Express Lube & Smog

I’ve been going to this place for quite sometime now. For anything from oil changes to smog checks to tune ups and even an engine rebuild. I’ve found that Yogi, the owner is a very honest and friendly man. His employees Efrin and Mike have always been polite and professional. I would recommend this shop to anyone for any service.

I got a coupon for $ 10 off an oil change at Express Lube & Smog out of the Friday Flyer. I called them and asked how much for an oil change. They said $ 34. Sweet I will get an $ 24 oil change. I asked should I make an appointment and they said no just come on down it will be quick. I drive over and go in. I have to wait at least 5 minutes because there is no one at the desk. While I’m waiting I see one of their employees in flip flops working on a car. No OSHA rules for this? I finally get a guy to talk to me and he just takes the keys and says I’ll get you in line and we will do the paperwork later. Later comes in 20 minutes. He says my 2007 Camry has a «Special oil filter» and takes a lot of oil so the total will be $ 54. What a special oil filter and $ 54??? I have owned the Camry since 2007 and was never told this and have never paid $ 54 for an oil change. I told them NO and give me my car back. Now I know to always trust Unilocal and look at the reviews. No wonder they have 2.5 stars. And shame on you Friday Flyer for doing business with them!
I went to Advance Auto Care in Canyon Lake. They gave me an oil change for $ 34, no «special filter» needed. They have 4.5 stars:

Very happy with them. They changed my brakes and my rotors and changed my oil and filter for free they charged me a reasonable price for my brakes and even showed me the rotors before they changed them. They said the wait would be about three hours or so and they finished my car within two hours!!!

DO NOT GO HERE!!! They will rip you off! They NEVER replaced my oil filter and these crooks put regular oil INSTEAD of synthetic which I paid $ 95 for.

The heavy set Hispanic guy was a rude jerk when we pulled up. He snatched the smog papers out of our hands and his tone was extremely short and rude. Then he said it was $ 59.95 when we called ahead AND it clearly states in the lobby that it’s $ 49.95. We have a car not a heavy duty vehicle where the $ 59.95 price applies. My husband said «No, I was told $ 49.95 over the phone.» Response was «Uh, I guess they decided to give you a discount price then.» We walk into the lobby to see all the prices clearly stated. Makes us think he wanted to try and pocket $ 10. Won’t be coming back here again. We’ll drive a few exits down to Murrieta where it’s $ 10 cheaper. A little drive is worth coming down the street with poor customer service and possible rip offs.

I have been bringing my vehicles here for the past 10 years and have found the staff to be professional, friendly, and competent. My truck now has 300k and all the oil changes and smog checks have been performed at Express Lube.

Looks like I should’ve checked Unilocal before I went. It would’ve save me the money and the anger… Terrible customer service. They did not give me all the information I needed to make a decision. They made it sound like I had no other choice but to take synthetic, when in fact I didn’t need to take full synthetic. After calling the dealer I took it to the first time, after the fact because I didn’t think I spent $ 100 on an oil change, they informed they used semisynthetic, which was half the price. All I want is information to be able to make an informed decision. They denied me that. I will not be going back. I should’ve known anyway. The guy couldn’t even explain the break down of the cost on the invoice when I questioned it… I mean really. What am I supposed to do? I don’t know anything about cars, so I took his word. But I was being taken advantage of. Ps… When I called back with my grievance, he hung up on me.
Though I can’t prove that, I’m pretty sure it happened. The manager wasn’t any better at explanation… Good luck to those who get serviced by them. I will not be going back.

I get my oil changed here and they do a great job. I love that they’re not pushy about other products and services and don’t take advantage of people who don’t know much about cars (me). The best thing is that they’re really fast. 15 – 20 minutes and you’re out. It’s awesome being able to swing in before work.

Hello all! Save yourself a headache and go elsewhere for an oil change. I just left this place after spending 83 bucks on a synthetic oil change. I have an older Prius with a window that had fallen off the track. I had it locked in the «up» position. Much to my surprise, the technician had rolled down both of the windows while changing my oil. When they were done with my car, I asked them to help roll my window back up and because it was broken, it wouldn’t roll up. The technician said I could leave it and they could try working on it later. I had a 2 year old that is potty training and a 1 year old with me, leaving my car wasn’t an option. I left and tried rolling up my window myself at the gas station myself. It would roll up. I drove back over and again asked the technician to fix it. They stated they would not fix it because I did not disclose to them that they should not roll down my window. I asked how I was supposed to know that I had to disclose that because the last time I checked, NOTHING involving an oil change requires access through the window. Now I am stuck with a open window, I cannot go anywhere and the security of my vehicle is compromised. I am going to end up having to pay someone to take apart my door to put the window back up. I will also have to clean out my garage now and park in there until I can take a day off work to get my window fixed. I am not a happy camper. Thanks!!!

Horrible shop. They broke my oil stick & agreed to replace it. Which was a complete LIE. They charged me to replace what they broke. I filed a complaint with the board of automotive repairs. I will never go there again… I only gave one star because Unilocal requires it.
#LIARS

Called in for a quote on a transmission service and oil change the price was going to be about $ 170 I asked if they had coupons and they said no and they don’t take competitor coupons what sort of oil change place doesn’t take coupons I asked for maybe to talk to the manager he said the manager won’t be in today I think that I’m going to find a new place to get my oil changed! poor customer service!!!

These people who own this garage are the biggest crooks in town!!!

Great place to take your car to get honest work. They quick and trust worthy. They will not try to oversell you on stuff you don’t really need. The people are nice and willing to explain everything that needs or has been done. We have been going here for a few years and have not had any issues.

Don’t take your car here. You will get lied to. The prices are high plus there dishonestly is amazing. They told me I needed service that I didn’t need. Example I just changed my rear end fluid and they said they checked it and it was dirty and needed to be changed. On my other car they said I needed special oil and filter and an oil change would be $ 90. I called the dealer $ 29.99.

Marcus Lionheart says this place does a great job. You lemmings would be wise to heed Marcus Lionheart’s recommendations.

I only put review if I’m very happy or disappointed with services! This place is the worst! We had a service check engine soon and they still smogged car instead of telling us to fix it first. Just because they want out $ 60. And then after that they said they will do diagnostic to see what’s wrong for another $ 120. They have accidentally stripped to oil pans when my husband went there a few months ago. Should’ve listen to him to NEVER go there! Pls be honest. People, there are many other place other than this place around the area. And cheaper too.

Don’t go here! I had been going their for years. Then I got an oil change and the next day my VCS Light, Check Engine Light, & Trac Off Light went on. A few days later I took my car to where I get all my car repairs done and the codes read that it was due to the evaporator hose not being hooked up to my air filter. At the oil change place that had taken my air filter off and when they put it back on they did not hook the hose back up. When I went to Express. Lube & Smog the owner would not admit any wrong doing and reimburse me the money it cost me to figure out why all these lights went on and was a complete jerk. Way to give customer service to your long time client!

I went there and gave them my smog paperwork including phone number. I was told it would be 1.5 hours. When I came back my car was out front unlocked with the windows down, and they told me nonchalantly they couldn’t smog it. What pisses me off is they couldn’t call me to tell me this.

I’ve been as customer since they opened, but no longer will I take my four cars to Express Lube & Smog. Epic failure and incompetence on the part of the smog technician. Too bad as the owner is a very nice man. Time to hire a good smog tech Yogi.

Have taken my cars into this place for smog checks a couple times. They used to have the «pass or don’t pay» policy but unfortunately not anymore. Wish they’d bring that back.
Still go in for a normal oil change though. Usually takes about 15 – 20 min. I tend to walk across the lot to the Los Amigos taco shop and grab a bite to eat while I wait. Most of the time my car is ready when I’m done with my food.
The staff is fairly young but provide good service. They do the regular checks on all the areas of your car and let you know what need to be replaced soon, and such. Not overly pushy with the upsells and I prefer that. I’m fine with them just letting me know what work needs to be done and deciding for myself the right time to get it done. More than likely I’ll come back to them if necessary.
Pretty much a simple store for simple maintenance needs for your car. No frills really. Just get in and get out for the most part.