The cost to get a vehicle serviced nowadays, Wow!

Oil Change: Men vs Women


(prices have changed since this was written)




Oil Change instructions for Women:

  1. Pull up to Dealership when the mileage reaches 5,000
    miles since the last oil change.
  2. Relax in the waiting room while enjoying a cup of
    coffee.
  3. 15 minutes later, scan debit card and leave, driving a
    properly maintained vehicle.
Money spent:
Oil Change:$24.00
Coffee: Complementary
TOTAL: $24.00

Oil Change instructions for Men:

  1. Wait until Saturday, drive to auto parts store and buy a
    case of oil, filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and a
    scented tree, and use your debit card for $50.00.
  2. Stop to buy a case of beer, (debit $24), drive home.
  3. Open a beer and drink it.
  4. Jack truck up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.
  5. Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.
6.. In frustration, open another beer and drink it.

  1. Place drain pan under engine.
  2. Look for 9/16 box end wrench.
  3. Give up and use crescent wrench.
  4. Unscrew drain plug.
  5. Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil: splash hot oil on you
    in process. Cuss.
  6. Crawl out from under truck to wipe hot oil off of face
    and arms. Throw kitty litter on spilled oil.
  7. Have another beer while watching oil drain.
  8. Spend 30 minutes looking for oil filter wrench.
  9. Give up; crawl under truck and hammer a screwdriver
    through oil filter and twist off.
  10. Crawl out from under truck with dripping oil filter
    splashing oil everywhere from holes. Cleverly hide old oil
    filter among trash in trash can to avoid environmental
    penalties. Drink a beer.
  11. Install new oil filter making sure to apply a thin coat
    of oil to gasket surface.
  12. Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.
  13. Remember drain plug from step 11.
  14. Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.
  15. Drink beer.
  16. Discover that first quart of fresh oil is now on the
    floor. Throw kitty litter on oil spill.
  17. Get drain plug back in with only a minor spill. Drink
    beer.
  18. Crawl under truck getting kitty litter into eyes. Wipe
    eyes with oily rag used to clean drain plug. Slip with
    stupid crescent wrench tightening drain plug and bang
    knuckles on frame removing any excess skin between knuckles
    and frame.
  19. Begin cussing fit.
  20. Throw stupid crescent wrench.
  21. Cuss for additional 5 minutes because wrench hit truck
    and left dent.
  22. Beer.
  23. Clean up hands and bandage as required to stop blood
    flow.
  24. Beer.
  25. Dump in five fresh quarts of oil.
  26. Beer.
  27. Lower truck from jack stands.
  28. Move truck back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil
    spilled during any missed steps.
  29. Beer.
  30. Test drive truck.
  31. Get pulled over: arrested for driving under the
    influence.
  32. Truck gets impounded.
  33. Call loving wife, make bail.
  34. 12 hours later, get truck from impound yard.
Money spent:
Parts: $50.00
DUI: $2,500.00
Impound fee: $75.00
Bail: $1,500.00
Beer: $20.00
TOTAL: $4,145.00
But you know the job was done right!
 
As I stated before. I had My 1996 Powerstroke oil changed at Walmart. They used a Fram oil filter and Rotella oil. Total cost, less than $60. Take My 4Runner in and go inside and buy the oil and filter I want and take it to the counter. Pay for the oil and filter and $19.98 for the service.
 
Speaking of brake pads & rotors, what is the "normal" mileage currently? I bought some tires recently and the dealer tried to sell me the "needed" brake job. My car (a 17 Buick Enclave) has only 43,000 miles. My previous SUV had over 75,000 miles and still didn't need pads. I'm think 60,000 to 70,000 miles should be about normal.
"Normal" depends on too many factors. People who live in cities will replace brakes more often than those who live in the country. Same for those who drive aggressively vs those who drive more moderately. In other words, there is no "normal".
 
To each their own.
I grew up using tools
And made my living
Turning wrenches on all
sorts of equipment.
I have tools for anything you can
Think of. I still do my own maintenance
but at 69 I am slowing down.
The pic is rear area of Corvette I
Am working on now it will be
My last hot rod.
 

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If you got 4.5 years out of a wet battery and it didn't leave you stranded beforehand-you are wayyyyy ahead of the game
Perhaps in hot climes or frigid ones. I typically see at least 7 years for a battery. My daughter's Cavalier was 19 years old when I got rid of it. In those 19 years, it had 2 batteries, the original Delco that lasted 9 years, and the Delco I replaced it with which was still going when the car left.
 
YES - I do my own oil changes and maintenance and there are several major reasons.

First of all, the oil I use on my vehicles is way way better than any Dealer uses. They take the lowest bidder interested in producing oil for them. Their filters only meet minimum standards and not only do they filter poorly, they often clog too soon and then the bypass valve opens which in turn lets the oil just flow through unfiltered. NOPE - I will use my own oil and filter and will get the best available which I currently consider to be Amsoil.

Secondly, I do not trust car Dealers! I have been disappointed in Dealer service too many times.

Thirdly, what they charge for simple routine and minor problem service is in my opinion ridiculous! While I am still healthy and in descent shape I will as much as I am capable of.

Last but not least, (some might not get this) I actually enjoy doing this kind of stuff! :D All my working life I leased cars and never had any time to play with them. Now that I am retired, own all my own vehicles, have all the proper tools, knowledge and time, I love getting my hands dirty, making sure everything is done properly and at the right price. So far after being retired for 14 years there was only one time a repair job was beyond my diagnosing skills and that was a bad ECM. Replacing the part probably tool 10 minutes or less, but I did not realize what was wrong. I paid the Dealer $630.00 to diagnose & replace the computer which I could have bought for $175. Oh well.... you can't win them all!

Most shops (not dealers) will charge a modest service fee if you bring your own oil and filter, which is what I do if I don't change it myself. I like Mobil One and OEM filters.

The diesel is a different story. It holds 13 quarts, and as I found out no pan is big enough when that stuff comes shooting out. I had to pressure wash the driveway and it still ain't right.
 
Oil Change: Men vs Women


(prices have changed since this was written)




Oil Change instructions for Women:

  1. Pull up to Dealership when the mileage reaches 5,000
    miles since the last oil change.
  2. Relax in the waiting room while enjoying a cup of
    coffee.
  3. 15 minutes later, scan debit card and leave, driving a
    properly maintained vehicle.
Money spent:
Oil Change:$24.00
Coffee: Complementary
TOTAL: $24.00

Oil Change instructions for Men:

  1. Wait until Saturday, drive to auto parts store and buy a
    case of oil, filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and a
    scented tree, and use your debit card for $50.00.
  2. Stop to buy a case of beer, (debit $24), drive home.
  3. Open a beer and drink it.
  4. Jack truck up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.
  5. Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.
6.. In frustration, open another beer and drink it.

  1. Place drain pan under engine.
  2. Look for 9/16 box end wrench.
  3. Give up and use crescent wrench.
  4. Unscrew drain plug.
  5. Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil: splash hot oil on you
    in process. Cuss.
  6. Crawl out from under truck to wipe hot oil off of face
    and arms. Throw kitty litter on spilled oil.
  7. Have another beer while watching oil drain.
  8. Spend 30 minutes looking for oil filter wrench.
  9. Give up; crawl under truck and hammer a screwdriver
    through oil filter and twist off.
  10. Crawl out from under truck with dripping oil filter
    splashing oil everywhere from holes. Cleverly hide old oil
    filter among trash in trash can to avoid environmental
    penalties. Drink a beer.
  11. Install new oil filter making sure to apply a thin coat
    of oil to gasket surface.
  12. Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.
  13. Remember drain plug from step 11.
  14. Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.
  15. Drink beer.
  16. Discover that first quart of fresh oil is now on the
    floor. Throw kitty litter on oil spill.
  17. Get drain plug back in with only a minor spill. Drink
    beer.
  18. Crawl under truck getting kitty litter into eyes. Wipe
    eyes with oily rag used to clean drain plug. Slip with
    stupid crescent wrench tightening drain plug and bang
    knuckles on frame removing any excess skin between knuckles
    and frame.
  19. Begin cussing fit.
  20. Throw stupid crescent wrench.
  21. Cuss for additional 5 minutes because wrench hit truck
    and left dent.
  22. Beer.
  23. Clean up hands and bandage as required to stop blood
    flow.
  24. Beer.
  25. Dump in five fresh quarts of oil.
  26. Beer.
  27. Lower truck from jack stands.
  28. Move truck back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil
    spilled during any missed steps.
  29. Beer.
  30. Test drive truck.
  31. Get pulled over: arrested for driving under the
    influence.
  32. Truck gets impounded.
  33. Call loving wife, make bail.
  34. 12 hours later, get truck from impound yard.
Money spent:
Parts: $50.00
DUI: $2,500.00
Impound fee: $75.00
Bail: $1,500.00
Beer: $20.00
TOTAL: $4,145.00
But you know the job was done right!
Sounds bout right but don't have to worry bout 'quick lube' place forgetting to lube filter seal, not tightening oil pan bolt. Next morning notice oil leak under truck. From filter so tighten & get cat litter to soak up puddle. Closing hood smash thumb. Coupla days later your on way to work & notice dash oil gauge dropped to zero. Pull over in 80mph traffic to check. On knees looking under & the dang pan bolt's gone. Won't restart. Call triple A. Truck towed to dealer to check out. Call wife to pick you up. She has a flat on way. Calls triple A to fix. Takes'um hour to get there. They find spare flat & have to fix. After another hour wife's back on road to pick you up at dealer. She...is not happy! Stop on way home for case of beer. Pull in to convenience store. While you're inside car next spot backs out, sideswipes wife's car, stops momentarily & speeds off. You come out to hear wife screaming. Not knowing why you drop case of beer running to her aid & break two toes & also most long neck beer bottles. Need i go on? Ok...dealership calls as your limping in house. Seems when oil pan bolt the quick lube guy didn't tighten fell out, all oil drained out on highway, valves seized & motor locked up. Dealer gives you estimate for new or rebuilt engine. Your bride hears you cussing the phone, runs to see what happened, slips on throw rug & breaks her hip. More? Naw, we're way over $$$$$ to do it your self plus wifes in hospital. Meanwhile the quick lube guy is off work laid back drinking a cool one. Think i'll just keep doin' my own.

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If you got 4.5 years out of a wet battery and it didn't leave you stranded beforehand-you are wayyyyy ahead of the game
I guess I'm lucky, because I used to get 7 years, but last two units lasted just 5 years. Is that quality slipping or just part of the statistical life spread, or is it that there is a lot more electrical stuff on later cars? I don't know. However, here in middle Virginia, we don't get long periods of extreme cold or extreme heat, and I use a battery minder if the car is going to sit more than a couple days.
My cars are 21 and 23 years old, so I'm just glad there is still a battery made that fits them
 
What's a WET battery as opposed to____battery?

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AGM ... Absorbed Glass Mat
It's an improved version of the old classic lead acid.
The industry seems to be into these things, and they sure don't give em away. Something like 2 - 3 X the price of a standard battery.
 
I guess I'm lucky, because I used to get 7 years, but last two units lasted just 5 years. Is that quality slipping or just part of the statistical life spread, or is it that there is a lot more electrical stuff on later cars? I don't know. However, here in middle Virginia, we don't get long periods of extreme cold or extreme heat, and I use a battery minder if the car is going to sit more than a couple days.
My cars are 21 and 23 years old, so I'm just glad there is still a battery made that fits them

It's more the way cars treat batteries now.
Headlamps that stay on after you shut down the car until a certain time has elapsed.
Start stop systems ... engine will shut off at every intersection and restart when you take your foot off the brake.
It's stuff like this that beats up on batteries ... so they needed a tougher version.
 

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