Changing the Oil in Your Vehicle

[finesse_r]

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.

 

[USAF385]

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?

 

[S&WForty]

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.

 

[mqqn]

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

best

mqqn

 

[sophie]

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.

 

[Ga Johnny]

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

 

[rwsmith]

They are more thorough.....

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.

 

[Gamecock]

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."

 

[Stevens]

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

 

[DWalt]

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.

 

[Maximumbob54]

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.

 

[Chuck24]

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.

 

[Rustyt1953]

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.

 

[WuzzFuzz]

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

 

[snowman]

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

 

[ralph7]

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

 

[curtmini14]

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

 

[old bear]

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.

 

[Pre 29]

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.

 

[TX-Dennis]

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."