DIY oil change? Or do you bring it to a shop?

I'ma getting toooooooo old to do it myself.

I don't get down that low to well :) (refer to 3 old guys with buffers thread)
 
I did my own maintenance, including oil changes, from 1969 until Jan 2009. I decided then that the dealer was going to take care of things from that point on. I'm too old and too fat to be crawling around under cars anymore. If they EEFF it up they can pay for the new engine. Easy to thump your chest when you're young but as you get older it's just not feasible anymore to do what you used to do. ALL of you will find that out.........in time.
 
RTexasF said:
I did my own maintenance, including oil changes, from 1969 until Jan 2009. I decided then that the dealer was going to take care of things from that point on. I'm too old and too fat to be crawling around under cars anymore. If they EEFF it up they can pay for the new engine. Easy to thump your chest when you're young but as you get older it's just not feasible anymore to do what you used to do. ALL of you will find that out.........in time.
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Amen !!!

:hail
 
I am a DIY'er whenever I can. Oil change is one thing I can do. I got to love the location on the oil filter on my 2012 Camaro, it is up under the hood where it should be. Cartridge style so I bought K&N oil filters and 6 quarts of Mobil1 synthetic oil from Walmart. Unfortunately the 5 quart just isn't enough but it helps when the last time I was in I only needed to buy one more, since I had a partial, but decided to buy 2 and they were around $23 a jug. Couldn't go wrong there.

I have a friend at work that used to take his to a local small time mechanic shop. He would bring the oil and filter and the guy would only charge time.

I was a Pennzoil user in the past and used to take my vehicles to Jiffy Lube about every 3rd or 4th oil change and let them do it that way it got a chassis lube.
 
RTexasF said:
I did my own maintenance, including oil changes, from 1969 until Jan 2009. I decided then that the dealer was going to take care of things from that point on. I'm too old and too fat to be crawling around under cars anymore. If they EEFF it up they can pay for the new engine. Easy to thump your chest when you're young but as you get older it's just not feasible anymore to do what you used to do. ALL of you will find that out.........in time.
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And another Big Amen, Brother ! ! ! :)

I have changed oil in hundreds of cars for dozens of years, repaired everything, pulled engines, transmissions, etc., rebuilt engines, etc., and while it is kind of nice to get under there and look everything over, Im fine if I get to look at it under a lift at the Dealer's shop bay..

What we need to do is set up some kind of School/Shop where we can teach all these young whippersnappers how to do it right the first time and totally trash the idea that watching YouTube Videos makes you an expert because you watched them... :) :) :)

My RF Texas Amigo --

My Dad's family came from Espana, and ended up in McAllen..
They had a very big successful Dairy until the 1929 financial meltdown took everyone out.

We used to go to McAllen every summer and while me and my brother played at my Uncle's Feed Store, the brothers were out on the golf course...
Loved the Feed Store - loved the smell of it...
They sold everything - hardware, tools, guns, ammo, chicks, thousands of 100lb sacks of different feeds, flour, etc...

The only thing I did not like about McAllen - the water!!! tasted terrible...

They still grow the best Ruby Red Grapefruit in the world, though, right ??
Dan F
 
at least in my day, engines made sense.
1. intake
2.compression
3. ignition
4. exhaust.

no stinkin computers..........

just good old fashioned Detroit iron, then came aluminum and smog controls :(
 
I don't trust anyone with my vehicles so I do everything myself. Anyone ever seen the YouTube video of the guy at the dealership that took a new camaro ss for a joy ride beating the piss out of it? You never know what goes on behind the scenes. Plus I like the satisfaction I get doing it myself.
However I'm fairly young, maybe this will all change one day lol.
 
I'm a total DIY'er. I do all the maintenance on my vehicles because I don't like the stealership work quality. I purchased one of these and can't wait for it to get here. I have some parts ready to install on my '15 STi.



 
I do it myself. I don't need an oil wrench as I can get the filter off by hand.

I want to get a valve to put as my drain plug so it becomes even more easier to do.

I'm trying to search for it now. This is it [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Fumoto-F-106N-Engine-Drain-Valve/dp/B003T7XUE4/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1411483103&sr=8-6&keywords=oil+drain+plug]Amazon.com: Fumoto F-106N Engine Oil Drain Valve: Automotive[/ame]
 
I used to do all the maintenance of my Lexus IS300 (really easy cars to work on) as I enjoyed the work and generally used higher quality stuff than a lot of shops in my area. Also saved quite a bit if money. There's also a satisfaction to doing the job yourself. I now drive an electric car that has nothing I can maintain on it, hence one of the big reasons I've got the detailing bug now.
 
Tesla Tacket said:
I used to do all the maintenance of my Lexus IS300 (really easy cars to work on) as I enjoyed the work and generally used higher quality stuff than a lot of shops in my area. Also saved quite a bit if money. There's also a satisfaction to doing the job yourself. I now drive an electric car that has nothing I can maintain on it, hence one of the big reasons I've got the detailing bug now.
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So do you change your own batteries? (guess that would be similar) :cool:
 
Pockets said:
I do it myself. I don't need an oil wrench as I can get the filter off by hand.

I want to get a valve to put as my drain plug so it becomes even more easier to do.

I'm trying to search for it now. This is it Amazon.com: Fumoto F-106N Engine Oil Drain Valve: Automotive
Click to expand...

Wow, those things have been around for 30+ years at least ...

I have read that if it extends up higher in your oil pan, then the oil will drain out to the top of the valve, and you could have a quantity of oil still in the pan that is dirty - perhaps the dirtiest with the heaviest particles in it - and its not going to come out..

What some people do is then remove the valve and get the rest of the oil to come out... What a pain.. What if the removing the valve on and off wears the soft brass threads to the point that it wants to leak..

If it extends down lower than the original drain plug, then what if you hit it on a speed bump or something? Will it break off ?

Perhaps on a raised vehicle that does not off road, it might be less risky ?

Good luck with this !
Dan F
 
Walmart = Castrol european 0W-40
52$ an 10Q later + 5$ disposal fee = win.

No grease monkeys ruining my car!
 
The shops don't allow proper drain time, and they tend to overfill the oil and over-tighten the filter. The dealer does a good job but charges $200. Yep, DIY.
 
it's too complicated with my truck (I think they make it that way on purpose) so I bring it to a 5 minute oil change place. Quick and easy.
 
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