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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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Yea I do get that kind of coupon special I’m only doing it because of my financial situation once I can get the tools to do it myself I will start doing that.
I have my oil changed at a shop even though I’m quite capable of doing the job myself. I know the tech pretty well, and he’s older and way more trustworthy in my opinion than a younger one whom works at an oil change shop.
It also gives me an opportunity to go under the car when it’s on a lift. He and I inspect the underside of it every time, he checks the tyres and wheels, and other things like that. Loss leaders in the automotive service industry suck, the ones whom charge $20 for an oil change are doing so to put people like him out of business. They’re also doing that so they can “find” things wrong with your car and recommend a much more costly repair which is probably not needed.
It’s $38 for me to have my oil changed and a few other services like inspections which to me are totally worth the money. Again, cost of ownership of a vehicle. I fear taking my car to a big store like Walmart (Walfart to me), or sears, etc. The people whom work there most of the time are super inexperienced and have heard horror stories from face-to-face conversations and online discussions such as this. Once in a great while you’ll have an older person whom really takes pride in their work, work on your car.
I would rather change my oil myself than go to a big box retailer, unless for some reason I’m unable to do it myself, or find some place. That’s when I cross every digit I have that the employee (I wouldn’t even call a tech most of the time) doesn’t do damage to my car.
With changing one’s own oil, there comes a sense of accomplishment. Plus you know the exact filter, oil, etc that went into the job. Yes it is a dirty job. BTW, what is Eric’s slogan?
[quote=”McWicked” post=112044]As far as it being more difficult to do on newer cars, it really depends on the car. Unfortunately a lot of automakers are moving towards installing “maintenance required” or “oil monitoring” idiot lights to the console. So sure, you can physically change the oil, but if you don’t have a scan tool than can reset the light… you’re S.O.L.[/quote]
One could probably rent that at autozone. No big deal either way. I remember people freaking out about OBDII when it first came out. Plus a lot of times you can reset maintenance lights by buttons on the dash.
Besides, a DIY’er relies on mileage to know when to do maintenance, not some silly light.
Much like the old days, if someone is often negligent of car maintenance, a light on the dash probably won’t help them anyways.[quote=”brian52799″ post=112097]Yea I do get that kind of coupon special I’m only doing it because of my financial situation once I can get the tools to do it myself I will start doing that.[/quote]
I don’t know about your financial situation, but you can get a pair of ramps from wal-mart for $40, and then hand tools and things from the flea market. Atleast that’s what I did when I first started getting into auto repair.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/RhinoRamps-Black/19526658
You don’t need a jack and jack stands right away.
As a dealer tech I always advise against quick lube places. However, yes I’m flat rate and am on the clock, I spend my time to check over the vehicle for anything out of sorts or in need of replacement. Why? Because that is my money, no point in just getting .4 for an oil change when I can get 2 hours for a brake job, or 3.1 hours for tires and alignment. I love people who understand their cars and take care of them on their own; yet I have also seen what happens when diy leads to seized engines, destroyed suspension components, and a long list of other debacles. Working on your car is an amazing experience, but please don’t do it just because you think it will save just money, otherwise you’ll spend big bucks for something as simple as an oil change. Research your vehicle and plan accordingly.
Another problem I’ve had with shops. My ’04 silverado left the factory with 7 lube points… 4 ball joints, 2 outer tie rod ends, drive shaft spline. Several different “quick lube” type shops I found that whoever did the work assumed no lube points and didn’t bother. With new U joints I now have more lube points.
[quote=”DBFSubs21!” post=114179]Another problem I’ve had with shops. My ’04 silverado left the factory with 7 lube points… 4 ball joints, 2 outer tie rod ends, drive shaft spline. Several different “quick lube” type shops I found that whoever did the work assumed no lube points and didn’t bother. With new U joints I now have more lube points.[/quote] Sadly grease fittings are rarely used anymore. “sealed for life units” are an absolute joke.
[quote=”Chevyman21″ post=114382]… Sadly grease fittings are rarely used anymore. “sealed for life units” are an absolute joke.[/quote]
Yup. Lube dries up -> end of life. I am on good terms with my parts place. The guy was selling me something with a “Lifetime warranty.” I asked him how that works. He said “If it breaks, we send Enrico from the back room out with a big pickle fork to end your life.” Also don’t like “maintenance free batteries.”Exactly and hahaha that’s one of the best jokes I’ve heard good one my friend. And ya Maintenence free batterys I don’t Iike all that much. It really ain’t much trouble to add water to a battery if
Needed. Also wheel bearings that can’t be serviced/repacked aka the sealed hub unit assembly!I am a professional tech and I despise changing my oil. At home at least. The last couple of places I worked you had free access assuming you weren’t working, Unfortunately I don’t think the place I’m starting at tomorrow will have this same benefit. You can also get one for a little more than the cost of the oil and filter if you look in the right place.
The only reason I might still do my own is my car takes 0w40, the place that tends to have the cheapest changes doesn’t stock it, then by the time I buy the overpriced special order synthetic blah blah blah. Long story short, due to a recent repair I had to go buy a second $60 (after tax + levys) 5 liter bottle to properly top it up. On the upside its regularly on sale for about $20 less.
Then of course you have the old oil and filters stored up waiting to be taken to the depot. And the inevitable splash of oil on the garage floor. If my car didn’t have expensive taste, I would NOT change my own oil.
[quote=”McWicked” post=112044][quote=”DBFSubs21!” post=112035]Big advantage to DIY is it gives you a chance to check out other stuff – water pump weep hole, hoses, leaks, CVs or U joints, all that. The shop guy on flat rate doesn’t have time for that, he’s on the clock.[/quote]
Exactly this. For me, changing the oil entails a lot more than changing the oil. It’s also the time I have allotted to general vehicle inspection and maintenance. I’m checking belts, hoses, filters, all other fluid levels… etc. I catch a lot of stuff early during oil changes.
As far as it being more difficult to do on newer cars, it really depends on the car. Unfortunately a lot of automakers are moving towards installing “maintenance required” or “oil monitoring” idiot lights to the console. So sure, you can physically change the oil, but if you don’t have a scan tool than can reset the light… you’re S.O.L.[/quote]
i have a maint light on my corolla. Toyota made it easy to reset, Just hold the trip button down and tuen on the igintion, and keep holding it down until the light goes out
Anyplace that does oil change in 9 minutes should be avoided at all costs , Id rather do it myself , as i do or take to a dealer or reputable service centre for the scheduled services
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[/quote] Sadly grease fittings are rarely used anymore. “sealed for life units” are an absolute joke.[/quote]
right, I hate those stupid grease needles, they bend and they dull and then you have to try and mess with the grease needle while trying to use the grease gun, why can’t we just put the grease gun on a grease zerk and pump the grease in and call it a day, no that would be too simple… :whistle:
[/quote]right, I hate those stupid grease needles, they bend and they dull and then you have to try and mess with the grease needle while trying to use the grease gun, why can’t we just put the grease gun on a grease zerk and pump the grease in and call it a day, no that would be too simple… :whistle:[/quote]
Simplicity is out the window in this day an age for some reason. The engineers and bean counters make sure of that 😛
I find working on my car therapeutic (unless something is frustrating to take apart.) and therefore I do my own oil changes, I would probably save money having someone ells do the oil change because I spend a lot of money doing a oil change. however this leads to the next thing, when I do the oil change I know the job is done the way I want it done, I know I am adding the right amount of oil, I know I am not using a impact gun on the drain plug, I know LOF means everything that requires lubrication gets it and not just a oil change, and I know the quality filter and oil that I like gets used.
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