Yesterday I wrote about how Valvoline messed up my oil change. They screwed on an oil filter canister too tightly and it cost me $15 to get a new one. I could have gone back to their oil change location to try and get them to foot the bill and replace the part, but I decided it wasn’t worth the hassle. I figure it would have taken me at least half an hour of arguing my point to try and get them to replace the part and I determined that it wasn’t worth $15 for me to deal with the time and heartache. Instead they have lost my business and I will be sure to warn my friends before going to that franchise.
There were many different viewpoints left in the comments of that article. Some people mentioned they would have done the same thing as me, while others mentioned they would have gone back to Valvoline out of principle. Some people mentioned they change their own oil to avoid circumstances like this.
Should you change your own oil?
I take my car to the mechanic to get the oil changed. I know how to do it and I’ve done it before. I was also an aircraft mechanic in the USAF, so I know my way around tools, and I am not afraid to get dirty.
But I don’t change my oil anymore for several reasons:
- The savings isn’t very much – $5 at best.
- You still need to dispose of the used oil and filter and pay the disposal fee.
- I don’t have the specialized tools and equipment (special wrench for my car, oil pans, ramps, etc).
- I get my tires rotated for free where I normally get my oil change (I bought my tires there). This is important for the tire warranty.
- Included extras like the 22 point inspection and fluid top off. Mechanics are trained to look for abnormalities and can catch some problems before they become big (read: expensive) problems.
Benefits of changing your own oil. There are some benefits to changing your car’s oil yourself – such as saving a few dollars, knowing the job was done correctly, and the satisfaction of getting your hands dirty. But for me, those aren’t enough – not when I can take a few minutes out of my day and pay a couple extra dollars to have it done for me.
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I am starting to do my own, because I have the equipment (about $30 investment) and I want better quality oil and filters used. As for disposal, in my state the oil change places have to take spent oil and anti-freeze at no charge . . .
I used to change my own oil. It was sort of fun. I really liked tinkering around with cars and stuff. But the savings as you pointed out wasn’t much. Sure, with most of the tools already it is obviously cheaper, but the time involved along with the few dollars saved really didn’t amount to much.
One of the reasons I always changed oil my own in the past was because I used to always have Jeeps or trucks. These are VERY easy vehicles to change the oil in. You don’t have to worry about tight spaces under the vehicle or jack it up and you don’t need to be double jointed to reach a filter or something. Now that we have a car, you couldn’t pay me $100 to do my own oil change.
If I had those vehicles back I’d probably still change my own oil just because it’s refreshing to get outside and tinker in the garage and work with my hands. But as it stands right now, I have no problem spending a couple extra bucks to have it done. Saves me a lot of pain and frustration.
* The savings isn’t very much – $5 at best.
—Wrong, just plain wrong. Oil change full synthetic at the lube shop costs over $60 bucks, but I can get the oil for $1 a quart (5 quarts) and an oem filter for $8. Total is $13 and some time, versus $60 and even more time. Savings is roughly $45 and about a half hour gained.
* You still need to dispose of the used oil and filter and pay the disposal fee.
—No you don’t, just take it to your auto parts store (Checker, Schucks, Kragen, O’Rielly, Napa, Parts Plus, Advance etc).
* I don’t have the specialized tools and equipment (special wrench for my car, oil pans, ramps, etc).
—Every garage should have these tools except maybe the wrench, but I bet the wrench is less than $45 dollars so it’s still a gain in the first time you change it. As for ramps, you may not need them and oil pans I just use discarded kitty litter trays (free from curbside shopping).
* I get my tires rotated for free where I normally get my oil change (I bought my tires there). This is important for the tire warranty.
—Nearly every place that put the tires on the car will rotate for free after you purchase there. Also not hard to do yourself and easiest when you change between summer and winter tires.
* Included extras like the 22 point inspection and fluid top off. Mechanics are trained to look for abnormalities and can catch some problems before they become big (read: expensive) problems.
—Again not hard to do yourself, but many of the points of inspection don’t even exist on newer cars. Also the guys at the tire shop will probably take a look around and warn you too. Finally, be aware that these guys will try to sell you extras that you don’t need. One tried to tell me my air filter was dirty and clogged but I had just reoiled it ( it’s a K&N reusable filter) the night before and he brought it to me full of dirt that I knew he had put there (or dropped on the floor).
So yeah the savings of money and time, plus you get to know your car better is entirely worth it. Added plus that you know exactly what oil is going in your car.
PK: LOL. You used the opposite extreme example for every comment I made, and that’s fine. I simply wrote about my experience. I could write about every single possibility, but that would take pages and frankly wouldn’t be worth reading.
For my situation:
So yeah, for me it is a savings of time and money. I can drop my car off at lunch, and pick it up after work, or I can make an appointment and wait 30 minutes or less. I save time, I save money, I get my tires rotated, I get my car inspected, and I even know exactly what oil is going in my car. It’s labeled at the store.
PK, where can you get a quart of oil for $ 1 ?
I love my mechanic. And I love that it costs $15 for an oil change for a regular customer with my mechanic. I’ve had experiences in the past, with other repairs, that lead me to believe he’s honest. Sure I could change my own oil. But for $15 it’s totally worth it to have someone else do it. It would take me 30 minutes to 45 minutes, and it only takes the mechanic 20 to 30 minutes. And I can be doing something else (like reading or even working on my laptop) while the mechanic is doing it. I look at my time, and since I don’t particularly enjoy working with the car, the $15 is worth it.
Those are basically the reasons that I don’t change my own oil; I can, I know how, but I don’t bother. It isn’t worth the extra hassle, especially as I live in a climate where there is snow and ice on the ground 9 months out of the year.
As I mentioned in the other post about Valvoline, the big thing is getting my car checked out by a professional. I’m not one, and cars don’t interest me. Sure, I could save a half hour doing it myself rather than sitting in the shop, but I can spend the time at the shop reading or doing work or going for a walk – basically anything other than sitting under my car which doesn’t interest me at all.
That and I’m not qualified to recognize problems with my car past the simple and obvious.
I don;t change it myself, although I do admit going to the mechanic and waiting an hour sometimes plus the drive there is a bit of a hassle.
So in that case, I should probably take my laptop and do some work while waiting.
On the other hand, if someone is a mechanic themselves, then it makes sense for them to get the oil changed themselves.
But it probably isn’t worth investing in all the tools and equipment just for oil changes, unless you are about to like build a car in terms of tuning it or something.
I change my own oil most of the time but I am completely aware that there is virtually no savings and my car would receive a more complete job (tire rotation, etc.) and a thorough inspection by my mechanic. I just do it out of habit and every time I do it I tell myself that this is a waste of my time and I’m going to drop it off at the mechanic from now on.
@PK: Where on earth do you find a quality full synthetic motor oil at a paltry $1/quart? Near impossible to find, even with rebates, unless they’re also clearance items. Please share with me and the rest of the world at http://www.bobistheoilguy.com (not my website). You are correct, though, that synthetic oil at almost any shop tends to be exorbitantly expensive, at upwards of $7-8/qt (or more).
@Patrick: I don’t know that I would blame Valvoline. I’ve found that MANY quicklube places, and even dealerships, overtighten the filters. Every owner’s and service manual I’ve seen (for my cars, at least) generally say to go a 1/4 turn past hand tight. If anything, the place you went before likely overtightened the filter and created a condition which could result in damage.
A definite no for me. I don’t mind changing air filter and battery, but I always go to mechanic for oil and tire rotation.
I don’t change my own. I take my car to the dealer, where they change the oil, top up all the fluids, tell me what is wearing out, vacuum the interior and wash the exterior. Well worth it to me. If I did it myself I’d have to a) learn how and b) collect all the gear.
I change my own.
I had a stripped oil pan that cost me $400 to replace. (The screw threading was stripped.) Wal-Mart said that my mechanic did it, and my mechanic said that Wal-Mart did it. Like the scarecrow pointing both ways.
Never again. (Or at least until I can’t do it myself anymore.)
mbhunter: Ouch! That’s the benefit of either doing it yourself or taking it to the same place every time.
There are advantages and disadvantages of each.
Pro-
I care about my car, the “mechanic” might not.
I know that every grease fitting is greased, I can prove the mechanics often don’t
Saves me $15 at a minimum
Peace of mind it was done correctly, nothing stripped.
Personal sense of accomplishment
Developing new skills and becoming more self sufficient
Getting dirty
You get to buy tools and won’t be in trouble for it.
Making sure your significant other maintains their car correctly.
Cons-
Changing oil in a Minnesota January sucks.
Once a year you have to make a trip and return your stored up used oil
Getting dirty
Having to make sure your significant others car is maintained.
I have always changed the oil in my ‘86 VW myself (occasionally with help from hubby). This winter we bought a newer car (‘06) and considered taking it to a mechanic for its oil changes. We checked prices in our small, isolated, Alaskan town and they ranged from $43 – $62. Needless to say we are doing it ourselves.
It’s not a big deal to return spent oil to the store or hit the hazardous waste day.
As for rotating the tires and brake inspections…that’s what’s happening tomorrow at my house. Studs have to come off for spring anyway.
I would never attempt to change my own oil.
The service is fairly cheap, anyways.
Plus, I would destroy the engine somehow.
I change my own, have since I was a teenager. But we’ve always had the tools and resources to make it frugal and cheap.
I take mine the the Mechanic Par Excellence because I’m a grrlll and am not about to start climbing under the car. However, my guy sure doesn’t charge what PK’s does (sixty dollah????? what’s he putting in there? molten gold?), and he also rotates the tires and checks all the belts and fixes small items, often for free.
Around here, Checker Parts will take used oil off your hands for free. Costco or Discount Tire will rotate your tires for free — Costco while you’re shopping, so you don’t have to waste a lot of time twiddling your thumbs.
IMHO, the best argument vs. changing your own is the experience that happened to Semi-Demi-Ex-Boyfriend, an inveterate DIY oil-changer. One day he proudly finished the job, climbed out from under the truck, and started the engine, headed for Checker to turn in the old oil. And SPLAT! A whole load of brand-new oil gurgled out all over the floor of the garage! He’d forgotten to put the filter thingie back on.
Since it was my garage, he had to clean the bejayzus out of the floor. Not that he wouldn’t have, anyway… But at least if it has been his, he wouldn’t have had to put up with some woman trying to stifle her laughter!
Always change my own.
1. Done right.
2. Known materials
3. Saves time (drive there, wait to get in, 20 minutes when in, wait to pay, drive home)…takes me 22 minutes start to finish, dropping off used oil is on way to grocery store so takes maybe 5 minutes, and then I take in 3-4 oil changes worth at a time
4. Something to do in down time
5. Listen to radio, so somewhat equivalent to reading
6. Simple, and can check things myself
7. In my bought used cars, most of them have simple damage from careless mechanics from oil changes, like beginnings of bolt strippings
I am using the Fumoto oil drain valve to drain my oil. The valve replaces your oil drain plug and you can drain oil without a wrench. It is really convenient if you change the oil yourself. I bought one from http://www.qwikvalve.com
Change your own oil instead of using a fast in and out lube shop. First, the quality of the filters they use are cheap. No big deal if you change them every few months. If you want extended use, bring your own filter.
Second, fast lube shops such a Jiffy Lube, and Walmart shops are just that fast. You need about an hour to properly drain your engine oil. The ten minutes allowed to drain oil at most shops is not enough time to remove all the oil.
Third, by changing your own oil you have a better selection of oil and filter at a lower price. I use synthetic mobil-1 10w-30. Its $7 a quart at autozone and about $15 at a shop.
Finally, you know the job is done right. Fast lube shops like fast food restaurants are full of kids and other people who rather be some where else. I can’t count the times I’ve had too much oil, too little oil, leaking oil, missing dip sticks, missing oil cap or something totally unrelated to my oil change screwed up do to incompetence.
If you have a good professional mechanic that normally works on your Porsche, Audi or BMW by all means let them change your oil too. But, do yourself a favor and avoid fast lube places.
It is stupid not to change your own oil. Auto Zone takes oil for free and doing the job yourself says money in the long scheme of things. YOu know the job is done right when you DIY so I think that’s the way to go. You worked on air crafts man, save some money. I will always change my own oil and do my own brakes. It is very easy, just go to your local Auto Zone and they will explain how easy it is to do your own owl and get a great deal on oil. Valvoline recycles their oil, so you never know what your going to get when you let other people work on your cars.
Sincerely,
Jose A. Morales, Jr.
I do my own (and that’s saying something, considering I’m a porter at a car dealership and I could have a mechanic do it for me in exchange for beer). I only run synthetic and it’s a hell of a lot cheaper to watch the ads and get a good price for it. I just did mine last week and I got 5 quarts of Castrol Syntec along with a good filter for 17 dollars on sale. That’s around what it would cost me to have it done at a quickie place with conventional oil.
Like many of the people here have said, many places will take the used oil and filter for free (there are AutoZones and Advance Auto Parts everywhere around me, so stopping it to hand off the old oil took me all of 30 seconds). You can probably even talk car dealerships into taking it for free (many use heaters that burn the used oil in winter, plus they have a lot of old oil to get rid of anyway). I don’t even need ramps to do it because I drive an SUV. I went to do it on my girlfriend’s Cobalt the same day I did mine, and the mechanic she went to last time completely stripped the head of the drain plug, so there was no way for me to get it off. She HAD to go to a quickie place for that one (I suspect the last place she went to intentionally stripped it so she wouldn’t have a choice but to go back). I didn’t need ramps to get under the Cobalt either – I just used a floor jack.
For anyone concerned about the cost of supplies to do it, they’re not that bad and (depending on the type of oil you run vs cost for a quickie place) they end up paying for themselves in savings. An oil filter wrench only costs about 6 bucks and that’s really the only tool you need that a substantial number of people wouldn’t have lying around already, and that’s only if you have a canister-type filter that’s been over-tightened. You can pick up a good floor jack or a set of ramps for around 50 bucks (watch the ads). I would suggest going with the floor jack instead of the ramps because you can use the floor jack for getting the wheels off, as opposed to a single function for the ramps. As for a container for the used oil, make an event of the oil change – get a few friends over and drink a few 40s while you wait on the engine to cool off some then put the old oil in the empty bottles (just don’t go out driving after having all that beer).
My oil changes are about to get a whole hell of a lot easier thanks to Smith’s suggestion of the Qwik Valve. I’m ordering one before my next oil change (November or so – I can get 5000 miles out of my 99 Olds Bravada on synthetic… probably more but I don’t want to push my luck).
It seems like the less money I want to spend, the more I learn to do by myself. I’ve done my radiator flush and my oil so far on this vehicle (had it since March) and the next step is to do my brakes. The only things I would really think about taking it to a mechanic for are just things that need a lift in order to do them (alignments, ball joints, bushings, anything having to do with the transmission, etc). As far as I’m concerned, if the job can be done with a floor jack and a socket set or less, it’s routine maintenance I can do by myself. And it’s saved me (a broke 21 year old college student) a fairly substantial amount of money over the last few years.
One more thing – K&N sells filters with a nut welded to the end so they can be removed with a standard 1″ wrench or socket. That way, you don’t even need the filter tool.
I change mine myself because I have a 4×4 and it’s easy and cheaper for me and
I do the job properly. My father had me look at his car after he changed the oil
at an Arco dealer becuase it was leaking all over his driveway. So he takes it
back and they say no problem loose plug. Still leaks but less.So I take a look at
it only to find they stripped the threads on the pan and used plumbers tape
to try a quick fix. Well they claimed no liability and my father was $450 .00
lighter in the wallet .
Also my sister worked at a car repair shop and she couldn’t believe the
how crooked they were in creating problems and charging people for work they
didn’t actually do. Her conscious got to her and she had to quite the job.
i took my car, which was running perfectlty, to wal-mart for a routine oil change They finished the oil change I try to drive off but my car dosen’t start! and i got the check engine coming on !, which wasn’t on before!…so they tell me oh your battery is dead, however the battery was the first thing they checked when i got there and it tested as “Good”…. so then they say oh you got some bolts loose and i’m thinking well who loosened them!!!!!!!. A simple oil change at walmart and i needed a jump start to leave …..with no explanation or sorry or discount!
I change it myself and I really enjoy doing it. I really agree with most of what PK said. The savings can be significant. I don’t know where the heck you folks live but in Southern California you’d be hard pressed to find a place that will change your oil for less than $25. There are a few deals here and there for $20 but that’s the cheapest I’ve seen it. BTW. those cheapie shops are always crowded, grimy, and I never trust the mechanics there.
Let’s also not just gloss over the advantage of knowing the job is done right. This is a huge advantage. I once had some idiot mechanic loosen my radiator cap and it popped off on the freeway going 70 mph. Lovely. He was probably doing one of those useless 22 point inspections. C’mon folks, it’s not that hard to check your fluids, air filter, and tire pressure. Good grief, it takes 5 minutes.
Perhaps the one advantage that I love is the fact that I can do it whenever I want. I often get home too late from work and the shops are always closed. Who the heck wants to spend a lunch or a Saturday morning driving down to an oil change place? Not me.