Do you change your own oil?

[toef]

Originally Posted by Grumpz

No, because my time is worth money!

I feel I'm worth about $165,000 a yr. That equates to $79.33 an hr, or $1.32 a mnute.

If I want to save $15, I'd have to do it in under 11 minutes and 36 seconds.

I DON'T THINK SO!

Haha, solid reasoning, I suppose.

I'm certainly losing money if I consider the time spent changing oil with what an hour's worth of salary would be worth, but I tend not to think of it that way. I get a small amount of enjoyment when rolling under a car and messing around with it, even when it's something as simple as changing the oil. And I try to work it into other work that I'm doing. So if I'm doing general yardwork outside, I'll go drain the oil, and wander off to go do other yardwork, and eventually wander back over to the car when I figure it's had plenty of time to drain.

Most of the stuff I watch on TV isn't worth the hour of time I gave up for it, but I still find myself doing it a lot anyway.

[bongzilla]

Funny thing, today I bought a 5qt jug of 5-30 oil, and one of those catch pans
for changing oil, not because of money. I just feel better me doing it than a 6$
an hour oil monkey. I,ve had too many close calls with lose drain bolts.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by toefer

In general I've handled all the oil changes for my car since I got my first car in high school, but if I had a coupon for a free oil change, or something really cheap, like $9, I'd use that. I like the idea of putting what I want in the car, instead of using whatever oil they have, and whatever cheap filters they supply.

Then two years ago I got a new car, and since it's synthetic, I've only had to change it twice (coming up on a third), so it's much less of a hassle.

I've had to rely on the screwdriver trick a few times myself. I learned about it on Google a long time ago.

Exactly why I change the oil (and do the general maintenance) on my truck and the wife's durango. I use full synthetic and premium filters. It may cost me a little more, but it also saves me time. I could easily finish both vehicles in 40 min since I have enough clearance that I don't have to use a jack.

Originally Posted by bongzilla

I,ve had too many close calls with lose drain bolts.

I've had 2 different dealers not tighten the drain bolt enough on the wife's durango. One time it was so loose about a quart of oil leaked all over her sister's driveway. That was early on when we first got the vehicle, and I only used the dealer because we had a free oil change deal I think the first 2 years or something like that. Needless to say I never used it up for the full term.

[PH3AR]

I change my own oil

[350gt]

Our tv's have oil?

[Diesel]

never used to but am going to start

got it changed today at Ford....$39!!

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

Exactly why I change the oil (and do the general maintenance) on my truck and the wife's durango. I use full synthetic and premium filters. It may cost me a little more, but it also saves me time. I could easily finish both vehicles in 40 min since I have enough clearance that I don't have to use a jack.

Better be using Amsoil. Anything else is inferior.

[fatediesel]

I am worthless when it comes to car work, so I take it to the dealership. They know me there because my company buys a lot of cars there so they're always quick and get the job done right. I also like walking around the lot looking at cars while it's going on.

[Bigdog]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Better be using Amsoil. Anything else is inferior.

I think if Mobil one is OK for many professional race teams with 6 figure engines, i think it will be OK in my pickup. Not doubting Amsoil but saying everything is inferior is untrue.

The thing i laugh at is people who spend top dollar on oil then use a fram oil filter which are proven to barley work, nothing but wix filters for me.

Sometimes i change my own, but lately it is more of a pain then what it's worth saving. Not to mention most cars having several grease zerks to service which are impossible to get at without a lift.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by bongzilla

I,ve had too many close calls with lose drain bolts.

That's never fun either. I was with a buddy of mine and we were driving and his oil light came on. Which is never a good thing lol. He pulled over and managed to get under the car and there was no plug. Another Walmart disaster. Walmart is also famous for tightening their drain plugs so tight that you may need a new oil pan in the process. They strip the heck out of the bolt and put on the filter so you can't get it off. I'm guessing they were sued a while back for the same thing and now tell all their employees to tighten everything.

[Deadset]

I do for my ATV

As for my car, I have changed it, but sometimes I do use quick service places, depends on how busy I am with work/travel/home stuff.

[jono_0101]

i have never had anyone else change my oil, its not that big a deal to do, plus i can spend the same amount and get way better oil and filter

[Marine Mike]

No because its not economical for me.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

I think if Mobil one is OK for many professional race teams with 6 figure engines, i think it will be OK in my pickup. Not doubting Amsoil but saying everything is inferior is untrue.

The thing i laugh at is people who spend top dollar on oil then use a fram oil filter which are proven to barley work, nothing but wix filters for me.

Sometimes i change my own, but lately it is more of a pain then what it's worth saving. Not to mention most cars having several grease zerks to service which are impossible to get at without a lift.

Many people I know recommend Purolator as the best oil filters.

I just let the dealership do it with full synthetic cause it's $30 with a $10 mail in rebate. My warranty is good for 4 years as long as I do the regularly scheduled maintenence so going to the dealer is benficial to me in the long run.

[Scarriere]

I've been changing mine since I drove it off the lot. I asked the service dept about warranty issues first. They said keep the rcpts for proof, log it in the manual and use conventional oil for the 1st 10,000 kms before switching to synthetic.
I enjoy working on my truck. Other than the stereo and tires, I've installed all my mods, both engine wise and exterior.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Many people I know recommend Purolator as the best oil filters.

Cut open a Fram Filter and Purolator and you'll see a huge difference...
I like the PureOne


Speaking of oil filters...where do all of you take yours to get recycled. I always thought it was weird that places take your used oil but not filters...

[mikejet]

One more thing, NEVER GET AN ENGINE FLUSH.

I lost a car to that. They reimbursed me for the engine replacement costs but it was a huge hassle to do. BBB got involved and took about 2 months.

If you really feel like you should clean out your engine then run Royal Purple. It will get rid of some of that gunk in there.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Royal Purple. It will get rid of some of that gunk in there.

Ah...RP is good stuff. Expensive but very good quality.

[azncarbos]

I like to change my oil myself becasue I score a deal 10 cases of Moible one 5-20w Plus my honda is too low too for the jack at dealers and oil change place. It give me some quailty time with my car. LoL
But for the Mini I have BWM 4 year total care service.

[groovyone]

I had to buy two oil trays because I often end up doing 2 cars or a car and bike at the same time.