Driver Gets Her Oil Change Done at Walmart. Then She Checks the Dipstick

“The same thing happened to my mom."

Photo by: Unsplash.com

Alexandra Samuels

By: Alexandra Samuels

Aug 1, 2025 at 9:00am ET

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A woman went viral on TikTok after sharing a storytime about her disastrous oil change at Walmart.

Erika (@femme.diaries) said she went to Walmart for an oil change because it was cheaper than her usual spot, Take 5. Even though Take 5 isn’t perfect, she figured it was worth a shot. However, after the service was supposedly completed, she noticed something was amiss—the mechanic had never shown her the dipstick.

That alone gave her pause, but things only got worse. Erika said she later found signs that no oil had been added to her car at all. Now, she’s threatening legal action if Walmart doesn’t take responsibility. As of this writing, her video calling out the company has racked up more than 394,000 views.

What Happened at Walmart?

In a follow-up video, Erika said her car’s check oil light came on shortly after leaving Walmart—a strange sign, given she’d just had the oil changed.

“Something told me to lift up my hood,” she said. When she checked the dipstick herself, it was “bone dry.”

She called Walmart and was told by a manager that five quarts of oil had been added. Despite that, Erika said the dipstick was still dry, and the conversation quickly turned tense. She ended up hanging up, ordering five quarts of oil on DoorDash, and doing the job herself.

On her way back to Walmart, the oil light began flashing again. When she arrived, they took her car back in and blamed the issue on a “damaged O-ring,” saying it caused all the oil to leak out.

Erika said she didn’t buy that explanation. She’s kept her receipts from both Walmart and DoorDash and is waiting to see what the company does next—whether that’s a refund or something more.

Why Mechanics Show You the Dipstick

It might not look like much, but that thin metal rod under your hood—the dipstick—is one of the simplest ways to confirm your car got fresh oil. Usually tucked into the engine with a bright yellow handle, the dipstick lets you see how much oil is in the tank and whether it’s clean or needs a change.

Most people don’t give it a second thought during a routine oil change, but there’s a reason reputable mechanics will pull it out and show it to you before handing back your keys.

According to several former mechanics online, the move is about transparency. Fresh oil is light and amber-colored—different from the grimy, black sludge it replaces. Showing customers the dipstick is a quick, visual way to prove the job was done right.

“You are seeing the new oil with your own eyes, and you can see that it is full,” one ex-mechanic wrote on Quora. Another added, “Now you can’t come back and complain [that] they didn’t fill it all the way.”

In short, that dipstick demo isn’t just a courtesy—it’s a receipt.

A Damaged O-Ring Can Cause Oil Leaks

A worn or cracked O-ring can lead to an oil leak. These rubber seals are supposed to keep oil contained, but over time—especially with heat and chemical exposure—they can dry, break down, and stop doing their job.

That said, Erika wasn’t buying it, and she suggested she wasn’t convinced that explained what happened to her car.

“Walmart, you will be hearing from me real soon,” she wrote in her original video.

And in the caption, she didn’t hold back: “Y’all, what went DOWN at Walmart today I can’t make this up! People be real bold in public now.”

Viewers Say They Don’t Trust Walmart Auto Care

Erika’s story struck a nerve online, especially among those who’ve had their own Walmart Auto Center horror stories. Many said they wouldn’t trust the chain with even the most basic service.

“Never everrr go to Walmart for an oil change,” one person wrote. “I learned my lesson the hard way when they broke my emergency brake!!”

“Why are y’all going to Walmart?” another asked, echoing the skepticism.

Others chimed in with similar complaints.

“I won’t be returning because my oil light is still on and I still have a message that says change oil now,” one viewer said.

Even a supposed insider didn’t defend the company. “I work in the Walmart auto center,” one commenter admitted. “WE WILL f**k yo stuff up, I promise you.”

And some are taking things a step further—into the courtroom.

What do you think?

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Comments

“I’m currently waiting to file a lawsuit bc Walmart blew my motor to my car,” one viewer claimed.
“The same thing happened to my mom, she is currently suing them bc it messed up her engine,” another added.

To this, Erika responded: “This is sad and unfortunate.” Motor1 has reached out to Erika via TikTok direct message. We'll update this article if we hear back.