How many people still change the oil in their vehicles. I think the going rate for a oil change in these parts is close to $40 at one of the commercial oil change places. I can’t believe how many people plunk down $40 rather than change their own oil.

The advantages are:

1. You save close to 25 to 30 dollars!!
2. You know it is done correctly and that the bolt is not replaced too tight or worse too loosely.
3. You can be certain of the type of oil being used.
4. You can be certain a quality oil filter is used.
5. Once you have the few tools required it only takes a few minutes.
6. Gives you a chance to visually inspect the undercarriage of your vehicle.
7. It is just the manly thing to do.

I get my oil changed, tires checked and rotated, and all fluids checked and topped off.... AND a car wash for $40.

Plus, should I decide to trade it in, I get more for it being a certified pre-owned if I have the dealer do it.... so why not?

__________________
- The Federalist #46 -

My daily driver gets changes at the dealer. I get coupons via email and postal mail often. With a coupon the cost is the same as "parts" alone, and I'm not out my own labor. Plus they do a 20+ point inspection.

My 4-wheeled toys only get touched by me though. My new daily driver on order requires synthetic, and 7 qts of the stuff. Usually, that's an exclusion in the coupons. Looks like I'll do the changes on it myself.

Edit: when the dealer offers coupons, there is no reason to go to Jiffy Lube, etc. . No car of mine will ever be touched by Jiffy Lube, Walmart, Firestone, etc.

I do my own oil changes, and I take my waste oil to the recycle center.

best

mqqn

I still change my oil and filter in all my vehicles but it is not as cheap as having it done due to the oils that I use.

__________________
James
On the Llano Estacado

you can save $30 of a $40 oil change and be assured of the quality of the oil ?

my mechanic charges me $28 and he rotate the tires

It's not too expensive and they do a lot of filter changing and level checking as well as work under body like grease fittings.

If you change it yourself, you have to buy the oil and filters.

I'm REALLY lucky to have this outfit. It's like a Jiffy-lube but it's independent and owned by a high school friend of ours. You can eat off the floors, they are very professional and do great mechanical work. They aren't the cheapest on the mechanics, but when you leave you know it's fixed. And they are great diagnosticians even beyond the plug in computer.

I used to change my oil, but later on disposal got to be a problem. We have oil recycling at the dump now but I'm not good at working on a concrete drive any more, especially when it's cold and rainy.

__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Oil change costs me X bucks. I'm happy to pay it. My mechanics are good people. I want them to be there next month and next year.

And, as others have noted, they do more than just "change the oil."

I do my pick up, wife's car gets changed by the dealer. I like to do my own it doesn't take long and I don't have to wait, I might save 10 or15$ doing it myself.
Steve W

Price is higher if your engine requires synthetic oil. Mine does to keep the 5-year warranty in effect. My changes usually run about $60.

If I could find the deals some of these guys get then I wouldn't change my own oil either. For a good laugh, the local Walmart service station has been known to forget things like the washer on the oil plug so the plug falls out and drains the oil by the time you get home.

Most dealers in this area offer free oil change for life on new vehicles, haven't done it in years. Somebody asked to see under the hood of my truck, told them don't know how to open it and as long as it's under warranty don't intend to find out.

I'm not able to change my own oil anymore so my SIL does it.

All it costs me is oil, filter, beer, a cook-out, popsicles for the grandkids and "to go" containers.

__________________
Music/Sports/Beer fan

If you use one of those quicky lube places, be sure to check the oil level before you drive off...

No I wasn't short changed that time, but apparently the kid working there with a I.Q. of 46 couldn't get the drain plug off, so he just added 6 qts to the total....At least I caught it before any damage was done.

Thank you very much, I'll do my own..Then any screw ups are on me....

(I know how to take out anger on myself..)


WuzzFuzz

What a coincidence; I just finished changing mine. Have done my own for years. I guess I don't trust others to do it right, for one thing. But the main thing is that I don't have to go anywhere to get it done -a trip to the garage is all it takes.

Regards,
Andy

Buying my oil and filter costs about the same as having it done. ($30)

sync oil and filter cost me 20 bucks at wall mart and like the op said i then know what was done takes a whole 15 min.rotate my tires every 5000 and service the trans every 25000

I've never had an over/under fill of oil or drain plug fall out. But if any of the above happens the dealer is going to pay for the damage, NOT ME.

I turned wrenches for 9 years at dealerships and I now pay to have my work done. As far as oil I run Mobil One that I think costs $7 or $8 dollars a quart and their filter that's around another $10 so that's around $50.00 and I pay a buddy that I used to work with that has his own place now $20.00. So for $70.00 I have oil that I trust for 10,000 mile changes even though I usually do it at around 8,000. Yes I used to stick to the 3000 mile oil change but with good Synthetic there is just no reason any more unless it makes you feel better. I just had my auto transmission serviced with Mobile One synthetic trany fluid that cost me $15.00 per quart so for 8 quarts and a filter plus $30 labor cost was $170.00. My tires are Michelin which were $600.00 and there are four new Monroe struts on the way here now along with two new GM wheel hubs and front sway bar bushings that I am going to have installed by another friend with an alignment shop. The coolant and hoses were replaced three months ago with the best Dayco hoses. All this on a 13 year old Chevy Cavalier that I paid $2325.00 cash for nine months ago. I had just totaled my car and need something to drive till I decided what I wanted next. In 9 months I have put 23,000 miles on this little car with manual windows and no options except AC and can get 36 MPG if I drive it easy. It's surprisingly peppy with the little 2.2 and four speed auto and is comfortable. It isn't beat up but it isn't going to impress anyone either. After driving it for three months it suddenly dawned on me that I didn't really need or want a new car enough to go into debt. I do believe in maintaining any machine and buying the best parts available. It has always seemed the best policy to me. Good luck.

Mine has a skid plate you have to drop before you can drain the oil and replace the filter. I don't want to mess with it. The locally owned oil change place does it faster, I don't have to haul the oil in for recycling, and they have never screwed anything up.

Wal Mart - no thanks. I know several people who have had engines ruined by Wal Mart's oil change "technicians."

I can do my own for about $20, my local shop can do it for $25 albeit with lower quality oil. I personally like Mobil stuff, most places use Pennzoil though.

Two of my cars require 5W-20 motor oil.

First two times I took the first one to the dealer to have oil change, they put in 10W-40. I found a good independent mechanic. He had been "Mr. Goodwrench" for 15 years. He told me the dealer has a barrel of 10W-40 in the shop. When they do oil changes, they draw out 5 quarts, or whatever is required. If your car takes a specialty oil, you get 5 quarts out of the 10W-40 barrel.

With the second one, even though the dealer gave me a free oil change, I never went there, I went to my current independent. I paid more, but I got what I paid for.

Five quart jug of Mobil 1 is $26 with tax, Wix filter is $6 with tax. I bought the filters on my local mechanic's account at the parts house for his price + tax. I'm old and slow so oil change and rotate the tires on my driveway pad is about an hour. The OEM tires (General) on my 2012 Colorado have 61K miles and 7/32 tread average. I also rotate the spare tire onto the truck, so the best tire becomes the spare when I buy 4 new tires.

I have never made enough money to "buy" an oil change, but found enough for a couple of S&W no-lock revolvers.

EDIT: I check the oil level weekly, keep oil level at the full mark, change oil filter every 5K miles and rotate tires, change oil every 20K. Had 140K following this plan on 1995 S-10, engine used almost a quart of oil in 5 K miles.

__________________
S&WHF 366

I still change my own oil but not for the purpose of saving money. I use Amsoil and there are no places around here that change oil and have Amsoil. Since it's kind of tacky to bring your own oil & filter to a service station, I just change my own.

I use the set of steel ramps I bought when I was 17 and they still work just fine. I just drive the vehicles up onto the ramps, chock the rear wheels and I am done in about 15 minutes. The Amsoil goes up to 25,000 miles and since I don't drive that much anymore, I just do it once a year.

I do everything I can myself. Saving money and being manly is great but being self-reliant is priceless.

I have Amsoil in my truck, the wife's car, daughter's car and my Harley. I'm still changing the oil in all of them. Extended Drain is the way to go.

Not anymore. I crawled under my vehicles enough when I was
younger. When I retired I moved found a good shop and let them do the work.

Been having the same guy change my oil for 20 plus years, 180,000 miles and still going strong, I'm good with that.

I change my ol and filter because I enjoy doing it. I also know that I put in the correct oil and oil filter. I learned that if the front wheels are level, I drain 3 1/2 quarts. If I elevate the front wheels, I drain 4 quarts. That is important.

I have my oil changed. It provides the Proletariat with meager low paying jobs to support their miserable lives. Plus much like the mighty Elephant if I laid down I'd never get up.

__________________
SOS USA

You are a wise man.

Can't blame anyone for farming the job out, it can be a PITA, especially in the winter. I still change my own, and will so long as I'm able. Granted, it's tough getting up & down off the ground these days, but knowing the job's done right is the motivation. Mobil 1 in my truck, Castrol in Mrs van, both 5w30, and Valvoline 10w30 racing oil in the Vette. It still has the zinc old engines need. Wix filters on all of them. Recycle all the used oil.

I did until I could finally buy myself a new vehicle plus the 100k mile warranty. I figure it's their truck until then so let them keep up with it in case there's an issue.

My latest truck is a 5.7 Tundra with the canister style filter, a real PITA to change. Plus I get a free car wash with it. All under $50.

__________________
Isaiah 41:10

We have places competing for cars around here. Regularly it is $19.95 for Havoline and filter. I do my own for about $25 4 qts 5W30 in my '10 4.3 Silverado and a qt of 0W20 synthetic (wife's Impala needs 5+1). I like getting under a vehicle for a visual inspection. I also rotate the tires (just had Goodyears with 24K miles orig equip on a '12 Impala, tread was showing on the sidewalls-They gave me $26/tire credit toward replacement) just because I hate the dreaded "rounded nuts." Joe

__________________
Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I do all three (Grand Cherokee Ltd, Liberty Ltd, and M1009) myself, as well as transmission fluids and filters.

The bonus is I can burn the used fluids in the M1009 for fuel.

Attached Images

M1009Snow01a.jpg (20.0 KB, 51 views)

It's not worth changing your own oil any more.

__________________
'Merica!

If you read the typical do-it-yourself instructions for changing your car's oil, they will tell you to check for leaks when you finish. This is even more important if you have WalMart do the job!

I keep to a schedule that precludes working on the car in the winter. Of course, there are exceptions and emergencies. Some of you may remember my story about changing a flat for my wife in a snow storm.

__________________
You're shy a few manners.

Changing the oil/filter and the air filter is the only thing I can do anymore without screwing something up!

Use to do my own. too old to crawl under now. My dealership does it for $30 and uses BG products.

Now having said that!!!! Have an older Porsche 911 and still do that myself. Would hate to see what it would cost at the dealer. Takes 14 quarts and I use Brad Penn 20W-50W, about $6. quart.

Plus I don't let anybody fool around with my "other woman" as the wife calls her .

__________________
Vietnam 1969-1971

I'm 62 and have worked on all of my rides (car/truck/motorcycle) since I was 16, and have done everything on them, including engine rebuilds and air conditioning work (even went through the hassle to get the MACS certification for R-12 to be able to obtain and use it to keep the old stuff working).

I started doing the work first out of economic necessity, but after several bad experiences with rip-off mechanics, I found that I could do the work myself, as good or better, cheaper and faster.

But with the new car I bought 2 years ago, the dealer does it.

There is just too much under body, gas mileage increasing aero-dynamic junk completely covering the bottom of the engine compartment, that I don't feel like dealing with.

I did an oil change on it one time, it took me 30 minutes get to remove and re-install all of that molded plastic panel junk.

At my age and lot in life... when I can easily (and gleefully) send the equivalent of an oil change cost down range during a single range session, why not save my knees, back and sanity and let someone else have at it.

__________________
Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

For my dealer to change the oil in my 2013 911 Turbo cost about $325 and in my 2011 GT3 cost about $350. Both use about 12 quarts.

I did it when my truck was new in 1994, after a few changes I started to take it in to have it done. One day I found a coupon that said they would match any shops price, I think it was 16.00. The guy didn't want to honor it, wanted to charge me more because his oil was "Better" than the other shops. After a short shouting match I left to do it myself. That was in 1997 and I have done it since. Same small truck almost at 300,000.

I do my own changes, have for many years. Car, truck and motorcycle.
I use synthetic oil and I like the satisfaction of knowing the job is
done right. At my age and with back problems it's harder on me than it
use to be but I don't drive as much any more so I don't have to do it
as often. Since i'm skinny in my old age I can get under my truck
without having to raise it so that makes it easier.

I enjoy doing stuff like that. I use O'Reilly cheapo filters Microgard which is now made by Wix.

I take my daily driver to the dealership for oil changes. I would have to do them in my drive and winter here is not fun. One of my brothers is a service tech at the dealership so I get some extras that most do not get.

I changed my own oil from high school, the 60s until I supposed the early 90s.
I got tired of rolling around on frozen concrete and having oil dripping on me.
I could do it and save a few bucks, but it is worth the money to have it done, in my view

1-4. Never had a problem at a shop. Used whatever oil they have and whatever filter they have in vehicles ranging from new to high milage of 180k - 300k. Nothing broke, spilled, loosened, cracked.

6. Don't really have a need to check the undercarriage. Nothing has ever broken and driving on pavement I don't expect anything to break.

7. Eh

Been a car guy since the mid-60s and if fact worked PT at my buddies garage & speed shop for years. Have done hundreds if not over a thousand oil changes in my life and much other work that includes my own cars and customers cars/trucks. Remember in that era oil was changed at 3,000 miles.

I have all the tools other than a lift and I have the expertise to do that and other jobs, but at this point in my life it’s much easier to drop the car off at a GOOD SHOP and then drop the credit card when the job is over Remember I said GOOD SHOP!

My DD 4x4 truck gets Mobile One ( a very good synthetic oil) and that contrary to the old rules is good for 15,000 miles (truck normally get about 5,000 miles a yea) now since I’m long retired!.

My Vettes get about 6-7 thousand miles a year (mobile one) so it gets changed once a year when the car goes in the garage for its winter sleep, this is legal according to the warranty and have had no problems with the 4 Vettes I have owned while using Mobile One. Due to the bad weather the car is garaged about 6-7 months a year. Most time these vehicles are under warranty so it’s not worth it for me to do much work.

My wife takes care of her own car that is not my responsibility unless an emergency and hers are normally under warranty also. She still uses dino oil and gets 3 changes a year!

__________________
14 S&W Revs none with locks!

The dealer I bought my truck from does all my oil changes and all that goes with it for a flat $30. Being it has over 100,000 miles, it gets Castrol High Mileage 10w30 oil and a Wix filter. That is only about $5 more than if I did it myself so off to Sharps it goes!

__________________
NRA Life member

Ford dealer does mine. Never thought that would ever happen. I do my hot rod myself. Dealer use Ford filters and you have a record with them. If something happens oil related they can't fuss at you. 13 F150 use 7 qts. syn.They rotate the tires.