Vehicle Oil Changes: Are you a DIY'er?

[customtronic]

I always do my own. Almost everything here gets Mobile 1 and all get Wix filters.

 

[ScottsGT]

I've always been a DIY oil change guy. Every time I've had someone do it for me, other than a dealership, they screwed it up miserably. When we bought the wife's new car 2 years ago I paid for the 5 year or 100,000 oil change up front. When I bought my '15 GT last year I got 1 year free oil changes. My next one is on me and I'm going synthetic in the driveway.

 

[JCQuick]

I only trust myself plus its why I own tools

 

[ShakinLM7]

Seems like every time I pay someone to do something for me at least one of the following happens. It costs to much, it doesn't get done right, it takes to long, or it doesn't get done at all! I have one mechanic in this world I trust to treat my vehicle the way he'd treat it if it was his own and he's a thousand miles a way in South Bend, IN......

BTW f you use cheap oil filters keep an eye on them, I recently had three back to back leak on me.... I switched to WIX and haven't had a problem since.

 

[ShakinLM7]

Also had issues switching from Mobile 1 to cheap conventional in my 06 express van. I've always heard switching away from synthetic to conventional will cause seals to shrink, I figured I'd give it a shot and learned the hard way... Had to replace the front main seal and let me tell you its a PITA to change a front main seal in an AWD Express Van! lol!

 

[soj]

Someone asked for ages. I am 67 and have changed my own oil on every vehicle I have ever owned, with one exception. A new truck in 2003 came with 6 oil changes from the dealer. After that, back to DIY.

This summer I got a lift to make service and maintenance easier on my old bones.

 

[MikeF2316]

I generally do it myself. But at my friend's shop where I have access to a hoist. However, often he has something electrically challenging for me to do instead when I'm there, so his apprentice or mechanic will do it instead. Them I trust 100%, I don't even check anything when they're done.

 

[rattlesnake436]

I do when I need to on my vehicle and on family and friends vehicles too

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[Kent_B]

"I'm 56 and physically fit but I wonder when I'll be to old. I'd be interested in knowing the age of the next members to post. "

I'm 58 and see I'm not the oldest. I usually do them myself because Subarus are dirt-simple, I like to know what's going on under the cars, and it's a good time to decompress in the garage.

 

[ibedayank]

Yep, I do my own. I changed it on the truck last night. In the process, broke the filter wrench then proceeded to drop the filter in the drain pan. 18" fall into 7 quarts makes a helluva splash.

at least is wasn't 3 gallons in the pan. been there done that

 

[ibedayank]

I do... and for work rhino ramps floorjacks jackstands... and now a 4post lift

my age... early 40s ghuy I work for late 60s and if I need help he is right beside me in the dirt and grease

 

[pablo94sc]

I'm with Steevo. I take mine to Ford and let them do the works package. They look over stuff, rotate the tires, etc. Costs me about $10 more than doing it myself, but i consider the time saved a lot more valuable than that.

 

[tcianci]

62 YO here, no lift and in the winter, it's a PITA to dig the hot rod out of the garage so in the crappy weather, it's off to Valvoline. In good weather, it's done at home on all the vehicles. Whatever spec oil the vehicle calls for and Frams from Wally world. I know that makes people gag but I have literally put about 1.3 million miles on different rides over the years with Wally world oil and filters and have never had an oil related problem.
Also when a car calls for conventional oil, there's no better way to do it than the oil change shop. They always have 10 buck off coupons and the whole deal ends up costing about $30. When I figure that against about $17 to DIY and then drag the oil back to Wallys, It's well worth the extra 13 bucks in the winter.

 

[csp]

I do... and for work rhino ramps floorjacks jackstands... and now a 4post lift

my age... early 40s ghuy I work for late 60s and if I need help he is right beside me in the dirt and grease

I had to read that like four times to figure out where one thought ended and the next began.

 

[scissorman]

When it was easy to get rid of the old oil I did the oil changes myself, not so much now as it's damn near impossible to get rid of used oil (I live in the SF bay area of California). I now purchase my own oil and filter then take it to a friends shop and he charges me $20 to throw it on the lift, change the oil/filter, check all other fluids, check and correct air pressure, refill wiper fluid, check for brake wear and check front end then he disposes of the used oil and I drive away.

 

[gtae07]

I do it myself. On the hybrid, piece of cake. Wife's car, not too bad. The only time I've changed the oil on the truck (2005 F150) it was a complete disaster. My oil pan had a leak in it, the oil filter was the wrong kind (apparently that year/engine combination can have the "standard" 3/4" adapter, or a metric one, and there's no way to know till you take the old one off), it rained on me... now I know, but for a while there I was kinda wishing I'd just taken it somewhere. Got a couple of neat scars on my knuckles from that day...

 

[rayra]

I do all the general maintenance on our vehicles myself. Too many bad shop experiences. All three of our vehicles are GM trucks / SUVs, so getting under them is no trouble at all.

 

[gjz30075]

All expected answers for this kind of forum. I wonder what the answers
would be on, say, a Cadillac Escalade forum

 

[PeterT]

There are a few different grades of oil changes:
1) Quickie lube, you might get lucky and get a gear head to do it, but likely you'll get a kid that could care less if he cross threads the filter or over / under tightens the oil plug.
2) Dealership, typical will get a better oil change, the guys probably make a bit more and have a little more ownership of their work.
3) DIY, assuming you know a little bit about engines (I mean I wouldn't want my mom to change her oil),, but I find that DIY you can use much higher grade oil & filter and do it cheaper than the lube guys, plus you have the piece of mind knowing how tight things are. Biggest downside for me, for DIY, is hauling the oily bottles to the autozone,, arriving to see a hand written note on the door - not accepting oil today.

 

[racerex]

Yeah. As others have stated, it's not a money thing....it's a peace of mind thing (i.e., filter tight to spec, if required, drain plug crush washer replaced, drain plug torqued to spec.....plus high quality filters...pre-filled...and high quality synthetics in all cars/trucks, except my vintage cars....they get Valvoline VR1).

Been doing it myself for 35 years. Yes, it can be a pain to keep up if you own multiple cars....including my kids cars. At the moment, I maintain 5 cars/trucks. When you then add in a tractor, push mower, leaf blower, pressure washer, generator and a snowblower.....I do enough oil changes. When non-mechanical folks walk into my garage and see my supply of oil and filters, they think that I have a side business doing oil changes.

 

[lowendrider]

Don't trust anyone else to do it right (even though its a simple enough thing to do). Been doing it myself since my dad taught me as a kid.

 

[A**holes Garage]

Done my own on every vehicle I've owned for over 40 years.

 

[excavator]

I am 62 years young and run excavating business. I change all my oil in personal cars on my lift at home as well as ell my equipment which means lying on ground and just get dirty
It's the only way I can inspect each vehicle or equipment while oil is draining. I grease them while draining and inspect all parts.
Just piece of mind. No shop with youngsters will take the time to look. They are rushed to get it out and do next

 

[tomsmith]

Both my cars are under a warranty that stipulates I have to get it done at an approved and certified place in order for it to remain valid. I'm in Canada and I don't believe there are any laws that would over-ride the warranty terms.

That being said, whenever I have a car that isn't under warranty, I always do my own changes. It's more expensive that any oil change place but at least I know it's done right. I used to take my truck (2008 Avalanche) to a locla Jiffy Lube because they advertise they check the diffs as part of the inspection. One time, I asked how the front diff fluid is since we're coming up to winter and I anticipate needing to drive in AWD mode. The tech says "I haven't checked because the bolt is stripped and I can't get it off". I'm thinking, 'How come no-one mentioned that the last 3 times?'. I asked him to show me, he said I'm not allowed in the pit so I waited till I got home and got it up on jackstands. Nothing wrong with the bolt at all. Not rounded off or anything.

Lazy SOB just didn't want to check the fluid.

 

[404]

Costs me about $10 more than doing it myself, but i consider the time saved a lot more valuable than that.

How long does it take from *** on couch back to *** on couch to go there to have this done? Compared to DIY?

I suspect it takes longer to go out to get it done.

 

[excavator]

Both my cars are under a warranty that stipulates I have to get it done at an approved and certified place in order for it to remain valid. I'm in Canada and I don't believe there are any laws that would over-ride the warranty terms.

That being said, whenever I have a car that isn't under warranty, I always do my own changes. It's more expensive that any oil change place but at least I know it's done right. I used to take my truck (2008 Avalanche) to a locla Jiffy Lube because they advertise they check the diffs as part of the inspection. One time, I asked how the front diff fluid is since we're coming up to winter and I anticipate needing to drive in AWD mode. The tech says "I haven't checked because the bolt is stripped and I can't get it off". I'm thinking, 'How come no-one mentioned that the last 3 times?'. I asked him to show me, he said I'm not allowed in the pit so I waited till I got home and got it up on jackstands. Nothing wrong with the bolt at all. Not rounded off or anything.

Lazy SOB just didn't want to check the fluid.

and there you have it. LAZY

 

[Muzzy]

I typically do it myself, or my wife does on her car, using synthetic oil and OE filters. I don't know if that makes any real difference as long as you keep a routine schedule, but it makes me feel better. I doubt we save much money, but all the other reasons listed about getting some easy garage time, having a chance to look over the car, and knowing that any mistakes made are your own apply.

That being said, if the car is in the shop for any reason, and about due for an oil change or tire rotation, there's no hesitation in asking them to do it.

 

[lakeroadster]

....I take mine to Ford ..... I consider the time saved a lot more valuable....

How long does it take from *** on couch back to *** on couch to go there to have this done? Compared to DIY?

I suspect it takes longer to go out to get it done.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[406Rich]

Four vehicles get their oil changed by me, taught my daughter and son when they were learning to drive, they still change their own now in their thirties, they heard the horror stories over the years they are happy they are changing their own..

 

[A**holes Garage]

My wife has drives company provided cars. They require dealer or Jiffy Lose to change the oil in their leased vehicles.

Jiffy Lose has stripped the oil pan bolt on one car and on another, the front differential bolt, (lube kid thought the front differential bolt was the oil pan bolt).

 

[2Big2Ride]

Usually I do the oil changes and they are done from the top side. Mostly stems from owning multiple VW TDIs and making sure they get the correct spec oil.

 

[Gary in NY]

I do most of our oil changes and vehicle repairs. Maybe not so much on oil changes, but overall we save a bunch of money on diy repairs. Plus we get the satisfaction of knowing it was done right.

 

[rcktsled]

Take a few minutes to read this crazy-a$$ story. Funny and sad:

http://jalopnik.com/lazy-idiots-at-lube-shop-cut-hole-in-audi-s4s-aero-pan-1748394648

 

[Lotek]

Then you have this DIYer, 13 Traverse, engine's a bit noisy..."What do you mean warranty won't cover replacing the motor".

 

[exranger06]

Yep, I do my own. I changed it on the truck last night. In the process, broke the filter wrench then proceeded to drop the filter in the drain pan. 18" fall into 7 quarts makes a helluva splash.

That's exactly why I always remove the old oil filter first, BEFORE draining the oil out.

 

[WhiffySpark]

People pay more attention to your cars then you think. They have to check everything for upsells. If they upsell something it doesn't need most places will fire a person for that. Everywhere I've been had name brand oil and filters. Mr tire uses valvoline filters and Wagner thermo quiet pads. All the fluids are valvoline etc

Can get fired for stripped drain plugs as well. A stripped out plug is always from the previous place/person tightening it too much.

 

[Jinks]

I got lazy once about 25/30 years ago & took a van to Jiffy Lube. Female in the pit drained the oil & went through 2 filter wrenches & a BIG pair of pliers trying to get the filter off. She was about to spear what was left of the filter with a big screwdriver when I finally told her "if you turn it the other way it'll come off". Very few sailors can cuss like that! Then they tried to sell me all kinds of things I didn't need & tell me I had problems I knew I didn't have. That cured me, I change my oil in all my vehicles myself. Two small cars on a Bendpac Quickjack lift & a Chevy Traverse on ramps. I'm 72 & don't intend to quit till I can't get back up off the shop floor.

 

[jonjon1]

There isn't a vehicle project that I won't undertake, be it ball joints, differentials or engine overhauls, but - I never change my own oil. There are low cost places that do that for a living, and even the dealership (for my wife's Subaru) is a better option than me doing it and then having to deal with oil and filter recycling.
I'm sorry, but this is just too easy to outsource, with little or no ramifications.

Steevo, I used to have the same thought process, until I really did the math/pros and cons..
cons.
1- the stealersip and MOST of them discount oil change facilities use recycled and low grade oil and filters
2- time, the places around here make an appt. and then want you to wait and hour then it takes me 40 minutes to change the oil
3- people, having low paid oil techs in and out of my cars is no longer appealing, ever since my "back in black" cassette went missing
4- beware of shops looking for work, this still friggen happens, especially to women, a friend of mine sent his wife for an oil change 3 days later, ****** leak, I take it and check it out for him, there are fresh tool marks on the pan and its loosened, only cost him a gasket (after I tightened it it still dripped, looked like the gasket was poked in)... that shop was on the news about a year later scamming lil ole ladies, was an actual dealership, no longer though..
5- cost, I know this can be a wash at some dealerships, but most places here in the NE, dont do anything for free, oil changes are $50 for cheap oil/filter...
6-peace of mind comes with doing it yourself, as well as the knowing its done and done right
7- you have to drive there, gas isnt free, and even if its only 30 miles round trip, thats 1500 miles (if you keep the car for 150K) you spent driving around for oil changes...


Pros-
1-you dont have to do it yourself
2-you dont have to get rid of the oil and filter

So I think its worth it, the cost for me is about a wash, I save a bit but I use decent filters and mobil 1 synthetic, I buy a lot in bulk though..

Also with me I get to show the kids that you should do things yourself, we make our own laundry detergent, breads, pastas, grow our own veggies and fruit (not all of it obviously, a lot of it we community farm), my wife makes a lot of our hats, gloves, boxers, tee shirts, and socks (shes awesome at it, for some reason, no savings there though she has a $3500 sewing machine and uses expensive fabric, would be much cheaper to buy them at macys)....

As for getting rid of the oil, its easy - a 50ga drum and a 30 gal drum, dump the oil in the 50, filters in the 30 (I have a filter crusher too, aka shop press, but I dont bother with that), it takes a while to fill a 50ga drum, but I give it to a fried of mine with a waste oil furnace, the filters are taken at the transfer station (we dont have trash pickup here, we have to deliver it, so when its full I load it up and take it in...)...



I agree, it would be easier to have someone do it, but I figure while I am able, I have a ton of free time and enjoy/dont mind doing it...



PS- I change my friends oil, my parents, my sisters, lol, they pick up the oil and filter, back in the garage, wait in the car while I lift them up and I change their oil in 5 minutes... I know I am crazy, but I bet I do 2 oil changes a month, lol...

 

[exranger06]

1- the stealersip and MOST of them discount oil change facilities use recycled and low grade oil and filters

Wrong. I'm not saying you should go to a shop for oil changes; like I said in my last post I always DIY, but what you said here is simply not correct. While some shops might use recycled oil, MOST of them do not. And the oil in the bulk tanks is the same stuff you can buy in bottles at the store. And even if they did use recycled oil, well, there's nothing really wrong with recycled oil. It gets completely re-refined into clean, usable oil with fresh additives. The same way they take nasty, filthy crude oil out of the ground and refine that into clean, usable non-recycled oil.

 

[reader2580]

I have been going to shops for years, but I am going to DIY it from now on. My last oil change at the dealer I was in and out in 30 minutes including tire rotation. It was on my way home so it only cost me 30 minutes of time. Oil change was $25. I looked and I couldn't buy oil and filter alone for less than $25. (My car takes six quarts.)

I bought some Quaker State synthetic oil for $1 a quart recently after rebates. My plan is to get filters from Napa at the next filter sale as I won't need the next change for a while.