Do you still do your own oil change?
James
However every time they have a special on oil and filters I get
another batch.
Dave
"James" <j006...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:01ca5dea-74f9-428c...@y38g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...
> I keep saying to myself I'm too old to do it just to save 5 bucks.
> However every time they have a special on oil and filters I get
> another batch.
How do you save 5 bucks? The materials alone are usually more than it costs
to have our garage do it. Then you have to consider the gas you will burn
when you haul the used oil to a recycling facility. -Dave
timeOday
Yeah, I figured it out last time, and you hardly save any money at all
doing it yourself.
clams_casino
I find the $5-10 savings a quick, easy savings. Actually, driving to
get an oil change every other month would add significantly to the cost,
never mind the waste of time to / from / waiting for it to be completed..
I save the oil and make one trip per year to the recycling center which
is perhaps a mile further than where I'd have the oil changed.
1297
> Dave wrote:
>
>> "James" <j006...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:01ca5dea-74f9-428c...@y38g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...
>>
>>
>>> I keep saying to myself I'm too old to do it just to save 5 bucks.
>>> However every time they have a special on oil and filters I get
>>> another batch.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> How do you save 5 bucks? The materials alone are usually more than
>> it costs to have our garage do it. Then you have to consider the
>> gas you will burn when you haul the used oil to a recycling
>> facility. -Dave
> I find the $5-10 savings a quick, easy savings. Actually, driving
> to get an oil change every other month would add significantly to the
> cost, never mind the waste of time to / from / waiting for it to be completed..
Only a fool changes the oil every other month.
clams_casino
>clams_casino <PeterG...@DrunkinClam.com> wrote:
>
>
>>Dave wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>"James" <j006...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>news:01ca5dea-74f9-428c...@y38g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>I keep saying to myself I'm too old to do it just to save 5 bucks.
>>>>However every time they have a special on oil and filters I get
>>>>another batch.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>How do you save 5 bucks? The materials alone are usually more than
>>>it costs to have our garage do it. Then you have to consider the
>>>gas you will burn when you haul the used oil to a recycling
>>>facility. -Dave
>>>
>>>
>>I find the $5-10 savings a quick, easy savings. Actually, driving
>>to get an oil change every other month would add significantly to the
>>cost, never mind the waste of time to / from / waiting for it to be completed..
>>
>>
>
>Only a fool changes the oil every other month.
>
>
>
Only a fool doesn't change oil every 5k miles. I expect my vehicles to
last a minimum of 250K miles.
Oil changes are a minimal / essentially negligible cost to extend the
life span.
BillGill
filter in and out without crawling completely under the car. And
I don't have a handy way to get completely under there. I have some
ramps, but the car's bumper hits the ramp before the wheels, so that
doesn't work. So now I take it to an oil change place.
My big problem there is finding one that will just change the oil and
filter for a reasonable price without doing a lot of other stuff and
over charging.
Bill
James
If you really want to DIY you can buy ramps that go in front of your
current ramps. They allow you to get your car bumpers to clear your
current ramps.
Seerialmom
No. Unfortunately the cars I've owned in the last 15 years are too
low to the ground the the filter is mostly inaccessible laying on the
ground under the car. But I still "know how".
Steve Daniels
compelled "1297" <12...@npspam.com>, to say:
> Only a fool changes the oil every other month.
I have the Audi guys do it every ten thousand miles, whether it
needs it or not.
--
Life is too short to play cheap guitars.
Gene Seibel
Don't do the truck oil changes, but do the airplane ourselves because
that saves up to $100.
--
Gene Seibel
Gene & Sue's Aeroplanes - http://pad39a.com/gene/planes.html
Because we fly, we envy no one.
1297
> 1297 wrote:
>
>> clams_casino <PeterG...@DrunkinClam.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Dave wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> "James" <j006...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:01ca5dea-74f9-428c...@y38g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> I keep saying to myself I'm too old to do it just to save 5 bucks.
>>>>> However every time they have a special on oil and filters I get
>>>>> another batch.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> How do you save 5 bucks? The materials alone are usually more than
>>>> it costs to have our garage do it. Then you have to consider the
>>>> gas you will burn when you haul the used oil to a recycling
>>>> facility. -Dave
>>>>
>>>>
>>> I find the $5-10 savings a quick, easy savings. Actually, driving
>>> to get an oil change every other month would add significantly to
>>> the cost, never mind the waste of time to / from / waiting for it to be
>>> completed..
>>
>> Only a fool changes the oil every other month.
>>
>>
>>
> Only a fool doesn't change oil every 5k miles.
Barking mad.
> I expect my vehicles to last a minimum of 250K miles.
My last one lasted 35+ years with no oil changes at all outside the first year.
> Oil changes are a minimal / essentially negligible cost to extend the life span.
Have fun explaining how mine lasted 35+ years, 300K miles without any outside the first year.
SMS
To me, it's not about the $10 or so I'll save, it's about the
convenience of doing it myself and the fact that I'll do a better job.
Using the right oil
-------------------
One time I had a dealer (Toyota) change the oil, they used the wrong oil
and they had to do it over. You need to be really careful that the place
doing the oil change doesn't simply use their bulk 10W30 oil on vehicles
that should be using 5W30 or 5W20, and then assure you that it's okay.
Geez, the _dealer_ using the wrong oil. I then found out that when Honda
first started using 5W20 oil the dealer was still using 5W30 on those
vehicles (a relative of mine that owns an independent garage was buying
5W20 from the Honda dealer and the parts guy told him that even their
own service department didn't use 5W20 because it was so expensive (when
it first came out)).
Using the right filter
----------------------
Quick-change places, and even most independent garages, use the
el-cheapo jobber filters that are very poorly constructed. It's better
to use the OEM filter from the dealer, and usually only $1 more than
junky filters (like those orange ones) if you buy them on sale. Even if
you have your oil done somewhere (other than the dealer), bring your own
OEM filter.
Letting the old oil drain completely
------------------------------------
No garage has time to leave the car on the lift or over the put while
all the old oil drips out. You always have about eight ounces of old oil
left in the oil pan.
Using a new drain-plug gasket
-----------------------------
A lot of places re-use the old gasket
Filling to the proper level
---------------------------
Often the manual doesn't show the proper oil level. I.e., on one of my
vehicles, it says 5.5 quarts, but it actually takes 6.5 quarts to reach
the full level on the dipstick.
Screw-Ups
---------
Places like Jiffy-Lube routinely do things wrong and destroy vehicles.
Cross-threading the drain plug, forgetting to remove the old filter
gasket, not tightening the filter sufficiently, forgetting to put the
filler cap back on, etc.
Up-Sells
--------
Places like Jiffy-Lube routinely try to up sell you with unneeded
services, and even when you agree they often don't perform those
services. Even dealers try up selling, though they're more likely to
actually perform what you pay for, however needless it actually is, like
the infamous "Bilstein Wallet Flush."
Wasted Time
-----------
Having to drive somewhere and wait, or having to drop the car off and
get a ride, or take the bus, is just not worth it in terms of wasted time.
Recycling
---------
We have curbside recycling of used oil so I don't need to take it anywhere.
Cost
----
With a $4 filter from the Toyota dealer, a $1 drain plug gasket, and
five quarts of $2 oil it costs me $15 for one vehicle, and the other one
is $2 more for another quart. While the oil is draining I wash the car.
To drive somewhere and wait for the oil change, and pay $22-25 (the
going rate in the San Francisco Bay Area for independent garages) is a
real wast of time and money. Fortunately our vehicles are both
relatively easy for oil changes. I had a Honda once where I couldn't get
to the filter without ramps or a lift.
val189
My dealer offers an oil change for about 12 bucks. Keeps a guy in a
job, they can dispose of the old stuff properly. They eml a reminder
too.
clams_casino
>Have fun explaining how mine lasted 35+ years, 300K miles without any outside the first year.
>
>
>
>
Only Rod Speed could be so ignorant as to drive (claim to drive) 350K
miles without an oil change..
Dennis
Four quarts of oil and a filter cost me US$7-8. How much does it cost
to have your oil changed at a garage?
Dennis (evil)
--
The honest man is the one who realizes that he cannot
consume more, in his lifetime, than he produces.
1297
Never ever could bullshit its way out of a wet paper bag.
SMS
LOL, he's now changing e-mail addresses to get around everyone's kill-file.
Bob F
"Dennis" <dg...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:lf8bc455ogc859hoq...@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:37:36 -0600, timeOday
> <timeOda...@theknack.net> wrote:
>
>>Dave wrote:
>>> "James" <j006...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:01ca5dea-74f9-428c...@y38g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...
>>>> I keep saying to myself I'm too old to do it just to save 5 bucks.
>>>> However every time they have a special on oil and filters I get
>>>> another batch.
>>>
>>> How do you save 5 bucks? The materials alone are usually more than it costs
>>> to have our garage do it. Then you have to consider the gas you will burn
>>> when you haul the used oil to a recycling facility. -Dave
>>
>>
>>Yeah, I figured it out last time, and you hardly save any money at all
>>doing it yourself.
>
> Four quarts of oil and a filter cost me US$7-8. How much does it cost
> to have your oil changed at a garage?
> Dennis (evil)
And how much time and gas does it take to drive somewhere to get it done?
And then there's the parts left off because the oil place doesn't like them in
the way. The one time I paid for an oil change (After surgery), they left the
cover under the engine off when they returned it to me. When I complained, they
told me they should have charged me more because of the cover, then put it back
in place.
Bob F
"1297" <12...@npspam.com> wrote in message
news:6ilfngF...@mid.individual.net...
>>> Only a fool changes the oil every other month.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> Only a fool doesn't change oil every 5k miles.
>
> Barking mad.
>
>> I expect my vehicles to last a minimum of 250K miles.
>
> My last one lasted 35+ years with no oil changes at all outside the first
> year.
>
>> Oil changes are a minimal / essentially negligible cost to extend the life
>> span.
>
> Have fun explaining how mine lasted 35+ years, 300K miles without any outside
> the first year.
Of course, you did have to add a quart or two with every fillup.
1297
Nope, nothing like it.
Forrest
"James" <j006...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:01ca5dea-74f9-428c...@y38g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...
>I keep saying to myself I'm too old to do it just to save 5 bucks.
> However every time they have a special on oil and filters I get
> another batch.
I always have and will, as long as my body holds out. I don't trust anybody
to doing something right, when it comes to the car. If the tranny blew, I
would have to trust, but not for oil changes etc. Besides, the money saved
buys me a six pack that I can consume while giving things a good going over,
under the hood. Hell, get wild and break out a few rags and the Armorall. I
would much rather do that than wait in some line for who knows what .... and
how well.
clams_casino
Rod's magic fairy does it while he sleeps.
SMS
> And then there's the parts left off because the oil place doesn't like them in
> the way. The one time I paid for an oil change (After surgery), they left the
> cover under the engine off when they returned it to me. When I complained, they
> told me they should have charged me more because of the cover, then put it back
> in place.
Actually I _would_ expect a place like Jiffy Lube to charge extra $5 or
so for removal and re-installation of a skid plate, but I'd also expect
them to tell you in advance, and re-install it without being asked.
Dennis
Right there with ya. I have a good set of tools and a nice dry
workshop -- might as well put them to good use. I actually kind of
enjoy this kind of tinkering. With a pair of nitrile gloves, I don't
even get my hands dirty, and it gives me a chance to give the old
buggy the once over a couple times a year to head off problems before
they strand me somewhere.
Dennis (evil)
--
I'm behind the eight ball, ahead of the curve, riding the wave,
dodging the bullet and pushing the envelope. -George Carlin
Shaun Eli
of gas stations in any direction I drive.
I use a good filter rather than the cheap ones the quick-change places
use, and I use the right weight of oil and the correct amount. And
still it's a bit cheaper than paying someone else.
Furthermore, it's faster for me to change the oil myself than to drive
somewhere and wait while they do it, and yes, as someone else pointed
out, I can go back inside the house and keep myself occupied while
more oil drips out though I imagine the extra couple of ounces don't
make that much difference.
I got something Fram makes called a suredrain or something like that.
You replace the drain plug with it and you don't have to unscrew
anything to change the oil. It's a bit faster but more importantly
you don't get oil on your hands or drop the bolt into the drain pan.
The only disadvantage of doing it myself is that I don't have a garage
so I have to wait for a dry day so I don't get soaked.
Shaun Eli
www.BrainChampagne.com
Brain Champagne: Clever Comedy for Smart Minds (sm)
Forrest
"Shaun Eli" <missin...@brainchampagne.com> wrote in message
news:b011f89a-95ce-499f...@d77g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
I thought about buying one of those once but, at least for my car, it looked
like it went into the pan too much to get a complete draining. I always
figure that the last to come out has the most crud. But, what the hell, if
it's easier to do, maybe you'll do it more often. Now, if they would just
put the filter where it's easy to get to .....
I know what you mean about not having a garage to work in. I do all of my
work in the driveway and never seem to get started till almost dark. If it's
a long job like the one I'm working on now (replacing head gasket on a Honda
Accord) you waste a lot of time and effort getting the tools out and putting
them away.
Coffee's For Closers
REMOVETHIS...@gmail.com says...
> I always
> figure that the last to come out has the most crud.
After the old oil finishes draining, leave the drain plug out,
and dump a quart/litre of new oil in. To help wash out the old
stuff.
--
Get Credit Where Credit Is Due
http://www.cardreport.com/
Credit Tools, Reference, and Forum
SMS
> "Shaun Eli" <missin...@brainchampagne.com> wrote in message
> news:b011f89a-95ce-499f...@d77g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
>> Here in NY gas stations have to take used oil and there's no shortage
>> of gas stations in any direction I drive.
>>
>> I use a good filter rather than the cheap ones the quick-change places
>> use, and I use the right weight of oil and the correct amount. And
>> still it's a bit cheaper than paying someone else.
>>
>> Furthermore, it's faster for me to change the oil myself than to drive
>> somewhere and wait while they do it, and yes, as someone else pointed
>> out, I can go back inside the house and keep myself occupied while
>> more oil drips out though I imagine the extra couple of ounces don't
>> make that much difference.
>>
>> I got something Fram makes called a suredrain or something like that.
>> You replace the drain plug with it and you don't have to unscrew
>> anything to change the oil. It's a bit faster but more importantly
>> you don't get oil on your hands or drop the bolt into the drain pan.
>>
>> The only disadvantage of doing it myself is that I don't have a garage
>> so I have to wait for a dry day so I don't get soaked.
>>
>> Shaun Eli
>> www.BrainChampagne.com
>> Brain Champagne: Clever Comedy for Smart Minds (sm)
>
> I thought about buying one of those once but, at least for my car, it looked
> like it went into the pan too much to get a complete draining.
Yes, those drain spigots go to high up into the oil pan so a lot of oil
gets left in the pan. They're not as bad as pumping the oil out through
the dipstick hole.
> I always
> figure that the last to come out has the most crud.
Actually the oil with the most crud comes out first, but it is at the
bottom so it won't come out at all unless the drain plug is completely
removed. The oil that drips out slowly at the end is from the inside
walls of the pan, and what's dripping down from the engine, since you
always drain the oil when the engine is warm.
> But, what the hell, if
> it's easier to do, maybe you'll do it more often. Now, if they would just
> put the filter where it's easy to get to .....
Oil changing seems like a simple task, but when you think about it,
there are a lot of ways to mess it up, and a lot of things to watch out for.
-Put a big pan under the car to catch drippings
-Drain the oil with the engine warm, but not hot or cold
-Drain the oil, and not the automtic transmission fluid or front
differential fluid (on 4WD cars)
-Ensure that the old oil can get into the collection container fast
enough (remove the second cap from the container so air can exit.
-Remove the filler cap while draining
-Remove the filter without spilling the oil inside the filter all over
the engine compartment
-Ensure that the old oil filter gasket didn't remain behind
-Clean the surface where the gasket contacts
-Get the filter from the dealer, not an after-market filter
-Get the right filter
-Oil the gasket on the new filter
-Don't crush the new filter with a strap wrench
-Don't over-tighten or under-tighten the new filter
-Don't cross-thread the new filter
-Don't lose the drain plug in the oil container
-Remove the old drain plug gasket.
-Clean the surface where the drain plug gasket contact the oil pan
-Use a new drain plug gasket
-Use the right size and material of drain plug gasket
-Don't over-tighten or under-tighten the drain plug
-Don't cross thread the drain plug
-Use the proper weight oil
-Use the proper amount of oil
-Pour the oil into the right place
-Don't spill the new oil all over the engine
-Don't over-fill or under-fill
-Remember to put the drain plug back in before you put in the new oil
-Pour the used oil into containers for recycling without spilling it
Forrest
"SMS" <scharf...@geemail.com> wrote in message
news:s6Bzk.334$Rx...@flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com...
Ooooopps ... Did that once in my younger years. Got to BS ing with some
friends, over a few cold ones, and forgot to put the plug back in. Once, is
all it takes to get you to double check that.
You left out, "don't let the little plastic ring, under the cap on the oil
bottle, fall into the engine".
SMS
Good one, I forgot about that. I now instinctively remove that ring when
I remove the cap.
Vic Smith
wrote:
Sounds like a job best left to the pros at Jiffy Lube..
Less chance of a screw-up, since they do it all day.
BTW, you forgot at least 10 items I could rattle off instantly, but I
don't want to encourage oil change check-lists for amateurs.
--Vic
Dave L
"Vic Smith" <thismaila...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:72ttc4ldlm690dm3q...@4ax.com...
Pros at Jiffy Lube????
Let's see... back in the day, they blew a fuse or something on my brother's
Mitsubishi and it was a dealer only part. Only 2 in Baltimore. Closer one
didn't have the part so they had to drive about 35 minutes away to get it,
bring it back, put it in, etc.... All while we had to sit there and wait.
They forgot to put the oil cap back onto his old room-mate's car - spewed
oil all over the engine compartment before he found out. Who knows if any
damage was done to the engine?
When local hardware stores used to be more common, we knew the owner. He
took his pick up truck to a Jiffy Lube and they forgot to put the drain plug
back in. Driving down the highway, his engine seizes. JL had to buy him an
engine.
All these are true experiences, but they date back from the mid to later
'80s. I've maybe been there once or twice in the early 90s but never been
back. They always try to sell you things you don't need or just had done.
A local Firestone tried to do that to me too. I try not to go to these
chain places unless it is an emergency, and I'll try to keep an eye on them.
It also pays to know the maintenance done on your car. There's a Jiffy Lube
link floating around showing a television news program taking a car they to
them with a hidden camera. The car was just inspected by their own mechanic
before going. So many un-needed services sold, and also sold but not even
done. Example, they'll tell you the car needs a tranny flush and bill you
for it. The whole time the camera is on the car, and this was never done.
There were a handfull of JL tested and IIRC, most failed.
Not saying all JL, Firestone or chain stores are like this since there are
good ones. But nothing beats good word of mouth and often it'll be your
independent shop. Ask people you know and trust. If you're frugal enough,
an oil change is an easy DIY job.
<stepping down from soapbox>
-Dave
Vic Smith
Probably 100 cars screwed up by DIY'ers for every one by Jiffy Lube.
I use them when on the road. They're like a military operation.
DRAIN PLUG REMOVED!!
CHECK!!
DRAINING!!
CHECK!!
FILTER OFF!!
CHECK!!
DRAIN COMPLETE!!
CHECK!!
etc, etc
DIY is fine, but Jiffy Lube ain't like Russian Roulette.
I always do a check for leaks/oil level shortly after they do a
change. Just like if I did it myself.
If they try to sell me something else, I just say no.
Not a problem.
BTW, I have no association with Jiffy Lube and prefer to change my oil
myself. It saves a few bucks, and gives me a chance to routinely
check other maintenance items. Nothing wrong with an hour in my
garage sipping a beer - or iced tea.
--Vic
Dave L
True, it can be handy especially while on the road. The fact you have to
watch them and decline their other services. Not everyone will know to do
that and many are taken advantage of. Another big pain of changing the oil
yourself - taking the used oil to recycle. They are not all or always bad,
but it only takes a few to give others a bad name.
Been years since I've bothered changing the oil myself - harder to do while
living in a condo and don't need to worry about disposing of the oil. I
normally take it to a local garage I know/trust or the dealer I have a good
relationship with. Either way it's cheaper than JL but I sometimes need to
make an appointment. For my personal piece of mind, it's worth it.
I googled the old clip from 2006. To see the videos, just clink the links
at the beginning of the article.
http://www.knbc.com/news/9265933/detail.html
And yes, this is true:
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/scams/jiffylube.asp
-Dave
Bob F
You forgot.
LEAVE OFF UNDER ENGINE COVER!!
DENY IT!!
PUT IT BACK WHEN ORDERED TO!!
remod
> I keep saying to myself I'm too old to do it just to save 5 bucks.
> However every time they have a special on oil and filters I get
> another batch.
It's too easy to do to pay someone $15 to do it. Further, those oil
change places often rip you off in using cheap oil and not letting the
old oil drain completely. They want you gone quickly, to get the next
car in.
Getting under the car is good exercise too. Make sure you WATCH the
next time you get the oil changed, so you can see where everything is
and how handy it is.