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Will your Walmart auto center change oil and filter for your Atlas

389 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  KarstGeo
Mine won't. I am in SW FL and the story is they don't have the correct tools to change the filter.
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I dont know about walmart but I do know other places "can" as I bought mine at a Ford Dealer and then get it serviced at the Subaru Dealer(of the same car chain/owned by same guy) closest to me and they can do it... and while they may have it just to have it .... a Ford and Subaru dealer both have this "mysterious" VW based tool for some reason?? I guess it could be something thay just have WalMart wouldnt this was all I got when I looked it up

So many of these on the road any big-name quick lube place should be able to do it. The 2.0 turbo is super simple as the filter is top-mounted but does require a large socket (can't recall size...32mm?). The 3.6 VR is on the bottom and takes a larger socket (36mm?). It's certainly possible the Walmart can't do it.
Watch the video and all it takes, tool-wise, is a 36mm socket for the oil filter, and the proper sized torx bits for removing and reinstalling the splash pan. That little rear center plastic button clip dowel is likely gone on mine as I am 4 oil changes into ownership since new. Walmart's excuse is that they don't have the tools.
Watch the video and all it takes, tool-wise, is a 36mm socket for the oil filter, and the proper sized torx bits for removing and reinstalling the splash pan. That little rear center plastic button clip dowel is likely gone on mine as I am 4 oil changes into ownership since new. Walmart's excuse is that they don't have the tools.
Strange - it's a really easy oil change DIY on ramps. I actually got the filter off with a large crescent first time b/c I didn't have the 36mm.
The 2.0 liter engine is really easy to do yourself, especially if you buy an oil extractor, you can do the whole thing from the top, no need to lift the car.

The 3.6 is a bit harder because to change the filter, you have to take off the underbelly pan, and 20 fasteners later, it is not hard.. but all those underbelly fasteners are a pain.

That being said, I wouldn't trust Walmart or any quick lube place to put in the proper vw approved oil. When it comes to VW oil changes, only a dealer, a euro car specialist.. or I'm doing it myself. I don't trust anyone else to put in the correct oil.
I’m on the DIY train myself. I have a 2.0 and bought the suction tools. I do mine a little different though. I alternate between top-side and normal drain plug methods for every other change on a 5k interval. Sorry guys I just can’t stomach the idea of a 10k life cycle. Argue all you want weather is a waste of money/time to do a 5k change, it gives me peace of mind.

Otherwise, for OP here, I am sure it’s a bit location specific but I wouldn’t trust a single Walmart tech at any of my local Walmarts to touch my car. I’ve had discussions with some of them about tires in the past…. Not the brightest tools in the shed.
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I’m on the DIY train myself. I have a 2.0 and bought the suction tools. I do mine a little different though. I alternate between top-side and normal drain plug methods for every other change on a 5k interval. Sorry guys I just can’t stomach the idea of a 10k life cycle. Argue all you want weather is a waste of money/time to do a 5k change, it gives me peace of mind.

Otherwise, for OP here, I am sure it’s a bit location specific but I wouldn’t trust a single Walmart tech at any of my local Walmarts to touch my car. I’ve had discussions with some of them about tires in the past…. Not the brightest tools in the shed.
Definitely agree with changing at 5-6k haha. That 10k interval just seems like trouble waiting to happen.
Definitely agree with changing at 5-6k haha. That 10k interval just seems like trouble waiting to happen.
Over and over used oil analysis will show that 10K is just fine - there will be plenty of additive package there. The issue on OCI comes down to fuel dilution. Tons of short tripping? 5K. Lots of high-mileage highway use? 10K can work too.
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