, but the dealership specifically advised me to contact Valvoline because the damage was due to negligence during the oil change. Valvoline sent a representative to inspect the car before repairs were completed. They told both me and the dealership they would call back. They never did. When I followed up myself, customer care and an employee named Cal told me they "didn't understand how this could have happened" and denied my claim. When I asked to file a claim with their insurance, I was told this franchise "does not carry regular insurance" and that the manager alone decides which claims are accepted. I was told it might be escalated to an area manager, but even then, no callback could be guaranteed. So now I'm out nearly $600--the cost of the oil change, a new battery, and my $212 warranty deductible. If I didn't have an extended warranty, I would have been out even more. And worst of all, my kids and I were put in real danger when the car failed in traffic. There is absolutely no way oil suddenly appeared all over my serpentine belt and alternator on its own less than two weeks after an oil change. Yet Valvoline has put up every barrier possible to avoid taking accountability. I'm sharing this so other consumers know what they're dealing with. Be extremely cautious about trusting this location with your vehicle. Their negligence caused major damage, and their refusal to take responsibility is unacceptable. read more

Valvoline Instant Oil Change - The dealerships diagnosis and bill - Oil Change Stations Near Me - West Haven, Connecticut

The rudest staff in West Haven I have ever come across. We pulled in the wrong entrance by mistake, and a man ran out to us like we were criminals and ask us what we were doing there. We said came for oil change. I went inside to verify that they had the oil filter that I needed he said I'm not allowed in this building, This is not awaiting lobby. I need to leave immediately again a very rude person. He then sent out another gentleman who had a Service Manager uniform we told us they just sold the only one they had. I felt that visit could not be more unfriendly read more

I love how quickly they change the oil and the fact you don't have to get out of the car is my number one reason to choose Valvoline. I recently went to this location for the first time and honestly not my favorite location. Staff weren't organized and having side conversation that made the process longer than usual. read more

Seriously the most polite and gentlemanly service men I was so impressed. I've been brand loyal to valvoline because I just always feel like they have my back and are honest about what I need, what I don't and never screw me on the price. I just love how honest and respectful they are and they make my life easier because car maintenance is overwhelming to me read more

My mechanics were quick, efficient, knowledgeable and friendly. I was embarrassed at how dirty my filters were. They took the time to educate me so I can make good decisions about my car. Will be back for my next oil change! read more

Back in January 2023, I took my SUV in for an oil change. They were very nice, pleasant guys but today March 14, 2023, my "engine oil" change oil soon light came on, I had to take my SUV to another auto place and have my oil changed again. Only two months later I needed another "oil change"? Something isn't right about this. What did they do to my SUV back in January that I would need another oil change this soon? Now the "engine oil" light isn't on anymore. read more

No complaints on my recent visit. Staff were friendly and informative. I stayed inside my car with my dog and we were in and out in under 20 mins. read more

Requested an estimate for an oil change , $90 for a 15 minutes oil change , maybe they use 14K gold oil , had the job done for $56 at a real shop read more

Michael and David did a wonderful job on my car today. Not only did they change my oil but they checked my entire car to make sure it was running safely and properly. They were timely, polite, and thorough. I'll be back soon and would recommend everyone to do the same. read more

Worst place I've ever been to. Took 2hrs to do a simple oil change. Charged me more than expected and had employees who had no clue what they were doing. Asked to speak to the manager, and he did nothing as well. Horrible !! Don't waste your time read more

Designed with 4 bays, they were only using 2 so the wait time to get in actually took longer than the oil change process itself. But once the process started, they checked everything from tire pressure to air filters, etc... The staff was very informative along the way provided info for recommended services to be looked into in the future. Besides the wait it was still a good quick experience for a drive thru instant oil change. read more

I have come to this station over three times and they never cease to amaze me with the quality of work. I truly recommend them, they take time to answer your questions especially when you are a lady in let you know what your options are. It is very important to keep your car updated and proficient and the gentleman take time to talk to you and explain to you in detail what the problems are in your estimated time frame. read more

Valvoline Instant Oil Change - Great guy! - Oil Change Stations Near Me - West Haven, Connecticut

I will never go here again. The technician said my wait would be 15 -20 minutes. It turned out to be 70. Even if you want to leave, the problem then becomes that you're stuck in line. Cars in front and back. Went online to complain. Area manager called me the next day. He said he would speak to the staff, but offered me nothing. Not even a coupon. Never again. read more

Staff for Sunday were awesome! My wife doesn't know much about cars and yet they did not push products on her and they let her know what they were doing every step of the way. PPE is being used and it was quick and easy. read more

I got my oil changed, good service and quick. I drove out and on the way home(couple blocks down) on a red light, my gear got stuck and could not move anyway possible. The service people were quick to attend my call and arrive within minutes. However it was an unrelated car problem that caused this. Bottom line is that they are good service and worth giving them a chance. read more

Very quick and thorough yes. Very nice employees. They checked everything. But they are very expensive! Since I was already there, I went ahead with the oil change. After I told them how expensive they were, he gave me discount because it was my first time there. Very kind of him. But even with the discount, it was still more expensive than some places I have been. Excellent service but I will never go back there again. They are ridiculously over priced!! read more

They do a thorough job. Even though I just went for an oil change, they checked everything! They blew up my tires, they filled my anti-freeze, etc. I thought I was very well served, PLUS in the end, they gave me a free carwash!!! :) read more

Ummm....my husband just got charged $65 for an oil change there.

I asked for an oil change and once over. They ended up selling me on a radiator flush. The flush blew out a freeze plug and they refuse to take responsibility to fix it. In the manager's (Dominic) words, "it was going to happen eventually either way." I couldn't make that up. read more

Showed up late around 5 min before they were supposed to close and obv everyone wanted to go home but cuz I have a pretty demanding job, couldn't find time to do it before. Super helpful, friendly, they know their stuff. Management and staff has changed for the most part. Names of those super helpful - Garry, Angelo, Gary, John read more

Absolutely terrible. As others have mentioned they try really hard to upsell you, but more importantly, they messed up my car! I ended up taking it to the dealership when it wasn't running properly and they found that the oil filter housing was leaking, and the oily was very cloudy after only 800 miles of driving...apparently they failed to screw a gasket on properly. Learned my lesson. =/ read more

I had to go in for an oil change last minute and had a great experience. I was assisted by the Assistant manager and he was very sweet and very honest with me. Wasn't over bearing about didn't try to upcharge me or scam me and I really respect that. I've gone to other locations who were just annoying about me trying to get other things done. He got me in quick and was very nice through the whole thing. Highly recommend this location read more

Poor Customer Service. Employee passed out under my car during oil change, which I understand is not preventable, but I ended up at the station for approximately an hour. Employee who took care of my car telling me "he went down under your car". In addition as I was trying to check out there were 2 charges on my statement that I did not request nor want, and I was told well my manager told me to do it. After leaving station my car made horrific noise. I brought the car back and was told. "hunny, it is nothing we did with your oil change" Car made Horrific noise and I ended up bringing it to my private mechanic who fixed the issue. I contacted customer service whom I did not hear back from for days, they finally contacted me and told me they would look into everything, and I did not hear back from them for weeks. When I did hear back from them, they were rude on the phone, and demeaning. I was hung up on 3x while asking for the District Managers full name and spelling, and finally was told he would not handle my case any further. TERRIBLE read more

First, I was told that I needed a new gas filter so I had it replaced. Six months later they told me that my gas filter was rusty, I told them to check my records, and they told me "I guess its not rusty". I had my radiator flushed at Jiffy Lube and about a month later I brought my car into Valvoline for a oil change and they told me I needed my Radiator flushed. If you go here you're doing it at your own risk. read more

REALLY??? First of all the staff here is GREAT, it's the corporate mentality behind the staff that irks me. You're always being up sold... Instead of looking for ways to save you cash you are being pressured to get an transmission flush, or radiator flush, or use a more expensive oil because you car is older. I can usually handle these techniques because just declining the pitch usually works... BUT last week I brought my wives' SAAB in for an oil change. The vehicle is a 2001 with almost 150,000 miles on it. I requested the regular oil change for about $25 and they came back to me saying they WOULD only use Synthetic Oil (about $80) because using anything else would void the manufactures warrantee? Really??? Hello there is no warrantee on a 13 year old vehicle with 150K! I went to another venue (NOT VALOLINE) and for $25 got an oil change. Also wrote the company so they could explain their policy... Never heard back from them. Looking to get gouged for services, you don't need then this is definitely the place to go... I for one am going somewhere else! read more

I will never go to Vavoline. The staff was nice, but they push to sell you things you don't need. I was told my battery was bad (just got a new battery not even 6 months ago) after I told him it was brand new he said "ahhh really, I'll check again" never checked again, but said he would recommend to change it now, I said no. Went somewhere else to check my battery it was 100% charged after Vavoline told me I needed a new one. read more

Went to get my oil changed and tires rotated, pretty routine. The ineptness of the staff was pretty shocking. Firstly, the main mechanic that was helping me told me he didn't have a license and therefore could not move my vehicle, he kept having me come out and move it up two inches, or back 4 inches to get alignment right for the mechanic below. Next, after he already had me pay for the tire rotation, they inform me that they are unable to lift my truck for the rotation because they think it might tip over... They informed me they had never rotated tires on a truck before. I had to argue with them to refund the money for the tire rotation because it was a combined deal with the oil change. Needless to say, it was way more difficult than routine auto work needs to be. I ended up going to Firestone on Saw Mill Road to get the tires rotated and they were great - see my 5 star review for them. read more

Excellent and honest service. The manager was pleasant and a good teacher to his coworkers. He gave us professional, great advice.

Watch out for these guys!For some reason, I should have wrote this review 6 months ago when I had my bad experience here. I am a pretty mechanically inclined person and I can change my own oil I just choose to not. The week before getting my oil changed I put in a new air filter and changed all my spark plugs. As my oil was getting changed the manager walks out into the garage and brings back my air filter and suggested that i replace it. I just looked at him until he realized he made a mistake. The air filter was brand new(white as can be) and he told me I needed to replace it. He walked back out and put it back in the car. Honestly tell these guys no when they try to up sell you. The automotive industry is a disgusting business and you just really have to be in the know, otherwise people take advantage of you. As far as going here to get your oil changed, just go somewhere else. If you can't trust the people, how can you trust them to change your oil! read more