Kind of hard to beat a $20 Walmart oil change

[Fritzo]

I do my own oil changes on my BMW because I have an oil extractor and the oil filter is on top of the engine (and Mobil1 Synthetic is $$$$), but I also have a Scion XA and a Chrysler Town & Country where the filter is under the car. Walmart's standard oil change is only $20, and they use decent Valvoline + Fram filters, and you can watch them through a window (though there's not much you can screw up in an oil change). The guys at my local Wallyworld seem pretty competent too, pointing out specific features to each car (the goofy location of the cabin filter in my Scion, for example).

It would cost me about $20 to buy everything to do an oil change myself. Anyone have any good/bad experiences at Walmart?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I've read tons of horrible experiences at wal-mart. From underfilling, to filling twice, to majorly stripped drainbolts that they "glue" back on and filters that are way overtightened.

I would at least double check the fill level and keep an eye on the drain bolt and filter for a week or so.

 

[KeithP]

I've read tons of horrible experiences at wal-mart.

And 90% of those are probably union shills just trying to mess with the company.

-KeithP

 

[Fritzo]

I've read tons of horrible experiences at wal-mart. From underfilling, to filling twice, to majorly stripped drainbolts that they "glue" back on and filters that are way overtightened.

I would at least double check the fill level and keep an eye on the drain bolt and filter for a week or so.

I've been using them for about a year now and haven't had a single incident. I'm just wondering if those stories are about the same frequency as any oil change place.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I've been using them for about a year now and haven't had a single incident. I'm just wondering if those stories are about the same frequency as any oil change place.

Probably very close.

 

[Vetterin]

Fram filters...........

 

[mvbighead]

I used to use them pretty much all the time. Probably about a solid 10 years, and being a regular commuter, I got a lot of oil changes. The worst problem I ever had was they left an unopened bottle of oil under the hood and the hood wasn't latched properly, which led me to finding the bottle.

Otherwise, none of my cars have had any issues. Honestly, like you say, there isn't a whole lot to screw up there.

I've since been doing my own oil changes as I am using synthetic in everything so I can extend the service interval from 3000 to 5000. I'm told I could do more with synthetic, but it is nerve racking coming from 3000 miles to 5000, so I just try to push them out enough to offset the price difference. One car has an OLM that I have yet to trip, the other don't.

Honestly, they are definitely hard to beat at $19, but my local wallyworlds have upped it from 19 to 24, to 26.50 or something. For just a little more, I can do my own change with a better filter and Mobil 1. That's the only reason wally world doesn't do mine any more.

 

[Mermaidman]

And 90% of those are probably union shills just trying to mess with the company.

-KeithP

Grease monkeys have unions? :hmm:

 

[sgrinavi]

Just the PIA of getting rid of used oil makes an oil change service attractive, but I'd rather pay 3x the price than spend 1 minute in a Hel*Mart.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I only trust myself, even if it means paying more.

I enjoy doing my own oil changes, good father/son/daughter time too (kids enjoy it too and it provides valuable lessons to them too).

NOTE: I have an office job, if I didn't....YEAH I would probably pay someone. Doing things myself offsets that balance nicely.

 

[Murloc]

Probably very close.

you can also consider the fact that wal-mart is a big chain so the negative comments get bunched up.

 

[Baked]

Oil change is about the easiest car maintenance you can do on your own. Almost everybody gets the weekends off. It takes at most half an hour hands on time to do it. People are just lazy. I do it myself, I use Mobile 1 synthetic + Purolator filter. I let the oil drain out over night, then I replace the filter and fill out the oil next day. Win.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Oil change is about the easiest car maintenance you can do on your own. Almost everybody gets the weekends off. It takes at most half an hour hands on time to do it. People are just lazy. I do it myself, I use Mobile 1 synthetic + Purolator filter. I let the oil drain out over night, then I replace the filter and fill out the oil next day. Win.

I am completely unwilling to crawl around under my car. I'd rather pay someone to do it. I've NEVER changed the oil on my wife's Lexus. The service engine light comes on and she knows to call the dealership and take it in for service. They give her a loaner car for the day and I don't have to mess with it.

Only vehicle I'll work on myself is my Ducati. I actually enjoy working on it.

 

[exdeath]

Meh. I can change my oil at home with less time and hastle than getting off my butt and competing with traffic to get to Wal-Mart then having to compete and wait again in line with other people who were there first.

I much prefer the 5 minutes of solitude in my own garage by myself at my own efficient pace with no obstructions or competition over a 15 minute drive in public interacting with pathetic creatures of meat and bone who's sole purpose in life are to attempt to 1up and obstruct each other every second of the day.

 

[Fritzo]

I used to use them pretty much all the time. Probably about a solid 10 years, and being a regular commuter, I got a lot of oil changes. The worst problem I ever had was they left an unopened bottle of oil under the hood and the hood wasn't latched properly, which led me to finding the bottle.

Otherwise, none of my cars have had any issues. Honestly, like you say, there isn't a whole lot to screw up there.

I've since been doing my own oil changes as I am using synthetic in everything so I can extend the service interval from 3000 to 5000. I'm told I could do more with synthetic, but it is nerve racking coming from 3000 miles to 5000, so I just try to push them out enough to offset the price difference. One car has an OLM that I have yet to trip, the other don't.

Honestly, they are definitely hard to beat at $19, but my local wallyworlds have upped it from 19 to 24, to 26.50 or something. For just a little more, I can do my own change with a better filter and Mobil 1. That's the only reason wally world doesn't do mine any more.

Truthfully 5000 miles is the life of standard oil and up to 15000 for synthetic. That 3000 mile rule comes from oil change company's marketing based on old information (kind of like saying running your fuel tank low clogs up your injectors). 3000 mile oil changes are a hold over from 1980's and earlier cars. Standard oil is also so refined now that it lasts a lot longer (some cars can go 7500-10000 miles on normal oil). Best thing to do is follow your owner's manual recommendations, and if you're the squeamish type deduct 10% from what it says.

 

[ProchargeMe]

Fram filters...........

Fram filters are pretty cheap but also reliable in my experience. Have you had problems with fram before?

 

[LTC8K6]

Fram filters are pretty cheap but also reliable in my experience. Have you had problems with fram before?

Fram orange filters are almost universally recognized as crap.

 

[mvbighead]

Truthfully 5000 miles is the life of standard oil and up to 15000 for synthetic. That 3000 mile rule comes from oil change company's marketing based on old information (kind of like saying running your fuel tank low clogs up your injectors). 3000 mile oil changes are a hold over from 1980's and earlier cars. Standard oil is also so refined now that it lasts a lot longer (some cars can go 7500-10000 miles on normal oil). Best thing to do is follow your owner's manual recommendations, and if you're the squeamish type deduct 10% from what it says.

True, and I've known most of that for a while. I just get the heeby-jeebies running it too long. I'll probably eventually move that number up, but for now, I'm ok with 5000 until they've run a few synthetic changes.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I am completely unwilling to crawl around under my car. I'd rather pay someone to do it. I've NEVER changed the oil on my wife's Lexus. The service engine light comes on and she knows to call the dealership and take it in for service. They give her a loaner car for the day and I don't have to mess with it.

Only vehicle I'll work on myself is my Ducati. I actually enjoy working on it.

If you were to ask me, you shouldn't own a car if you are unwilling to to BASIC maintenance.



Also you clearly haven't been screwed by a dealer or experienced their shitty work (I have). From Marked filter not changed to wrong volume of oil......on and on it goes.

 

[Fritzo]

Fram filters are pretty cheap but also reliable in my experience. Have you had problems with fram before?

Never had a problem with Fram either. I think there's a lot of elitism when it comes to parts.

 

[nerp]

Fram uses cheap cardboard in their filters. Google it. Or get one and cut it open. Yes, THAT is what is protecting your car from severe failure. Then cut open a Wix. You will be shocked.

 

[drum]

If you were to ask me, you shouldn't own a car if you are unwilling to to BASIC maintenance.



Also you clearly haven't been screwed by a dealer or experienced their shitty work (I have). From Marked filter not changed to wrong volume of oil......on and on it goes.

That is a ridiculous thing to say. Should people who don't update their computers monthly or other basic maintenance tasks not own computers? Not to mention older people, single parents, ect.

 

[BeauCharles]

I've used Walmart for oil changes in two different locations and they generally did fine. Only had one gripe at the Salinas, California location - the guys would get dirty oil on their hands, not wipe it off and then drive my car out to the lot after they finished. I'd come out to find grease/oil on my inside door handle, steering wheel and gear shift. Started going to Oil Can Henry's - don't have to get out of the car there. More expensive, but at least some Vato isn't making a mess of my interior.

 

[JCH13]

Meh. I can change my oil at home with less time and hastle than getting off my butt and competing with traffic to get to Wal-Mart then having to compete and wait again in line with other people who were there first.

I much prefer the 5 minutes of solitude in my own garage by myself at my own efficient pace with no obstructions or competition over a 15 minute drive in public interacting with pathetic creatures of meat and bone who's sole purpose in life are to attempt to 1up and obstruct each other every second of the day.

This. I usually find any work on cars to be relaxing, and the time I'd spend driving to a garage, waiting, then driving back is far more than I spend on an oil change.

Besides, I get eyeballs on stuff under my car that might need attention. Hell, my Fiance spotted a blown strut on my 'speed3 when it was in the air for an oil change...

If you were to ask me, you shouldn't own a car if you are unwilling to to BASIC maintenance.



Also you clearly haven't been screwed by a dealer or experienced their shitty work (I have). From Marked filter not changed to wrong volume of oil......on and on it goes.

No one asked you

That is a ridiculous thing to say. Should people who don't update their computers monthly or other basic maintenance tasks not own computers? Not to mention older people, single parents, ect.

He likes saying ridiculous things and then recanting the severity of his statements later. Right up there with 'do not consider wrenching on cars until you have a garage and a house.'

 

[exdeath]

That is a ridiculous thing to say. Should people who don't update their computers monthly or other basic maintenance tasks not own computers? Not to mention older people, single parents, ect.

Yeah wtf, real men do surgery on themselves! If you can't do CPR on yourself you deserve to die! Everyone is an expert in every subject and it can easily be accomplished in one short life time.