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I just wanted to see what you think Eric and anyone on the forum when doing oil changes do you go to oil change place or do it yourself I think having a oil change place do it costs about the same as you doing it yourself and don’t the oil change place stick a hose down where your dip stick goes to suck the oil out does it really get all the oil out do you think doing oil changes yourself is better.
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I don’t trust a shop to do oil changes on my Impala. I saw a video on YouTube that a shop changed the oil on a Impala not unlike my own and once they started it the engine blew up! No lie!
Plus back in 2012 I changed the oil in 3 cars. With the 12 qts of oil (4qts per car) and 3 oil filters the price came out to be around $30. The SAME price a shop charges to change oil in ONE car. It is much cheaper to do it yourself most of the time all you need is either a socket or a cresent wrench to remover the drain plug. All you need to do it hand tighten so you shouldnt need to use a socket or oil filter wrench to do it in the future. I hand tightened the oil filters on the cars with no leaks and hand tightened the drain plugs with a SLIGHT tighten with the cresent wrench to snug it and never had any leaks and i never changed or even touched the crush washer on the drain plugs either.
Having a vehicle with several years left on the warranty, the dealer is the only place I’d consider getting my oil changed. I want it recorded in their database that I had the oil changed should I not be able to find a receipt for it. As well I’ve heard several bad stories about quick lube places. I don’t want to be in one of those stories.
I would only DIY after my warranty was up.
Hi all
I am a retired big truck mechanic, Started working for my grandfather in 1973, part time he had a small fleet of trucks in Massillon, Ohio, he went out of business in 1978, My last job I lost in 2006, most all the jobs I worked on trucks, one of the three vehicles I own is a Smart Fortwo, they call for oil change every 10,000, it takes 2 hours drive round trip to the dealer,
I can do the job in less time then it takes to get there.
Thank you, Dennis FriedmanI personally never trust Dealer’s unless it is for recalls. In my experience when it comes to “warranty” work the dealer claims that the work is not covered under warranty (such case with my Lanos) and charge for it anyways. Dealers also charge you 2x-4x the cost the price to do repairs than a independant shop. If I cannot do it myself I will take it to whoever will do it the cheapest. I am not at all a picky person, If I take a car to a shop to fix it and they do a half-ass job I wouldn’t even care mainly because if I was able to do it myself I would 9 times outta 10 half-ass it myself. Long as it works that’s all I care about
When I get an oil change/tire rotation service it is our job to check and record a multipoint with service..I do agree with some techs rushing through these multi points though..I personally take the time to inspect for example front end, leaks, pad life,lights because you can upsell from these and make hours off it being on clock..I will recommend what needs attention and leave it up for customer if he wants to do it or not..
[quote=”BlackenZaib” post=120484]I don’t trust a shop to do oil changes on my Impala. I saw a video on YouTube that a shop changed the oil on a Impala not unlike my own and once they started it the engine blew up! No lie![/quote]
I’ve seen the video too, but its not their fault as a faulty FPR can cause gas vapors to accumulate in the Upper Intake Manifold and then it backfired which the plastic couldn’t contain.
No, the stories of seized engines is the one that you guys need to worry about, or destroyed transmissions, or shops not doing the work you were charged for.
I use oil change places only because I have health issues that prevent me from doing the work myself. Before I ever leave the parking lot of any place i check to see if there oil in the car and if they did the work they say they did. I’ve had no problems with it in the past. For anyone that cares I just go to my local walmart.
They even went above and beyond for me and fixed an issue i had with my TPMS sensors. I thought they was broken but the tech told me they just wasnt reset properly at the tire change place my grandmother used.
As with any service check over there work if there is an issue get it addressed immediately and document everything you done to get it resolved.
The original poster mentioned that oil changes cost about the same whether you take it in or do it yourself, but that’s not necessarily true if you have a smaller car like me. I usually buy the oil change deal (5 quarts of oil and a filter) for around $20 at AutoZone or some other part store. My car only takes 4 quarts, so I am always left with an unopened quart. After four changes, I essentially get a free one (only have to buy filter). So, in the long run, I’m saving 20% on oil changes by doing it myself.
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