Jiffy Lube International has become the target of a class action lawsuit filed in California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles. The suit, filed on May 8, accuses JLI of false and misleading advertising and unfair competitive practices in its recommended engine oil change intervals for passenger cars and light trucks, and asks fornearly $5 million in recompense.
In the suit, the plaintiff, Daniel Horlick, asserts that by recommending oil change intervals of 3,000 miles or three months, JLI has misled the class of consumers using JLI oil change facilities in California. JLI received unjust enrichment through making oil changes at intervals which were shorter than recommended by vehicle manufacturers, he charged.
Horlick said he owns a 2002 Nissan Altima which he took to a JLI franchisee for an oil change on May 28, 2011. The practice of that outlet, as with most quick-lube stores, is to place a sticker on the windshield recommending the next visit be 3,000 miles or three months later.
Horlick returned and had his oil changed again according to the recommendation. At that point, he said, he determined that his owner’s manual recommends a 7,500 mile interval.
While older oils and engines may have required the shorter intervals, Horlick’s suit notes that newer engines and improved oils have made the 3,000 mile/three month recommendation obsolete. As far back as 2006 auto manufacturers drain interval recommendations were 5,000 to 7,500 miles and today are 10,000 to 15,000 miles, the suit states.
Horlick requested that his suit be granted class action status so it can represent all other motorists in California who have had oil changes at JLI franchises. He also asked for a jury trial and for monetary damages up to a maximum $4,999,999. At $5 million the case would go to federal court rather than state court.
The suit also asks that JLI be enjoined from unlawful practices including the use of window stickers which are deceptive and misleading.
In a May 11 statement, JLI noted that it is aware of the lawsuit. We are reviewing the filing and gathering facts, but have nothing more to add until we complete an initial assessment, the Houston-based company said. Jiffy Lube is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell Oil, and has more than 2,000 franchised service centers in North America.
The Dallas-based Automotive Oil Change Association, which represents the fast-lube industry, also is evaluating the lawsuit.
AOCAs position on the lawsuit against JLI is that when all the facts are considered, the 3,000 mile recommendation for the plaintiff was probably correct based on the year, make and model of his vehicle and the OEM’s information on severe service, AOCA President Patricia Wirth told Lube Report. Wirth owns an Xpress Lube franchise in Fairfax Station, Va.
In June 2011, JLI stated that it would abandon its longstanding 3,000 mile/three month oil change recommendation and would urge drivers to follow their vehicle manufacturer’s recommended oil change intervals. The company website notes that customers can select their oil change interval based on the owner’s manual recommendations.