Never again they might of done good job on my brakes the owner Sam try to rip me off saying that I needed a front frame that would be $1500. Saying my bushings are rusted that is a flat out lie. I got a second opinion with another person I have known for years said have him call him he refuses. I need work done on my car they wont be doing that in the near future. I'm so disgusted with this place when I confront the person they didn't want to take responsibility all they want to do is continue to lie to me. BE AWARE of these people they're nothing but crooks I am sick and tired trying to be ripped off especially with mechanics when they see a woman coming they want to rip them off. read more

Uncle Sam fixed my jeep a few weeks ago! He was super nice and everything was fixed quickly at a great price!

A simple oil change cost me a transmission. They do not know the difference between an oil pan and a transmission pan and will not stand up and make good on a promise to make things right. read more

I would avoid this place if you need anything more than an oil change. I've had just oil changes here that happened without a problem, but two of my friends on separate occasions got ripped off. A couple years ago, a friend's 2005 mazda broke down on a long road trip after they had Illini Oil Change do a work over to make sure everything was in order before they left. Just last winter, they severely price gouged my other friend who unfortunately didn't find out until after they did the work and had to pay. It was only after talking to some mechanic friends that he realized what happened. read more

60 minute wait for an oil change. "Can you leave your car here?" Hell no I can't leave my car in that tiny parking lot crammed with cars and shady looking employees... It's a disgrace they are called both "Illini" and "Oil Change." Neither of the sort! read more

We had a slow leak in one of our tires and although we are close to needing new ones, my husband insisted it could be fixed and that new tires could still wait a few months. We tried taking it to Tires Plus out on Prospect. They were super busy and we waited for 2 hours to be told they couldn't fix it and then we were given a list of estimates for new tires. AND they didn't even bother to fill the low tire so our low pressure light was still on. Two days later we took it to Illini Oil Change. It was right around lunch time so we knew it would be at least an hour. Not only did they patch it in under 2 hours but they also checked all the other tires and filled them as needed and only charged us 12 bucks. I thought they were courteous and helpful and was very pleased with their service. This will be my new spot for oil changes. read more

This is the only place in town that has not ripped me off when it comes to repairs. They'll even tell me repairs I could probably get by without if I can't afford them. I appreciate that they recognize that not all of their customers are made of money. Their repair estimates are very reasonable, and they won't give you a hard way to go if you want to get a second opinion. My guess is that, based on the name, the other reviewers were expecting this to be a quick oil change place, like Jiffy Lube. They're actually more of a repair place. If you're going in for an oil change, you should just call ahead earlier in the day and make an appointment. If you just walk in like you would at Jiffy Lube, it will be a while. The good thing is that they will do a much more thorough job than a quick oil change place (sometimes those places don't even change the filter), and of course you're supporting a local business. The waiting room is fine. It used to be a little on the dirty side, but they've kept it extremely clean in the last couple of years (maybe because of the older reviews on here). I'll take a small, no-frills waiting room if it means that I won't get overcharged. I just go to the Starbucks across the street if I have a long wait. People who work with cars get dirty; that doesn't make them "shady." Yeesh. The staff has been nothing but nice to me. read more

I had a great experience at Illini Oil Change! Despite the yelp reviews, I went for the first time, and I found the technicians to be more than courteous, helpful, and gracious. Their prices beat area quotes, and they were very fast! They even tried to offer discounts and asked if I had any coupons. How many places these days actually try to save money for you? I'm not a student anymore, but I still will continue to go to support this place in the future. read more

Just thought I'd update with how awesome these guys are. They apparently put the wrong locking nut on the oil drain plug on my car (a common mistake with Subarus), and when I brought it in they quickly figured out the mistake, refilled my oil and didn't charge me a dime. In fact, they even gave me a coupon for a free full-service oil change. How's that for service?! read more

This shop has the kind of service you hope for. They do the job you ask for right, but also look out for you in a way that isn't pushy, e.g. they let me know my headlights were dirty, but left it to me whether or not to get it cleaned. I've been going here for years and recommend it to all my friends for both oil changes and repairs. read more

Wanted to post a very positive Illini Oil Change experience as a way of counteracting some of the negative reviews on here. I used to use these guys to change my oil before I decided to start doing it myself (for fun, mostly). And when I did go there, they were always very reasonable and didn't try to sell me on unnecessary repairs. For example, when my tires were getting to the end of their lives, Todd -- the guy who runs the place -- suggested I could replace them then but could easily get another few months out of them...at least until winter. This may seem like a small thing, but it's really quite uncommon, if you think about it. There was no guarantee that I would go back to him for my tires, so he was essentially giving up immediate business for the prospect of a longer lasting relationship. That brings me to my recent positive experience: My Honda manual says that I should change the brake fluid every 3 years, which is understandable given the potential (though very small) risk of brake failure with old, partially evaporated brake fluid in the lines. I called Todd at Illini Oil Change to ask what his opinion was and what he would charge to do it. He quoted me a (very reasonable) price and said they'd be happy to do it but that most people just wait until they have to have the brakes done at 80-90k (for Hondas). I told him that this is exactly what I had been thinking, and he agreed that it probably just made sense to do it when I have new brakes put on somewhere down the line. I thanked Todd for his honesty, whereupon he told me that they are interested in having a customer's business for tomorrow, not just for today. I thought that was a great way to put it. So the work I have had done at Illini Oil Change has been good; but that's really only half of it...because you may end up having only about half as much work done here as you might at other places that just want to get the biggest charge as possible TODAY without regard for tomorrow. read more

When I brought my car in for an oil change they told me it would take an hour. There is no way I was gonna wait in that shop cuz it smells like B.O. Thankfully there was a plaza nearby with some food and grocery where I killed some time. The place is ghetto but they got the job done. Price is also cheap (U of I students can get discount for showing ID). read more

I'm surprised at some of the negative reviews for this place; Illini Oil Change has been around as long as I can remember and isn't a large chain place. The prices are fair and, yes, it does help to have an appointment but the service is far superior to any Jiffy Lube or other places that only do oil changes . I've brought several cars here for service and have always been impressed. read more

I have been going to Illini Oil Change for over 10 years and I couldn't be happier. Every time I have gone somewhere else I have regretted it. I still drive clear across town to go there. There are many times when the Illini Oil Change team could have ripped me off, but they didn't. They won't just jump into an expensive repair to make money. I often call my dad up in the Chicagoland area to brag about the prices I have paid to get my brakes done, etc. I think he wishes he lived closer because he'd go there, too. Illini Oil Change has been with me since the day I purchased my car in 2001 and it has over 164,000 miles on it and still going strong. If that's not a testament to their good work, I don't know what is. Yes, they only have 2 bays and they are not as flashy as other places. I think the work they do speaks for itself. Just wanted to add that I continue to love this place. Again, they aren't Jiffy Lube, you're not going to have your car back in 10 minutes, but they're not going to upsell you on junk you don't need, either. Love these guys. read more

Went in with an oil change coupon for $24.99. When I came back to pick up my car, they charged me $42 because they used a "non-stock" filter. You can easily use a generic filter on my car but even if you want to use a premium one, AT LEAST CALL ME AND ASK INSTEAD OF SURPRISING ME AT THE REGISTER. There should be some law that says if a shop does extra without asking you, they can't charge you for it. Will never go back there. Oh and they gave me no results from the 22 point inspection they were supposed to do. Save your money. read more

I'd suggest you go elsewhere if you need actual work done on your car. I spent $600 here which included new tires. The car drives significantly worse now. It would of been nice when they upsold me if they would of mentioned they weren't going to align my tires or leave me with a safe vehicle to drive. When I talked to the mechanic after I had paid and driven my car he said he'd charge me full price for the alignment ($98). I have major regrets about not taking my car elsewhere. read more

This place is a rip off. I went to have my oil changed, and the guy told me I had $425 worth of repairs to do otherwise my transmission would fail and it would cost me $2500 to replace. I took it to another auto shop for a second opinion, and the guy there told me it did have a small leak, but it was not an immediate problem and it progresses very slowly. I should just check it every 6 months, and then he quoted me for the repair at $300. Illini Oil Change tries to scam their customers and uses scare tactics to get business. read more

I've been a repeat customer of Illini Oil Change for five years now. They have done everything from routine oil changes to major repairs to the drivetrain and transmission on two vehicles of mine. When they don't know what the problem is, or can't duplicate it, they tell me, and leave it up to me whether I want them to replace the possible culprits. The place is a little dirty, but I'd rather have these guys I know work on my car, than go to a spotless Jiffy Lube where the staff turns over every eight months. read more

My husband and I, as well as his mother and his sister, have all had good experiences here. I finally had to write a review after we took our minivan to the dealer (it had decided that 1. it does have an alarm system after all and 2. that it is a stolen vehicle, and Illini Oil Change doesn't have the equipment to get into the computer) and they told us what we were told here at our last oil change -- a bunch of things that don't *have* to be done now but should be done soon. It's good to have confirmation that they weren't trying to get us to pay for unnecessary work. read more

Always good to deal with. I've never had any issues with any oil change or repairs. & the have the 1/2 off CI Save coupons occasionally!!!

Avoid at all costs. I went in for a standard oil change. They suggested changing the front brake pads and one rotor, and I took their advice at face value. They charged a 60-100% mark-up on the parts (all of which come from the store right down the block, meaning that they have zero overhead and that the parts should be charged at retail, which would still give them a cut due to the discount they get), charged for labor at $80/hour when their sign says $65, and when they were done I had leak in the caliper that wasn't there before they started. I wish had had the presence of mind to ask to see the parts they took out. read more

Unfortunately I had to find this out the hard way, I had an apt for an oil change and after waiting a long while the guy who opened my car door broke the handle, not realizing that it was locked in the first place and pulled up too fast. Then the manager in charge tried to pass it off as something that just happens every now and then, refusing to cover chages for a peice that he broke....after some time he left in a fuss to yell something in the back while I was still in the front unhappy, when he came back to the front office he agreed to cover charges but then refused my oil change....as if I wanted one from them now anyways, but he said they couldn't provide service to someone who whould just complain about something being there fault. Then he acted like god, saying that he was giving me a good deal...by fixing the part he broke lol. Not to sound cheap but it's a 160 dollar part plus service. He wasn't giving me anything, just fixing what they screwed up in the first place. Obviously this says something about their service and quality of care, any other place would own up to their losses. Just b/c I'm a young female they prob thought they could walk all over my ass and get away w/ it. TRUST me.....do not take your car here....you won't regret it. GB read more

Todd, the owner of Illini Oil Change, is great and always helps me with my car whenever I need it. They always manage to slot me in pretty quickly when I call with a car emergency. Todd also explains things very well and I know he makes all repairs with the interest of keeping me safe and on the road. The prices are also good. They have really gotten to know me and my car. I really trust these guys- I do all my car repairs (even tires!), upkeep, and oil changes with them. I won't take my car anywhere else. read more

My cars muffler pipe was super loud and I had previously gotten it 'fixed' for a couple hundred dollars.. only to have it continue making the noise a month later. I went to illini oil change for, shocking, an oil change, and he mentioned he could fix it for a very reasonable price... around a third of what I originally paid. He fixed it and 6 months later my car Is still silent. I appreciated his honesty- both for the price and for the work. Would recommend! read more

I had a new set of tires installed on Tuesday, at another business, and on Wednesday my wife took the car in for an oil change at Illini Oil Change. Imagine her surprise when they told her that the tires needed to be rotated because of the excessive wear. Imagine, all that wear in only 45 miles! Don't go here. read more

I received a gift certificate from a friend for this place and after going there, I would never pay to have ANY work done. The staff was down right rude. I walked in for my appointment and Merril was behind the counter just standing there, (No Hi, what can I do for you, etc.) I told him my appt was for 2:00pm and he didn't say a word - he just dropped a clipboard on the counter. What's this? I asked. He put an X and said "fill this out". After the oil change, I gave him my gift certificate, he rang up the transaction and handed me the receipt - without a word. I said, Well thank you sir, and he said "yep". These are the kind of small businesses that need return customers. Well not this one! read more

So my ABS fault light has been tripped for a week now. I looked at my fuses, nothing wrong there, then checked the sensors and their connections on both the front tires, everything is connected and other than a little dirt it looks fine. Bring my truck into this place to get it checked out. They tell me there is a problem with the speed bearing in the front right tire and its not communicating to the computer and thus causing my abs failure, sure I've read that is definitely one of the problems that can cause this. But then they tell me the cable that connects to the sensor "had been cut somehow", so I look under my front right tire after I get my keys back and check out the sensor that I had just looked at this morning, and wouldn't you know, the cable has been yanked out of its housing and there is a clean cut through the cable that was perfectly fine before I took it to illini oil change. Couldn't believe it. Get your oil changed here, but think twice before allowing them to diagnose or "FIX" any real issues with your vehicle. They are making their own work. read more