We have a oil recycling place around here. If I had a truck I'd just screw a spigot to the bottom of it and fill that up over a year or so. When it's full wheel it out and just drive it to the recycler.
We have a oil recycling place around here. If I had a truck I'd just screw a spigot to the bottom of it and fill that up over a year or so. When it's full wheel it out and just drive it to the recycler.
For most people, no.
I still change my own because I know I am not going to overtighten the filter, or forget to tighten the drain plug. Another thing most places don't do is pre-oil the filter and I'll bet most don't even oil the seal. While it is definitely petty to pre-oil the filter, oiling the seal is pretty important. Economically, it is cheaper to have an oil change place do it, because they get a killer rate on those drums of motor oil, and usually pass the savings on, especially considering they know they are going to be able to sell unnecessary service to a lot of people.
As or the recycling issue, I have a 55 gallon drum of used oil that I just take back all at once. They still make you sign for it, and you can guesstimate on the grade, but it is much easier to do 30 some oil changes and then take that back.
I still change my own because I know I am not going to overtighten the filter, or forget to tighten the drain plug. Another thing most places don't do is pre-oil the filter and I'll bet most don't even oil the seal. While it is definitely petty to pre-oil the filter, oiling the seal is pretty important. Economically, it is cheaper to have an oil change place do it, because they get a killer rate on those drums of motor oil, and usually pass the savings on, especially considering they know they are going to be able to sell unnecessary service to a lot of people.
As or the recycling issue, I have a 55 gallon drum of used oil that I just take back all at once. They still make you sign for it, and you can guesstimate on the grade, but it is much easier to do 30 some oil changes and then take that back.
Pennzoil is crap. The shit plugs up my oil filter after only 1,000 miles. I switched to some random Fleet Farm brand and have not had any problems. Some of the high end name brand shit you don't even need. As for Pennzoil, I ask myself why? Why do people buy that crap and put it in their engines? You might as well put roofing tar in you engine.
I dont change my own but the "garage" that does is very specialized and takes very good care of any care that comes in. The garage is one one guy and his assistant anyhow so at least I know who is changing my oil.
PingSpike
Lifer
- Feb 25, 2004
- 21,758
- 603
- 126
I used to change it, but between buying the oil, getting the fucking filter off, crawling around on the freezing cold ground in the winter, getting dirt all over myself, disposing of the oil (or rather, hoarding it somewhere, waiting for it to be destroyed during the apocolypse), etc it seemed like a pretty big pain in the ass...and frankly, I don't even think its worth it money wise.
I just take it to the Oil 'N Go place...$34 after tax...they top off all my fluids, vacumn the car, wash the windows. Supposedly they also do an inspection of everything as well. Sure, they try to sell me an air filter every week...but, I don't really know shit about cars, so its kind of nice having some one who might know a little more then me at least look at the stuff under the hood as well.
I just take it to the Oil 'N Go place...$34 after tax...they top off all my fluids, vacumn the car, wash the windows. Supposedly they also do an inspection of everything as well. Sure, they try to sell me an air filter every week...but, I don't really know shit about cars, so its kind of nice having some one who might know a little more then me at least look at the stuff under the hood as well.
The nicest car to change the oil in would have to by my camry. The oil filter is mounted on the top right underneath the exhaust manifold. You can pop the hood and literlly unscrew it there. It also makes the convience of changing your filter without changing the oil....
If anybody has any reason to do that.
If anybody has any reason to do that.
exdeath
Lifer
- Jan 29, 2004
- 13,679
- 10
- 81
You can get a catch pan that has a sealed lid you can store the oil in right after draining it. Or just any 5 gallon plastic jug or used milk cartons even. Just take it to dump on the day you go pick up your oil for your next change at a place like Vatozone, Checker, etc.
I have access to two different shops and I'm spoiled, I do even my oil changes on a drive on lift that has a high capacity sliding oil drain tray between the lift tracks and the shop just has a truck come by every so often to drain them.
Having a shop with a lift, air, scanner, etc, just makes DIY a no brainer.
thats the only way to do it correctly; the wetting of the seal with fresh oil. fill up the filters on the two cars that have it mount vertically. i fill it as much as i can without making a mess for the car that has it horizontally mounted.
as for disposal, i have a sealable drain pan so i store it until its time to go to the store and get another filter and then dump it while im there.
Capt Caveman
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2005
- 34,543
- 651
- 126
Gamingphreek
Lifer
- Mar 31, 2003
- 11,679
- 0
- 81
Yep, helps create a better seal.
I change mine myself, I change both of my parents cars (When my Dad asks), my sisters car, and I have changed my friends cars oil before. When I do something myself, I KNOW that it is getting done right.
The only times I use a shop is when there is something more advanced than I can handle. Even then I am skeptical and have been known to walk into the garage and watch the car for a little bit.
I want to get my clutch checked as well as a few other engine tuneups before I head back to college (Check/Replace clutch, Check/Replace fuel injectors, Inspect pistons and piston rings etc...). I simply don't have the time, and as for the clutch, I just don't have the experience to do it myself.
-Kevin
ViviTheMage
Lifer
sometimes I can get full syn oil changes from certain places with a coupon for like 20$....too me that is very cheap!
They do it rather quick too, and have the lift and such so I can see underneath for any leaks and whatnot.
They do it rather quick too, and have the lift and such so I can see underneath for any leaks and whatnot.
Given even equivalent expense, I'd rather spend my time doing than waiting plus know it is done correctly both procedurally and parts-wise. If it was included in the purchase as with some horseless carriages then I would let the dealer do it (all the better to support any warranty claim). My ol' Jeep is a piece of piss to do thanks to EZ access. Mit mein TDI, I pumpe out from the top which is slightly more fiddly, as is the multi-part filter (as opposed to disposable unit) but remains easily accessable.
FallenHero
Diamond Member
- Jan 2, 2006
- 5,659
- 0
- 0
Normally I do...but I am glad I took it to a place this last time. They noticed a leak in my transmission...had me go down there and actually look at it. They were honest and siad they couldn't fix it, but to take it to a dealer. Every so often it isn't bad to have someone else look at your car...im not sure if I would have noticed the leak had I done it myself as it was winter out and well...id be doing it quickly so i dont freeze my ass off.
of course I change my own oil, I have a lift in the garage.
I suppose I could just use the oil change pit I have to, but I'd rather use the lift....
I suppose I could just use the oil change pit I have to, but I'd rather use the lift....
personally, I'm probably going to do a lot of the oil changes myself. if i bring it in anywhere, I'm going to have them use a specific oil that i bring, and not they're own cheapest oil that they pick up off the shelf.
SoulAssassin
Diamond Member
- Feb 1, 2001
- 6,135
- 2
- 0
Women:
1. Pull up to Jiffy Lube when the mileage reaches 3000 since the last oil change.
2. Drink a cup of coffee.
3. 15 minutes later, write a check and leave with a properly maintained vehicle.
Money Spent: $20.00 Oil Change $1.00 Coffee ---------------- $21.00 Total
Men:
1. Go to auto parts store and write a check for $50 dollars for oil, filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and scented tree.
2. Discover that the used oil container is full. Instead of taking it back to recycle, dump in hole in back yard.
3. Open a beer and drink it.
4. Jack car up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.
5. Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.
6. In frustration, open another beer and drink it.
7. Place drain pan under engine.
8. Look for 9/16 box end wrench.
9. Give up and use crescent wrench.
10. Unscrew drain plug.
11. Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil; get hot oil on you in process.
12. Clean up.
13. Have another beer while oil is draining.
14. Look for oil filter wrench.
15. Give up; poke oil filter with screwdriver and twist it off.
16. Beer.
17. Buddy shows up; finish case with him. Finish oil change tomorrow.
18. Next day, drag pan full of old oil out from underneath car.
19. Throw kitty litter on oil spilled during step 18.
20. Beer. No, drank it all yesterday.
21. Walk to 7-11; buy beer.
22. Install new oil filter making sure to apply thin coat of clean oil to gasket first.
23. Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.
24. Remember drain plug from step 11.
25. Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.
26. Hurry to replace drain plug before the whole quart of fresh oil drains onto floor.
27. Slip with wrench and bang knuckles on frame.
28. Bang head on floor board in reaction.
29. Begin cussing fit.
30. Throw wrench.
31. Cuss for additional 10 minutes because wrench hit Miss December (1992) in the left breast.
32. Clean up. Apply Band-Aid to knuckle.
33. Beer.
34. Beer.
35. Dump in additional 4 quarts of oil.
36. Beer.
37. Lower car from jack stands
38. Accidentally crush one of the jack stands
39. Move car back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during step 23.
40. Test drive car
41. Get pulled over; arrested for driving under the influence.
42. Car gets impounded.
43. Make bail. Get car from impound yard.
Money Spent: $50 parts $12 beer $75 replacement set of jack stands; hey the colors have to match! $1000 Bail $200 Impound and towing fee --------------------------- $1337
1. Pull up to Jiffy Lube when the mileage reaches 3000 since the last oil change.
2. Drink a cup of coffee.
3. 15 minutes later, write a check and leave with a properly maintained vehicle.
Money Spent: $20.00 Oil Change $1.00 Coffee ---------------- $21.00 Total
Men:
1. Go to auto parts store and write a check for $50 dollars for oil, filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and scented tree.
2. Discover that the used oil container is full. Instead of taking it back to recycle, dump in hole in back yard.
3. Open a beer and drink it.
4. Jack car up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.
5. Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.
6. In frustration, open another beer and drink it.
7. Place drain pan under engine.
8. Look for 9/16 box end wrench.
9. Give up and use crescent wrench.
10. Unscrew drain plug.
11. Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil; get hot oil on you in process.
12. Clean up.
13. Have another beer while oil is draining.
14. Look for oil filter wrench.
15. Give up; poke oil filter with screwdriver and twist it off.
16. Beer.
17. Buddy shows up; finish case with him. Finish oil change tomorrow.
18. Next day, drag pan full of old oil out from underneath car.
19. Throw kitty litter on oil spilled during step 18.
20. Beer. No, drank it all yesterday.
21. Walk to 7-11; buy beer.
22. Install new oil filter making sure to apply thin coat of clean oil to gasket first.
23. Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.
24. Remember drain plug from step 11.
25. Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.
26. Hurry to replace drain plug before the whole quart of fresh oil drains onto floor.
27. Slip with wrench and bang knuckles on frame.
28. Bang head on floor board in reaction.
29. Begin cussing fit.
30. Throw wrench.
31. Cuss for additional 10 minutes because wrench hit Miss December (1992) in the left breast.
32. Clean up. Apply Band-Aid to knuckle.
33. Beer.
34. Beer.
35. Dump in additional 4 quarts of oil.
36. Beer.
37. Lower car from jack stands
38. Accidentally crush one of the jack stands
39. Move car back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during step 23.
40. Test drive car
41. Get pulled over; arrested for driving under the influence.
42. Car gets impounded.
43. Make bail. Get car from impound yard.
Money Spent: $50 parts $12 beer $75 replacement set of jack stands; hey the colors have to match! $1000 Bail $200 Impound and towing fee --------------------------- $1337
cKGunslinger
Lifer
- Nov 29, 1999
- 16,408
- 57
- 91
I used to change the oil in my old truck, then when I got my Protege, I just took in anywhere and paid $15-20.
Looking at someone's 2-3 page write-up on how to change the oil in the Mazda 3, and the special tool required, it looks like I'll be taking it to the dealer for the changes.
Looking at someone's 2-3 page write-up on how to change the oil in the Mazda 3, and the special tool required, it looks like I'll be taking it to the dealer for the changes.
batmang
Diamond Member
- Jul 16, 2003
- 3,020
- 1
- 81
I still change mine, and always will. I've had too many oil change places lose things from my car. Misc. underbody screws for panels/splash guards, oil filter one time was on too lose... friggin leaking oil. Another time the windshield washer fluid cap, GONE. The guy never put it back on. I always do it myself now... and it is cheaper for me to do it myself.
XZeroII
Lifer
- Jun 30, 2001
- 12,572
- 0
- 0
WTF? The colors of the jack stands have to match??!! There should be another section about taking the grinder and some old paint to them to put some wear marks on them so that no one knows that they are new. Who cares about the color as long as they look used.
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