Change your own oil?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

My husband used to always change our oil.

There was the problem of what to do with the dirty stuff, but we found that if we bottle it up and set it behind our garage on the edge of the city alley, a professional scrounger will always pick it up. I guess that means there are places that buy it. Every place I know of to take it to does not buy, but charges a "disposal fee".

Husband no longer changes the oil because our car rides so low to the ground that he would need to ramp it up to get under. Uh, well, car rides low and husband's body has gotten a little thicker. I have not volunteered to learn how to do it. So now we take the car to one of those quickie oil change shops.

Well, maybe I should learn and then keep an eye out for sales on oil. Someone blogged here about changing her own tire and I was impressed because I have never been able to loosen a single lugnut, even by jumping on the wrench. Does it take that much strength to drain the oil?

Do you change your own oil?

[GREENBACK]

I used to do it and occasionally still do but it seems pretty easy to find specials where they'll do it almost as cheaply as you can at home. For car repair places the oil change is their bread and butter. You'll notice they always try to sell you new wipers, air filters, etc.. I just say no and do the other stuff at home.

[momof1in150]

My DH used to change our oil because he could use the bays on the Navy Base for a small fee but now they change it on the base for about $20 so it isn't worth it for him to do if you add up the bay fee, disposal fee, oil and filter.

[MonkeyMama]

Originally Posted by GREENBACK

I used to do it and occasionally still do but it seems pretty easy to find specials where they'll do it almost as cheaply as you can at home. For car repair places the oil change is their bread and butter. You'll notice they always try to sell you new wipers, air filters, etc.. I just say no and do the other stuff at home.

Agreed!

My dad has always changed his own oil because he is cheap. So I know how. (He learned me when I Was younger). But by the time I take the time, destroy my clothes, and dispose of the oil, I just don't see the point. Jiffy Lube will do it in 5 minutes for the cost of oil and an oil filter anyway. I'd argue I come out ahead.

[maat55]

I do mine. I jack the car up to make more room. I buy those five quart bottles and pour the old into it. After a few changes, I take them to an Auto-Zone and leave them for free. I buy my supplies from them so they don't ask for a disposal fee.

[disneysteve]

I don't see the point. It seems to me the time involved and cost of materials wouldn't justify any savings. It only costs $25 or less to have it done professionally, well worth it IMO.

[maat55]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I don't see the point. It seems to me the time involved and cost of materials wouldn't justify any savings. It only costs $25 or less to have it done professionally, well worth it IMO.

I've found that you can do it three ways.

Have it done at the quick place for 30+
Have it done at Walmart and wait forever for 20
Do it yourself at your pleasure for about 15

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by maat55

I've found that you can do it three ways.

Have it done at the quick place for 30+
Have it done at Walmart and wait forever for 20
Do it yourself at your pleasure for about 15

I do it at the dealership for $25 (sometimes less with a coupon). They give me a free loaner, so I just drop off my car, pick up the loaner and go to work. Then I come back after work and swap back to my car.

The Walmart option also gives you time to shop, so if you plan it around a shopping trip that "forever" wait becomes useful time. We can easily spend an hour or so in Walmart, especially one with a supermarket.

[maat55]

Good for you. I personally avoid the dealership like the plague. Loaner car!! Do you have pictures of someones wife?

They have you sucked into their scheme.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by maat55

They have you sucked into their scheme.

Actually, I've never gotten my car serviced there. To be honest, I didn't even know they had an auto service center. Do all Walmarts have that? I'll have to check if the ones around here do.

[maat55]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Actually, I've never gotten my car serviced there. To be honest, I didn't even know they had an auto service center. Do all Walmarts have that? I'll have to check if the ones around here do.

All the supercenters i've ever seen have them. They do tires and oil changes mostly.

[Like2Plan]

I used to change my own oil when I had more time. Now Jiffy Lube does it.

[Gjowers]

I used to when I had an SUV, I think I only saved about $5 per oil change over jiffy lube so it was not really worth it, but it gave me some satisfaction and an excuse to tinker with the car. Now that the SUV is gone, I don't plan to ever do it again.

[GREENBACK]

Originally Posted by maat55

All the supercenters i've ever seen have them. They do tires and oil changes mostly.

I think we discussed this before Matt55. My Walmart supercenter takes less than 45 minutes through the week ( may be different on wknds). If I intend to go this route I have my shopping plan in place and avoid impulse buying.

I know they figure most people are going to shop and buy plenty of things they hadn't planned on but that's just a good retail buisness move in my in my view. It's similar to putting all the desirable items at the back of the store.

When I go to Walmart it usually works out well for me but I'm in a small community so there are fewer customers and it takes less time.

[GREENBACK]

"Have it done at Walmart and wait forever for 20"


Sorry, meant to insert this qoute as well.

[maat55]

Originally Posted by GREENBACK

I think we discussed this before Matt55. My Walmart supercenter takes less than 45 minutes through the week ( may be different on wknds). If I intend to go this route I have my shopping plan in place and avoid impulse buying.

I know they figure most people are going to shop and buy plenty of things they hadn't planned on but that's just a good retail buisness move in my in my view. It's similar to putting all the desirable items at the back of the store.

When I go to Walmart it usually works out well for me but I'm in a small community so there are fewer customers and it takes less time.

I wouldn't want to put all those good tools to waste in the garage.

[jIM_Ohio]

dealership for me.

changed it once and too dirty for me. Usually pay around $15 with a coupon.

This thread title made me laugh. If I went back to a college reunion and asked "are you low on oil", that has so many meanings beer would probably start coming out of my nose. Too funny.

[SnoopyCool]

I can get it done at the Texaco 10 min place for around $20. Wal-Mart is the same price, and so if I intend to shop, I can go there and kill two birds with one stone. Last time we went to Wal-Mart, it only took about 1/2 hour... it was finished long before we were.

[GREENBACK]

Originally Posted by maat55

I wouldn't want to put all those good tools to waste in the garage.

good point

[GREENBACK]

I did change my transmission fluid about a year ago. This is more time consuming and more messy than an oil change but you'll save about 100 bucks doing this one yourself. I had the time and the tools so why not.