Jiffy Lube Visits on Scorching โฃDays Can Lead to Unexpected Vehicle Issues
September 21,โค 2025, 09:17 AM EDT โ – A surge in temperatures across the nation is prompting vehicleโข owners toโ scheduleโค preventative maintenance, but experts warn that timing an oil change at Jiffy Lube-or any quick-lube โservice-during peakโ heat can potentiallyโค introduce new problems. While routineโข maintenance is crucial, the expansion andโค contraction ofโค vehicle components due to extreme โheat,โ combined with theโ processโค of draining and refilling fluids, can โฃcreate conditions leading to leaks or component failure.
The โคconcern stems from โขthe fact that metal parts expandโ when heated and contract when โฃcooled. Performingโข an oil change on a vehicle that โhas been driven or is โคsitting in intense heat can mean components are alreadyโ at their maximum expansion.Draining hot oil and then introducing cooler oil can cause rapid temperature changes, potentially stressing seals and gaskets. โThis is โขespecially relevant for older vehicles or those with โคexisting โwear and tear. Mechanics report โฃa slight uptick in โฃpost-service leak reports following days of sustained โขhigh โtemperatures, though quantifying โa direct causal link remains challenging.
Jiffy Lube representatives acknowledge the potentialโ for โtemperature-related issues but maintain โtheir proceduresโข are designed to mitigate risks. “Our technicians are trained to be mindful of vehicle operating temperatures,” a company spokesperson stated. “We recommend allowing โคvehiclesโ to cool down somewhat before service, butโ we are equipped to handle vehicles at various temperatures.”
the issue isn’t limitedโ to oil changes. Coolant flushes and other fluid โคservices canโ also be affected by heat. The โrapid temperature shifts can stressโ radiator hoses and connections, increasing โฃthe risk of leaks. Vehicle owners are advised to consider scheduling maintenance for cooler times of the day-early morning or late evening-when temperatures are โฃless extreme. Alternatively, โฃallowing a vehicle to cool for a โsignificant period before service can helpโค minimize potential problems.