Man Gets Oil Changed At Quick Lube Spot. Then It Breaks Down Almost Immediately: 'They Owe Him A New Motor'

A routine oil change is one of the simplest, cheapest things you can do to keep a car alive.

But apparently, it’s still something that even a professional can get wrong.

In a recent video, a mechanic (@awmgatlinelad) filmed what came in through the door of the shop he works at. It was a 2021 Toyota Tundra with oil absolutely everywhere.

The mechanic explains that the customer had just gotten an oil change at a quick lube shop but later realized there was oil leaking.

"Do you see anything wrong with that oil filter housing cap? Where's the O-ring? I thought the O-ring was supposed to go on the inside, not the outside,” he asks sarcastically.

The O-ring had been installed incorrectly. In the video you can see the truck on the mount. Oil is not only leaking down and splashing on the ground, but the truck’s entire undercarriage is marked with oil that probably splashed back as he was driving.

"There's oil all over this place. All over the truck, from front to back. All the way to the rear axle is just covered in oil. That's crazy,” he says.

He says he thinks the Tundra will be fine, but adds, "Don't take your sixty thousand dollar truck to a quick lube place."

"Quick Lube Shop Strikes Again,” he adds in the caption.

What Is An O-Ring, And Why Does It Matter?

The O-ring on an oil filter is a small rubber seal that keeps a car’s oil system pressurized. When it's missing or misinstalled the engine loses oil pressure almost immediately.

That reduction in lubrication means critical components start running dry, and with metal hitting metal, heat builds fast. If the driver doesn't catch it in time, the engine could fail. SlashGear notes that while a study found that customer satisfaction at third-party lube shops has improved, drivers still trust dealerships more when it comes to technical expertise.

Motor1 has covered the pattern before of improper installation at quick lube shops, but not every quick lube shop does poor work. Many operate as franchises, and experiences vary widely by location and whoever happens to be working that day. And it’s also true that even seasoned mechanics make mistakes sometimes.

Oil Change Mistakes To Avoid

Whether you're doing it yourself or trusting a shop, AMSOIL breaks down the five most common oil change mistakes that can cause serious damage:

1. Using the wrong oil—Check your car's required viscosity before you buy. Wrong type, wrong weight, wrong engine.
2. Forgetting to reinstall the oil-fill cap—One of the more embarrassing ways to destroy an engine.
3. Underfilling or overfilling the crankcase—Both cause damage. Run the engine for a few minutes, then check the dipstick before calling it done.
4. Stripping the drain plug threads—At one major quick lube chain, 2-3% of drain plugs were mis-threaded or stripped.
5. Leaving the O-ring behind—The old O-ring must come off with the old filter. Two O-rings on one housing breaks the seal. Lube the new one with a little fresh oil,and  hand-tighten only.

How Do People Feel About Quick Lube Spots?

In comments, people expressed horror on behalf of the Toyota driver.

“Looks like they owe him a new motor,” one predicted.

“Getting oil changes at the dealer is not that expensive,” another claimed.

“Looks like a new truck for the owner. I'd cause such a stink,” said a third.

Motor1 reached out to @awmgatlinelad via TikTok direct message and comment. We'll be sure to update this if he responds.