No more enjoyment changing my own oil..

[ToyotaNSaturn]

"no more enjoyment changing my own oil..."

Is this the very first documented case of someone being un-bitten by the BITOG bug??!?!?

 

[hillclimber]

Originally Posted By: strombony
Well, both my cars are simple....dodge caravan and a GM..
Oil filters are simple to get to, not mounted near exhaust piples the way some of those riceburners are.

I guess I'm tired of dealing with used oil, hot oil filters, dropping the stupid drain plug in my bucket of oil when I spun it off, etc...


How about getting a fluid evacuator and sucking the oil out? Honestly, I love my PELA. Since I can get to the filter from the topside, I never get under the car. Sometimes I can even get the filter off without spilling a drop.

 

[Colt45ws]

Buy a oil pan with a top, that way you dont have to deal with the plug.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: strombony
Just noticed a post where someone was excited about changing their oil since it was almost due. I've been doing it now for 15 years, not sure about anyone else, but I'm tired of it.
Anyone else there yet? LOL...

I'm almost ready to let Jiffy Lube do it... However, I'd probably bring my own filter. Would cost me $10.00 more than when I do it myself, but $10.00 for less hastle....Just not sure yet.

Anyone else where I'm at yet?


Can't remember the last time I changed the oil on my own vehicle? Man it has been YEARS! I have helped a few other folks do it though.

The dealership I deal with will change the oil using my O&F, dispose of the old stuff, rotate the tires( I do it every 5K along with the OC ), and check/top off all the other fluids for $29( $10 for OC and disposal ). To me that is a no brainer.

$29 to do all that is well worth it. Especially since I have lower back issues. While I have always enjoyed working on vehicles I never was excited about doing an OC. This way I don't get all cruddy/greasy, I don't have to dispose of the old oil by rebottling and taking it somewhere( some take it free - some make you pay ), and I don't wind up lame for 2 days with a back flare up.

$29 for all that = priceless.

 

[RTexasF]

It is getting to be a pain dealing with the filter and breaking out the ramps for the 2.4l Honda but I do it anyway. The 2008 RAV4 V-6 goes to the dealer, I don't want to fight that one.

 

[kingrob]

I reached a point where I was burned out on changing my own oil, BUT I was doing 14 vehicles once a month, plus a few more. I'd tell my family, friends, neighbors, co-workers "third Sunday this month!" so I'd usually have four or five other people show up in my yard with their Supertech and Frams in hand. So, on average, 20 oil changes a month 12 times a year, I was doing 240 oil changes a year in my backyard. That's a pretty good bit for someone that doesn't work at a garage or shop type facility. I ended up running Schaeffers for a while to cut down on intervals, so that helped until I shut down my cab business.

Now, 22 oil changes a year in my back yard, I can live with that. No burn out here!

 

[TallPaul]

Quote:
I'm almost ready to let Jiffy Lube do it... However, I'd probably bring my own filter. Would cost me $10.00 more than when I do it myself, but $10.00 for less hastle....Just not sure yet.
One time with a shop that botches an oil change and you'll be cured.


I guess if I had cars that I could not crawl under I would hate oil changes too. Can't imagine using ramps. I have all trucks, so oil changes are a breeze.

 

[dirtydave]

Love changing my oil, gives me satisfaction knowing its done right, plus it gives me a chance to go into the garage.

 

[StevieC]

Speaking of Oil Changes you have to watch those places... I know from a Canadian Tire that my dad used to work at on weekends, it didn't matter what the customer requested all the cars ended up being filled with 10w30 Bulk oil. I remember tagging along with him when I was younger and spending the day at the shop. I used to ask him, "How do you change what oil comes out of the nozzle" because the work order would specify different weights brands and prices. He said "The nozzle just knows what to put in!" hehehe Also a car that used to come in for an Anti-Freeze change, if it was fairly clean the would just sprinkle water on the Engine, let it sit for half hour and park it outside with "Done" written on the work order. Now my dad never did this, but you can imagine whats going on at some of these shops!

 

[Cutehumor]

I would change my oil until I wasn't physically able to do it. By then, I'll be an old geezer and have my kids do it for me someday! Well, that's what my dad does. he bugs me to change his oil every 3 months. He can't remember anything but change his oil every 3 months

 

[OVERKILL]

That's what my grandfather did. Had me use the vacuum pump to change the oil in all the bloody inboards.

 

[Malo83]

Been changing my own oil for the last 40yrs and never tire of it, being a mech it's in the blood.

 

[Virtuoso]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
I'm not crazy about doing oil changes, but I take satisfaction knowing the job was done correctly and no problems down the road.


+1. I don't really "look forward" to them as much as I used to (got enough other stuff to do with three 1/2 kids and a wife in class!); but I know it's done right and for a good price.

 

[GMFan]

I change the oil on my car, and my sister's.

Oil changes are too important to rely on mechanics who could care less about your vehicle. My dad took his truck to a tire shop for oil changes....one time they left the oil cap off and he got to work in the morning with his engine smoking...oil was everywhere in the engine compartment and the oil cap was still wedged between the windshield washer fluid tank and the engine. He screamed that place down, and they steam washed the whole engine.

Now he takes it to a local mom and pop shop. I have caught them "forgetting" to change the oil before despite the fact he paid for an oil change. My father brought his truck home and I checked the oil. It was dark and half a quart low...just as it was before the "oil change." They apologized and did it the next week.

 

[webfors]

This past month I changed the oil in my Subie, my buddies two cars, and my dads, and changed the diff and tranny fluid in the subie.

One more oil change before winter really sets in and then that's it until spring

 

[webfors]

I'm still not sold on the fumoto valve for my forester. I don't like what Bill said regarding it sticking out too far, and the fact that it leaves a bit of oil behind. I like the concept, but... I'm picky I guess

 

[JDD]

It's cathartic to change your own oil. Gives you a metaphysical connection to your car. It's also nice to pass down routine car knowledge to your boys. I buy my cars from people who do a lot of their own work (or all dealer serviced). Others have no idea if their used car has been maintained properly. Guys should know how to work on stuff they own. Its not the money saved--it's the experience.

 

[mva]

For those that change their own oil - do you check your PCV valve each oil change? If you don't, how often does it get checked?

Running with a plugged PCV has potential to sludge up your engine. In my opinion this is a common DIYer mistake that is much worse than running bulk 10W30 for an OCI.

Jiffy lube, Walmart, Dealer, etc typically check the PCV, air filter, all fluid level, rotate tires. There is more to an oil change than changing the oil.

 

[StevieC]

I change mine every time I change the spark-plugs... It's cheap and it's a good thing to do

 

[Seth]

I am two years into doing my own oc. first year, I did changes like crazy and enjoyed it but now its routine and I dont want to do it more than 2-3 times a year.

However, I am keen to do the ATF, diff and transfer case changes myself next time they need replacement. Still scratching my head on these .. not sure where to drain the atf and where to pour in the diff fluid.

BTW, cardinal rule of diy oilchange.. never creep under the car with car just on jack only. Always use jack stands and as an additional measure of safety, use some sort of prop behind the stand. There are some idiots who think that hydraulic jacks will never fail. Use stands on dry flat ground and parking brake engaged.