Comments on: Is Changing Your Own Oil Worth It? http://cashmoneylife.com/2009/04/09/change-own-oil-worth-cost-savings/ Money Management, Small Business, Career Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:44:55 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: kiera http://cashmoneylife.com/2009/04/09/change-own-oil-worth-cost-savings/comment-page-1/#comment-20078 kiera Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:33:40 +0000 http://cashmoneylife.com/?p=1524#comment-20078 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 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!

]]> By: jeff http://cashmoneylife.com/2009/04/09/change-own-oil-worth-cost-savings/comment-page-1/#comment-19861 jeff Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:21:55 +0000 http://cashmoneylife.com/?p=1524#comment-19861 I change mine myself because I have a 4x4 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 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.

]]> By: Chrisbrl88 http://cashmoneylife.com/2009/04/09/change-own-oil-worth-cost-savings/comment-page-1/#comment-18991 Chrisbrl88 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:16:49 +0000 http://cashmoneylife.com/?p=1524#comment-18991 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. 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.

]]> By: Chrisbrl88 http://cashmoneylife.com/2009/04/09/change-own-oil-worth-cost-savings/comment-page-1/#comment-18990 Chrisbrl88 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:12:22 +0000 http://cashmoneylife.com/?p=1524#comment-18990 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. 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.

]]> By: Jose' A. Morales, Jr. http://cashmoneylife.com/2009/04/09/change-own-oil-worth-cost-savings/comment-page-1/#comment-18796 Jose' A. Morales, Jr. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:49:32 +0000 http://cashmoneylife.com/?p=1524#comment-18796 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. 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.

]]> By: Reese http://cashmoneylife.com/2009/04/09/change-own-oil-worth-cost-savings/comment-page-1/#comment-18378 Reese Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:29:24 +0000 http://cashmoneylife.com/?p=1524#comment-18378 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. 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.

]]> By: Smith http://cashmoneylife.com/2009/04/09/change-own-oil-worth-cost-savings/comment-page-1/#comment-17985 Smith Mon, 04 May 2009 15:46:40 +0000 http://cashmoneylife.com/?p=1524#comment-17985 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 www.qwikvalve.com 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

]]> By: Daron http://cashmoneylife.com/2009/04/09/change-own-oil-worth-cost-savings/comment-page-1/#comment-17871 Daron Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:51:26 +0000 http://cashmoneylife.com/?p=1524#comment-17871 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 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

]]> By: Funny about Money http://cashmoneylife.com/2009/04/09/change-own-oil-worth-cost-savings/comment-page-1/#comment-17824 Funny about Money Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:23:32 +0000 http://cashmoneylife.com/?p=1524#comment-17824 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! 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!

]]> By: Crystal Groves http://cashmoneylife.com/2009/04/09/change-own-oil-worth-cost-savings/comment-page-1/#comment-17526 Crystal Groves Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:31:13 +0000 http://cashmoneylife.com/?p=1524#comment-17526 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 change my own, have since I was a teenager. But we’ve always had the tools and resources to make it frugal and cheap.

]]>